A group Effingham ride report, 30 August 2023

 I had publicised this ride as a woodland themed adventure ride with 7 miles of off-road and a few hills. I also invited A/B group participation by promising a more leisurely 11-12mph subgroup. I asked for applications by Sunday evening to comply with the Good Intent pre-ordering requirements. Fortunately, I had 3 kind sub leader volunteers so I could cater for a variety of aspirations. I was also aware that quite a few Wayfarers were otherwise prioritising their participation in much longer challenges! So I was somewhat nervous on Sunday morning when my inbox was very light of applicants. Had I put everyone off?

However, with a bit of prompting I had 17 riders (including leaders) requiring 15 lunches. signed up for this adventure with the majority opting for the slower two groups.  So 4 groups became 3. 2 other riders also joined later, so 19 participated in whole or part.

“My Silver Birches ( Andy C, Chris H, Simon L, Nigel V and Alan I) were first away bang on schedule knowing that the fast Mighty Oaks would inevitably be hunting us down (as planned) within an hour. The familiar grind up Critten Lane was followed by the right turn off Whitedown and fortunately the surface had not deteriorated since our several Recces. I discovered this section courtesy of Brian during lockdown ride restrictions and had been keeping it in reserve for a summer outing. It offered a wide variety of woodland settings and lighting on surprisingly well surfaced trails. We emerged onto Coombe Lane briefly only to disappear onto the better-known North Down trail from Stable Lane car park to Newlands corner. At Staple Lane we paused to allow the Oaks go through ahead only to pass them shortly after when they were struck by Oak processionary puncture caterpillar (or a sharp pin). We paused on several occasions to admire the views and pose for Andy’s self timer photos and also for a comfort break at Newlands, so my pub ETA was looking very optimistic

With the scenic sections behind us as we left Pewley Down....,

....it was tarmac and a few more hills and lanes to lunch. The Oaks regained pole position at the start of the final long steady ascent of Puttenham Common Lane.

All groups arrived at lunch 15 mins or so later than originally predicted but still slightly staggered and the pub was not panicking. Lunch was generously portioned and served efficiently. It was thankfully warm enough to enjoy the sheltered  pub garden. So our groups generally departed suitably refreshed after a relaxing 60 minute stop.

After lunch Andy bade us farewell to take the N22 route back to Guildford. The rest continued along more familiar ways to Cobham. The tactic of ascending the very busy ascent of Puttenham hill to the Hogs Back  on the footway rather than the carriageway worked well. With most vehicles blocking the carriageway to turn right rejoining the carriageway was a doddle. We were still not done with offroad and enjoyed a short section of the Christmas Pie trail. After that Simon was most relieved to know that Jacob was indeed still well. Many road signs carried that news. There was a final short “new territory” twist at Tanners Lane before well-trodden lanes back to Cobham. 

Many thanks to Simon for acting as volunteer back marker despite not having the route and to Hans, Brian and Clive for their sub leading services, including partial Recces.

Second away was the select few Mighty Oaks led by Hans, followed shortly after by Brian’s Majestic Pines.

The Mighty Oaks were Hans, Dave B, Patrick and Neil W. As noted above, Neil suffered a puncture just after Staples Lane car park caused by a stray football supporter’s lapel badge. It was Man U and, much to Nigel’s disappointment, was not retained by Neil. Hence they joined our slightly late for lunch club. Ged made his own train assisted way to join us lunch and helped make up their numbers for the return leg. 

Brian reports for his group as follows: “My group of Sue C, Dave W, Clive, Peter S, Richard B and Jon W had a good run across the North Downs with a couple of stops at viewpoints. We caught sight of the Mighty Oaks as they restarted after their puncture repair. The offer of a shortcut to take out the dogleg en route to Green Dene was turned down as the team were enjoying the off-road. 

By the time we descended through the edge of Guildford it was clear that we were far off the target arrival time at the pub. With a further short delay in Farncombe with two having gone temporarily AWOL it was about 1.30 when we reached to Good Intent. Initial concern about the lack of food for the other groups was replaced with some relief when I realised that they had also been later than planned and not far ahead of us. The food didn't take too long and some plates were very generous.

Dave W and Richard headed home before the group return so our return group was down to 5. This was much faster than the outward run and having overtaken the Silver Birches in Ripley, we were in Cobham about 4.15. 

My thanks to Dave W for back marking the outward run and for photos, Clive for the post lunch photo and Peter for back marking the return and of course to Dave F for a very interesting and unusual route enjoyed by all.”