A ride 30th June

This is normally the time of year when some offroad can be included in a ride without too much risk. But not this year - the May monsoon was passed when I first recce'd this and it was drying out nicely. However a second, and even third wave have put things back to winter conditions. Our revised return route, taken by all groups, was version 3 to avoid the rising water table. Fortunately it was dry yesterday even if unseasonably cold.

First off was Mark's group:

Thanks for the ride today - my little group certainly enjoyed it.  Here’s my report:

Dave, Hans, Janice, Mike and I got a good start from Walton on the Hill, and were soon on the trackways across the Heath.  The surface was a bit variable in parts, but no-one had any trouble with it and we were soon enjoying the views from Colley Hill.  At the end of Margery Lane enthusiasm for more off-road was muted, so we went down the road instead, crossing the A 217 to High Road, setting at good pace and rejoining the original route after a couple of miles.

We were held up for a couple of moments in Starrock Lane, as a very large articulated lorry, presumably lost, was having a bit of trouble.  We got by by using a couple of gateways, and left him to sort himself out.

Up Farthing Downs pretty briskly, and we stopped for a few minutes at Chaldon Church.  Understanding that they didn’t want groups to visit, we went in one at a time to see the mural. I didn’t go in, as I’ve seen it a number of times, and passed the time of day with a lady churchwarden while our visits took place.

It didn’t take very long from Hilltop Lane to the pub, where we were expected and welcomed.  There was a small issue with the beer, which was in very short supply due to the quantity consumed at yesterday’s footy.  There was enough for us, but I understand that later parties were less fortunate.

We gave Haroldslea a miss, as descriptions of its charms were not encouraging, and after a quick whiz over Norwood Hill we were soon in Denbies for our tea.  We sat inside, like ladies and gentlemen, and were served at our table, which was a very nice thing.

A good and pacey day out.

 

 

Next off was Dave Vine:

 

Many thanks for organising an interesting route today, not to mention the welcome dry weather.

My group left about 5 minutes late but made good progress across the golf course which was not as muddy as I feared, and the view from Colley Hill is always worth pausing for, even on a slightly murky day like today.

Dave Ferrett suggested we investigate Chaldon Church, which today was open to visitors. The mediaeval wall painting prompted a lively discussion about its meaning, though for me the hellish lower section was clear enough. Unfortunaty it wasn't sufficiently clear to the thieves who in 1970 stole the 750 year old church bell, the oldest in the country, which has never been recovered. Doubtless they will have some explaining to do come judgement day.

Shortly before descending Hilltop Lane we met a posse of B-group riders, including Fixie Dave, who had clearly just climbed the lane. They are made of tough stuff these B-group folk.

We arrived at The Bell in Outwood at 1pm, shortly before Brian's group, who somehow managed to overtake us in the ordering process, but the food was good when it arrived, and the service attentive.

It was 2.20 when we left, by now slightly chilly, and even more so on the descent from Outwood, but coping with the appalling surface on Cogman's Lane helped us forget such minor concerns. Near Horley, Steve's rear tyre took a hit from a large nail, but survived intact and un-deflated, leaving only a large pool of latex on the road, and proving that tubless does work.

I was pessimistic about the possibility of getting to Denbies in time for tea, but our speed picked up as we approached. Patrick won the final sprint up the Cote de Denbies Serving Hetch, driven by the pangs of hunger as he hadn't eaten for over 1 1/2 hours. Thankfully Denbies were well stocked, so there were supplies enough for all of us, served in a most friendly manner. Unfortunately access to the seating area was forbidden to mere customers, so we sheltered by the bike park where we found an abandoned table, but no chairs. We live in strange times, but Denbies' approach to hospitality is doubly strange.

Thanks to all my team for a great day out, especially to Dave for back marking, and to NeilW and Patrick for dragging me home after tea. And Steve made it home on his tyre with the puncture nicely sealed up.

Finally, my group of Sue, Gina, Dave Ward and Neil C set off.  One or two of the puddles on the way up to the golf course were a bit uncomfortable and we took to the grass to avoid a few of the larger ones on the course itself. We admired the view at Colley Hill but wished for a bit of sunshine. The track through to Buckland Road is rough but was dry. After that we enjoyed the lanes through Mugswell to Chipstead where we passed a B group going south. The real hill of the day was the climb up Farthing Down which warmed us up a bit on a very cool day and the long run onwards up to Hilltop Lane where we passed the same B group again heading in the opposite direction. We arrived at lunch soon after 1pm to be told of the beer drought. Dave left us at lunch and we waited until shortly after Dave Vine's group had departed before leaving. After an uneventful ride back we stopped at Brockham where Sue and Gina headed for home after a short break and Neil and I had tea. Thanks to all for a good day out and to Dave for fixing Sue's mudguard stay.