Admittedly the weather forecasts in the days before had not been encouraging, but only 13 riders had booked on, and a number of cancellations just before the ride meant that only eight riders and two leaders actually arrived for elevenses at Shalford. This was a little disappointing given the time and effort which has to go into any organising any ride in these post-Covid times.
However, the weather forecasts on the morning of the ride had shifted the emphasis to heavy rain from the mid to late afternoon, so two, small groups set off in good spirits. The first, ably led by the ever-enthusiastic Neil W comprised Ged, Patrick and Steve D. My group was Richard B, Nigel V, Keith, Brian and Sue C.
All went as planned for the first half hour or so, then light rain began. We stopped to don waterproofs, then shortly after, to take them off again as it was far too uncomfortably humid. A little later it started to rain rather a lot harder and waterproofs went on again. This time they didn't come off, at least until lunch, because although the rain eventually eased off a bit, it never stopped in that time.
I'm sure the scenery we passed through was delightful but we were otherwise preoccupied! I kept asking the group if they wanted to turn back and although they were keen to press on, I was thinking ahead to the afternoon and what might happen then. We duly took advantage of a cunning plan to cut short the route and divert to Blacknest, which happened to be on the return route, and where there was a pub we all know, The Jolly Farmer.
The Jolly Farmer did us proud although we slunk out hoping the staff wouldn't notice the damp patches we had left on the furniture! Of course, by now it was not only dry, but actually sunny, so we set off buoyed up for the ride back to Guildford.
We almost made it in the dry! The sun soon retreated and the weather looked increasingly unsettled, but we made it to the outskirts of Puttenham before we spotted the ominous black cloud on the horizon! We were within a couple of miles of the tea stop when it suddenly began to rain very, very hard indeed! I had warned that NCN22 from Puttenham to Compton could flood in heavy rain, but I never expected it to happen so quickly! We had the very disconcerting experience of riding along a muddy stream for a good distance before eventually regaining tarmac.
From there, two stopped for tea, while four of us battled on through the thunderstorm to the shelter of Guildford station!
Many thanks to my intrepid group for soldiering on without complaint, and to Neil for his help in leading the other group.
1 comment:
Report by Neil
Dave thanks, great route, but you are too complimentary! Due to some new, and final problems with Garmin, I had, I think an old route, so I had valuable help from Steve for navigating the proper route in a couple of places. All I can say is, as thunderously rainly rides go, it was ok.
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