The forecast for the day wasn’t looking promising, having said that it did promise rain (and indeed didn’t fail to deliver)!
My group of Frances, Peter, Richard, Dave’s F and V and myself was off first. With a heavy headwind and an Audax in my legs I was happy to keep to an easy going pace so there was no burning up hills for my group. No one seemed to mind!
Rain was forecast to start at 12 and sure enough, at 11.55 we felt the first drops and stopped to put on rain jackets. Half an hour later we arrived at The Fox and were still reasonably dry.
We were asked to order at the table which we did but the next 2 groups ordered at the bar and were sitting with their drinks before ours arrived. Not to worry, an excellent lunch arrived fairly quickly. The sandwiches and soup were excellent and I’m sure that those who had chips were very grateful to have left most of the hills behind in the morning.
It had rained fairly heavily over lunch but lightened up as we left, so much so that we decided to stick to the original longer route. Of course having made the turn to do that it did become torrential, but only for a short time.
Dave V, Richard and I bumped into Brian and the four of us made for Ashtead Park Garden Centre for tea. I was still full from my lunch but everyone else enjoyed a very nice looking piece of cake.
A very enjoyable day out, thank you for your company and special thanks to Dave V for backmarking.
Steve D’s group was away next.
I was leading the second group away from Cobham. Unfortunately two of my group were not able to attend. So with Brian, Dave Ward as back marker and Dave and Jennie Jackson we set off. It was a sunny start and slowly clouded over and we had a headwind which also blew through gaps in the hedges and made progress hard. The ascent up Sheepleas gave some respite from the wind, but climbing sapped our legs. I envied Dave J and Jenny on their e-bikes. We descended to Cranleigh and everyone seemed fine. Rain started to appear in the air, but we arrived at The Fox without donning our waterproofs.
We enjoyed an excellent lunch as the rain increased outside and reluctantly then, put our rain jackets on to brave the wet. Fortunately it was a mild day and so with the wind behind us we made good progress. Dave Ward peeled off to get the train home from Guildford. The rain was relentless. We caught the third group who had overtaken us, at the top of Weare Street. After Capel, Dave Jackson found his water bottle cage working loose and lost his bottle and so Jenny went with him to find it, promising to catch Brian and myself. At Denbie's roundabout Brian said he would not stop, but go straight home. So I made my way up Lodge Lane and home. Dave and Jennie kindly let me know they got home safely.
Thanks to Dave Ward for back marking and to Janice for the route and a great pub choice!
Neil W then led his group away, paying no heed to the same audax that must have been in his legs.
Our Cobham start venue is convenient for many and popular, so we had good numbers of As and even more Bs, despite the forecast dark skies and rain after lunch. Two riders who had signed up had to cancel, Patrick from urgent work demands, and 'GWS' Fiona.
Hans, Dave W, Mike, Andy H. followed me into the headwind, up the three great climbs then deciding against putting on rain jackets hoping the Fox Rudgwick would be in sight soon. After Farley Green is a long descent, Strava unfairly names it 'Fly tipper', then the fastest section is Alderbrook Road. I was buzzing at the end of those! Thru ranleigh, thanks to Dave for backmarking and 'saving' the group from a near missed turn here. The Fox is an appealing looking venue, the service and food were appreciated, and as Mike said, a round table is more sociable - we had some good chats and got the inside story on doing the Ride 100 (very) fast from Andy. The only bread on a wednesday is sourdough, as we finished we felt it made for a heavy meal. The owners have a thing about sourdough, we saw on the reccy they use the surplus to brew a specialist beer.
Outside in the rain the group forced themselves positive for the photo. We had already decided on the shorter route back, and to skip the usual tea stop. As we went through Newdigate it was raining quite hard, we saw many 'B' cyclists, the first group still cycling south after 2pm ("are they lost?"), and a larger crowd of B's possibly in the process of changing their plans to get back asap. The rain persisted, every time I go past the long promised cafe and gin bar on Punchbowl Lane I want to try it, it would have been good shelter, but the others wanted to press on. Hans earlier said he had legs of lead but the rain seemed to have refreshed those parts and he put on a good lead ahead of us up the climb to Pixham. I broke rank and took shelter in Denbies. Despite its anti cyclist reputation I like the spaciousness (and warmth) of the main area, and the staff serve nicely.
Thanks Janice, it was a great route. And we kind of enjoyed the rain, at least that's what were trying to tell ourselves.
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