Most of us had cycled through a shower to get to Dorking, nevertheless the first B group left at 10.40 and made good progress. This was despite the fact that the sub-leader could not make electronic contact with the route and had to fall back on a piece of paper and memory. This took us as far as Rusper without problems but somewhere beyond that the subbie missed a turning and added four miles to the morning route. However, we managed to get to the lunch stop just before another shower. Our small group of four decided to set off once we had finished lunch and to take the shortest route back to Brockham. At Dorking and again at Leatherhead we had a peloton check as to whether we would make use of a train but decided to continue. We got as far as Ashtead before splitting up and at this point the heavy rain came in, meaning we each arrived home rather wet.
FixieDave's report;
Following a not too long elevenses gathering at St Martins Dorking, our middle group did manage to get away to face the weather elements. The group consisted of six happy riders, Julie, Steph, Ken, Chris, Dave E, & sub leader Dave C. It was good that one of the Dave’s from the A group had seen the light, and come across to join us B’s. The A group has more than enough Daves. Our route out from Dorking gave us a short sharp climb up Cotmandene, This was to shake cobwebs off any slightly relaxed riders. Onwards we went through Newdigate & Rusper turning left at Lambs green to start our upward loop to lunch at The Surrey Oaks in Parkgate. Just in time to miss a heavy shower. Nobody was concerned with the rain as all were looking forward to the May flowers 💐! The food was good, however the food appeared to be served in a different sequence to that ordered, C'est la vie. Our two fair Ladies opted not to stop for lunch, and headed homeward upon our arrival at the Surrey Oaks 🙁. Following a breezy morning ride to Parkgate, the weather decided to unleash rain ☔️ upon us four male riders, on our return leg to Charlie & Gingers in Leatherhead.
Francis' report;
The weather forecast for the day was rather ominous with very blustery winds and heavy rain. That turned out to pretty accurate, though we were spared the stormy conditions that battered the south coast.
After a warming coffee at St Martin's community centre, my intrepid group (Terry, Colin, Mick, Anne and Tim C) left last just passed 11am. Soon we were out of urban Dorking and into the quiet country lanes towards Henfold Lakes, Newdigate, Rusper before looping back up through Lambs Green. The head winds up to that point were strong and slowed our progress down a bit but then when we headed back north, the tail winds helped us towards a much needed lunch and rest at the Surrey Oaks in Parkgate. Then the heavens opened even more and our valiant riders braved the heavier rain as we headed to Brockham where, due to a flooded off-road section along Coach road, we decided to ride along the path beside the A25 to the Pixham turn off. In Leatherhead, half the group split for home and a hot soak while the rest had a nice cuppa at Charlie and Gingers before grudgingly cycling home in the rain and sunshine. My thanks to Tim C for back-marking and the group for their upbeat camaraderie during the day.
A rare sunny moment!
Glad to be out of the rain!
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