Ride Report - A Group 28th September

Eighteen enthusiastic riders assembled at Redhill Methodist Centre, shared with an equally enthusiastic group of B’s.

Split into three groups we left promptly before 11am. It was a chilly start so nobody could complain about the two climbs out of Redhill, though the subsequent two miles of A25 shared with aggregate lorries from the nearby quarry was not so much fun. Tilburstow Hill, unrecognised by Garmin, behind us it was rolling country all the way to Edenbridge. 

Our ride of only 18 miles to lunch but 26 back to Dorking required an early lunch, so there wasn’t time to check on the health of the 1,000 (?) year old yew tree in Crowhurst; hopefully it will still be there when we next pass by.

After Edenbridge the roads got narrower and the surfaces sketchier as we laboured up the long climb to Markbeech, relieved by the sight of autumn crocuses in the woods. Lunch awaited us at the Kentish Horse where food was served speedily by most efficient and friendly staff; luckily we had pre-ordered as the pub dining room was packed. 

Departing promptly we were faced with a chilly descent before the Sou’Westers traditional stop at Cowden to admire the antique CTC sign outside the Fountain pub. 

                             

More descending took us to Furnace Lane where the ancient hammer pond was a sludgy muddy relic of its formerly picturesque state; a consequence of the dry summer which is now a fading memory.

A "final" climb took us through Dormansland, and on to the final leg of the ride which will be familiar to any TriVets 100mile riders.

All the three groups met for tea at Brockkam Reading Room in good time to sit in the sun, before going our separate ways.

Thanks to Peter Suchy for volunteering as back marker, his first such role, and to my group, SueF, Nigel, DaveF and DaveW who left us at Horley.

SteveW’s report:

As I headed into Redhill on the A23, I was pleased that Dave C had responded to my Strava comment suggestion, on the recce route, that we cut out the rainy parts. Then, just ahead, I spotted Dave C going across the road I was on and he popped out again from the left a little further on – shortcut awareness that I am generally lacking.

At the Methodist Hall I sat down next to Fiona, who was listening to her body – something about having a giraffe I think it was saying. So, not feeling up to the day’s endeavour, she took some return directions and headed home. Hope you made it OK and your energy levels are back to normal!

So five of us set out into the friendly, alert Redhill traffic, for the warm up hills en route to the A25. A couple of miles of that and we were into the proper stuff, nice rolling countryside and very acceptable weather.

I managed to maintain my couple of U-turns navigation standard but unfortunately the “stopping” communication for the second one didn’t work well and Janice hit Hans and took a tumble. Bikes were checked and we took some recovery time. Several people in cars stopped to see if we needed any help, which was nice.

We set off again at a steady pace for a very nice lunch at the Kentish Horse, including an unrequested but free portion of chips for Patrick! 

We wound the spring up a bit on the return leg but still managed to enjoy the quiet lanes. A little way after Lingfield Neil W took a left turn and headed to East Grinstead. Dodgy crank someone said. I thought this was a rather rude way to talk about him until I realised he had a problem with his transmission and had gone to seek a bike shop with a suitable tightening tool.

We caught Dave V’s group at Horley, where the theme of the day seemed to be aggressively driven Transit Pickups, one of which gave the group a close pass at a central refuge.

We reached Brockham around 3.15 and stopped at the Reading Room, where Neil caught us up, having had his bike sorted by probably the only helpful and skilled Halford’s mechanic in the known universe!

After refreshment, Neil Patrick and I headed for Leatherhead/Ashtead and another version of the path crossing theme of the morning. We said goodbye as they took a right off Leatherhead road and I took the next one. Two minutes later they were behind me again – wrong right! We followed the standard CTC back route (Freemens school, RAC, Epsom hospital) until saying farewell properly at the mini roundabout in Ashley Road, me right, them left. But they popped up again in Church Street and Upper High Street as I waited to cross it. An amusing end to the day but maybe you can know too many shortcuts!

Thanks Janice, Hans, Neil and Patrick for the great company.

NeilC’s Report

I was down to lead the strong group of Mark, Brian, Steve D, Ged and Dave B. So I brought along my fastest bike to try and counterbalance my slow legs.

We set off up all the hills Dave promised us and at the top of Tilburstow passed his group off to the right in a car park. I think they were looking for the view that hasn't been there for years. Maybe one day someone will bring it back.

The rest of the morning went well but my high gears were slowly disappearing. Lunch was swift and good. Then we managed to rope Dave F in to take a photo so we have the full team.



After lunch a couple more of my gears became unobtainable. But as I read the blog ( https://midweekwayfarers.blogspot.com/2022/08/broken-rear-derailleur-cable-diy.html ) and have experienced this before I knew that the derailleur cable was fraying. So I stopped using the rear derailleur and just used the front changer until we got to tea.

Luckily Dave had designed a perfect route profile for the afternoon and this didn't slow us down. We even got to Brockham for tea before the school run brought gridlock to the place.

Thanks to my group for a fine day out.

Finally

Thanks to sub-leaders NeilC and SteveW, not least for an arduous day’s training ride on Monday, and Ged, DaveW and Janice for photographs.

And lastly best wishes to all who are riding the Brace of Bramleys 200k Audax on Sunday