Ride Report 'A' groups - Wednesday 19th February 2025

 Well, this cold weather drags on...& on...& on.

Any promised warmth failed to materalise, indeed the Met Office suggesting a mere 7°, (feels like).

But 20 riders were not deterred & met at Redhill's Methodist Centre.

Clive's group was first away:

 My group, comprised of Gina, Richard, Karl (welcome to the A group), Brian and Daves F and W, were the first group off at 10:35.  From Redhill we headed in an easterly direction towards lunch at The Royal Oak in Staffhurst Wood going through Bletchingley and Lingfield along the way. About half way to lunch, along Byers Lane, a loud bang was heard coming from the direction of Brian's front wheel. Dave W stopped to assist Brian with the puncture and the rest of us waited further along at the junction with Brickhouse Lane. While there the other two groups went past us; first Ged's group then Andy's. The rest of the ride was uneventful and I think we were all ready for lunch by the time we arrived at The Royal Oak.  

After lunch Andy's route took us North towards Oak Park for tea via Godstone (avoiding the sink holes). Along the way Dave W, Gina and Karl peeled off for home. So, four of us arrived at Oak Park and joined Andy and Neil C for tea and cake at the cafe before heading home.

Thanks to Andy for a very enjoyable route, in some rare sunshine, along roads and lanes that were mostly unknown to me. Thanks also to Brian for back marking and to my group for the company.

Followed 5 minutes later by Ged's group:

Brian swapped groups at elevenses - but we gained Frances after lunch, maintaining our quota of seven riders. What promised to be a change in the weather, with warmer temperatures, didn't really materialize. Despite some sunny spells it remained resolutely cold, with my Garmin reading 2 degrees, feels like -0 degrees! It was good to warm-up on the early climbs. Maybe Spring will arrive next week!

We made good progress towards Lingfield, on roads not often frequented - at least not in the direction routed by Andy. We crossed into Kent at Oxted, but apparently arrived back into Surrey for lunch at the Royal Oak, a popular and busy country pub, but with very good food and service. The twisty St Piers Lane was a delight; Jackass Lane - as predicted by Andy, was a muddy challenge; and after the climb up Flower Lane the descent through Woldingham School grounds was well earned. Sue C, Frances and Peter S, peeled off at Woodcote, leaving Neil C, Dave B, Steve D and myself at Oaks Park Cafe.

Thanks to Andy for a very interesting and usual route, to Peter for ever-dutiful backmarking, and not least to Neil for helping-out with the sub-leading.

My group was last away & included Patrick, Andy H, Neil W, Janice, Frances & guest rider, Jason.

I came with a stripped down bike (no 531 here), the bare minimum in a small rucksack & some weight loss.

The first of two climbs (source - Garmin) was Pendell Road up to Bletchingley.

This of course can be avoided by taking NCN 21 to Brewer Street but it does suffer from being muddy at this time of year.

At the top, Frances decided to ride at a slower pace & Janice was kind enough to keep her company.

We meanwhile sped on passing Brian, front wheel off, assisted by Dave W.

St Piers Lane (highlight) could of been a disaster as hedge cutting was in progress, always an anxious moment !

The Royal Oak pub at Staffhurst Wood, or Merle Common but definately not Oxted is in the middle of nowhere surrounded by farmland.

Acquired by the Grumpy Mole group, it's a busy place by country pub standards & I think broadly speaking folk were happy.......just don't have the so called "Croque Monsieur".....catastrophe !

The sun would of made all the difference descending through Woldingham School but it did briefly appear nearing Oaks Park, as noted by Patrick.

I was happy to wait for all the groups, to chat, drink more tea & above all ... rest.

Not gonna lie.......I was kackered!

My thanks to Neil for backmarking my group, Clive & Ged & everyone else for their company.

Royal Oak 10 years ago, from left Dave Stott, Ken Day, Jeff Tollerman, Paul Day - maps no Garmins!

Jackass Lane

No words.....