Leatherhead - Horley - Leatherhead A group ride 29 June

After the miles and hills of the Trivets and Dieppe rides I decided that an easier, flatter ride was needed and, as I was away in Dieppe, with a pub that required no pre-booking or ordering. A ride we did to Horley several years ago fitted the bill.

I had 2 new volunteer sub-leaders, Andy H and Sue C, so many thanks to them for stepping up to this. Sue in particular who had no navigation device and had made copious notes on her recce. I'd lent Sue a spare Garmin a couple of weeks beforehand and I'm sure that those who use them know that when they work they're amazing; however, they do take a bit of time to familiarise yourself with especially as each model works slightly differently.

The day dawned rainy but with the prospect of it clearing up by 10ish, in the event it was more like 11ish. A few dropped out due to the early rain and also because they were still recovering from sickness from Dieppe.

Sue's group headed out first and here's her report.

Offering to sub lead this week, kindly Janice lent me her spare Garmin, programmed and ready to go……although the route wasn’t showing as we departed?

Myself, Dave F, Gina, Keith and Peter S. set off along familiar roads towards Pixham Lane where Keith punctured. This gave an opportunity for another Garmin set up lesson when Janice’s group caught us up. 
On our way again assisted by Dave W, Garmin still wasn’t happy flashing a large angry blue arrow, instructing a u turn. I managed to keep us on route partly from memory, but mostly through helpful shouts of instruction from behind.
We had a good lunch at Weatherspoons Horley, Garmin was reset and thankfully behaved for the homeward journey. 
A very enjoyable day, good company and my thanks to all the patient assistant sub leaders with loud voices. Mainly to Janice for her help, encouragement and a lovely route.

Due to last minute changes, my group merged with Andy's and comprised Neil W and his son Jon, Dave B, John B, Andy, Patrick, Brian, Steve W and myself. 

Soon after we set off we met Sue's group on Pixhams Lane where we had a go at sorting her Garmin woes (it had somehow settled on indoor mode so wasn't picking up GPS) and left them sorting out Keith's puncture. The rain had more or less stopped (but started again the moment anyone dared to remove a rain jacket). We took a long route via Leigh and towards Smallfield on lesser used roads, looping around Horley to return to it via Copthorne. Lunch was at Wetherspoons where we were able to sit outside even though it was cool.

After lunch we took a more direct route into a headwind via Charlwood, Russ Hill and Parkgate, back to Leatherhead for coffee and cake at Lucios in the High Street. 

A good day out and the weather improved as we went on.

Thank you to Sue for her first sub lead and to Dave B for back marking my group. 

Leatherhead to Leatherhead was 47 miles and 1,625ft.