My ride recce at
the same time the previous Wednesday had highlighted a couple of potential
problems. A very busy and slow service at the Vines café Effingham and a very good
but too leisurely lunch stop at the Punchbowl.
So to avoid potential
delays, I checked if the Vines were capable of hosting us which resulted in the
35 rider B group being relocated to Laylas, and the Punchbowl food being pre-ordered
and pre-prepared (with a firm commitment to reimburse for any no shows). Unfortunately,
I couldn’t do anything to flatten the hills, they were even bigger than last
week it seemed.
Having planned
for the typical 3 groups of 6 to 8, only 15 riders including leaders signed up
for this adventure. So 3 groups became 2.
As it
transpired the Vines was considerably quieter than last week, riders arrived in
good time and service was good. So a prompt departure was on the cards. Simon suffered
a puncture (very considerately) on route to Effingham. So we forgave him for not arriving 35 mins before
planned departure and gave him a chance to have his coffee. That released Ged's
red team to get away first rather than the originally planned second. Ged
reports:
“We left the
Vines 10 minutes ahead of schedule. After passing Tim Court's B group in the
heavy mist of Green Dene, the Punchbowl was reached on Dave F's predicted time
(departure time adjusted). Real fires were much appreciated after a damp
morning - as was the excellent service. My phone failed for the normal pub
group photo, so a back-up was taken at the traditional Weare St. duck
pond stop. The Teddington trio pressed-on at Ashtead leaving Neil, Partrick and
myself for tea, and waiting for the Blues to arrive. Thanks to Fiona for diligent
backmarking and to Dave F for re-running a half-forgotten hilly route.”
My blues
followed shortly after. After much grunting and groaning up High Barn lane, a
bit like gorillas in the mist, we sped down Crocknorth, emerging into Green Dene
for our second climb of the morning. Green Dene and Coombe Lane were awash with
Wayfarers it seemed as we passed both Dave J's group and Tim's before our routes
parted company on the A 25. Our third big climb from Albury followed before we eventually
emerged onto some faster, flatter tarmac between Stroud Common and Okewood Hill.
Lunch was generous, good value and served very efficiently and even Patrick
could not face seconds. So both groups departed after a comfortable 60 minute
stop, but most were starting to feel a tad chilly.
Janice kindly offered to take a group photo outside, but tradition was brushed aside for expediency and thankfully Ged had already captured us inside.
Dave W had
departed early at lunch and Pete B ventured off slightly early to do some early
Christmas shopping with an optimistic promise we would meet up on route later. It
seems, like Paddington and the late Queen, he is a lover of marmalade
sandwiches, especially tangerine, and there was an excellent supplier we would ride
past.
After the
ascent of the lovely Weare Street, it was a very familiar trudge back through
Capel, Newdigate and Punchbowl Lane Dorking. We paused at Burford Bridge for a
water break and a Blues late tactical substitution. Our goalkeeper and striker swapped
positions and Brian’s fresher legs led the final assault of “Little Switzerland”
where we were happily reunited with Pete B, before a welcome decent from
Headley to Ashtead Park. Many thanks to Ged and Brian for being subleaders and to
my splendid team of largely high mileage riders for very cheerfully tolerating my
more moderate lower mileage pace.
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