A Group 14th October

My morning was a trial by puncture. The first sign of a slow just before the FWC and I chaned the tube at Brockham. Then only another few miles before it was flat again though no leak could be found in the tube. A second replacement went flat almost immediately only to find a bit of grit in the rim. With the aid of a patch progress was resumed. Meanwhile the rest of the group ( Except Hans who stayed for support) had gone ahead to the Crown at Capel. Here some confusion between the bar and the kitchen resulted in two additional rounds of sandwiches ( gratis) being shared around.
In spite of the delays we were away by about 2.15 for a hilly afternoon. First to Ockley and then up Leith Hill where we turned left at the church to reach Leith Hill Road. Over the top and then right into Sheephouse Lane for the descent to Wootton and the A25. After a mile we took the back route to Dorking by turning into Balchins Lane ( aka the Leader's revenge ) losing two of our headstrong group who clearly haven't taken on board the Ride Guideline about not being in front of the leader!!
From Dorking we climbed Box Hill to tea at the Grey Dove cafe on Walton on the Hill. Several left us after Box Hill to return home via Epsom but a respectable 8 of our original 17 came to Walton with Mike reappearing for a cameo appearance.
My thanks to Hans for keeping me sane on the way to Capel and Geoff for back marking.

Author: Brian