Hot Pursuit to Guildford - 17 July

Hot

A great turnout at The Queen Stage, Effingham despite the amber warning of hot weather (31 degrees).  And not just the ten C&M riders but a constant flow of other groups of cyclists kept the place buzzing.    Great to see Mark back on his first outing after his broken shoulder.  Bob was heading home while Pam and Tony chose to do a shorter ride in view of the heat.   Very sensible.

Missing Pam, David & Tony

There he is!

Chat

The rest of us, not so sensible, headed to Guildford after a referendum chose the higher-level route, involving more shade but starting with the climb up Green Dene.  Once ascended, the only way was Down, along the North Downs Way to be precise.  (What is it called in the other direction?  Surely it can't be Down in both directions?)  We were worried about hordes of walkers but they were strangely absent - perhaps they had heard something on the weather forecast?

Rachel

Pewley Down

Keith left us after admiring the views at Newlands Corner to ride back along NCN22, and we continued to Pewley Down where more views were admired, including a pretty clear view over the whole London skyline from Wembley to Docklands, just near the semaphore tower.   The remaining six of us found a shaded table at The King's Head and had a very enjoyable lunch.  I was half expecting everyone to get the train home due to the increasing heat, but in fact it was quite pleasant in the breeze, and only Mark and David made their own way home. 

Up-market doggy bar

The return route was seeking shade, along the Wey Navigation and north where we were pleased to find that Jacob was in his usual good health - the signs saying Jacob's Well were out as usual.  Does he never have a bad day?  The temptations of Woking station came and went, so we dodged the War of the Worlds fighting machine onto the canal (towpath, that is) to make our way back to New Haw and on to Walton, where Lilian kindly bought Rachel, Graham and myself ice creams - thank you!   In the end the temperature was around 29 degrees at Walton in the shade, with a nice breeze making it bearable.  Thanks to all for coming out on a hot day and for your company.