B Group to Forest Green - 14th April

One of us after all (thanks to Pam for sending this)

On the way down to Ryka’s with Sue and Anne, Sue mentioned that the route referenced in my invitation didn’t seem to go to The Parrot. I had a mild panic but was pleased to learn when I saw John just before he departed with his first group that I had given the correct route to the three sub-leaders but that in my plan I had simply omitted the turn off Ockley Road into Horsham Road where The Parrot is situated. Phew!

Panic over, we took off down towards Brockham via the Coach Road, commencing our circular ride up Root Hill, then Parkgate, Newdigate, Capel and Ockley, and across Stane Street to Forest Green. After commencing our new post-lockdown season with two fairly challenging rides I thought that the least I could do was ease into the day with a morning of gentle undulations. So it was, and although the season has yet to spring into its full verdant leafiness there was the lovely Surrey countryside rolling by with lots of little roadside flowers to enjoy, including I believe a few bluebells, though probably the naughty Spanish sort and not our own more modest English ones. 

For lunch I chose The Parrot because it was halfway around the course I had planned, thinking then of Tea in Ashtead. Since many of us would have a longish ride down to Ryka’s I thought that 15.5 miles to lunch was about right, allowing also that the last group wouldn’t be leaving Ryka’s until 11:20.

However, in correspondence with Chris, the Manager, when I made the booking it was clear that they would be very pleased to have us all to lunch and we received a warm welcome. We parked on the lawn around the back and sat out in the sun on their spacious patio, venturing indoors only to use the amenities.

The menu didn’t have sandwiches and not many light bites but most of us were happy to dive into the main menu for what was a most satisfying lunch. (note to self: must go again). Ann Bath left us after lunch to go home and see Steve to make sure he wasn’t laid low by his second vaccination.

Brenda, Stephen, Ann, Tim C, Anne, Sue F

Dave, Steph, Tony, Martin, Grant

Tim G, Christina, Colin, Jackie, Simon

John, Pete, Sue C, Terry

Pete, Terry, John, Clive, Sue, Yasmine

Yasmine, Clive, John, Terry Sue

Goats cheese quiche and Anne W

A pudding fit for a a leader

After lunch we had a bit of climbing to do so departed from the Parroty paradise of wholesome refreshment for the climb up to Holmbury St Mary, and at Sutton Abinger, up some more to Abinger Common. Balchins Lane and NCN Route 22 took us into Dorking and at Ryka’s our group decided to take the easy option with a Tea stop in Leatherhead. At Westhumble one of our first-time riders, Stephen Morris left us to catch the train home for which he had a return ticket. Along the Mickleham bypass path we had turned to cross the old bridge over the Mole to pass the Norbury Park Farm which I see is also home to a Surrey Wildlife Trust office. As the three remaining people in our team assembled on the bridge for a photo shoot Brian Bent emerged from the farm road. He had been pottering around on his bike and was heading down to Denbies. That was a nice surprise.

Anne, Sue and Brenda with a surprise appearance from Brian

 

Charlie and Ginger was closed so Brenda, Sue, Anne and myself decided to brave the cold and sit outside the Amici Café for coffee and hot chocolate. During lockdown, if anything was open at all in Leatherhead it was this modest little café with its very genial and hospitable proprietor so we were pleased to stop there again before the final leg home.

Brenda, Anne and Sue

 

It was a pleasure to welcome two new people to the Wayfarers, Stephen Morris and Anne Walker, both experienced cyclists who took the day’s riding in their stride. And we should mention Clive Janes who came riding with us for the first time last week and, without explanation, came back again yesterday for more. Welcome back to Martin Gandy who hasn't been out with us for ages. From A Group we had two guest riders, Jackie Townsend and Simon Lambourn who enjoyed their day out with us, a little respite from their usual hard-core rides I imagine.

It was just as well that I had co-opted three sub-leaders. After a quiet start to the bookings we ended up with 22 riders. Thank you very much to John A, Dave (fixed wheel/knobbly knees) and Tim Gibbons for delivering your teams to The Parrot and leading them home again. 

Thank you to everyone for your company and your enthusiasm. Thank you to our several photographers.

~ Tim

Postscript:

Brenda lubricating her other bike at home