Report for B Group ride from Caterham on 10th August

Well refreshed from our splendid day centre hosts, eight B riders set off from Caterham in lovely summer sunshine.

Oh dear, it looks like a committee meeting!

We made our way through quiet country lanes to the equally welcoming Old House at Home pub in Dormansland. After lunch we then set off again, heading towards Leatherhead. In fact we stopped in Brockham for our afternoon refreshments and then made our individual ways home.

Tea and cake in Brockham

Star performer leading John's peloton

Thank you, Paul (Day), for back marking and to the other riders for their friendly company.

~ John A.

 

After the familiar challenges of riding to Caterham over the hills of Banstead and Farthing Down it was marvellous to arrive at the Westway community centre where our morning refreshments were waiting for us out in their garden. And we received a warm welcome from the staff who are very good hosts.

Hot off the Quemby Press was a pile of Sept/Oct Sou'Westers. There being no time for a proper origami lesson they were hastily distributed in unfolded A3 format which presented quite a challenge for some.

I am grateful to John, not just because he volunteered to sublead while still recovering from a football injury, but because I shamelessly ripped off the first 14 miles of the morning ride from his own ride on 25th May. I enjoyed it then and yesterday was able to bask in the compliments I received from many riders for this lovely route. However the last two miles or so were all my own work and it was a pleasure to ride along St Piers Lane which runs past the St Piers School and College, an educational facility which caters for children up to the age of 19 who have epilepsy with their particular educational needs.

It was unfortunate that Arwyn didn't make it to Elevenses due to a puncture soon after he had left home. But sixteen of us in two groups of eight, duo contubernii as the Romans would have called us, cycled down the lanes to Dormansland.

The Old House at Home isn't currently serving food at lunchtimes but were very happy to make an exception for us. Baked spuds were the most popular choice along with a some orders for sarnies. Mayonnaise in the fillings discombobulated a couple of us but by arrangement with our host Helen the two mayophobes were happily accomodated. But apologies to Dave Fixie that there was no fish 'n chips on the menu.

After a morning route that didn't require any design effort at all I thought I should try to be a bit original in the afternoon. The result was that I was able to completely avoid going anywhere near John's more southerly route until Brockham. The happiest aspect of this was a tranquil route which bypassed Horley, mostly following the Sustrans route 21. So, from Smallfield Road we turned north into Langshott, a narrow bumpy lane. We turned north onto NCN 21 (Lake Lane) which started well but degenerated into a very rough road further up. Off Cross Oak Lane we passed through a closed gate and pedalled up Gail Lane which is slightly undulating but has an ideal surface for cyclists and was a blissful respite from the busier roads.

Rehydration stop in Gail Lane on route 21

Beyond Salfords we had an easy run through Dovers Green and Trumpets Hill towards Betchworth then Brockham. As John's group had done we were happy to call it a day when we reached the Reading Room (Brockham Village Hall) after 21 miles since lunch. They close at 4 o'clock but we made it with 10 minutes to spare and once our refreshments had been purchased they were happy for us and other customers to sit outside and enjoy our cake and tea.

As other leaders would have been I was mindful that had we continued up to Leatherhead for Tea the ride would have been too long. Some took trains from Dorking and Leatherhead. For those of us riding home to New Malden or Wimbledon it was 70 miles which was more than enough, and certainly more than enough for those who homes are even further away.

Thanks so much to everyone who came on the ride and for your kind comments about John's route. It is wonderful that so many people attend the Caterham rides these days. Thanks to Paul for back-marking, still an essential role even with our small groups. I would like to say that we are so lucky to be enjoying this beautiful weather but there is a rather dark aspect to this so I will just say that it reminds me of growing up in New Zealand and enjoying Summer holidays at the beach.

~ Tim C.

Route 21 detail near Horley and Salfords