After a quick change into armwarmers and a jacket, I was off on a foggy morn. Just four (Graham, Ann, Ed, and newbie Dave) at the start of the ultimate ride of the year, we headed up through Cheam, Chipstead, Merstham and finally the school to Godstone. Its garden centre cafe has gone from greasy spoon to all too common Italian; already there were Ian and Jeff. As we prepared to leave, Andy showed after a 15mph average so the restart was delayed.
By now the day was perfect (mid 60s) for cycling. After a taste of A22, Crowhurst led onto the Lingfield backstreets to emerge at the village cage. Then came the drag up to East Grinstead where we turned west onto the A22 (briefly and chock-a-block with coast-bound cars) and A264. Our alfresco and leisurely stop was the reasonably priced Royal Oak Crawley Down.
Over the A264, favourite lanes led past Cheshire Home and Hedgehog to Outwood Hill where the climbs started. After Bletchingley we went halfway up White Hill then down to and up Hilltop Lane to Chaldon Church. Required to sing for our cakes, we declined and backtracking made our way to a crowded Fanny's. And then home to find the World Championship demoted to the red button - around 70 miles for me.
By now the day was perfect (mid 60s) for cycling. After a taste of A22, Crowhurst led onto the Lingfield backstreets to emerge at the village cage. Then came the drag up to East Grinstead where we turned west onto the A22 (briefly and chock-a-block with coast-bound cars) and A264. Our alfresco and leisurely stop was the reasonably priced Royal Oak Crawley Down.
Over the A264, favourite lanes led past Cheshire Home and Hedgehog to Outwood Hill where the climbs started. After Bletchingley we went halfway up White Hill then down to and up Hilltop Lane to Chaldon Church. Required to sing for our cakes, we declined and backtracking made our way to a crowded Fanny's. And then home to find the World Championship demoted to the red button - around 70 miles for me.
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