Was my turn to take the Nonsuch short Saturday ride incompatible with my plan to improve on hill-fitness? Not a bit of it. Maggie, Nigel and Fate had between them contrived to allot me the ride to Banstead and as we all know, the only way to get to Banstead is upwards.
Saturday was a perfect day for cycling; the mini-heatwave had not kicked in but the bad weather had been banished, so we had sun showing through the clouds and, when it did, a cool and more-than-gentle breeze.
The open space in front of Nonsuch Mansion was busy with a healthy crowd of cyclists who had turned up and there was an awful lot of chatter; come on, Sou'Westers, are we there for chit-chat and socializing? Shouldn't we be on our bikes? Thus I made the first move, announcing the short ride to Banstead. I did not mention hills, but Banstead's reputation is county-wide and they all ignored me. So I made sure that my wife knew, and then made a second announcement before promptly riding off to wait at the bend in the track, expecting ten or so followers. Surprisingly (for who does not enjoy a bit of climbing?) I had only four.
My orders (as per Nigel's rides list) were to go to Nork Park and being a Beginners ride we usually minimize the main road element by using Sandy Lane, Cuddington Way and Higher Drive but, south of Banstead station, because the track up from Nork Way is rideable only by experienced Olympian mountain-bikers, we usually go up Beacon Way and have coffee in Banstead. But I had come back on Wednesday past Tattenham Corner and been reminded how twee is The Lodge, the tea shop next to Burgh Heath Cricket Club in Tattenhams Rec, and that it had been a long time since I took a group up to the view point in Nork Park. So that is what we did, and a pleasant ride it was.
Maggie took this one at the viewpoint. Did you know that there is an ancient beacon, which can be seen on the North side of The Drive?
Tumble Beacon is now just a large mound with a tree growing out of it.
Sue took this one at The Lodge. There are worse things to be doing on a Saturday.
We took tea and cake and freshly baked scones at our leisure and then came come via Waitrose and the prisons, splitting just past Belmont station after we had dropped Steve home.
Thanks to Rob and Steve and Sue and, of course, back-marking Maggie.
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