Sunday 30th November 2014

When I set off from home it was a very foggy day but this had largely cleared when I arrived at Morrisons in Reigate for the meet and it eventually became a pleasant day for this time of year.
We were aiming for a prompt start to make sure we arrived at our lunch stop in time for the bar menu which they could offer us if we were there by about 12.30.  Ian set off by himself a bit earlier saying he would meet us there. The other riders left without too much delay - 11 of us headed out at about 11.15.
We left Morrisons and turned south along Bell Street then left along Lesbourne Road towards Redhill, passing the Cafe du Vélo on route.
Continuing westwards towards Merstham I discovered that roadworks had popped up blocking our planned bypass through the Watercolours estate so we carried on to Merstham before turning towards Nutfield. Jeff warned of a hillock ahead. This was Church Hill and sure enough the road rose and continued rising until we reached the A25 at Nutfield.
We stayed on this road until just after Bletchingly where we joined Rabies Heath Road - another incline but this time milder. A brief uphill to the top of Tilburstow and down the other side where we turned along Hart's Lane and the route flattened out. We crossed the A22 and rode through Crowhurst and Lingfield reaching the Old House at Home just a few minutes after our scheduled time of 12.30.
Neil decided he had to do Daniel's role so he had the roast but could only manage one pint. Most others chose from our cyclists only bar menu.
Some time after we had ordered, Ian arrived having had a navigational mishap at Lingfield but was allowed to order from our special menu.
After lunch Ed and Ian set off by themselves leaving 10 of us to head west in the group.  We rode together past Lingfield to Newchapel then northwest along Bones Lane.  We turned left towards Smallfield Road at the end of the lane and shortly after said goodbye to those heading towards Horley as 5 of us turned north towards Outwood and Fannies Farm.
This brought us fairly promptly to Horne Court Hill which although a little steep was fairly short. We had a short break by Outwood Mill which has recently been restored before continuing towards Nutfield via Coopers Hill. Then straight over to Church Hill - much easier in this direction - and into Merstham. Here we split temporarily with Mike and Jeff braving the slopes of Rocky lane leaving Sue, Andy, Neil and me to climb the gentle slope on the main road through the village. No escaping the last climb to Fannies Farm though.
We all met at the farm where Neil, Jeff and Mike headed home.
There were three left for tea, Andy, Sue and me. Ian arrived a bit later.
I left with Sue to guide her to Coulsdon arriving home about 4.30, probably one of the shortest returns from tea I've had. Mileage about 45.

 
From Dave S 

Apologies for the close-ups.............it beats getting out of the chair!