In the good old days of yore, I remember school masters banging on about 'intelligent Martians'. I suspect this is now an 'outmoded concept' since it is not inclusive of less intelligent Martians, or those who are just plain stupid. But I digress, my point was that a putative if outmoded intelligent Martian who had landed in Epsom today, and who happened to join the Cheam and Morden ride, would have taken back to his, her or their planet a completely wrong impression of one of our club rides! For a start, it was sunny, dry and not too cold all day. Secondly, not even one visit to a branch of Wetherspoons was involved, and thirdly, and almost unbelievably, we climbed up and crossed over the North Downs!
From a pleasant elevenses at The Old Moat Garden Centre we made for Headley bathed in sunshine, and were only briefly thwarted by the unexpected closure of the railway bridge at Castle Road. After Headley Heath we zoomed down Pebble Hill, then ambled through Betchworth to reach Leigh.
We had not booked for The Plough but they were able to find us a table and offered a full menu, including sandwiches, unusual these days for a Sunday. It should have been a straightforward ride back through Brockham and the Mole Gap to Leatherhead but, embarrassingly, I had mudguard problems en route which delayed us a bit, although there was still plenty of time for tea at Leatherhead for those who wanted to stop.
Bob, Graham, and Ed were at elevenses only, but Mark (making a welcome return after a few weeks absence), Diane, Keith and Geoff joined me to lunch along with Simon who very kindly back-marked all day). Many thanks all for your company!
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