A Group Ride to Chilworth 10th September report

Frances report - we met at the cafe at Walton and needless to say, most of us were a little wet on departure. I was the first group away with Dave F, Dave V, Richard with Dave and Jennie.  Jennie kindly backmarked and we enjoyed the flatter route with a few twists until arriving promptly at Staple Lane.  This was the first of 7 hills per the garmin and unfortunately Jennie punctured here. 

It was sunny at the top whilst we waited and despite the first repair, she had another puncture on arrival at the top. We said goodbye (it was now 12.30pm ) as they negotiated another repair and at the time of writing they had it fixed and enjoyed lunch at Wetherspoons in Guildford.

So the four of us continued upwards and arrived at the Percy Arms around 1.20pm.  Of note the pub is very pleasant to deal with on the bookings and changes.  We were glad of some lunch and also enjoyed meeting up with Steve's group again.  As you can see we were smiling as we left the pub, it was drier and it was not necessary to mention the up coming climb just around the corner!

Either way we made the shorter return back to Cobham and all of the 2 groups stayed to enjoy tea and cake before heading back out to some light rain.

The route was originally done back in lockdown (courtesy of Brian) where we used some off road to have food on the Blackheath cricket pitch. Thanks Brian.

A good day despite the damp weather. Thanks to Janice for originally reccing the ride with me in August and for Steve stepping in at short notice on the day. 

Steve's report - I set off from Wilde Brunch cafe at Walton with Patrick, Karl, Brian and Andy C. It was still raining a little when we left and we followed a lovely route along the river through Weybridge and Addlestone to West By fleet. Here we left behind the traffic and worked out way through Our ford to Ripley. By now the rain had stopped and so before the climb up Staple Lane and down to Shere we removed our rain jackets. It was good to cool down. Brian put some more air in his front tyre because it was a little soft. When we reached Farley Heath Road my route took us onto a track off road, but that was quickly corrected by Brian who guided us down to Shamley Green and then up Northcote Lane where we rejoined our route to Chilworth and the Percy Arms. We had put our rain jackets back on because the drizzle had started again.

We had a gourmet sandwich. Mine was a 'Gin infused Trout on Ciabatta'. Reassuringly expensive at £17 including a gourmet can of Old Jamaica ginger beer. Hmm! Anyway nice food and good service. Frances arrived with her group and poor Jennie had suffered 2 punctures. Andy took a picture of us and off we went again. It was a rapid ride to Cobham up Halfpenny Lane and through West Clandon to Hatchford and north to Gail's. Initially we started in our waterproof jackets to dry them out, but then heavy rain set in and so we were glad to arrive and we all stopped for tea and cake. As Patrick pointed out 'it was a lovely route, but we would prefer it in sunshine'. Leaving the cafe I noticed my front tyre needed some air. When I got home I found I had a slow puncture from a gouge in the middle of the tyre. Time for a new tyre!

I appreciated the company of my fellow riders and hats off to Frances for the compilation of an original route from known roads. We must do it again in the summer next year.