Most of our rides end with the riders thanking the leader. This time it is my turn to thank the 10 dedicated (or crazy?) riders who accompanied me. In particular, thanks to Mark, Janice and Neil for co-leading on a challenging day when they could well have mutinied at the start.
I was quite prepared to call it a day when I arrived at the Westway Centre, but such was the enthusiasm of everyone I met that the thought disappeared immediately. Mark’s group of 3 were on the point of leaving, and Janice was about to round up her group.
The Westway is our first day centre to reopen for us, and they certainly did us proud with a tempting display of cakes and hot drinks, most welcome after a long, wet ride for most. The arrangements they had made to keep us in our own safe bubble worked well, though it must have involved a deal of work for the centre staff. We will certainly return, given the welcome we received. Thanks Claire, Pam and colleagues.
As we were only 11, we consolidated into 3 perfectly balanced groups. Neil volunteered to lead the last group, which made me technically redundant, so I had the unique experience of blackmarking my own ride. I will leave it to my 3 co-leaders to describe their experiences.
Mark said:
Patrick, Steve and I left Caterham promptly at
10.05, and set off down the hill towards the roundabout and the Woldingham
Road. It was raining pretty steadily. Before the top of Woldingham
Hill we were in the clouds, and my headlight gave a clear beam in the
mist. Not really August weather. Along The Ridge to the top of
Titsey Hill, then a brisk descent and an awkward turn on to the Pilgrims
Way. It was mizzling as we rode along, probably the best it got all day,
and we could see across the valley to the cloudy tops of the Greensand Ridge.
At Sundridge we had chat about the route, and decided that Yorks Hill might be
a bit of a stretch in the mucky conditions, and that the views from Bayley’s
Hill may not be all that they might. So Ide Hill it was, and Steve led us
out up the hill at a cracking pace, and we whizzed down the other side in wet,
but tolerable conditions.
Approaching Bough Beech a herd of deer ran across the road in front of us, very
enjoyable to see, but the views at the reservoir were rather limited. I
suppose it’s no surprise, but I did think that the water level was fairly
low. There’s always someone who’s glad of rain.
We passed Larkin’s Brewery with some anticipation of lunch to come, and arrived
at the pub well before twelve. This was worrying, as we thought that we
might have to twiddle our thumbs in the rain until they opened, but no, they
had been open all morning and were pleased to take our orders at once.
Good food and good beer, and back on the road about 12.30, just as Janice’s
group were arriving. A brief chat, the on we went, still raining.
Steady riding from here, the only excitement being Patrick’s lead up Tilburstow.
He went well, and quickly, and was so focussed on his task that he went over
the top and down the other side … He was at Godstone by the time I caught
him, so a handy bonus hill in a day that had otherwise been short (sic?)
of them.
In to Pistachio’s just before three, coffee and cake then off home - still
raining. At least it’s down hill for everyone from Banstead.
Janice said:
It was an, er memorable day for weather. I’m very glad Neil and I had reccie’d it in glorious sunshine to be able to appreciate the roads and views.
I was half
hoping that my group would sensibly decide that it was too wet to ride. But no,
I met an enthusiastic Frances, Ged and Steve D all raring to go. So from
Caterham it was mostly heads down and get on with it in the rain. We did have a
brief stop at the (North Downs?) golf club whilst Ged repaired a puncture in
admirable time.
The descents of Titsey and Yorks hills were not as hazardous as when Neil C and I did the recce last Friday when torrential rain had scattered branches, large stones, wet leaves and lots of grit right across the roads. At least the car traffic since then had piled all the detritus into a neat line in the middle of the road. Nevertheless, Frances had a scary moment on the steep bit at the top of Yorks hill when she discovered that her rim brakes weren’t stopping her bike.
We all enjoyed our half price excellent sandwiches and drinks in the pub at lunchtime and then it was heads down again to tackle the climbs back to Banstead. By this time we were all soaked through and decided to head on home rather than stop.
A lovely route and beautiful views but I can only say that having reccie’d it on a sunny day it would be well worth doing the same route again in the hope of better weather.
Neil said:
When I arrived at the day centre Mark's group had already left and Janice was busy rounding up her group. But there were still five Daves left. Two said they were "going with the B's", one was heading for home, (a most reasonable idea in the circumstances) but two were keen to come with me. At least that is what they said. I searched inside and out for further volunteers but only found Brian.
So off we set, a compact team of four. Me trying to remember how to lead, Brian and Dave W providing the power in the peloton and Dave V sweeping the whole ride from the back.
Down across the A22 and then up, up into the clouds, more up, past the Danger of Death sign, and a bit more up before plunging down Titsey Hill. Once we had turned into Pilgrims Way the traffic was light and the miles passed by efficiently as we headed for the second major plunge of the day, Yorks Hill. With plenty of experience in the group and three recce's between us we survived this and were soon at Chiddingstone for lunch.
The Castle pub is a real gem - amazing old building, friendly staff and great food.
After lunch Dave W left to put in a few more miles before getting the train home to water the allotment (although I may have got that last bit wrong). This left Brian to be the peloton all on his own. The afternoon started with a brief visit to the deserted castle for a photo opportunity before winding our way up and down the countryside back to Banstead, which we found closed. (Mark’s group had consumed all the cake?)
It was a memorable day out.
And Dave said:
We don’t often go into Kent, but Chiddingstone Castle (Pub and Castle) are well worth a visit, and both welcome cyclists. Just remember to check opening times as they differ at present.
Thanks again for coming and here's hoping our next meeting will be dry.
One final message:if you think yesterday was bad this is Steve Douce, son of one of the ladies at the Westway, winning one of his seven UK national Cyclocross championships a few years ago.
