Easy Riders, Ashtead and Leigh, 30th June

Nine set out from North Cheam yesterday, lead by Dawn. We had agreed to restore our 9.30 start time, as a slightly longer than usual ride to lunch was planned. At Ashtead they were met by Ray, Madeleine and me, and we were able to start for Leigh shortly after 11.15. Dawn lead us at a good pace down through Leatherhead and along the A24 cycleway to Denbies. Through Pixham (where Liz and Lynda decided to stop for lunch at the Watermill) and along the quite rough and muddy carriageway through the golf course to lovely Brockham Green.

Soon we were at Leigh - in fact we were 10 minutes early for lunch! - but the landlady and staff at the Plough were ready for us and we had a lovely group table for all 10 to enjoy our meal together. Lovely food and prompt service meant we had finished and were ready to leave by 1.45.

Dawn had to leave us promptly as she had an appointment with a Channel 4 TV crew at 4 o'clock and needed to get ready and pick up the dog beforehand... The rest of us headed back the way we'd come. Madeleine peeled off to take the train back from Dorking. Maureen and Ed headed back along the A24, leaving six of us, lead by Lilian up through Little Switzerland. She wanted a challenge on the last day of her holiday, and we were happy to join her!
The Little Switzerland six became three as Frank, Sandie and Ray peeled off at the top of Lodgebottom Road, leaving Lilian, Anne and me to continue upward along Tumber Street and Headley Road to Walton-on-the-Hill for tea. We were somewhat disgruntled to find the 'Road Closed' signs on Headley Common Road really meant 'road was closed', as no tiny space had been left at the edge of the barriers for us to squeeze through with our bikes. We tackled one, but then discovered a rough path through the woods alongside and so were saved from having to retrace our steps.

After all that we enjoyed our reward, the exhilarating ride down through Tadworth Kingswood Road and across Epsom Down, downhill Longdown Lane North and South and via Priests Hill through to Cheam Road. What fun! Here we parted and I headed back through Nonsuch Park while Anne and Lilian made more directly for Sutton.

A wonderful day out. Thank you Dawn for leading us to an excellent lunch venue, to Lilian for the adventure on the way home, and to everyone for your lovely company over the day.

~ Helen