Report for A Group 9th August

 After a miserable July and last week's rain it was great to be out on a sunny day with no wind. 

I'm going to start with the credits. Firstly to Fiona/Frances and Janice for volunteering to lead and the back markers including Dave F who did this for me. Secondly to those who have ridden this way before and provided the inspiration.  Thanks for all the enthusiastic comments about the route to lunch but I must give credit to Jeff Tollerman who took the Wayfarers down Clacket Lane and Trevereux Hill in 2012 and a more recent leader who got us to Lingfield via Grants/Dwelly/St Pier's lanes. So that only leaves about two miles of original thought apart from joining the dots. I hope this gives some encouragement to those who have read Ged's recent post about leading and are still having doubts. The only thing I would add to his comments is that even in this digital age there are few better ways of getting a feel for the countryside and its potential than spreading out a good old fashioned paper OS map - a screen is never big enough to see the whole picture. 

Frances' group left Caterham first:

It was a lovely start to the day from Caterham as weather was sunny and calm.My group with Peter backmarking left promptly and we made good progress through Woldingham school and stopped just before Gangers turn to brief anyone not familiar with tight left turn/gradient. Needless to say I was last up the hill and Fiona's group fast on my heels passed by.

We regrouped at the top and continued arriving at the pub at 12.30 without any delays. Lunch was lovely and Dave W left us hence photo without him.

The return leg was relatively flat, Mark left us before remaining 4 arrived for tea at Brockham which was welcomed. 

Thanks to all for support and company on a lovely ride.

My group of Christina, Sue C, Andy Coxhill and Dave F left very soon after. We enjoyed the ride up through Woldingham school and watched Fiona's group overtake and head off into the distance. Once Gangers Hill was climbed we enjoyed the rest of the route to lunch notable for the lack of traffic after we left the Westerham road. Lunch at the Star was enjoyable and we joined the other groups at the long table provided. I was very pleased not the have the headwind of the recce in the afternoon but even so the other groups had both left Brockham before we arrived. Dave, Andy and I stopped for tea. 

 

Fiona's report:

We ( Andy, Clive, Ged, Patrick and myself) set off from Caterham as the last group.

Accompanied by sunshine, it was not long before we passed Brian and his cohorts on the lovely lane through the grounds of Woldingham School. The sharp turn into Gangers Hill didn’t catch anyone out and we all enjoyed the lovely quiet lanes and beautiful views on route to Lingfield.

The Star pub served us quickly and efficiently before we headed back onto more quiet roads. Arriving in Brockham in plenty of time for tea and cakes, sitting outside in the lovely sunshine.Thank you Brian for organising a really enjoyable ride on roads that were new to many of us. Thank you to my group for the good company.