A Group ride report - 20 November

I don't want to deter new leaders but this week did highlight a selection of the challenges a leader faces. Apart from the seasonal issue of how to provide an interesting ride while keeping it short enough to get most people home in daylight there is, of course, the weather. Not rain this time though that did threaten (and closely bracketed) the recce but whether ice would be an issue. Then whether the pub, having been told that we would arrive in three groups, could get their heads around us not necessarily all eating at the same time. Just when I had concluded that these issues would probably resolve themselves satisfactorily I heard that the homeward route to Newdigate, only ridden on Monday, had been closed by a water main failure on Tuesday morning. Never mind, Wednesday dawned bright and sunny, if very frosty.

David J led the first group. 

Two punctures and a lot of sun:

Six riders, all wearing numerous layers of clothing, braved the cold but sunny conditions and departed the DC in Leatherhead following Brian's meandering route to Rusper. Fairly soon we had one of our number reduced as Ged, who had been somewhat struggling with a puncture on the way to the meet, having to call it a day, a victim of the 'puncture gremlin'. Fortunately he was able to get back to the Leatherhead Station and catch a train back home.
Brian had devised a simple but ingenious course, using many familiar roads but also some that I hadn't ridden before. The only problem was the low winter sun, which at times made navigating extremely difficult, so difficult that even though I had recced the route the day before I went wrong, missing a turn due to my inability to read the Garmin, but not by too much. Heading towards the pub I heard that dreaded cry of 'puncture' ring out, this time it was Jennie, whose front tyre was getting soft. Fortunately she was using an inner tube with a sealant in it, so a gas cylinder and a spin of the wheel, seemed to do the trick and we were able to continue.
Even with the delays we arrived at The Star in reasonable time and as it happened we were able to all sit down together at the same table and enjoy our lunch, good service by all the staff.
Suitably refreshed, we headed off towards Puchbowl Lane, into a head wind, but not having to squint onto the sun made that more preferable.
We arrived back in Leatherhead without any incidents, two were stopping for tea whilst the other three made their way home to get back before it got dark and the cold returned.

Many thanks to everyone for making a cold winter's day so enjoyable, Jennie for 'back marking', Brian for the route and all for keeping the ride going at a pace that we could stave off the cold.

Janice was next away:

The -2° overnight and cool forecast for the day did nothing to discourage Steve D, Patrick, Neil W, Hans, Steve B, Daniel and me from cycling Brian‘s route.

Fortified by reasonable filter coffee and excellent scones at the day centre we left Leatherhead in the chill air. Fortunately Brian had been very considerate as he had put in an immediate hill to help us warm up!

I was slightly nervous of the possibility of ice and was glad when Pebble Hill was behind us. In fact the roads seemed to be fine and the sun came out leading to a pleasant but cool ride to Rusper. The traditional photo outside the pub shows the glorious blue sky.

There was some confusion over lunch and whilst mine arrived quickly the rest of the group had to wait for everyone to be served at the same time. Nevertheless the lunch was good and set us up for the cool journey home.

As the first group to leave we were given the responsibility of trying the closed road en route and fortunately it was possible to pass. The sun was still out but not shining on us as we went through shaded areas and the temperature seem to plummet.

On reaching Leatherhead we decided to disperse and head for home before the temperature dropped any further.

Thanks for the cheerful company of my group, particularly Dave B for back marking and to Brian for a lovely route appropriate for the time of year.

 

My group of Dave V, Richard, Clive and Neil C set off soon after Janice. Pete Beyer had helpfully advised that Tyrrel's Wood was ice free so that was a good omen and the first concern ticked off the list. All went uneventfully until we found David's group at the bottom of Stan Hill dealing with Jennie's puncture. So much for the planned neatly spaced arrivals for lunch. After stopping at the top of Prestwood Lane and discussing how infrequently we had ridden it we arrived at the pub only just ahead of David. So in the end we did all eat together though Janice had already been served. The food for the rest of us came quickly and a few of us would recommend the Moussaka. 

With no adverse feedback from Janice we confidently ignored the Road Closed signs and squeezed past the roadworks on the way to Newdigate. We all stopped at Lucio's in Leatherhead for tea and were soon joined by Simon and Dave F. 

My thanks to Janice and David for leading, Clive for back marking and my group for their company on what turned out to be a glorious day.