Monday, September 01, 2014

Sunday 31st August 2014

Five of the regular riders arrived at Reigate - Janice, Ed, Neil, Daniel and Paul, along with some new or not so recent faces - Paul's dad Ken, Matt and Patrick. At the designated hour I did a brief check of the new town hall (Bob had mentioned that on one of the rides people were waiting there) then we headed south towards Lonesome Lane.

Left along Lodge Lane then over the A23 to head towards Smallfield, Effingham Road then the B2028 to Turners Hill and the first hill of the day before descending to Tulleys Farm where Andy and Jeff joined us.  I also met Sue from Addiscombe with another CTC group. Sue had looked for my ride on the web and found a CTC ride stopping at Tulley's led by Dave but it was the wrong Dave!

After refreshments Ed decided he would head back leaving 10 of us to head for the lunch venue.  We did a swift downhill to join the Worth Way for the first part of the ride.  The section up to Crawley Down was relatively comfortable but it got a bit rougher after that. The plan was to stay on for about 2 kilometres then leave at Imberhorne Farm and take the farm road alongside Worth Way to the road. An operator error by whoever edited the route in my gps (that would be me)  meant we nearly missed the turn off but luckily we spotted it in time.

I had implemented plan B in case anyone wasn't happy with the 4 kilometre hill I had initially included so we headed through East Grinstead and used the A22 to get to Forest Row. We didn't escape completely though because there was a shorter but steeper hill by Coleman's Hatch.  After that though it was an easy ride to our lunch stop at Withyham  where we arrived about an hour earlier than I had expected.

The lunchers entered the pub leaving the sandwichers to eat at the front. Our table was ready so we ordered lunch - ploughmans, soup and a sandwich and Daniel's meal.  Daniel was interested in the roast grouse so ordered that but changed his mind when he heard it was £25 and settled for the beef.  

Everyone joined the lunchers later including Bob who had arrived by train and bike.  

After lunch we said goodbye to Bob and started the lumpy section of the ride. We had some uphill by Bolebroke Castle then by Cowden then a flat section through Edenbridge where Jeff left us.  I'll give a special mention to Crockham Hill which had quite a bit of uphill and some descents that would have been very nice apart from the large holes in the road from time to time.  Janice had a close call here when the car in front of her did a sudden stop.

Anyway everyone arrived in Westerham safely and prepared for the last climb of the day that was included in the itinerary. 

Clarks Lane seems to be the least steep of the ways up to the ridge above Oxted and everyone arrived at Tatsfield Church ready for refreshments.  A shortage of milk jugs and teaspoons caused some consternation in the hall but our team had just about enough to go round.

After tea Neil was heading to Caterham on the Hill because he hadn't done enough hills (or it could have been he was meeting someone).  The rest of us headed  through Westerham to Purley and Woodcote Valley Road.  At the end of the road I said goodbye and turned towards Coulsdon while the others headed towards the bridle path that would take them to Banstead and beyond.

For a change I had a short day with just over 60 miles leaving the others to wend their way onwards. 

From Dave S.

Tully's Farm

 
The Dorset Arms - Withyam

High tea - Tatsfield
First outing for my pure 100% Merino wool top at the bargain price of £19.99.
Warm but with wicking qualities too.
As I write "lot's in stock" of large,x large & xx large.

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