Rusper GC - Turners Hill - Reigate GC
With showers forecast all day, merely four started from the
appointed Leatherhead Wetherspoons. However, the apparently
long-unfrequented elevenses venue at Rusper Golf Club gathered others from
far-afield: Dave from an overnight stop in Horsham to assist with an Addiscombe
time trial, Graham and visiting CTC rider Rachel from near Heathrow and Ray from
Fetcham. We commiserate with others who
may have been Majorca-bound or otherwise indisposed.
Whilst Grant and Ray returned to domestic
duties, the remaining seven headed for Ifield and Crawley via Partridge then Orltons Ln, with pleasant
views and road surfaces on The Mount and Prestwood Ln, only for the maiden leader’s voyage to start inexpertly
by losing back-marker Graham and Rachel at only the second turn! Five pressed on via the somewhat tricky
route around the edge of Crawley, passing through Langley Green, Martyr’s Ave
and the Manor Royal industrial area then NCR 21 to negotiate past the Snooty Fox at Three Bridges,
before turning up Crawley Lane to Pound Hill and thence up the gradual climb of
Turners Hill Road. Not to worry about
the two departees: the Warden’s gazetteer-like knowledge allowed him to arrive
just before the main group at the lunch stop of The Red Lion at Turner’s
Hill (having gone via Charlwood and Horley)! A hearty lunch was consumed, including various Harvey's brews (Mild, Porter, 1040 Best) at a fortunately spare table (phoning before was advised but omitted).
We rode the return leg with a light tailwind via the pleasant Effingham, Broadbridge, Hathersham and Axes Lanes to Salfords and Lonesome Lane to tea at another GC -- this time Reigate Garden Centre. On what turned out to be a better day than forecast with only brief and light showers, a modest 55 miles of varied scenery door-to-door may not have used up the calorie intake but perhaps did so for those London-bound….? A couple of useful leader's lessons learned.
We rode the return leg with a light tailwind via the pleasant Effingham, Broadbridge, Hathersham and Axes Lanes to Salfords and Lonesome Lane to tea at another GC -- this time Reigate Garden Centre. On what turned out to be a better day than forecast with only brief and light showers, a modest 55 miles of varied scenery door-to-door may not have used up the calorie intake but perhaps did so for those London-bound….? A couple of useful leader's lessons learned.
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| A northward vista from Lion Lane |
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| Happily reunited |
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