Listen to the rhythm of the fallin' rain. B Group from Guildford, 17 August.

B Group met at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre today in Guildford.  The ride was fairly long and not very flat, and some had taken the ride leader's advice and got the train from the Big Smoke (the Rides List had it as "train assisted"); others had cycled.  It was a bit odd to be greeted at the Arnaud with a "coffee will take fifteen minutes" but it did not spoil our day.

We were privileged to entertain A riders and we split them between the two groups, The Crawlers, led by Fixie Dave (whose report is below) and the Get-off-and-pushers, led by me and including Dave V, Mike, Alan C, Diane, Jill H, Tim C and Steve H.  Neither group lived up to its name, though sadly Jill's bike let her down on the climb out of Sandy Lane and after its chain had been reset it went into a sulk and refused to change gear properly, so she left us at Godalming and caught the train.  Nor did the weather forecast live up to its billing; we were threatened with torrential rain and flash floods and all we got was a pleasant cool shower somewhere around Walliswood and a bit more of a power shower when we emerged from the foliage of Coldharbour Lane.

The Onslow Arms was superbly organised and Dave V treated us to a detour along the Wey and Arun canal which makes the pub garden so pleasant.  It was not ideal route planning to be climbing Tanhurst Lane mid-afternoon because it looms a bit in the consciousness when one should be enjoying the magnificent countryside but the best countryside is up there in Leith Hill Woods and anyway short of a passing Chinook giving us a lift, Leith Hill had to be crossed (or circumvented by an eight mile loop); fuelled by jelly babies nobody had any trouble.

The nicest bits of the day for our group were to have Stephen along, recovering from his broken femur, and to meet Terry just south of Leatherhead.  After months of being driven around after his fall, the doc had that very morning given him clearance to ride and he had cycled up the path from Dorking to Charlie and Ginger's.  Great to see you back on a bike, Terry!

Thanks to Dave V for back-marking my group and for the splendid companionship a day which turned out well.

The Get-off-and-pushers after they had unanimously rejected their moniker.  Photo by Tim C (who recorded a Strava PB on this slope)

The obligatory pub photo.  Historians who have survived the humanitarian disasters of the twenty first and twenty second centuries and who come across this blog will think Wayfarers was an eating club.  Photo of my group taken by Dave C. 

Report from Fixie Dave, who kindly led the first group, having also given up a day on what turned out to be a pretty arduous recce!  

We were Group One, first on the road and named "the Crawlers".  Perhaps a slow pace was predicted!

Our group consisted of Paul D, John A, Francis, Tim G, Bob, Brenda and Dave F.  Sadly Ann wasn't able to join us but fortunately Bob magnanimously offered to take her place; well done Bob.

An average time of ten minutes was taken to receive our elevenses; friendly staff, though.

We managed to get going ten minutes after our prescribed time, but punctuality was not essential.

About two hours of cycling took us to our lunch venue, The Onslow Arms at Loxwood. Our pre-ordered food was served quickly.

Thank to the ride designer the route was pleasant to ride along, a little bit lumpy but nothing too drastic.  Some cyclists might have preferred a less arduous ride with the A Group today!

Thank you to my fellow cyclists for being affable to ride with (once again).

Dave

      A photo by Dave of his group.  Why are they not singing?