Ride Report - Sunday 17 April

 

I hesitate to use the phrase 'skeleton crew', but today we felt we were the ones left behind to fly the flag for the Cheam & Morden while everyone else was away enjoying themselves!   Anyway, us dregs (Bob, Terry, Ed, Pam, Ray W and I) met for elevenses at Leatherhead.   Bob and Pam made their own ways home leaving the rest of us to toil up to Headley, and then tackle the climb of Hurst Road, where Ed outsprinted the rest of us by a country mile!   After that we headed, with some trepidation, for the track across Walton Heath Golf Club.   It was rideable, but winter had taken its toll - one section was blocked by a fallen tree, and there were the dried remains of what must recently have been some very large, very deep puddles, of the sort which would submerge a Land Rover!    

We decided to stop short at The Sportsman at Mogador instead  of battling the expected crowds on the North Downs Way to get to our planned stop at Reigate Hill.    There was plenty of room in the garden at the Sportsman, the service was speedy and efficient, and there were good light snack choices.

After a relaxing break it was off back long the track the other way and then homewards via Tadworth and Tattenham Corner.   There remarkably clear views of London and beyond from the racecourse today - never mind the Post Office Tower and Woking, we are pretty sure we could make out the Stokenchurch aerials on the north western horizon!

Anyway, thanks to all for your company.