A quiet buzz in the tea-room at Dorking this morning, as a surprisingly large number of A Group regulars gathered for the first of the Wayfarers' Spring Classics - the Hilly Over 50. Many sported lighter bikes than their customary steeds; some had shiny new low-ratio cassettes fitted. So we were ready to go.
Fourteen of us set off down the High Street heading for Coldharbour Lane, the first of the hills. It was a handy warm-up, but no problem for anyone as, half way up, the Hilly 50 route turns off down Logmore Lane en route for Sheephouse Lane, which is a bit of a toughy. But, with a grunt and a heave, we were all up. Most were puffing a bit, but not John B, who had managed to whistle a tune all the way ...
Over Friday Street, drizzling a bit, through Holmbury St Mary then fast down Three Mile Road towards Ewhurst, where the next climb began. This was Pitch Hill, which needed a long pull and a strong pull, but, when you get to the post box, it's all over. Of course, it's not all over at the first post box, or even the second. It's all over at the post box about five miles up the road. No-one seemed to mind, and some even thought that doing Whitedown before lunch might have been a good idea. As things turned out, it might.
Down towards Peaslake, into Hoe Lane and we were almost at lunch. But there's a kink in Hoe Lane and a big lorry was stuck in it. Your leader, with the confidence born of ignorance and without the benefit of map or gps, was sure that we could find a way round and avoid wasting time. Well, we found a way round all right, but it was a five mile detour over a big hill. In the rain.
In general, people took it quite well, and the conditions helped. The ground is sandy, so stoning wasn't really an option. And, of course, it was too damp for burning at the stake. We made our way briskly to the Volunteer, arriving good and late, and were treated to a warm welcome and a good lunch. So everything worked out well in the end, with the Over 50s having earned a bonus hill.
Although the rain had stopped it was cold coming out of the pub, but Raikes Lane warmed us up, so that we were in fine form for Whitedown. We paced ourselves, and arrived at the top in good order and in a pretty good time - impressive stuff on the hardest hill. A rolling cruise over Ranmore Common then fast down Ranmore Hill and on down Chapel Hill to West Humble. Here we waved to Irene and Gill, heading towards Leatherhead, and we crossed over the A24 and began the ascent of Box Hill. Some members suggested that, as it was the Olympic Hill, doing it nine times would be only proper. Despite general agreement that this was right enough, no-one was prepared to actually do it, so after a pleasant climb at a gentle pace we all gathered at the viewpoint and declared the job done.
Smiles, handshakes and photographs. Everyone had completed the route, no-one was exhausted and the satisfaction was palpable.
The plan had been for tea at Annies, but it was already past four and we were not sure when it closed. So we rode together to the former forge at Headley where we made our farewells, some going to Walton, some to Leatherhead and some to Epsom. Tony, Will, Ken and I took our tea at the Assembly Rooms and I have stopped the timing there.
The performance was good. Elevenses to tea we covered 41 miles with a total climb of 3,636 ft. Our rolling average was 11.9 mph - more than respectable in the circumstances - maximum speed 44 mph coming off Ranmore and an average power for the day of 100 watts.
Not bad for the Over 50s - heroes all.
Mark
