However today was different.
I set off and nearly hit the deck within 5 minutes of being on the bike.
A very heavy frost had caused a invisible coating of ice on roads that had barely dried from significant rainfall in recent days.
I arrived at M & S Banstead to find Ed & Dave seated.Daniel arrived within a minute of departure and we were soon freewheeling down Holly Lane.
I decided to ride (illegally) up Castle Road to emerge at Elmore Pond.Within a minute of telling the guys "it's OK ,we're unlikely to see any vehicles"..........a BT van appeared around the bend.
Instead of the familarity of Markedge Lane,I continued to Reigate Hill where we posed for pics.
We walked down Wray Lane to the cyclepath then on approaching Redhill town centre we came across a very icy stretch of road where we needed nerves of steel.
Still all upright, it was up and down to Hooley Lane and Philanthropic Road.
Arrived at Redhill Aerodrome at 10.40am after a 9.05am start.
Our four became eight as we headed east using the bridleways parallel with the A25.
Henshaw Farm, Cuckseys Farm to South Park Farm where Jeff left us,presumably prefering the tarmac.
The map (and Paul's SatNav) indicated a continuation of the track past Wychroft House to emerge south of Tiburstow Hill near the Fox and Hounds,which we took despite being unkept at it's end.
Still going east it was Harts Lane to cross the A22 into Miles Lane.
This is where the fun? started.
A gentle downhill stretch on a normal day but within seconds I was struggling to stay upright.
I heard a rider fall (Paul) and shortly after Dave fell also.Whilst composing ourselves and checking for damage we almost witnessed a head on collision between two cars.
It was at this point I decided to make for the nearest hostelry (Barley Mow,Tandridge).
I managed to repair both Dave's and Paul's mudguards that had broken in their falls.
We were about to leave (13.50) but were delayed because Daniel had a puncture.It soon became apparent this was no quick tube replacement and we soon departed leaving him to find the source of escaping air.
Down to four now as Helene had joined Terry taking the main road home.
My route home included a mile of the A22 to Tupwood Lane where I had a puncture.
The "cyclepath" along the A22 was covered in twigs,branches and fallen trees from the storm of 23rd December ,but I quickly found the thorn and after consulting with a bike riding family out for a spin,made for Caterham via Gravelly Hill and Stanstead Road.
We "lighted up" at the Rising Sun,Chipstead Valley...........home about half-four.
Sunny & cold.
Less than 50 miles.
I was amused to read this article:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2530902/The-Waitrose-coffee-revolt-Free-drink-offer-attracts-Chavs.html
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| A quite simply beautiful morning |
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| Gravelly Hill shortly before sunset |
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