A relatively high number of riders, 14 in all, signed up for the challenging ride in deepest Surrey Hills. It’s not called Hills for nothing. It’s quite rare we explore the eastern scenic, quiet lanes from Shere to Farley Green, Peaslake and Holmbury-St-Mary but that involved long steep climbs up Row Lane, Winterfold Heath road and Radnor road. The upside was beautiful scenery, much of it in woods and heaths with little or no traffic. All made it safely to The Royal Oak in Holmbury St Mary and later via Combe Lane to tea or homeward bound. More details in Tim G and Mick A’s reports below.
My group below with Jelly's Hollow in the background:
My sincere thanks to my dependable co-leaders Mick A and Tim G, for undertaking the tiring recce with me and for supporting their respective groups on the day. A special mention to my own group of able hill climbers Sue F, Pete By and Alan C (back-marking too) who made the whole day fun and enjoyable. Pete, as usual a font of all local knowledge, led my group to view Shere’s very own open air swimming pool, probably the oldest in the country founded in 1896.
Mick led Steph, Carolyn, Fixie and Tim C off from The Queen Stage at 10:40. 1½ miles in we ground our way up Greene Dene then sped down Combe Lane after which Tim C left the group to recce another Surry Hills ride!
Although warned by Francis, we came across a road closure on Row Lane (as luck would have it, the closure began the day before our ride!) and so we attempted to find the alternate route back to Row Lane. Mistakenly we asked two cyclists on mountain bikes the way, who unfortunately misdirected us. Steph declared it was so nice it could be used in future rides, within a mile she reconsidered, it was definitely mountain bike territory only! Unfortunately we had ridden round the point of interest Jelly's Hollow. We passed through the picturesque village of Peaslake then up the steep Radnor Rd.
Finally, we had an added bonus at the end, catching up with Ian W, looking ever so well, over tea.
~ Francis
Mick G continues ….
~ Francis
Mick G continues ….
Mick led Steph, Carolyn, Fixie and Tim C off from The Queen Stage at 10:40. 1½ miles in we ground our way up Greene Dene then sped down Combe Lane after which Tim C left the group to recce another Surry Hills ride!
Although warned by Francis, we came across a road closure on Row Lane (as luck would have it, the closure began the day before our ride!) and so we attempted to find the alternate route back to Row Lane. Mistakenly we asked two cyclists on mountain bikes the way, who unfortunately misdirected us. Steph declared it was so nice it could be used in future rides, within a mile she reconsidered, it was definitely mountain bike territory only! Unfortunately we had ridden round the point of interest Jelly's Hollow. We passed through the picturesque village of Peaslake then up the steep Radnor Rd.
Fixie chose wisely to ditch his usual fixed wheel bike and brought his geared bike but not being used to changing any gears, he soon got his chain stuck in his rear cog, bending his rear derailleur as well. Luckily he had Mick A and his bag of tools, so all repaired enough to continue the ride.
A well-earned lunch was enjoyed at the Royal Oak, in Holmbury St Mary after which we toiled up Row Lane before the steep Combe Lane. It was then mostly downhill into Stoke D’Abernon for tea.
Thanks to Francis for a lovely and challenging route, to Steph for back-marking and to the group for your company.
~ Mick A
Finally Tim G ends with ……
We all enjoy a challenge from time to time and today we had one.
Despite the promise of a very hilly route, the numbers signed were relatively high and so warranted three groups of willing participants. Light drizzle initially dampened our spirits but fortunately the weather held and we were blessed with a dry day.
Our initial climb up Green Dene and decent into Shere was uncomplicated but we did receive an ominous warning from Francis of a sudden road closure just beyond Farley Green. On meeting it, we were advised by the workmen to take a short off-road detour which would bring us back to our planned route. This we did and were soon back on track to explore the scenic wonders of Winterfold Heath and Jelly’s Hollow.
This place goes far back in history. Tom Jelly is said have been a highwayman who was hanged on the top of the hollow during the 1700s. ‘Hollow' is a shortening of ‘Hollow Way’. This was most likely a route often used by smugglers during 17th/18th century bringing contraband up from Shoreham on the south coast and into London. The gully was allegedly formed during the end of the last ice age by flowing melt water. It was also once used as the background location for filming a fighter jet sequence in one of the Star Wars films.
Moving on, we descended down to Peaslake and then climbed up Radnor Road and around Holmbury Hill to reach our lunchtime destination of ‘The Royal Oak’ at Holmbury St Mary. We were enthusiastically greeted by the barman who seemed to be performing a double act of serving drinks and waiting at tables.
All suitably refreshed we set out on our afternoon adventure up Hoe Lane, back through Shere to confront our final challenge up Combe Lane by which time the novelty of hill climbing was beginning to wear thin.
After a swift ride down Shere Road to West Horsley, up The Drift and on past Effingham Junction we were soon enjoying a well-earned tea break at Cafe Barbara’s, Stoke D’Abernon, giving our legs a rest and congratulating ourselves on completing today’s challenging but enjoyable day out.
A good day had by all!
~ Tim G.
Thanks to Francis for a lovely and challenging route, to Steph for back-marking and to the group for your company.
~ Mick A
Finally Tim G ends with ……
We all enjoy a challenge from time to time and today we had one.
Despite the promise of a very hilly route, the numbers signed were relatively high and so warranted three groups of willing participants. Light drizzle initially dampened our spirits but fortunately the weather held and we were blessed with a dry day.
Our initial climb up Green Dene and decent into Shere was uncomplicated but we did receive an ominous warning from Francis of a sudden road closure just beyond Farley Green. On meeting it, we were advised by the workmen to take a short off-road detour which would bring us back to our planned route. This we did and were soon back on track to explore the scenic wonders of Winterfold Heath and Jelly’s Hollow.
This place goes far back in history. Tom Jelly is said have been a highwayman who was hanged on the top of the hollow during the 1700s. ‘Hollow' is a shortening of ‘Hollow Way’. This was most likely a route often used by smugglers during 17th/18th century bringing contraband up from Shoreham on the south coast and into London. The gully was allegedly formed during the end of the last ice age by flowing melt water. It was also once used as the background location for filming a fighter jet sequence in one of the Star Wars films.
Moving on, we descended down to Peaslake and then climbed up Radnor Road and around Holmbury Hill to reach our lunchtime destination of ‘The Royal Oak’ at Holmbury St Mary. We were enthusiastically greeted by the barman who seemed to be performing a double act of serving drinks and waiting at tables.
All suitably refreshed we set out on our afternoon adventure up Hoe Lane, back through Shere to confront our final challenge up Combe Lane by which time the novelty of hill climbing was beginning to wear thin.
After a swift ride down Shere Road to West Horsley, up The Drift and on past Effingham Junction we were soon enjoying a well-earned tea break at Cafe Barbara’s, Stoke D’Abernon, giving our legs a rest and congratulating ourselves on completing today’s challenging but enjoyable day out.
A good day had by all!
~ Tim G.
No comments:
Post a Comment