Sunday, 16th February 2014

Horley - Bletchingley - Reigate

 William IV Bletchingley

With the evidence of last Sunday in mind, preparations for this ride included the provision of navigation charts, emergency flotation aids, flares and entonox for Graham. I was not prepared for a cloudless, blue sky, warm sunshine and a balmy breeze. Instead of adventure on the high seas, we had a gentle pootle in the Surrey countryside, with nary a flood or fallen tree to impede our leisurely progress.

Ray and Geoff

The first navigational challenge for some was to pinpoint Reigate Old Town Hall as the meeting point. Geoff was there, as was Ray, with his spanking new Pinnacle on proud display. Others managed to mislay their sense of orientation, with or without the help of sat-navs, and made their separate ways to Horley. Waitrose was teeming with lycra, not all fortunately adorning riders of C&M; some belonged to Anerley Bicycle Club, present in great number. Thus, fifteen set forth for Bletchingley, more than the half dozen I had warned William IV to expect, with our Rides Sec. Andy left behind still chatting to ABC

With conditions so clement we made far more rapid progress than I had anticipated through Smallfield and Blindley Heath and strove to rein in the pace. However, by Tilburstow Hill Road it was clear that some circumambulation was required; we therefore spurned the hill and headed east towards Crowhurst, before tacking to head north towards Godstone and approach Tilburstow Hill from the opposite direction. With energy to spare some sprinted up the hill to overshoot the only right turn, Rabies Heath Road, to Bletchingley.  A duo went ahead and warned the pub of our impending arrival with numbers greater than predicted.

This very attractive low-beamed Victorian pub is cosy with just two small bars. We filled the vacant tables and were given a warm welcome. The food was of excellent quality and value, served promptly with the landlord attentive to our needs. Good beer well kept, the Cornish Tribute proving popular. The pub was bought by Youngs in 2006 and nearly sold by them for residential conversion in 2012. The application was thankfully rejected by Tandridge District Council. Shame on Youngs!

 

After a relaxed lunch, some decided to head for home in sunlight, while others chose the very short downhill ride through Merstham to the Reigate Garden Centre. It was very early for tea, with our lunch still a recent memory, but with time to spare, a fair few were prepared to face trial by tea and cake. Inside we found Matt, for whom the lure of the quilt had proved too great to join us on our ride. Then it was time to go our separate ways. The Cateye told me that I had done 42 miles, though others will have notched up more than a half century, modest perhaps but not too bad for a jet-stream dominated mid-February.

Jeff