First Wednesday of the month so it must be destination Cobham. There were 12 Easy Riders for Elevenses, Brian Bent joining us despite having punctured en route. Thank you to Ian Williamson for coffees/teas/biscuits.
Brian opted out of the ride but the rest of us set out for a lunch stop at the Stepping Stones at West Humble. As we entered Bookham Common we were overtaken by a mountain-biker with an eye-catching top which read something like:
Old Farts Cycling Club
Age & Treachery
Always outsmart
Youth & Agility
I can’t vouch for total accuracy but you get the gist. The wearer seemed to be a relatively young man - he sped past us without apparent effort, admittedly not the hardest thing to do. Perhaps he wanted to make a point.
Soon we were on the climb up Blagdon Hill (for the second time in three weeks!). It has to be well worth the effort with the descent to look forward to.
My heart sank as we approached the Stepping Stones. Just ahead of us was a group of ramblers and it looked as though they would create a queue at the bar. Imagine the relief as they carried on straight past the front door!
The pub service was excellent and we enjoyed a pleasant lunch in the garden.
As we gathered to leave a group containing three or four Sou’Wester tops swept past. We failed to make contact - by the time we were on the road they were on the opposite side of the A24 and seemed about to tackle Box Hill. Our return journey took us along the cycle path to Leatherhead and, for the majority, across Ashtead Common.
Sandy Bayliss, Brian Bent, Gillian Calder, Anne and John Connaughton, Don Elms, Maureen Gallichan, Jane Gunningham, Ed Sharp, Helen Tovey, Ray Wren and I comprised our group, for all or part of the day.
~ Frank C
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