Report for B Group - 30th March

John writes:

The second group, referred to as the 'thruppenny bits' set off after a pause for a puncture, in cooler but dry weather. It was known that the route would be challenging but it was good to experience the Surrey Hills after two very flat weeks. We travelled along quite a few new roads and several less used ones.

 

A big welcome to two new riders to the Wayfarers, and we hope to see Mick Arber and Matthew Radford again.

John A


Tim writes:

We only run two rides each year from Effingham and the challenge is to go somewhere beyond our customary B Group orbit. So, rather than lure anyone into a ride that was beyond them I advertised it as a challenging ride in the hills and published the route. Despite this, 17 riders signed up and after saying goodbye to Grant who had joined us for Elevenses, 19 of us, an assortment of old coins (or old coves) pedalled away from the Vineries and into the hills. Our group were the Halfpennies.

We started the climbing straight away, up Critten Lane and White Down Lane. On the descent Christina became too enthusiastic, and while the rest of us had turned onto Route 22 she had plummeted down to the A25 and sadly missed out on one of the highlights of the morning ride, The Abinger Roughs and the Broomy Downs which are a delight when it isn't raining.

Steph, Terry, Brenda, Ray, Tim

Terry, Steph and Dave in the wilderness

We paused at the memorial to remember Samuel Wilberforce, Bishop of Winchester and third son of the abolitionist William Wilberforce, who was sadly killed after falling from his horse in 1873.

We had hoped to reconnect with Christina at the foot of Hackhurst Lane, by the Abinger Hammer Clock but learnt that she had carried on to Gomshall. 

Arriving in Gomshall

Dave kindly zoomed along to Gomshall to bring her back onto the route to Peaslake. In the meantime the rest of our group turned into Rad Lane then Wonham Way which are a continuation of NCN 22. Although barely rideable in places it is a marvellous little alternative route to Gomshall.

We set a Southbound course to Peaslake where to our great joy we found Dave and Christina. We all climbed up Walking Bottom and Lawbrook Lane, zigged at Hound House Road and zagged along Barhatch Lane to pick up Greensand Lane so that we could visit Jelleys Hollow, to stop for breath and take some photos. Dave went down into the hollow to test the feasibility of a short cut down to Alderbrook but thought better of it. We all marvelled that Dave was riding his fixed-wheel bike on a day like this.

We were pleased to arrive at the Grantley Arms and to be accomodated indoors where it was warm and convivial. We ate well and the service was crisp and cheerful. After such a hard morning however some were left feeling that they could have eaten bigger portions.

After lunch Brenda left to catch a train in Guildford to ensure that she got home in time for her other plans. Ray who wanted to ride home to Shepperton also took his leave. We rode first to Blackheath (This Way/That Way) then up and over to Chilworth. The last serious challenge of the day was Halfpenny Lane, never great fun but we all survived the ordeal. We crossed the Merrow Downs and descended to the Epsom Road (A25). We were pleased to get off the A246 and take the Ripley Road towards Cobham, a somewhat nicer ride than the alternative from West Horsley.

Coming through the Merrow Downs

In Cobham we were lucky to find that Gails was still serving people and Steph kindly treated those of us who remained to our afternoon teas.

"Come on chaps, come and get your cake"

 

Thanks to everyone who joined the ride and made the most of it. I am always impressed that B Group can rise to the challenge of a hard ride like this even with a leader who wasn't sure he could manage it himself. It was excellent to be joined by two new riders, Mick and Matthew and we hope to see them again.

Thank you to John and Pete for subleading and conducting their teams safely around the course without losing anyone, and to all the numerous photographers who have shared their photos.

~ Tim C
 

Some photos from Pete's group, The Sixpences

The Abinger Roughs

Paula takes the hurdle

Pausing before the next big climb