Report for B Group - 26th July

from Tim Gibbons, ride leader

Despite the gloomy weather forecast earlier this week the skies cleared and we were treated to a fine start and dry conditions for most of the day. Twenty-three B group riders met at St Martin’s, Dorking in preparation for our southerly excursion to Horsham. The first two groups, ably led by John A and Mick A, left on time with their allocated followers in hot pursuit.  

Sadly my group were initially led somewhat up the garden path as I loaded the wrong route onto my iPhone and proceeded to take them on an entirely different course in the wrong direction. Luckily my sharp and astute back marker spotted this at an early stage and with a bit of discreet adjustment got me back on the right track without the rest of the group noticing or being any the wiser. Discretion being the better part of valour I decided to bluff my way for a little while and eventually got back on course just south of Brockham.

 

(Thanks to Janice for taking these photos when we unexpectedly gatecrashed the A group photo shoot on Cotmandene.)

I take no credit for the planning of today’s route as it was initially devised by John A to be followed last September. It never happened as it was replaced by the downhill freewheel competition so it was decided to save it for a future occasion. Perhaps my earlier misfortune was a deserved reprimand for poaching someone else’s ride !

Nevertheless, we proceeded onward and southward along some familiar, some less familiar and some totally unfamiliar lanes towards our lunchtime destination. On the way we waved to a group of alpacas happily grazing in their field and to two fellow cyclists who were unhappily repairing a puncture. Bernard and Sabina assured us that they were in full control and did not require our assistance. Would that we could have made matters any worse !

Lunch at the ‘Lynd Cross’, Horsham was adequate but service a bit slow and fractious which meant that we stayed a little longer than expected. At least it was fine enough to sit outside and wrestle with the wobbly tables.

After a slight group reshuffle we adopted the puncture duo and proceeded to head north on our return trip. Passing over a golf course and through the pretty village of Warnham it seemed a shame not to stop for the obligatory photo outside the Warnham Lodge Clock Tower. The tower was built c.1890 as a water tower to supply the estate of Sir Henry Harben (1823-1911) owner of the estate and chairman of the Prudential Insurance Company. The tower is open for one day annually and contains a fully restored clock mechanism built by J.W. Benson of Ludgate Hill London in 1894/5.

Having imparted this pearl of wisdom to the assembled company I noticed that their eyes were beginning to glaze over so I thought it better to continue with the ride before I lost their attention altogether. Such is the price of ‘casting pearls amongst swine’.

A short ride along the A29 led us into Weare St and a bumpy ride up to the pond defended by the large white goose and his duck entourage. Such is their level of command and authority that they managed to block the road to two large and heavy vehicles who dared to encroach upon their territory.

Back on a familiar roads we passed through Ockley, Capel, Newdigate and Henfold to face our last climb up Punchbowl Lane and on via Pixham, Westhumble to Leatherhead. A few peeled off on the way but seven of us took tea/coffee and munchies at ‘Il Furioso’ cafe in the high street. Suitably refreshed and with ominous rain clouds gathering we finally set sail and made our own way home.

Many thanks to all involved today, especially sub leaders and back markers, for making our ride a success. A good day had by all.

~ Tim G

from Mick Arber, deputy leader

Nine of us (Christina, Dave C, Pete, Chris, Bob, Sabina, Bernard, Grant and Mick) departed Dorking in pleasant weather.  Bernard punctured on the lane through Betchworth Golf Club so we congregated on the green in Brockham whilst he sorted it out.  Off again past a field with alpacas on Partridge Lane.  Unfortunately Bernard punctured again so he and Sabina requested we carry on.  We had a rough, bumpy but fun ride down through Rapeland Wood/Northlands Copse before crossing the busy A264 and through the backstreets into Horsham.

Chris was a little disappointed when the new Wayfarer morphed into Pete

Lunch at the Lynd Cross (Weatherspoons) was pleasant, but service slow, which gave Bernard and Sabina chance to catch up.  

After lunch Bernard and Sabina joined to Tim G.’s later group so the remaining seven of use were off through quite lanes and climbs, passing this time under the A264 and across another golf course.  Pete took us on a minor deviation into Warnham so a friend was able to take a photo of the whole group.  Although the weather was threatening we pushed on through Dorking and onto Leatherhead without getting wet. Pete, Christina, Grant and Bob peeled off for home leaving three of us for tea at Charlie and Gingers.

~ Mick