Last ride of 2020 and first of 2021

With the option for groups of 6 Wayfarers rides closing down as tier 2 became 3 moving rapidly to 4, Frances and I joined up as in earlier lockdowns for ‘plus one’ rides. We’d take turns suggesting routes we’d already travelled, some with the Wayfarers and others with KPRC and Epsom cc.

Now that tier 4 has become 5 (or is it called lockdown) I’ve got the time to write up our last couple of rides!

On 30 December we set off not having realised we had a miscommunication. Frances thought we were going to Horley and I was leading the way to Horsham. Not to worry, half way there Frances mentioned our intended takeaway coffee stop, Serendipity, and the mistake was realised. As we set off the sun was shining although the ‘feels like’ temperature was -1  (actual 2) so we avoided the route’s descent of Pebble Hill in case of ice. We took the A24 cycle path, Pixham and Punchbowl Lanes, up the freewheel competition Roothill and then Newdigate and up to Rusper making it feel like a hilly ride. As we descended from Rusper the temperature seemed to go down a couple of degrees and I did see ice on a puddle just outside Horsham. 

We arrived at Horsham Park where the new owners of the conservatory cafe (I can’t remember the new name) were doing a roaring trade in takeaway coffee and large slabs of cake and we were able to find our own park bench table to sit at. It had been beautifully sunny on the ride down and we hadn’t felt cold but it’s amazing quite how quickly you cool down when you stop so it was back on the bikes as quickly as possible. 

We left Horsham via Roffey, then past the Frog and Nightgown but even the climb up Wimland Hill failed to warm our hands, especially as the sunshine had now disappeared. We headed for Lambs Green, Partridge Lane and Brockham before re-tracing our route towards Epsom. As we parted company I felt I’d warmed up and could do a bit more, I also wanted to achieve 100km, so I did a loop via Headley and Walton on the Hill making it 63 miles and one very dirty bike ready for cleaning.

On 2 January we set off for Horley to do the route Frances had in mind a few days before. It’s a route we’d done in a previous lockdown and indeed in a previous life when Neil C led a large group of Wayfarers to ‘spoons for lunch (remember those days)! Another very cold day and we set off with a climb up to Headley and down a busy Boxhill in low cloud which reduced the temperature further. Not to worry, another climb up Punchbowl Lane and a swift ride on Flanchford Road and Lonesome Lane had us feeling toasty as we skirted around Horley before stopping to find that the Serendipity cafe was closed up. A sad sign of the times. Fortunately James’ cafe almost next door provided us with hot food and drink. 

As quickly as possible we headed for home via Charlwood and Russ Hill for warmth before re-joining our outward route but this time staying on he A24 cycle path. Having enjoyed it so much previously I did my Headley/Walton loop again to make 70 miles with a very dirty bike ready for cleaning again.

The two rides were very enjoyable, thanks to Frances for her company, and overall were exhilarating rather than cold despite temperatures being little above freezing. We only felt cold straight after our stops and I’ve been very impressed with my new cold weather gear. Shimano winter boots kept my feet warm and dry at all times and ive been really impressed with a DHB relatively inexpensive windproof jacket. Not to mention the existing kit of merino base layers, fleece lined longs, winter cap, glove liners and Rapha deep winter gloves. 

With a month or 2 of local and indoor cycling in front of us I’m so glad we were able to get out when we did. 

Happy cycling, whatever you can do, and stay safe everyone. I look forward to joining you for longer rides in due course.