With my being unavailable to ride for the whole day I was grateful that three bright-eyed and bushy-tailed young men stepped forward to lead. With the incentive of Dave Ferrett providing substantial Elevenses refreshments we had 30 riders sign up for the ride. With around ten in each team it seemed appropriate to admit Francis, Alan and Stephen to the fraternity of the Musketeers as Athos, Aramis and Porthos. On reaching base-camp at the foot of Green Dene, D'Artagnan chickened out and fled across the lowland pastures of Surrey, pursued by a lusty tail wind, for another cup of coffee in Cobham before retreating to sanctuary in New Malden.
~ Tim
Francis D'Silva writes for Team Athos:
After coffee and wonderful cakes (Dave Ferrett's birthday treat), Team Athos (Francis leading Terry, Ken, Paul D, Tim G, Diane, Jane, Mick, Arwyn and Mark) left the RBL on time. Cloudy skies gave way to sunshine and blue skies, probably why over 30 riders signed up today, a chance to get out and about after weeks of wet and freezing weather!
The team dealt admirably with the slow grind up Green Dene and were soon rewarded with an exhilarating ride down Staple Lane.
 |
| Team 'Athos' |
Lunch of sandwiches and superb Thai dishes more than satisfied our hunger pangs and soon we were off for the short distance to tea at Garsons Farm with a few exiting for home along the way. A most enjoyable ride, lovely company and good weather. Many thanks to Tim C for the route and Tim G for his usual excellent back-marking.
~ Francis
________________________________
Alan writes for Team Aramis:
On a bright, but cold morning, the “Aramis” band of 11 riders completed a beautiful route between Cobham and Hersham with a stop at West Horsley for lunch.
On a varied route via Bookham Common, Effingham, West Horsley and Ockham, the route offered the chance to enjoy a mix of relaxed riding on quiet country lanes, through peaceful wooded areas and past picturesque village greens – with the opportunity to take on more hilly terrain between Effingham and West Horsley.
Lunch was at The Barley Mow, a country pub offering log fires and authentic Thai Food.
The afternoon ride looped back through Cobham before climbing up to the Fairmile and onto Garsons Farm for Tea.
We started the ride in good spirits after enjoying morning tea and birthday cake courtesy of Dave Ferrett; and rode a steady pace through Downside and onto Bookham Common. A strong headwind slowed us slightly through Effingham, but we began the climb towards Green Dene in bright sunshine and under clear blue skies. Ideal conditions for our climb up to Staple Lane and the potential views across Surrey.
 |
| Team ‘Aramis’ on Staple Lane, enjoying the view |
Evoking the Musketeer spirit - all for one and one for all - we rode to the top of Green Dene as a group, then turned onto Staple Lane to take a well-earned break, enjoy the clear the blue skies and extensive views across Surrey. We had a quick “photoshoot” to capture the moment, followed by a fast decent down Staple Lane before turning left off from the main road for a relaxed ride through West Horsley to the Barley Mow Pub for lunch.
We set a brisk pace for our afternoon ride - as the temperature dropped and the effects of a warm and relaxing lunch took hold - through Ockham and back to Cobham. We then completed the short climb up towards Fairmile before heading to West End and onto Garsons Farm for Tea.
Steph and Mags made for home. The remainder of the group had tea at Garsons Farm before riding together as a group back home via Esher and Chessington.
Thanks to Dave, Mags, Chris, Julie, Maggie, Steph, Anne, Bob, and Tony for a great ride (and to Paul for back marking and Tim for planning the route). A welcome chance to build up New Year fitness and test the legs on some Surrey Hills plus a timely reminder of the good rides to come once the weather warms and the days lengthen.
Our band of 11 riders briefly became 10 after Tim broke away at Green Dene to attend an appointment. We were joined by Tony at West Horsley in time for lunch.
~ Alan
________________________________
Stephen writes for Team Porthos:
Fortified by some excellent cakes, courtesy of Dave Ferrett, the team set forth from Cobham in dry and sunny conditions. Sadly, their leader - Porthos (Monsieur du Vallon), alias ‘Stephen’ - failed to appear in the 18th century French fashion for which he is known to literature, and stuck to 21st century lycra.
The route itself was lovely, the sun shone and the roads were (almost) entirely dry, so only the cold winds reminded us that it was still 1st of February. The highlight of the ride - in both senses - was the climb up Greene Dene, which despite some initial trepidation proved no obstacle, and the wonderful views on the descent.
 | |
| Pam |
 |
| Colin |
 |
| Gill |
 |
| Liz |
(Thanks to Bernard Prado for the above four photos)
The lunch break at the Barley Mow was welcome and a chance to catch up generally and to get to know better some of the newer members.
 |
| Team Porthos feasting at The Barley Mow |
Thanks Tim for designing the excellent course - and to all in the group for their enjoyable company.
~ Stephen
Wikipedia writes:
The Three Musketeers
Athos – Comte de la Fère: he has never recovered from his marriage to Milady and seeks solace in wine. He becomes a father figure to d'Artagnan.
Aramis – René d'Herblay, a handsome young man who hesitates between his religious calling and his fondness for women and scheming.
Porthos – Monsieur du Vallon: a dandy, fond of fashionable clothes and keen to make a fortune for himself. The least cerebral of the quartet, he compensates with his homeric strength of body and character.
and
D'Artagnan – Charles de Batz de Castelmore D'Artagnan: a young, foolhardy, brave and clever man seeking to become a musketeer in France.
No comments:
Post a Comment