Some while back while doodling in RidewithGPS I looked for roads which I thought we should ride but rarely did and certainly not in this direction. Joining these together didn't make a very coherent route but I hoped that it might form the basis for a future ride. So when I drew the lot to lead from Dorking I had the makings of something but wasn't sure what I would make of it.
A bit more trial and error led to today's route which wound it's way across the Surrey Hills (with the emphasis on Hills) without obviously aiming for anywhere but ending up at that old favourite, the Scarlett Arms, for lunch. So Logmore Lane, Sheephouse Lane, Friday Street and Hoe Lane had been ticked off. By including Mole Street after lunch I continued the theme before following familiar roads back to Leatherhead.
A brief panic occurred when Peter Suchy, having volunteered as sub leader did his own recce, questioned my ascent figure and described the route as "brutal". What more could I want except a willing band of foolhardy volunteers of whom there were 13.
Peter's report:
My group (Janice, Patrick, Dave W, Andy C, Ged and Steve D - backmarking) left Dorking promptly at 10.55. Having carried out a recce on Thursday, I found there were a lot of roads I did not fully recognise, until I then realised I had ridden a number of the roads in reverse on the Hilly 50! (I don't get out much). This Wednesday, everything was going fine until we entered Leith Hill Road, immediately to be confronted by a road closed sign (not there on Thursday!). We pushed on until we arrived at the turning for Sheephouse Lane where we enquired of a workman if we could get through. The response was "maybe, maybe not". Armed with this detailed and conclusive assessment we held a quick meeting and decided to press on. As luck would have it the route took a left before the road works (tarmacking), clearly Brian's crystal ball was working well. We arrived at the Scarlett Arms at 12.35 and enjoyed an excellent lunch. Andy C kindly took a group photo (albeit photobombed by Brian) and Dave W left us at this point. The return route was considerably less hilly than the morning and we made good speed to Dorking where Ged left for the train and I left the group and went back via Box Hill, because I felt I needed more hills (actually needed to get back home quickly for relay babysitting duties!). A very enjoyable ride, many thanks to Brian for this route and many thanks to my group for their company throughout the day, and particular thanks to Steve D for backmarking.
My group (Fiona, Sue C, Hans, Richard, Dave F and Dave V ( backmarking) left a little after 11 and immediately reverted to two feet to avoid 3 roadworks vehicles blocking Church St. All went well until Coldharbour Church where I punctured. Soon afterwards we came across the road closed sign mentioned by Peter but pressed on without seeing any evidence of roadworks. By Hoe Lane the group was definitely in glass half full mode with the route outweighing the hills in their estimation. We were a bit later than planned at lunch where we had barely ordered before Peter's group were ready to leave. I went out to say my goodbye's and obvously Andy's shutter went off before I leapt out of the way!
We had barely left the pub when the dreaded fairy struck again - Fiona this time. From there the ride was, fortunately, uneventful. Only Richard, Dave and I stopped for tea. My thanks to you all for your company and to Dave V for backmarking and Peter for subleading.
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