A Group Ride report: 23 February

 

26 riders signed up for this 40 mile ride including a few less regular. Good to welcome Christina, Alan and Clive. 25 of us departed from the Olive Tree, Ashtead Park garden centre  with only one prior apology.

My “leisurely paced” Group was scheduled for the earliest start. The initial plan was to give sufficient buffer to be first to arrive at lunch. We eventually departed some 5 to 10 mins later than planned due to slight hot coffee issues and an incomplete compliment of riders. We therefore set off with 7 rather than the planned 8.  Progress was punctuated at several points by pauses to share some points of interest, admire the view, chat to the refuge collection team blocking the lane in Chipstead while clearing debris on road and garden waste bins and to reconnect my external battery pack cable in my bar bag when my I-phone complained it was more in need of refreshment than I was. As we rolled through the lanes it was interesting, if not scary, to see the destruction and debris caused by a week of storms.   So despite an average moving pace of over 11mph we were later than planned at lunch having been overtaken by the hares. However the staff at a very busy Dog and Duck, Outwood, took orders from and served all 3 groups (arriving contiguously) reasonably efficiently, despite the odd “missing order” (bad luck Ged) that historically plagued larger pre COVID group rides. We were all comfortably accommodated in a very large room with garden / duck views and nicely segregated from the fine dining brigade. After lunch we were the second group away into a fairly brisk SSW breeze, although not as bad as it might have been.  We were struck by a short period of drizzle around Smallfield which failed to dampen our spirits. A slight navigational issue (that would have been debugged by a recce) occurred at the East Surrey Hospital roundabout where my Kamoot turn directions instructed me to go straight but the route actually needed a left turn was promptly rectified. By the final assault of Punchbowl Lane, we effectively amalgamated with Brian’s group for the last leg to Denbies where around half of each sub group enjoined a well-earned cuppa. My thanks to Simon for getting up half an hour before he went to bed to join and back mark for my early start group. Also many thanks to Brian and Ged for sub leading under rather difficult circumstances.

Brian’s “moderately paced” Group was second away.

My hardest job was keeping up with the changes in numbers - anything from 7 to 10 between Monday evening and lunch with several changes yesterday. Ten of us set off in the sunshine somewhat later than the 1045 booked after the late delivery of my rather hot coffee and then rounding everyone up. The early hills tested Geoffrey's fitness and he decided to return home. The rest of us continued at a good pace until Farthing Down where this was put in perspective by Neil W storming past me followed by the rest of Ged's group. I was grateful to hitch a lift behind Andy and Mike up the last bit. The worst of the hills now over we pushed on to lunch against an increasing headwind where Dave W left us to nurse his errant gears homewards. After a good lunch we emerged to head into half a gale and found ourselves pedalling hard on the descent to Smallfield. Turning north was a relief and the drizzle was short lived.. Thanks to Dave for an interesting route, Mark and Neil for their corner marking and Steve D for back marking.

Ged’s “lively paced” Group was last to leave and lived up to that description.

With lively A riders snapping at my heels, we soon had the middle group in sight at Coulsdon, and after a brisk climb up Farthing Down, caught-up with the first group at Bletchingley. Patrick had to be fetched from the pub after lunch, but having missed the group photo, was duly papped separately. On the way to Pixham, Mike stopped to clean-up his bike frame with some nearby agricultural cleaning agent, after freely spaying tubeless tyre sealant around. Three stayed for tea at Denbies, as a trickle of As arrived from the other groups. Thanks to Dave F for a route of finely mixed ingredients, and to Fiona for backmarking. I'm normally cautious leading by Garmin, without having done a recce, so thanks to the rest of the group for your patience - and apologies for one hasty left turn at Whitebushes.