Sunday, 26 September

Shere - The Haven - Capel

Welcome to Robert from Canada
The Haven and Capel

Sunday September 19 2010

With the start well to the east of Staines, I was made to lead to elevenses. A northern line took us through Esher, Hersham and Brooklands from whence a newish kissing gate on Muddy Lane brought us briefly to countryside. All too soon we were in Old Woking and by Mayford there were fifteen of us despite my emailed warning. Less two we headed over Pyle Hill into Guildford suburbia. In Wood Street Dave + 2 took the onroad branch whilst the rest paused beside the White Hart (closed for refurbishment! see 2009 gents) before tackling the Christmas Pie trail. Its fourth offroad section (ex Guildford to Alton line; last passengers: 1937) brought us to the White Hart at Tongham where we more than trebled the custom. Save a barked suggestion the return was simplicity itself (North Downs Way aka NCN 22) followed by A25/A246 to West Horsley where we disbanded. 65 miles door to door.

Sunday 12 Sept 10

Breakfast at Henfold or at least for Don, accompanied by Bob, Ed, Terry, Jeff , Matt & Keith. Lunch was taken at Bax Castle and excellent it was too, even Bob Starey, having been persuaded not to go to W'Spn Horsham remarked how good the food and beer was. The return via a short part of the Downs Link was uneventful except that the leader had not done his homework properly and after unintentionally transgressing into Christ Church School grounds. We escaped by Keith appearing from the downs link on the other side of the electric gates to activate them and let the wondering sheep out! After exploring Christ Church BR Station subway twice just for the sake of it we made our way via the tarmac to Broadbridge Heath, Warnham station subway and Friday St. to Capel.

At Capel again Bob got a big shock, where in the world can you get two enormous pieces of delicious cake for a £1 and a cup of tea for 50p. Excellent value. My thanks to both Ed & Terry for acting as both back marker and assistant leader and guiding me on my first C&M lead ride. Hear they are enjoying the afternoon sunshine without a care in the world, not realising what a grave situation they were in!

Sunday, 5 September

Godstone GC - Marsh Green - Reigate GC

Leader Ed shepherded his flock from N.C. to Godstone G.C. to refuel on toasted bacon sandwiches. He then took us the easy way up Tilburstow via Bletchingley, then via Crowhurst (where Simon responded to some road rage), past Haxted Mill to Edenbridge and on to our lunchtime watering hole, the Wheatsheaf at Marsh Green. Earlier, Ian had somehow become detached from the group when something had become detached from his bike.

However, his map reading skills ensured that he was waiting for us at the pub, which sported a good choice of food and drink, including some reasonably priced water. We sat outside, where Ian was accosted by some rambling club buddies and an Addiscombe CC lady with a broken elbow. Our meal was washed down with a light drizzle.

After lunch it was Westward'Ho to Lingfield, Newchapel, Smallfield, Salford and Lonesome Lane to Reigate G.C. Our tea drinking was disturbed only when we were invited to leave at closing time. Simon insisted on chasing me home up the A217, distracted only at Lower Kingswood by another motoring lunatic, who he decided to chase down at 40mph to express his disapproval. I watched from a distance and got home safely with 49 miles on the clock.

Our thanks to Ed for an artfully crafted ride which somehow managed to smooth out all the hills.

Jeff

Martlets FNRttC

Sunrise over Ditchling Beacon at 6am 4 October 2010. Well done Simon for a brilliantly organised ride and I am sure much money for a good cause. At my marshaling point in Chipstead top of How Lane they came thru like a train almost bang on time 1.30am

As usual cannot resist a picture. The sweetie on the left gave everyone a Dolly mixture or was it a Jelly baby as we surmounted the Beacon, the Dolly on the right was a rabbit "Ear Ear" both were highly visible in "Hi Vis" jackets and the beautiful lady standing behind was not so visible and appeared to have no ears! Thanks to them all for making riders so welcome and for the fantastic catering at Copthorne school.