Sunday, 8th June

Hookwood – Staplehurst (not Balcombe)

Dave reflated at the foot of Snower Hill

 At the witching hour, six were sunning themselves at Walton Pond, soon to be joined by Ray, legs sore from his exploits of the previous day. We welcomed Carsten, photo to follow, on his first adventure with the Cheam & Morden, and a welcome sunny visit from Angie. Soon it was a swoop down Pebble Hill to cross the A25 and head for Hookwood via Betchworth. Come Snower Hill, Dave punctured. We rallied round and then set off again at a gentle pace. At Norwood Hill, Dave proved that the first puncture was not a fluke, so we left him with instructions and a smile, to make our way to the cycle stands of Hookwood Tesco, where two familiar bikes were already docked

Inside were Bob and Andy, soon to be joined by Lilian and Graham, the latter having quietly slipped across the Caledonian border, to escape the epidemic of referendum fever. Our elevenses were elongated as the Half Moon Inn at  Balcombe did not want to feed us until 1.30pm. Also, with Crawley between us, we had to choose a clock-or-anti- clockwise route and lanes familiar from recently followed rides. Anti-clockwise won so our route took us at a leisurely pace via Charlwood, Ifield, Lamb’s Green, Faygate, Colgate, Hammer Ponds and Slaugham up to Handcross, just a sniff away from our target of Balcombe, with fifteen minutes in hand. Now fate took a hand. High Beeches Lane presented a ‘Police – Road Closed’ sign. What the heck, we can usually get through. Not this time. Soon we faced a blue line that was NOT to be crossed. We understood that a motorcyclist had been killed and a police investigation was in train. With time running out we rang the Half Moon Inn to warn of delay and then again to advise of cancellation – an inn too far, where Bob was stranded, wondering what had happened to us.

Our improvised alternative was the Jolly Tanners at Staplefield; best choice of beers for miles around and cyclists welcome. By the time we had dined the hourglass was empty. Our planned return route was scrapped, Graham headed for Dorking and the rest set off on a scramble to Horley, then to find that Reigate GC café was already shuttered. Our ladies opted for tea at Brockham; the gentlemen for Fanny’s, while I forked off after Reigate. A day of contrasts and unintended consequences.

‘The best laid schemes o’ mice and men

Gang aft agley,

An’ lea’e us nought but grief an’ pain,

For promis’d joy!’

My apologies for disappointed joys and I hope not too much grief and pain.

Jeff