A Group Ride from Redhill, 23rd June.

A hilly route was planned from Redhill - as a reward for As missing the hills on last week's 'no hills' Shoreham Century! An off-road section was abandoned because of recent heavy rains, replaced instead by a route on top of the North Downs - much of it along the ancient Pilgrims Way. 

First away was Frances's group.

It was great to arrive in Redhill on a sunny morning after a rain soaked recce earlier in the week!

My team Gina, David W, Janice and Dave F were all ready to leave promptly in anticipation of a few hills ahead of us before lunch time.

The route did not disappoint and apart from the A25 section it was quiet with wide open views.  In particular it was lovely to ride along the Pilgrims Way in glorious sunshine.  I did opt to avoid the only small off road bit at Coombe Bank Drive (sorry Dave F) and follow the road to rejoin the route a few minutes later heading for Sundridge. 

We arrived ready for lunch just before 12.30pm and the pub was very organised. 

The other groups all appeared whilst we sat in the garden and enjoyed photo opportunities. We set off by 1.30 to return to Banstead via Edenbridge where Dave W left us for the train option. We headed up South Godstone and Merstham for the final push uphill to Banstead. Dave left us at top of Markedge road and the three ladies went on to the final climb of Park Road which was made easier by the thought of a nice ice cream at Pistachios in the park at Banstead.  I would congratulate Janice for legs of steel after her marathon ride a few days before - I had her back wheel during this ride! Also to Gina for spinning up the hills and our two gentlemen for their support throughout a glorious sunny day in Kent.

Next away was Steve Duffin's group. 

Our group 2 left Redhill at 10.30 am and comprised Neil C., Sue Chasty, Mark, Steve W. and Patrick. What a lovely day! Sunny with a gentle breeze. We only stopped at the top of one of the hills to rehydrate and admire the Kent countryside. 

We paused to admire the timber framed houses with pargetting on the walls at Church Town. The route was a goodly mix of fast roads and descents and quiet climbs up mostly clear roads. Of course being the consumate leader I am, I managed to miss a right turn at Toys Hill and failed to stop Steve and Patrick from flying on downhill. Fortunately they made their own way to Four Elms arriving at 12.45 and we demolished baguettes and cold drinks in the sunny garden of The Four Elms pub. Neil ordered a lamb shank main course and it looked very good.

We set off again at 1.55 pm and our aching legs took a time to ease up with the climb up to Bletchingly. Nearing Banstead, Mark and Sue turned off for home. At Banstead Neil went off too leaving Patrick and Steve W. and myself for tea and cake. We couldn't believe the number of children in the play ground. We arrived at 3.30 pm and despite being the slowest group managed 12.9 mph average, not bad considering 3551 ft of ascent. Many thanks to Mark for marking the turns and to Ged for an unusual route through beautiful countryside.

My group of five became four before the North Downs ridge - Geoffrey dismissing Gangers Hill and descending to Woldingham. The rolling Pilgrims Way was a delight, as was the fast descent into Sundridge, and we coped well with the Combe Bank gravel road over the M25. After traversing Ide Hill and Toys Hill, we stopped for a photo-opportunity in Puddledock Lane with views over the Weald of Kent. (At lunch Mark recognised our stop as the Memorial Well to Octavia Hill, open-spaces campaigner and one of the co-founders of the National Trust).

At the Octavia Hill Memorial Well, Toys Hill

Neil (W) was spooked by a Muntjac deer jumping-out in front of his wheel, but soon recovered at the Four Elms Inn.  Afterwards we paused at Crowhurst church inviting Neil into the Crowhurst tree - for the first time, and later-on stopped at Tilburstow Hill. (Alas, trees now block the view to the South Downs).

I promised a hilly ride, and 2,900ft of ascent was augmented by door-to-door climbs: some of our Strava feeds showed up to 4,500ft. However fine cycling weather made it very doable. As alway, small groups worked very well on a pacey 48mile ride.

Thanks to Frances and Steve Duffin for expert sub-leading, and Janice for pub group photos, as well as rare action shots.