Something a little different this week: After a long dry spell I planned to ride along the top of the Downs to Guildford. Off road for about five miles on a decent track that can become slippery and muddy after rain. At Elevenses with me were Vic. Ed. David W, Keith, Lilian, Ian Appleton, Steph, Terry, and we were very pleased to be joined by a new cyclist, Yasmin, who had found us on the web.
Despite a few showers before elevenses, everyone was keen to do the ride, so we set off from Effingham, up Green Dene to the summit, and then along the North Downs Way, also the Pilgrim's Way at this point, through woodland to Newlands Corner. Terry left us at the top of Green Dene as he was leaving for France later that day, and Steph left at Newlands. Continuing along the track, which is very gently downhill all the way, we reached Pewley Down, stopping for a few minutes to admire the view and inspect the monument recording the gift of Pewley Down to the people of Guildford.
This was partly a time-wasting exercise by me, as with only 10 miles to lunch, we were a little early. From the wilds of Pewley Down there is a sudden transition into urban Guildford, with a steep hill down to the King's Head, where we enjoyed lunch outdoors, and since we were under an umbrella, we also enjoyed a small shower that passed by. Just as we were leaving, Ray Wren phoned to say he'd missed us at elevenses, and gone by a rather circuitous route to the top of Green Dene, but was still some way from Guildford, so we agreed to meet him for tea.
After lunch we rode along the Wey for a bit to avoid the centre of Guildford, then headed through Jacob's Well towards Old Woking before turning south again through Pyrford and Wisley to Ockham Bites, where Ray found us just after we arrived. Thanks all for your company and welcome to Yasmin! Special thanks to David W for back marking, and also to Mark Gladwyn who showed the Wayfarers the Pilgrims' Way route.
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