Hilly 50 Saturday 7th March 2020

Well after an anxious time in view of the inundation by rain all Wednesday night and all day Thursday, it was a relief to have a fine sunny day on Friday. With all that rain I took my little MG for a spin up Ranmore to the top of White Down and Oh No disaster it was flooded again like two weeks before with abandoned vehicles submerged in the water. So I phoned Dave Vine to let him know the bad news but said have no fear we will carry on and overcome. My suggestion was simply turn right onto the A25 at Raikes Lane and then ascend Ranmore in revers from the outward journey, then right at the church of the North Downs Way and back onto the finishing last leg. That added over a mile to the total distance and while some bemoaned the long drag up, it was not narrow with less harassment from motorists.
It was observed by someone and reported to Dave Vine at the Logmore Lane turn that a rider had dropped his car keys on Ranmore. Ironically that turned out to be Ged! Luckily some kind sole from Westcott (called honest John) had picked them up and noticed the AA tag saying if found call the AA with a £10 reward, so Ged is now reunited with his keys which he picked up on Sunday. Just another excuse to get more miles in!
Believe it or not the C&M Sunday ride went to the Bulls Head at Ewhurst for lunch via White Down and the flood had gone!
I must say that this event would not have taken place without the effort of so may people, particularly Dave V and Paul J who had prior surveyed the rout several times. The most mammoth effort was put in by our erstwhile secretary Tim C, registering the event on the CUCK website, producing the Garmin type routes for download, preparing the well established route sheets but reformatting for all the latest hazards. Dave V did the risk review and Paul J forewarned everyone at the start of the potholes and dirty conditions to watch out for.
A special thanks go to Dave V for corner marking at Logmore and to Terry Low for acting as diversion corner marker at Raikes Lane, a long stint in the somewhat cold day. Terry also did a sterling job in helping sign on as did the very efficient Maggie J and long suffering Geoff Gregory who stayed on to await the start arrival of Neil Warland who had had bike problems that morning. Never the less he was not last to finish.
Disappointingly there were no riders this year from CTC HQ like Julie Rand et al from last year.
In previous years Steve Winder from Epsom CC has been the first to finish, last year in 1hr. 51 minutes but this year did not ride. The first to finish who's name I am not sure of did it in 2hr 10mins. He had an attractive wife with him in Long knee length leather boots, alas she was not riding. See photo.
Normally V.C. Londres have a big turnout with a number of youngsters under the guidance of club coach Steve Cave. According to the only two V.C.L. riders who took part he is ill. Also disappointingly no one from Addiscombe CC rode so again the numbers were down.
As for myself I waited at Box hill to greet all, including my encounter with a hungry Robin who perched on a post in front of my car, see pic. In the end having got rather cold I finally departed Box Hill at 2.50pm having waited for Dave and Paul to finish along with a regular rider on a Dawes Galaxy who came down from Birmingham.
Some pictures already published by Ged, thanks! Mine will follow as I have to nip out for now and maybe add a few more notes if they come to mind. Anyway the message is thanks to all who helped along with Simon L for his contribution and apologies if there is anyone I may have missed!
On the day we raised £260 but thanks to others who have made donations my target is £300.
MMHM (moaning mad hatter morley)

Author: mike morley