First of all, I just want to thank everyone who joined the ride. Well done all for keeping in such good spirits, you deserve a medal. There was some discussion at lunch about whether or not there had been a wetter ride in the past. Some did recall other wet rides that may have matched it, but certainly this one was right up there amongst the best of them.
There was a very light rain on my way to Banstead but while we were there having coffee the rain increased to what I would describe as medium. Our departure from Banstead was delayed due to a puncture, so although we (me, Patrick, Steve and Guy) were meant to be the first group off we were the last. The route took us to Farthing Down via the hill up Hazlewood and Doghouse Lanes where we passed Dave V’s group.
At the top of Hilltop Lane, before the descent, Steve had a problem with his rear derailleur. We pulled over so he could investigate. By now the rain had started to fall heavily. Steve deduced he would have to make do with just two gears for the rest of the ride.
We continued the descent of Hilltop then turned left in to Springbottom Lane. When we got to the junction with White Hill Lane, water was pouring down the hill like a fast flowing river. We descended cautiously and continued on our way through the puddles to Bletchingley, Outwood and then to The Farmhouse Pub for lunch in Horley. As well as some of the others I noticed that many of the cars we encountered were very considerate towards us – they must have felt a certain level of sympathy for our predicament.
The Farmhouse pub was very good. Staff friendly and efficient, good food (reasonably priced) and an excellent garden (for when the weather is a bit drier).
Breaking from tradition, the pub photo was taken indoors for obvious reasons.
During lunch Steve’s puncture had returned. You can see him fixing it in the background. And look at all those happy faces!
The rain hadn’t eased off much during lunch. We re-donned our wet gear and set off for Leatherhead via Lonesome Lane, Betchworth and Pixham. We had all already decided not to stop for tea but to head home to dry off. At Leatherhead my group split up for home.
It was a shame about the weather. When I did the recce the Sun was shining. There is some lovely countryside on this route which is difficult to appreciate when it’s raining like that. I did a similar route earlier in the year, although that was from Leatherhead. It rained then too, so watch this space for a third attempt at some point.
Thanks to Dave V and Brian for sub-leading and to Brian for some valuable amendments to my original route.
Brian’s report:
After a couple of last minute arrivals my group (Richard, Dave W and Andy C) was the first away with the "fast" group still attending to a puncture. We nearly didn't get beyond Banstead High Street as a police car apparently in the queue for the traffic lights instead decided to reverse into a parking space next to me. A quick move to my right into wing mirror territory and he stopped - fortunately! We then had a taste of things to come as a short burst of heavy rain descended.
Up and down over Chipstead and Farthing Down using a couple of roads new to me was all without incident and the rain only intermittently significant. Then came the deluge! The descent of Hilltop Lane needed care but as we approached Whitehill Lane the "river" was spilling into Spring Bottom. From there to Bletchingly was a trial (often unsuccessful) to find a strip of visible tarmac between the rivers and piles of leaves inundating the roads and avoid the flood while passing traffic. At least after Bletchingly there was more road width to cope with the onslaught which didn't let up until we were inside the welcome sanctuary of The Farmhouse at Horley.
Dave W headed off to Horley Station just before lunch and the remaining bedraggled three made it back to Leatherhead in slowly improving conditions. Cold and wet, Richard and I didn't stop for tea as home and a hot bath was not far away.
Thanks to Clive for what would have been an interesting and pleasant ride had it been a fine autumn day. Thanks also to my team of hardy souls who persevered with good humour in some of the worst conditions I can remember.
Dave V’s Report:
Any Wayfarer who signed up for their weekly fix of Type 2 Fun would not have been disappointed yesterday.
I had reccied the route on Sunday and can assure you that the autumn colours were all you could wish for, but just not visible yesterday.
Conditions were worsening as we rolled out of Banstead, and became dire in the hilly early sections, with treacherous descents and floods across the width of the road, often mixing with more motor vehicles than was comfortable.
By Bletchingly we had a brief discussion about abandoning. The alternative of riding the A25 to Redhill did not appeal to anyone, and at least the ride to lunch at Horley would be less challenging.
My Garmin was unresponsive (unsure whether it was the soggy Garmin or operator error) but the route to Horley was straightforward. Only the final few hundred metres to the pub was a challenge. We quartered the numerous lanes and paths, until a helpful local pointed out that we were almost outside it.
The Farmhouse staff were surprisingly welcoming to five cold and soggy cyclists; the food and hot drinks well appreciated. And half an hour on a warm radiator improved the Garmin’s mood too.
Still raining when we left, it was time for a short, purposeful ride to Leatherhead where there was no appetite for tea, and we parted company, hopefully all getting home in the light.
My sympathies to Clive who had a well planned route to a nice lunch venue. Thanks to my group (Sue C, Gina, Dave E & Dave F) for their unfailing good humour and patience in such dire riding conditions. Special thanks to Dave F for so visibly back marking however gloomy the road. At least the wind was no trouble yesterday.
And here is the route:
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