First of all thanks to all who put forward their names for the ride. 32 in total . Also to subleaders , a couple of whom were volunteering to lead for the Sat all day ride for the first time. In the end the weather blew away half our potential and on the day 17 riders were out on the road.
The rain was not too heavy and over by midday but the wind combined with rain as we climbed up Epsom Downs and continued across the top was a real challenge slowing our pace considerably. After a coffee stop and the reviving descent of Box Hill the beautiful route through the Vineyard and the joy of the ups and downs across the top of Ranmore were enjoyed by all.
The Bluebell girls; Steph & Carolyn on Ranmore Common
A downhill run after lunch taking in the pretty shortcut through Downside and the usual pleasures of Ashtead Common brought the day to a close.
Steph
Would you believe that with a morning of heavy rain and blustery winds forecast, some people would look out of their windows and decide against riding! The rain was not too bad but by the time we got to Nonsuch my group of six had become three, so Tony's group and mine merged and we had six again.
Denbies. Ann, Kasumi, John, Tony, Maggie; Paul took the pic.
I led to Denbie's and Tony took over because he said he knew a better route to lunch at the Duke of Wellington; this turned out to be an additional hill; Chalk Lane! Really pleasant countryside, though. Lunch was not inexpensive but very nice, even if the grotto in which my group took shelter felt more like an ice house!
Tony was keen to get home, I think, even though the rain had stopped and we sailed past the Patisserie and Squires at Stoke d'Abernon without so much as a rueful glance; there was no way we were going home without a cup of tea so Maggie and I peeled off at Woodlands Park on the road to Leatherhead, where they have a pleasant cafe.
Splendid ride, Steph, and well worth the effort of climbing up to Epsom Downs in the face of a fierce headwind.
Paul
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