A ride 8th September

 

We've had to wait a long time for one of the best days of this summer. Nineteen signed up to enjoy it and the challenge was to get everyone to lunch before the Bs. An unusual challenge but for the first time in at least 10 years ( unless I am corrected) the A and B group leaders had chosen the same pub: the lovely Sun Inn at Dunsfold. Having only discovered this on the recce where we found Tim Court's name in the bookings list the challenge was to make it work rather than replan.

All credit to the landlady, Elle, at the Sun and her staff. Tim and I had been sent a slimmed down menu last week and with orders submitted the staff did a great job on the day.

Janice and I led a group of ten which we split into two groups of five. Our outward route took us over Whitedown to Holmbury St Mary, Lyefield Lane, Ellen's Green and Alfold. The two groups were some way apart until my group stopped for Hans to examine his tyre and Janice passed us. On the return we were within a few hundred yards of each other all the way. This all worked well with the traffic though for much of the outward ride there was very little and we could enjoy relaxed cycling at a good speed in beautiful countryside. On the return we stopped at the fountain in Hascombe where only those named Neil tested the water. Janice's group stopped for ice creams at Newlands on the return and in the end the lure proved too much for even the initial abstainers in my group. 

My thanks to Janice for leading, Dave B for back marking and Dave F and Simon for leading the second group. Their reports follow.

Simon led the outward leg: Brian's route today had everything:  beautiful lanes, very little traffic, a few meaty hills, great company, well-organised stops, and the magic ingredient - sunshine.   The A and B groups were together at Effingham (11s) and again at The Sun, Dunsfold, which was great, and both venues coped with the large numbers very well.   I led the second A group in the morning: nobody seemed in a great hurry, and there was time to chat and enjoy the views during the ride.

Dave F assumed the helm after lunch for the longish grind up to Hascombe leaving Simon free to finish  collecting subs from the large gathering at the pub. However Simon soon rejoined the tail. From Hascombe we began a brisker roller coaster descent along the very scenic lanes which tracked the watercourse to Bramley via Thorncombe. After a short section on slightly busier roads to Chilworth it was time to turn off and don the crampons for the ascent of Halfpenny lane, where Steve W was crowned king of the mountain. After the coronation, a few elected to leave the ride whilst the remainder followed the partially unsurfaced track from the White Lane car park to Newlands corner. Thereafter it was traditional and more frequently travelled downhill fare to Ripley for tea. The glorious sunny day deserved Brian’s excellent and  frequently shady lane route.