All day ride September: Last of the summer days out...

Overlooking Dorking from Denbies estate.
(l to r) John, Sue, Steve, Godfrey, Tracie, Helen, Toni, Liz, Lynda, Alice, Maureen

At the top of Critten Lane, on Ranmoor Common Road

Looking across to Leith Hill; fantastic skyscapes
and air so clear we could see the tower

This isn't a blog for cloudwatchers I know, but these pictures seemed worth sharing. Our cyclists were lucky to experience absolutely beautiful skyscapes for Liz's lovely "Last of the Summer" all day ride on 9th September.  She took us to a wonderful place to see them...above Dorking to lovely Ranmoor Common, one of our most beloved local beauty spots. 

Eleven of us met at Mansion House in Nonsuch Park, setting out at 10 am. We stopped for coffee in Leatherhead, then Liz lead us down to the bottom of town to a little green path through the nature reserve and onto the road through Fetcham, following the Lower Road from Great Bookham and uphill towards Effingham past the Vineries Garden Centre. Left to follow The Street, then straight over into Beech Lane.  From here it's mainly a long slow climb all the way, continuing up Critten Lane to Ranmoor Common Road at the top, where we stopped for a breather, a photo, and to allow everyone to catch up. Some of us were really challenged, me included.

Time now to enjoy the switchback that is Ranmore Common Road, a well deserved treat after all that hard slog! Past the NT Denbies carpark and then we followed the bridleway/ shared use path down to the right onto Denbies estate, where a kind passing walker took our photo above the lovely view of Dorking.

Then down to the Stepping Stones pub for a much needed lunch. Afterwards the group divided; some took the low road, the cycle route along the A24 back to Leatherhead; others took the high road via Juniper Bottom and Swiss Cottage then along Headley Road.  We all met again for tea at Ashtead Park Garden Centre.  Just in time as while we reposed, there was a rumble of thunder and heavy rain. But there were only odd drops on our way back and the late afternoon sun was out again.

Thank you Liz for planning and leading this lovely ride, and thanks all for your company on another gorgeous day out.  I can't wait for our group's monthly all day Saturday rides to begin again in the spring. Many thanks to all the ride leaders who make them possible and so enjoyable.

N.B. Beginners rides will continue throughout the winter every Saturday afternoon. Meet at 1.45 pm for 2 o'clock departure from Mansion House in Nonsuch Park.

Just one more shot of those gorgeous clouds...
and our gorgeous cyclists too, of course!
 You can see lovely Dorking too - this pic has everything except me!