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
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