Looking at the crowded room in the Redhill Methodist Centre yesterday morning it seemed a world away from the time about ten years ago when there was a proposal to reduce the number of Redhill (and Caterham) meetings because of the lack of attendance. It was good to see that in spite of being a tough ride to get there (especially into a headwind) the turnout was so good.
On the day we had 22 participants at Redhill with two potential riders direct to lunch. The apparently strange departure times were an attempt to ensure a split arrival at lunch while ensuring that the slower group didn't arrive back too late for tea. As much by luck as judgement it seemed to work.
Dave Ferret's group was the first to depart:
I had volunteered to Sub lead a slower 11.5 to 12.5 mph paced group for
Brian, given that it was going to a long door to door ride for many and
a few good sharp hills. We all set off first, exactly at the scheduled
time expecting to arrive at the pub 15mins or so after the fastest
group heading off 5 mins later. A couple of my group got excitedly
sucked along behind the fast group when they overtook us near Outwood
and went on ahead to reserve a table for us in the pub. There was a
brisk headwind out to lunch at Four Elms, but good progress was made
despite an unexpected "road closed" diversion that did not exist on the
Friday recce. Pity Hever castle not visible from the ride past, but
lovely Kent countryside regardless. The consensus was that lunch was
good quality and value and served very efficiently. My phone based
Kamoot sat nav was working and I had a fully charged external battery
pack but unfortunately the connecting cable was proving extremely
temperamental. I need to make sure I carry a spare in future. So
suspecting a complete navigational failure on the return trip, Frances
provided Garmin back up at the front as did Simon kindly back marking.
My battery finally expired after Mertsham until Banstead for the
last couple of hills through very familiar territory. Three of us
enjoyed a cuppa at Banstead where we joined some of Brian’s group and
shortly later some of Dave’s on a coffee stop rotating "hot seat"
basis. Many thanks to Brian for organising and managing to find some
new very scenic territory for us all to explore and again to Simon for
navigational reassurance and exemplary back marking services.
Time for some extra curricular activity
My group of Janice, Andy, Mike, Neil C & W, Dave B and Mark left promptly and warmed the legs with the climb up Philanthropic Road. After that we made good progress, overtaking Dave F's slower group before Outwood. The pace picked up when we started heading east after Bones Lane but we were brought to a halt by roadworks before Haxted and diverted south along Water Lane to join the B2028 to Edenbridge adding two miles to lunch. Even so we arrived at the pub about 1230 to find Patick and Geoffrey already there.
The pub gave us a warm welcome and served everyone very efficiently. We were back on the road soon after 1.30 joined by Patrick to head home along the lanes through Swaynesland to Hurst Green - a route we rarely use*. After that the hard work began over the hills to Banstead where Andy and Janice headed home and seven of us stopped for tea.
A lovely day in good company. Not as much sun as forecast but signs of spring with daffodils and primroses apprearing.
My thanks to Neil C for his novel approach to back(?) marking even when it was from the front!
Dave Vine's report:
Our first meeting at Redhill for two years and the cakes are
just as good as I remember. And a big turnout promised well for an enjoyable
day.
My Group of 7 lacked JohnB who is nursing a cold (hope to
see you soon John) but started on time and headed into a nagging headwind at
least as far as Lingfield. We are well into spring so there were daffodils
everywhere and a couple of goldfinches hedgehopping around us added welcome
colour. All went well, apart from the compulsory additional 3 miles, just as I
was thinking an early arrival at lunch would be welcome.
Lunch at the 4 Elms was efficiently organised with friendly
service, and we were on the road shortly after two.
While we were in the pub a large group of Oxted CC in blue
and white jerseys passed, and after lunch we met a few of them doubtless heading
homeward. The return ride was much assisted by a helpful tailwind which helped
to take the sting out of the three big hills Brian had selected for us. DaveW had left us before lunch, seeking
assistance from the railway; Pete B departed at Markedge seeking a direct route
to Tadworth, and SteveW and NigelV stayed to course to Banstead but split for
home. Personally I was well pleased when the final climb up to Banstead was
over and the remaining three of my group met up with the earlier groups for a
sociable chat in Pistachio’s.
Thanks to Steve D for back marking, to all my riders for
their good company, and thanks to Brian for a challenging mixture of lanes,
some unfamiliar and some previously unknown.
* I have checked my records and I led a very similar ride in May 2015 which also included much of yesterday's diversion. Another ride from Redhill in September 2017 also came back through Swaynesland to Banstead.
