Gomshall - Dunsfold - Farncombe
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Monday, September 26, 2011
Sunday September 25 2011
With many miles to cover and hills to climb I settle for a direct route to 11s(Ewell village, Craddocks Avenue, lower road through Bookhams). Three of us went ahead after Dirtham Lane with the rest continuing at their own pace. We arrived to discover a Jordans' Open Day meaning free drinks all round. Eventually the lighting of barbecues and a live rendition of "Midnight Hour" (Wilson P turning in his grave?) drove us away.
Slipping beside Peaslake, we reached Pitch Hill where I remembered the Hilly 50 route originally passed Hurtwood Edge(still EC's home?). But I'd forgotten the mud - mercifully short! A burst water main between Cranleigh and Tisman's Green but zero traffic must mean someone likes us. Bypassing Cokelers' Loxwood, a Brewhurst Bridge photo shoot was prolonged by hordes of aspirant cyclists. Previously unvisited Ifold (estate sold off in 30s for holiday homes but much improved) was next and Ye Olde Sun Inn Plaistow reached dead on one. Its sign implied no food on Sundays so we settled for a second Sun (in Dunsfold).
Refreshed the aptly named Folds country was on the menu (Hydon's Ball) with a descent to the Farncombe Boat House (much lot busier than on our last visit) bringing us to tea. The post tea plan was for me to turn left(Guildford) and Jeff to turn right(Coombe Bottom). Rather unexpectedly Janice was with me so somewhat out of character I was at my chivalrous best though the legs complained bitterly on the final climb to Dirtham Lane.
All in all a fine day though overcast at tea; just under 80 miles door to door and two new cafes (Vineries GC Effingham, Tillings Cafe Gomshall) for Andy to investigate.
Slipping beside Peaslake, we reached Pitch Hill where I remembered the Hilly 50 route originally passed Hurtwood Edge(still EC's home?). But I'd forgotten the mud - mercifully short! A burst water main between Cranleigh and Tisman's Green but zero traffic must mean someone likes us. Bypassing Cokelers' Loxwood, a Brewhurst Bridge photo shoot was prolonged by hordes of aspirant cyclists. Previously unvisited Ifold (estate sold off in 30s for holiday homes but much improved) was next and Ye Olde Sun Inn Plaistow reached dead on one. Its sign implied no food on Sundays so we settled for a second Sun (in Dunsfold).
Refreshed the aptly named Folds country was on the menu (Hydon's Ball) with a descent to the Farncombe Boat House (much lot busier than on our last visit) bringing us to tea. The post tea plan was for me to turn left(Guildford) and Jeff to turn right(Coombe Bottom). Rather unexpectedly Janice was with me so somewhat out of character I was at my chivalrous best though the legs complained bitterly on the final climb to Dirtham Lane.
All in all a fine day though overcast at tea; just under 80 miles door to door and two new cafes (Vineries GC Effingham, Tillings Cafe Gomshall) for Andy to investigate.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Sunday, 18 September
Godstone - Ifield - Brockham
A leader has little excuse to miss the start. Today, however, with the meeting poin
t on my doorstep, I nearly DNA'd, at least by bike. A broken door lock on the bike shed denied me access. Fortunately, my bike had already been released before the lock seized up. The novel starting point of Tadworth Station attracted two newcomers: Rina and Wendy, to whom we extend a warm welcome.
Reinforced with Daniel, we then made our way to Godstone via Mugswell, Harp's Oak (where a wayward rivet released my wristwatch, the rivet miraculously recovered), Merstham and Spring Bottom
Lane, where my much vaunted Gatorskin let me down. A team effort soon had me rolling again, though the Specialized innertube had somehow managed to loose its circularity. Without further mishap we then passed through Bletchingley to Godstone Garden Centre, where we found Bob, Graham back from the Borders, Ian and Mike F. With our lunchtime assignation fairly close, we dallied over tea and cake, before setting off under lowering grey skies.
To lighten spirits I promised to avoid the usual climb up Tilburstow Hill Road and approach from the flank up the Enterdent, to resurface near the summit. There was still a bit of climbing, but the lane is very pretty. We stopped briefly at the viewpoint before the descent of South Park Lane, past Wychcroft House, the Southwark Diocesan Training Centre. A brief committee meeting resolved that we decline the offered rough-stuff option, though Graham was game, and took the farm track to join Outwood Lane. South then to Outwood Mill and Smallfield, then West where the rain caught up with us at Shipley Bridge. No argument about caping up, for those that could. A short, sharp dash along the lively A23 beside Gatwick Airport (not aerodrome), before quieter roads brought us to a rain-free Ifield and the open Gate for food and drink. Though under new management, there was still a choice of snacks to meet the needs of Sunday cyclists and a choice of ales to satisfy a discerning CAMRA member.
A long lunch meant a late remount, but tea was only a stone's throw away at Brockham. So it was North along Partridge Lane to Parkgate, Shellwood X and we were at Brockham before you could say Mark Cavendish. Rina and Wendy had to continue back to Tadworth. The others stopped for tea and cake provided by the ladies of the Brockham Babies and Toddlers Group, so far as I could see an entirely male free zone. Mike M appeared to say hello before each set his own compass bearing home. Mileage was a modest 47 miles, but days are getting shorter and soon we shall have to think again of lighting up.
