A much needed mild and dry day meant a bumper 27 riders signed up to ride. As Addlestone DC was closed, our 3 groups gathered respectively in the Tesco café, Costa coffee and the Golden café.
First group of 9 riders set off (Francis, Dave F, Steff, Linda, Carolyn,
Martin, Stephen, Ian W and John A) with Stephen back-marking. A
meandering route south to Row Town, a busy Old Woking Road before we entered a
more relaxing Send and Ripley, arriving at The Barley Mow, in West Horlsey in
good time. Somehow much to the amusement of the group, I managed 90% of the
time to arrive at temporary traffic lights when they had just turned red! But
that did allow us to regroup before setting off together.
The Thai lunches were delicious and plentiful. Service was
good. A most welcome surprise came as Brian Greenwood, one of the A riders, due
to a morning commitment, joined us for lunch and the short ride to tea at Stoke
D’Abernon.
Post lunch, a short 10 miles through Effingham, a dry Great
Bookham Common and Downside to Café Barbera for tea. En-route, Ian W showed us where
the Old Water Mill at Downside farm used to be and some interesting stories
about it.
A lot of the other group riders joined us at tea to round
off a splendid day’s ride.
My thanks to Mick and Dave C for sub-leading their groups so
well and all the back-markers.
Francis D
Pam, Liz, Gill F, Julie, Paul, Ken and Tim G. set off with Mick after a Costa coffee, reassuring all there were no hills. We then immediately turned onto Ongar Hill!
When we reached West Byfleet, there were lots of pot holes that should be identified as hills for anyone unfortunate to go down them. We soldiered on in the knowledge that the pub landlord wanted us to arrive in three groups 20 mins apart.
Francis’ group arrived at 12:20, our group 22 mins later. Mick (like King Canute) tried to refuse entry to Dave’s group who arrive within 15 mins to no avail. The pub was pleasant, the food good and the service quick for all but Ken who made the mistake of ordering something simple.
After lunch, the three Nor’Westers from our group headed north and home. The remaining five of us set off towards Effingham where Ken was tempted home. After a little discussion, we agreed to risk Great Bookham Common despite the flooding risk. The puddles were manageable, an opportunity to wash tyres. The river Mole was very high and fast flowing but the wooden bridge crossing was holding. Safely across we joined the other groups at Café Barbera in Stoke D’Abernon. My thanks to Tim G for
his excellent back-marking.
A 11.05am departure for our group; FixieDave sub-lead, Tim C Anne W, Terry L, Tony Hr, Lilian, Sabina, Bernard, Chris H, Grant (a maybe).
Grant however was unable to join us and Alan kindly stepped in to bring our number back up to ten.
A good turnout for our ride today, Welcome back Chris!
The weather did look a bit glum, but that wasn't the case with our cycling group. We gathered at the Golden cafe in Addlestone, hoping some of the gold would rub off on us! Our group flowed along the road quite smoothly. The job creation scheme (aka) road works, seemed to be plentiful, however they didn't cause us too much inconvenience.
We arrived at our lunch destination at just about 1pm, having maintained our 15 minute gap, as requested by the landlord, that being the Barley Mow in West Horsley. The food was reasonable and was served in good time.
Then onwards to tea/coffee in Stoke D'Abernon. It was decided by our group that any Gold we had gained from the cafe, wouldn't blend in with mud on Great Bookham Common ! So our alternative route took us thru Fetcham and into Cafe Barbera, 8 out of our 10 group made it to tea
Many thanks to all for taking part. Also to Francis for organizing and thanks to the ever dependable Tim C for back-marking.
Dave C
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