Steve Duffin was first away and here is his report -
I was surprised that there were few riders out on this ride. However with dire warnings of ice it was probably a more sensible decision. One bad fall can lead to a six month lay off from riding. However the temperature, although very cold at about 1 degree, there wasn't the usual frost on the cars. So with Keith, Sue C and Dave Ferret we set off at a slow careful pace from Dorking.
Traffic numbers were down also and so we had a quieter ride on mostly ice free roads. Potholes were more of a problem. There were only a few going to Newdigate, but after Capel and Green Lane, south of Rusper there were holes that would do damage to a car wheel let alone a bicycle one. I stopped to take a picture of my team, but the hi-vis jackets attracted the ominous attention of a flock of sheep who lined up on the horizon to stare at us.
One of the pleasures of riding at this time of year is that you can observe nature in its dormant state. Little sparrows hunting for food and birds of prey circling overhead also hunting. Nature never rests.
After passing Ifield we went north on the Gatwick perimeter road. It was too cold for the plane spotters and by this time my legs were hurting. The road seemed to go on forever, but eventually we arrived at Charlwood and meandered our way to the Jack Fairman. There were only two behind the bar and one of the locals was complaining that at New Year so many people arrived they took a long time to be served. So many people walked out. I have never witnessed that in a Wetherspoons before.
After lunch we made our way straight north past Meath Green to Dover's Green and on to Betchworth, where my team mutinied at the idea of riding on the A 25 and so we went through to Brockham and took the old coach road past the golf club out to Pixham Lane and on to Leatherhead. We didn't stop for tea and made our way home.
A pleasant first real ride of the year for me. I was so grateful for the opportunity to get my legs working again. The previous week I really struggled despite electrical assistance. So thank you Neil for a flat(?) route and to my fellow riders braving the cold and being rewarded with a safe and pleasant day out.
A few minutes after Steve's group I left with Janice, Mark and Dave B. There hadn't been a frost overnight so most of the ice was limited the puddles at the side of the road. The sun was trying very hard to break through but never succeeded but the gentle inclines kept us warm.
We arrived at The Jack Fairman just before 1.00 and had the usual prompt service. With just a short ride in the afternoon no-one was in too much hurry to leave. But just before 2.00 we left, pausing only for Janice to take a photo of the rest of the group.
One of the pleasures of riding at this time of year is that you can observe nature in its dormant state. Little sparrows hunting for food and birds of prey circling overhead also hunting. Nature never rests.
After passing Ifield we went north on the Gatwick perimeter road. It was too cold for the plane spotters and by this time my legs were hurting. The road seemed to go on forever, but eventually we arrived at Charlwood and meandered our way to the Jack Fairman. There were only two behind the bar and one of the locals was complaining that at New Year so many people arrived they took a long time to be served. So many people walked out. I have never witnessed that in a Wetherspoons before.
After lunch we made our way straight north past Meath Green to Dover's Green and on to Betchworth, where my team mutinied at the idea of riding on the A 25 and so we went through to Brockham and took the old coach road past the golf club out to Pixham Lane and on to Leatherhead. We didn't stop for tea and made our way home.
A pleasant first real ride of the year for me. I was so grateful for the opportunity to get my legs working again. The previous week I really struggled despite electrical assistance. So thank you Neil for a flat(?) route and to my fellow riders braving the cold and being rewarded with a safe and pleasant day out.
A few minutes after Steve's group I left with Janice, Mark and Dave B. There hadn't been a frost overnight so most of the ice was limited the puddles at the side of the road. The sun was trying very hard to break through but never succeeded but the gentle inclines kept us warm.
We arrived at The Jack Fairman just before 1.00 and had the usual prompt service. With just a short ride in the afternoon no-one was in too much hurry to leave. But just before 2.00 we left, pausing only for Janice to take a photo of the rest of the group.
Mark headed off for a gravelly route home while Janice, Dave and I rode down Lonesome Lane and over to Betchworth before the usual route back to Leatherhead. Here we all voted for home in the light rather than tea.
Thanks to all who ventured out and a special thank you to Steve for leading his group without a recce and the report.
1 comment:
I enjoy reading the weekly ride reports, —— so I can do 3 rides a day, sitting on the sofa !!
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