Jeff
t on my doorstep, I nearly DNA'd, at least by bike. A broken door lock on the bike shed denied me access. Fortunately, my bike had already been released before the lock seized up. The novel starting point of Tadworth Station attracted two newcomers: Rina and Wendy, to whom we extend a warm welcome.Reinforced with Daniel, we then made our way to Godstone via Mugswell, Harp's Oak (where a wayward rivet released my wristwatch, the rivet miraculously recovered), Merstham and Spring Bottom
Lane, where my much vaunted Gatorskin let me down. A team effort soon had me rolling again, though the Specialized innertube had somehow managed to loose its circularity. Without further mishap we then passed through Bletchingley to Godstone Garden Centre, where we found Bob, Graham back from the Borders, Ian and Mike F. With our lunchtime assignation fairly close, we dallied over tea and cake, before setting off under lowering grey skies.To lighten spirits I promised to avoid the usual climb up Tilburstow Hill Road and approach from the flank up the Enterdent, to resurface near the summit. There was still a bit of climbing, but the lane is very pretty. We stopped briefly at the viewpoint before the descent of South Park Lane, past Wychcroft House, the Southwark Diocesan Training Centre. A brief committee meeting resolved that we decline the offered rough-stuff option, though Graham was game, and took the farm track to join Outwood Lane. South then to Outwood Mill and Smallfield, then West where the rain caught up with us at Shipley Bridge. No argument about caping up, for those that could. A short, sharp dash along the lively A23 beside Gatwick Airport (not aerodrome), before quieter roads brought us to a rain-free Ifield and the open Gate for food and drink. Though under new management, there was still a choice of snacks to meet the needs of Sunday cyclists and a choice of ales to satisfy a discerning CAMRA member.
A long lunch meant a late remount, but tea was only a stone's throw away at Brockham. So it was North along Partridge Lane to Parkgate, Shellwood X and we were at Brockham before you could say Mark Cavendish. Rina and Wendy had to continue back to Tadworth. The others stopped for tea and cake provided by the ladies of the Brockham Babies and Toddlers Group, so far as I could see an entirely male free zone. Mike M appeared to say hello before each set his own compass bearing home. Mileage was a modest 47 miles, but days are getting shorter and soon we shall have to think again of lighting up.
Jeff
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Sunday 11th September 2011
Ed & John followed me on a relatively hilly outward ride to elevenses.The morning was partly sunny and I felt I needed to go via Headley.
As the sunshine becomes a premium at this time of year,most were sitting al fresco at Henfold to soak up the last warmish rays of 2011.
The route to lunch was as you would expect:Rusper,Faygate,Colgate,St Leonards Forest,Hammer Ponds (where John had a branch caught up in his wheel) then it was through the hamlet of Plummers Plain then a couple of small lanes to arrive at The White Horse,Maplehurst.
Very pleasant sitting in the ample beer garden but it was 2.20pm.Our penultimate visit to Capel beckoned and so it was at Copsale we split as I wanted to use the Downs Link to Itchingfield.
Tarmac resumes at this point and it was a tailwind via Broadbridge Heath & Warnham but at the normal railway crossing point..........new gates at track level.No more carrying bikes down then up.
The advance party did leave us a couple of cakes........as long as the lemon drizzle is still there,the leader is happy :)
72.933 miles (from Ewell).
This Saturday,17th September is the Autumn Ripley Cycle Jumble according to the VCC website.
As the sunshine becomes a premium at this time of year,most were sitting al fresco at Henfold to soak up the last warmish rays of 2011.
The route to lunch was as you would expect:Rusper,Faygate,Colgate,St Leonards Forest,Hammer Ponds (where John had a branch caught up in his wheel) then it was through the hamlet of Plummers Plain then a couple of small lanes to arrive at The White Horse,Maplehurst.
Very pleasant sitting in the ample beer garden but it was 2.20pm.Our penultimate visit to Capel beckoned and so it was at Copsale we split as I wanted to use the Downs Link to Itchingfield.
Tarmac resumes at this point and it was a tailwind via Broadbridge Heath & Warnham but at the normal railway crossing point..........new gates at track level.No more carrying bikes down then up.
The advance party did leave us a couple of cakes........as long as the lemon drizzle is still there,the leader is happy :)
72.933 miles (from Ewell).
This Saturday,17th September is the Autumn Ripley Cycle Jumble according to the VCC website.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Friday, September 09, 2011
Wednesday, September 07, 2011
Sunday 4th September 2011
I had Wimbledon Common in mind for the route to Holland Park but looking at the average tyre width at NC,it may of been bad judgement to go ahead but the surface was OK & there were no ill effects.
There may of been a change of hands in the café but the prices seemed fair (£1.20 pot of tea).
Simon & Stuart headed off to places unknown whilst Jeff,Ian & Ed joined me across to Kensington Palace,Kensington Gardens & Hyde Park.
Free Skyride bib,chat to guy on light stand,chat to guy on CTC stand, rain in the air..........mmmm time to set off.
Left the masses at Tower Hill to lunch at Lock 7 cycle repair shop/café.Note that this is a cycle repair shop with a café whilst Look Mum No Hands is a café with a repair shop,good coffee though.The rain was coming down and Ian had found a nice old pub.
Back to briefly join the Skyride before picking up the Cycle Superhighway to tea at Sainsburys Merton.
Ian wafted a £20 note and we left satisfied..........thankyou kind friend.
Sunday, September 04, 2011
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