Ride report for A , A/B group adventure ride from Leatherhead.

 The ride was planned to appeal to either A group or A/B group riders. I had publicised the ride as a Downs themed adventure ride. My last such ride invitation initially attracted 17 riders. Had I put everyone off again?

To my surprise I had 24 riders (including leaders) signed up for this adventure with everyone securing the subgroup pace of their choice. We should all grateful to Neil and Clive for sub leading and managing to squeeze an early morning joint Recce on Monday into their busy schedules.

To target a reasonably staggered arrival at the pub, all three groups left shortly before 11:00. The first roadworks in Leatherhead were passable on Monday but not without debate on Wednesday. Was that an omen? A short detour around the other 2 sides of St Johns cricket pitch was required. Our first Down was Epsom racecourse, which we accessed via Ashtead common and Chalk Lane. Unfortunately, that was where the first of our runners and riders had a mishap. Poor Janice experienced a puncture to her mount on our first short section of gravel. She bravely let her group continue while she hoped to fix it and re-join at the pub. However it could not be repaired and she eventually had to walk her bike home. The only positive was it was the patch of gravel that was nearest her home. Annoyingly, Neil’s fast group suffered two further tubeless punctures, one before and one after lunch.

For the rest of us it was new territory for many as we descended the south side "horse gallops" with views over Walton and Headly and then climbed again to Walton on the hill. From there we traversed Walton Heath woods and golf course bridleway, emerging at the Sportsman Mogidoor This section had been included on several previous A rides (but not very often) and leads to the beautiful Colley Hill. 

Staying on the gravel track previously has resulted in missing some of the best available views, so to make the most of the favourable weather my route meandered over the grassland paths to optimise our viewing pleasure. 

 

   

It transpires that at least 2 of the groups approached the same 2 ladies sitting on a park bench, who kindly agreed to capture group photos .

Clive's group chose a different backdrop.

 

My group also paused to read up on the site of the crashed WW2 bomber where “wigtips” still mark the scene of the tragedy.

   

The route then descended Coombe Bottom fast tarmac before turning the Royal and Alexandra school and the gravel track through Gatton Park....... 

..........with some spectacular views of Capability Brown landscaped gardens. I had only discovered and enjoyed this on a post COVID Dave W led C&M ride. (Thanks Dave!)        

Quiet tarmac lanes took us largely traffic free through Reigate and Redhill (including roadworks) before the final flat adventure section on N21. 

I had previously used this in the opposite direction on a return route from a Caterham ride. On my first Recce in mid July this was flooded and I got very wet feet. Fortunately, the recce on Monday confirmed it was dry. This route traverses a variety of countryside including some wetlands and cornfields before finally emerging at the Spynes Mere Nature reserve where my group stopped to enjoys some formation flying displays by flocks of geese departing form an island in the middle of the lake resulting from a very successful rewilding of a quarry site.    

After the final sharp hill ascent to Belchingly we eventually sat down with the other groups in the reserved “conservatory” of our third Red Lion pub lunch in 3 weeks. We were considerably later than I initially expected as I had not allowed sufficiently for the various briefings, comfort stops and photo opportunities. Service was prompt and the food was good to fuel us for the short (17 mile) but indirect hilly tarmac return to Banstead (17 mile) via Farthing Down.

 We once again overtook Neils group who repairing their third puncture but waved them on as they passed us shortly after when we were briefly resting near the top of Markedge lane. We later discovered that due to that and earlier delays, including missed corner marking, they had a mutiny and decided to shortcut direct from there to How Lane and Banstead omitting Farthing Down and several climbs.

Perhaps a wise move! On crossing the A23 at Hooley, our ascent of Dean Lane was marred and delayed by an exceptional and unusual volume of traffic using it as diversion for an accident on the A23. One wide campervan ascending the lane discovered that even using a passing place would not permit a descending BMW to get past. Bored with waiting we eventually squeezed past and left them to it.

By now there was increasing concern we would not get to Banstead in time for tea, it was feeling chilly despite the hills and there were some tired legs. So a secret ballot was conducted in Farthing Down car park. The options were for one (essential) hill or the designated two hills back to Banstead. The “ones” had it, so we rerouted via Coulsdon town entre before re-joining the route at the omitted How Lane junction. (Surprisingly, this only reduced the total climbing by around 125 ft and was equidistant) Not seeing any other bikes, 7 of us enjoyed refreshments at the Lavender café just before they shut. Neil C subsequently found us as he had been waiting elsewhere after his group had departed.

Clive’s group are to be congratulated on completing the course in good time and spirits without incident. So the final puncture score was Neil 3, Clive 0 and Dave 0. Feedback from all 3 groups suggest it was a bit of a Marmite ride. Most thankfully enjoyed it, some had yet to acquire the taste?