Wednesday 27 December – A’s Ride Report

Despite the promise of havoc to be caused by Storm Gerrit, we had 11 riders signed up, and 10 on the road. I was lucky to have ample offers of help with sub-leading, so we split into two groups. Brian led Ged, Dave W and Sue C. I was accompanied by Clive & son George, Frances and Janice, with Peter S back-marking.

The ride was billed as the last chance in 2023 to celebrate the 75^th anniversary of the Sou’Westers formation in 1948 in the former Welcome Tearooms on Farthing Down. The model was the 50^th anniversary ride in 1998 from Farthing Down to Brockham for tea. 

I had hoped to replicate the 1998 route but winter conditions necessitated removing the off-road, and the steep descent of Hilltop Lane, as both would have been hostages to fortune in changeable weather. Also there was no tea available in Brockham on Wednesday, so a quick refuel at The Sun in Redhill was needed.

Despite the forecast the morning ride was accompanied by no more than drizzle, and the tailwind helped to lull me into feeling that this would not be as challenging as expected. There was even a little time to admire our surroundings; Janice spotted three deer on Chipstead Lane, and some may have spotted the flamingo in a (pear?) tree shortly after. The climb up Farthing Down into the wind rudely reminded us that there was a lot of weather about. We paused briefly beside the former tearooms, now prosaically renamed the “Old Cottage”, but conditions were too bleak to linger long.

Conditions improved a little on the descent to Redhill, during which Janice left us and hopefully got home dry.

Lunch was a simple ‘spoons affair, and we were soon on our way, Dave W making his own way home, and we combined into one group.

Surprisingly the expected headwind was subdued, and I dared to hope we might escape the worst of the weather. But around 2pm and approaching Betchworth the rain struck, rapidly followed by a puncture for me.

Brian took over leadership and took the group on to Brockham, where Clive and his son decided to go via Punchbowl Lane towards Dorking and the rest of the group headed for Leatherhead.

I managed enough inflation to get me to Dorking, where a second puncture and the increasing rain drove me to Dorking Station where I med Ged and waited for the next un-cancelled train home.

Thanks to Brian and Peter S and to everyone for supporting a challenging ride in such unpromising conditions. Hopefully all got home in a timely, if not altogether dry, manner.

Happy New Year all.