Report for B Group - 5th July

Steph writes on behalf of the Golden Eagles:

We were the first to set off at 10.30 and were thankful that A rider, Neil, rode out quick to check the water level in Plough Lane .  It was closed to all traffic so we rode round the block and joined Plough Lane off Chilbrook Road. Most of our group  showed such enthusiasm and energy for the hillier parts of the route that I succeeded in giving them an extra bit to do as we ignored Forest Road and pedalled on up to the top of Ranmore to turn right down Crocknorth and ascend the official route of Green Dene.  There was not as much as a bead of sweat on their smiling faces.

The descent to Shere was pleasant and the climb out confirmed the parting of the ways with a forward group advancing and Ray, Alan, John Austin and I stopping for a photo at the sign to Little London.

Jelleys Hollow and Farley Green were enjoyed.  It then became apparent that our mountaineering expedition to Ranmore had cost us our placing in the important run in to lunch.   Bob's group appeared AHEAD of us,  loitering by the wayside and spread about the road, one in particular in pink without a proper bicycle.  I deftly cut through but at the precipitous top of "Walking Bottom" the lounging leader of the aforementioned group indicated we might descend in that direction.  Ray and John A gamely followed but alas a left turn through Peaslake was required to get us back on track.  

An exciting exhilarating day in the hills if a little hard work at times keeping up with everything. Thanks to all who gamely pursued or were happy being pursued. Lunch was good. Route 22 in the afternoon is my favourite choice for a leisurely return to civilisation.

~ Steph

Bob writes on behalf of the Honey Buzzards:

A Cast of Falcons, a Wake of Buzzards and a Convocation of Eagles all met at RBL Cobham to celebrate Mick’s birthday.

Peregrine Court suggested that, instead of soaring around aimlessly all day, we should all mount our bicycles and follow his pre-prepared route.

We, the Honey Buzzards departed the celebrations at 10:40.  Approximately three and a half minutes along said route we encountered our first road closure, nobody panicked, the barriers were plastic and easily lifted, being sure to be polite and cautious to the workmen that we met along the closed section of Plough Land, we proceeded with appropriate caution. At the end of the closed section we repeated the barrier-lifting process and we were back on route.

We went up lots of hills, we went down lots of hills, seemingly less downs than ups.

All morning, as a group we had been mindful of our pace,  trying to ensure that we didn’t get too close to the Golden Eagles that had gone before, in doing so, we were going so slowly that we almost lost the gyroscopic effect of our wheels but somehow we all managed to keep our balance.

Shortly before lunch, we encountered our second road closure, a quick chat to the Thames Water workmen ensured that we were granted, safe an unimpeded passage past their barriers, but wait.. The Falcons had caught us up, we must have been going too slowly. Not being a serious twitcher, meant that I had miss identified the birds, it was in fact the Eagles, who had been behind us all the time, all our slow bicycle racing had been in vain.

Mick’s birthday party was now in apple-pie order, down the dappled road left at the fork, except Eagle leader 1, and on to lunch.

The afternoon was less hilly but equally enjoyable, some lovely off road, and on to coffee at Ashtead.

Happy to report that everything was sweet for us Honey Buzzards, no mechanicals, and no rain another blessed Wednesday, I had been in touch periodically with base, and there had been considerable precipitation across the course, just not on us.

Thank you Tim, and everyone.

~ Bob Honey Buzzard, Substandard Leader

 

Tim writes on behalf of the Peregrine Falcons:

Twenty-four B riders, including a small number of refugees from A Group turned up in Cobham for our ride into the hills. Mick Arber kindly provided several cakes to share with everyone to celebrate a significant birthday. There was even enough for the Easy Riders who were starting to roll in as our last team departed. Happy Birthday Mick.

With intelligence provided by Neil W regarding flood water we decided to skip Plough Lane. Green Dene provided a warm-up for the more serious climbing to come but having received a dose of gentle rain before our group arrived it was as green and lovely as ever.

From Shere we rode up Sandy Lane and turned right for Little London and Farley Green where instead of taking the favourite route down to Shamley Green we turned left for the very minor road up to the Winterfold Forest and Heath. We stopped to look down Jelleys Hollow and to take a couple of photos. After yet more climbing we soon found ourselves whizzing down a couple of very long descents but with one more sting in the tail just before reaching Gomshall.

Stopping to admire the 'show garden' allotments in Shere

The Peregrine Falcons at Jelleys Hollow

A rare sight! Snapped by Dave near Gomshall

 

The lunch setting at The Compasses Inn was idyllic with large tubs of luminous flowers dotted all around the garden on the south bank of the mighty Tillingbourne which thanks to recent rain was almost deep enough to wet the knees of children playing in it. We were pleased to see that the other two teams had arrived safely and were busy with their lunches when we arrived. The food was pretty good despite a bit of confusion with some orders.

It was getting on for 3 p.m. when we departed. In the planning stage we had decided that the afternoon route should be as easy as possible and so it was. With what appears to be the terminal closure of Coffee Active  in Ashtead we opted to take Tea at Handleys. It has several Sheffield bars for bike parking and proved to be a most agreeable venue for our afternoon refreshments.

A big thank-you to Steph and Bob who rode as team leaders and to Tony who backmarked for us. Thank you to several people who agreed to have a copy of the route on their phones and other devices in case any of the leaders suffered a technology meltdown of some sort. Thanks to everyone for being up for such a challenging ride and remaining so cheerful throughout.

~ Tim C

The really hilly bit!