A group ride report 21 May: and then there were 4

Numbers were very down. Was it was the further out start in Caterham, the thought of a Kent ride, the thought of the Kent hills, the weather forecast with the possibility of showers and maybe thunder storms or indeed all of the above?

We had 8 signed up and raring to go but when I arrived in Caterham, Clive had text to say that he had needed to turn back for home having been thwarted by a closed road and unable to get there in time. Gina then defected to the B’s so we were down to 6. 

Brian, Sue, Ged, Guy and I set off after a generous spread laid on by the Westway Centre. Down the hill and through the school until the dreaded sharp left turn to go up Gangers Hill. Somewhere after that, at the top of Titsey Hill we met up with the final group member, Dave W. We then had the descent into Westerham. One bit of dangerous driving at the top but after that it was a very long, glorious descent. We agreed that it was worth the climb up Gangers for the joy of the descent. 

Through Westerham and then a right turn into another incline but as it was a pretty wooded road it didn’t seem so bad. Then a left which took us past Chartwell and we were heading downhill once more. 

We managed to see Bough Beeches but not too long after that, the skies darkened and the rain started. From then on it was heads down as the rain grew more torrential so the lovely scenery went by largely unacknowledged.

Cool and soaked through we arrived at the Henry VIII pub in Hever, mostly opting for baguettes with hot fillings plus a couple of buckets of fries. Dave needed to leave to catch a train from Edenbridge and then Ged to get his from Hever. So now we were 4. Or indeed 3 plus a photographer. 

Back on the bikes and the sun was almost out and the wind felt warmer. The afternoon hills were less and as we sped towards Brockham the sun went in and the clouds darkened. As we heard the first clap of thunder we decided that we wouldn’t be stopping for tea. However, there was only one more thunder clap and by Leatherhead the sun was almost out again. 

As Brian remarked, it was a good training ride for Trivets as we’d covered about the same elevation, leaving only about 30 flat miles to go.

Thanks to all for your cheerful good company!

Author: Janice