Last of the summer rides? B Group to Rusper, 29 September

In a week of thunder and rain we were granted a welcome chilly but sunny window for our Redhill ride.  One or two had dropped out, but we had a couple of surprise but welcome latecomers, too, and we all got to Redhill (not the easiest part of a Redhill ride, getting there!) in good time, though chitchat and whatnot slightly delayed the departure of the Impressionists, captained by Ken upon his welcome return to leadership duty.

We took the Country Park route out of Redhill but the whiff of landfill up Cormongers Lane may mean I use Nutfield Marsh Road next time I want to go south east!  I'd gone round the route on Monday after Sunday's storm to ensure the Country Park off road was not a challenge, and it was relatively dry even after Tuesday's storm.

The concept of the ride was to loop westwards through Surrey and finish near Dorking, but to do that you have to cross the M23 and circumnavigate Gatwick Airport.  We used the Smallfield and Horley route to do this and the lanes were easy riding so that as we came to cross the M23 we, the Cubists, caught up the Impressionists.  We decided to hang back in Horley and give them plenty of time to get ahead, but the vote was against coffee, even though there was plenty of it around, so instead Steph took photos while we admired the pavement map in Horley High Street. 

Cubists admire a more figurative work

The delay ploy worked; we caught the Impressionists up again only in the pub!  The roundabout on the north east corner of the airport was our last potentially unpleasant road junction until the A25 north of Brockham, and in the current circumstances the roads immediately adjacent to Gatwick airport are not too busy; we actually saw an aeroplane taking off!

Both groups at The Star, Rusper.  Photo taken by the beer delivery man!

Thus we settled down to nearly twenty miles of pleasantly undulating Surrey lanes, through Charlwood, Rusper and round Partridge Lane to Newdigate, along Red Lane and Bushbury Lane to the Old Coach Road through Betchworth Park.  Interrupted only for a relaxed lunch at The Star in Rusper with a music conversation and a splendid haddock and leek bake, then back on the bikes, riding in the low sun, the dappled light through trees lush with late summer green, past the still ponds, the odd pothole, a mouthful of little autumn flying insects if you opened it for any distance, a big wasp caught in the helmet; what more can you ask of life?

The Impressionists stopped for tea at Ryka's in order to go on towards Cobham, the Cubists had tea at the top of Box Hill, joined by one or two of the Impressionists; no names, no pack drill, but am I alone in thinking that it is cheating to ride up Box Hill without any gears?  I wouldn't have raised it had the culprit not sailed past me half way up.  

There we sat outside the cafe, smugly pleased with ourselves at the weather window we had enjoyed only to be drenched as soon as we set off home; the world suddenly darkened, the wind blew up, the rain came down.  Oh well, it saves washing the bike!

Thanks especially to Ken for volunteering to be a co-leader, and to Dave for providing him with electronic map back-up, and to Colin for back-marking for the Cubists, and to Martin, Christina, Pete, Steph, Tim G and Clive for the company.  I had a thoroughly enjoyable day out.

And here is the report from the Impressionists

The Impressionists started late and with a reduced group of six -  Dave, Tony, Sue, Jacqui, John and Ken.

The off road section was surprisingly dry after the heavy overnight rain and it was a nice route to avoid the Redhill traffic.

At Horley we were caught by The Cubists who volunteered to stop for a coffee to give us some space.

Dave Fixie took the lead and the pace improved so much so that we were early arriving at the Star in Rusper.

Our group decided to take lunch inside as the day, although perfect for a brisk bike ride, had an autumn chill. . 

The food was good and served pretty quickly. 

Ann and Terry joined our group for the route back which was on home ground to most of us. The Partridge lane alternative route was very pleasant and traffic free.

At the Boxhill turn-off we split for our preferred route home.

Thanks to everybody for the company, and to Paul for arranging the route, and to Dave and Tony for route finding.

Ken