The weather forecast for the day had been changing frequently and taken a turn for the worse in the previous 24 hrs. Whether it was that or holidays but only 8 riders signed up and with one dropping out we were only 7 at Caterham.
Dave F and I left Ashtead in light drizzle but had a mostly dry ride to elevenses. We combined into a single group - just like old times - and climbed to Woldingham as a change from Gangers Hill. Passing the end of Gangers Hill Lane I noticed a confusingly placed Road Closed/Diversion sign but we carried on along The Ridge to the junction with Chalkpit Lane. Here we found an array of cones blocking both roads and two workmen. They informed us that The Ridge was impassable because of tarmacking but they had no idea what was going on down our intended route of Chalkpit Lane.
So I began the steep descent with some trepidation as any serious work on the first part of the hill would be very difficult to avoid. By the time we reached the first house I was more relaxed and eventually we came to two guys reparing a pothole. We dismounted and walked past with a smile and a Thank you.
Sandy Lane took us under the A25 and then we joined the TriVets 100 route from Gibbs Brook Lane to Lingfield. A very lumpy section followed via Dormansland to East Grinstead where we arrived dry for lunch at Old Dunnings Mill.
After lunch we headed home via Saint Hill Lane and the Worth Way to Crawley Down, then along Effingham / Dowlands Lanes to Smallfield. We had two ten minute showers and a few other spits and spots of rain before reaching Brockham for tea. Five of us stayed for tea before riding back to Leatherhead and heading for home.
A great day out without getting more than a bit damp which has to be counted a success given the weather around us. My thanks to all and particularly to Peter for back marking.
No comments:
Post a Comment