Ride Report 4th Sept 'A' Group to Onslow Arms Loxwood

I set expectations in the invitation by including the GPX of the route, naming the hills, and some of the highlights, perhaps this and the iffy weather forecast put a few off, so we were a group of 6 an a group of 7, Dave Vine leading the first group to leave, WhatsApp messages later praised his excellent leading. I am away early Thursday (tmrw) for nearly a week of riding the Wolf Way Suffolk, so Dave will post his piece directly. 

In my group were Pat W, Dave B, Dave E, Daniel and Hans; GWS to Fiona who had hoped to join us but wasn't able to. The ride went well, the first mishap was near the end of climbing Critten when I lost the use of the rear gears, I did a fix fairly quicky which kept the rear in a middle gear, it made the climbs more challenging and pressed me to 'practice' very high cadence on the flats.  

The idea behind the 'going' hilly section was to follow some miles of the Greensand ridge keeping high elevation, doing this we enjoyed the woodland scenery of Hurtmore and Winterfold, so fresh and green after the overnight rain it was more like spring than summer's end.  

For part of the way we were with Dave V's group, no one recognised Pigbush Lane and feedback was this is a great detour,  with its pleasing views of the Blackdown mountain to the west and the vale between it and the lane. We rode Spy Lane, taking our group photo at Pound Cottage. 

Lunch was served well and the food was good, a few remarked how the price of beers was good, one of ours got double the benefit. We viewed the River Lox a little way down the road from the pub, and rode thru the pubs long car park, which follows the River Lox closely but gave no further viewing opportunity. Some of the lanes later on the way back were very good .. Standon Lane and Mole Lane. Approaching the start of the last climb, Leith Hill Lane we had a nice surprise appearance of Christina and pursuing B's.  I pressed on keeping with Daniel and went on right to our usual rest point, after a while I saw Janice turning the corner then ("the 2nd mishap->") I realised, too late,  I'd made the cardinal error of not marking the right turn just below: the others had gone straight on. Sorry guys. Calls didn't connect so after I while we followed their route and regrouped outside Denbies entrance. In Leatherhead we used a different cafe,  Lucio's, great service and good price, I think we'll be back. 

Thanks Dave V for invaluable sub-leading, and Dave B for backmarking and more.