A Group ride 14th April

This week the sun was out and the prospect of going further afield attracted 22 riders split into four groups. Elevenses was held for the first time at the Six Bells, Newdigate who are offering a cyclists menu from 9-12.  From there a devious route to Warnham took us up Broomehall Road to Leith Hill, down Tanhurst Lane and then Lyefield/Somersbury Lanes to Ellens Green before turning east to Warnham. Back via Rusper and Partridge Lane. About 38 miles from Newdigate to Denbies. 

Reports as follows:

First off was Janice's group:

Hans, Fiona, Dave B, Mike R and Patrick were already at the Six Bells tucking into their cyclists coffee and muffin when I arrived a little later than needed. I quickly caught up with a coffee and very good croissant and then it was straight on the bike to head for the hills.

I’m not sure that it was a help having the ascent of Leith Hill via Broome Hall Road in my recent memory from the recce, knowing exactly what was coming. However, we all agreed that the advert for e bike hire was extremely well placed!

With clear sunny weather the views were spectacular and we stopped for a photo at the top of Tanhurst Lane. The descent wasn’t too bad, the road having cleared and dried a bit even since the recce. Just the potholes to watch out for.

Lovely roads and just the roadworks requiring bikes to be carried on the grass verge and we were soon at the Sussex Oak. Hans had a devious plan and ordered 10 minutes after the rest of us but was served his hot food 20 minutes before us. Never mind, he had to put up with our comments and drooling as he happily got stuck in.

Leaving the pub we were straight into what felt like a fierce headwind but we decided not to stop at Denbies. Patrick had a birthday to celebrate (and cake to eat) and Mike had a 6.15 booking in his 3rd pub of the day.

A lovely route, enjoyed by all. Thanks for your company and especially to Mike for sub-navigating and Dave for back marking. 

Frances was off next with her team seen here at lunch. Geoffrey's bike needed a little attention before the ride and he joined us for coffee just after Frances left and then rejoined them for lunch.

Next off was Dave:

My team assembled punctually in the Six Bells garden in glorious sunshine ready for the scheduled start. However, due to some coffee and cake orders being diverted to the later group, and poor Geoff not even getting his cake, we were on our way about 5 mins late, conscious of Brian's Hares on our tail. We were all quite hot huffing and puffing our way bravely up Broom Hall lane, tempted by the E bike adverts strategically placed there. We paused briefly on Coldharbour lane  to catch our breath, admire the views and and take some water before beginning the careful decent of Tanhurst lane. Could have been even more eventful as your truly discovered his front wheel  quick release  was undone and stopped to make good. Only ever happened to me twice, both times on Leith Hill. Must be sending me a subliminal message. We then enjoyed the run to lunch, progress a bit disrupted by the "Road Closed"  tarmac crew who were definitely not there on the Recce. There was much excitement at having a pub garden lunch with a few enjoying the first pint of cask beer in many months. Happy Days! The pub was working hard to feed and water a full garden of guests resulting in the Lunch stop being  five or ten mins  over the hour. By that time the sun had gone, the wind had picked up and we were starting to feel much cooler. Langhurst Lane hills soon warmed us up. After Rusper it was largely downhill via the very scenic Partridge Lane route Brian had chosen. However for sub group leaders the increasing northerly headwind was not quite so appreciated. Unfortunately my phone and power bank decided to give up the ghost before we reached Dorking (it lasted the whole ride last Friday -but with only 1 pit- stop. Note to self for future rides.  Geoff kindly gave advanced warning of upcoming turns on his still functioning Garmin. We made one further unscheduled comfort stop before arriving at Denbies around 4 pm (just ahead of Brian's hares) . Half the group decided to head for tea and myself, Gina and Geoff needed to head off home. Our sub - group pace was a reasonable  12.5 mph against the 13.5 to 14.5 pace set by the quicker sub groups. My group unanimously enjoyed the outing and join me in offering many thanks to Brian for a great route and extremely well organised pub garden pit stops. 

 

Finally my group left about twenty minutes after Dave. It was mostly uneventful except for the tarmac crew at Rowhook so I don't have a lot to add. No yellow advance warning signs on the recce - and I had checked the roadworks map - but that's for Surrey and Rowhook is in Sussex you silly so and so! Just as well we weren't 20 minutes later when they would have got the bit with no verge! 

 

We enjoyed the beer and lunch but but now the pressure on the kitchen was telling and we didn't get our food until after 2.15. We finally left at about 2.50 concious of what we thought was the 4.30 Denbies deadline. We pushed hard after crossing the railway and made it back just after 4 to find that Denbies had closed early - the only negative thing in a very good day. My thanks to my riders and to Janice, Frances and Dave for their efforts and company on the recce.