With the skies looking worse by the minute, I left hurriedly around nine after a late stowing of waterproofs (well that's what they claim to be). As I headed towards Surbiton, it occurred to me that I should have been going to Kingston Bridge where someone might be waiting - there was, six of them!
We'd reached Esher from Hinchley Wood (by the "back door") when rain started to fall heavily. So the waterproofs put in a appearance. We continued down A307; most cars had lights on - a stygian gloom reviving memories of the 2014 Pru Ride. The rain persisted until well beyond Ockham where the Hautboy conversion to flats appears complete. By now we were thoroughly soaked and the roads were awash with water.
Arriving at a very crowded Seasons Restaurant made a baker's dozen but only five were prepared to carry on. Waiting for an improvement meant we left just after twelve. Sheepleas, Shere and Jesses Land got us to Peaslake (almost devoid of MTBers) and Radnor Lane saw us to Holmbury St Mary from the south. After a chance meeting with Jeff, Daniel had reached the King's Head ahead of us. Just in case he'd also checked out The Royal Oak!
We had not pre-booked so there was no food until after two (the trencherman had his usual roast plus two pints). Terry now made an offer of tea which was accepted with alacrity. The revised route took in Friday Street but that plan only lasted four hundred yards (to the start of the Pasture Wood climb) where Dave shouted problem. I lingered at the top of the climb and eventually was persuaded to retrace by his continuing absence - his rear mech had detached from the frame! As a more or less a terminal condition Dave retreated to the pub to phone for assistance from his daughter while I rejoined the others at Abinger Common. Another snip - we now headed directly to the A25. As most had not tried NCN 22, we turned off in Westcott to sample a couple of miles into Dorking. Either side of the tea stop came yet another drenching. I got home in the dark (1730) after 48 hard earned miles.
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