Invitation to A Group ride 30th June

 Note: This ride will start from the Village Cafe in Walton on the Hill, not Leatherhead.

Lunch is at the Bell in Outwood and tea at Brockham/Denbies as desired. There is nearly two miles of offroad which we have done before - usually hard track but after last week's monsoon see my summary of conditions today at the end of this report.

The route takes us over Walton Golf Course to Mogador and than a stretch of the North Downs Way to Colley Hill and ( I hope) the views to the south. We return to Buckland Road and through the lanes to Mugswell and Chipstead before a dip down to the A23 and then the climb of Farthing Down. After Hilltop Lane we head for Bletchingly and Outwood. 

After lunch we continue south through Coglands and Dowlands Lanes before returning through Horley to Brockham and Denbies. Note that the toilets at Brockham Village Hall are now open so it is a viable tea stop - closes 4pm.

About 20 miles to lunch and 19 more to Denbies. 

We shall be passing the 11thC Chaldon Church with its "doom" fresco. Unfortunately, with the indoor Covid restrictions having been extended, the church while open this morning makes it clear that this is only for individuals and groups should not visit.  It's a shame but I think we must respect that.

Please email me briangreenwood@yahoo.co.uk by 6pm on Monday for a place.

 

Today's ride report: It was drier than Dave V found on Wednesday. There were still large puddles on the route over Walton GC but I avoided all on firm though damp ground. The margin on the last one on the top of the golf course was narrow but I could have ridden on the bank. The NDW is dry.

The section after Colley Hill between Margery Wood and Buckland Road is dry but eroded by the rain and rough for about 50 yards. No shame in walking this if you dont feel confident. After that it's all on road to lunch.

After lunch there is a short section of offroad from Peeks Brook Lane to Haroldslea on the approach to Horley. Some may remember it in a cloudburst on the first Tri-vets. The path section was damp today and looked a bit slick in places but hard underneath. Dave mentioned the nettles on this stretch but today there was just enough clearance. After that there is about 200 yds of potholed track before the tarmac starts. I managed to avoid all the puddles but there was some surface mud between a few of them. 

The Brockham coach road was dry.

Hopefully in spite of the forecast Sunday night rain it won't be worse on Wednesday.