This was intended to be a suitable ride for the time of year - short and easily adjustable if conditions required and no pre-ordering at the pub. At the weekend all looked good and the Met Office forecast sun at one point, even if they changed their minds barely 12 hours later. So 16 signed up with the potential for two more, possibly believing like me that the rain would arrive before dawn and be gone by 8.30. A sudden change in the forecast on Tuesday afternoon deferred the rain by a couple of hours and included sleet.
So it was that we woke to rain and by 9am the first reports of snow arrived followed by many more as it spread south. Several cancellations ensued but the silence from the rest was deafening. Were they planning to brave the elements on the basis that it would be a fine, but very cold, day by the time we left Leatherhead?
For me it was a short 10 minute trip and having left it late until the worst was over I barely got damp. About half a dozen were already there and others trickled in right up to our start time and a bit beyond giving us a remarkable total of eleven riders. We agreed to go up Critten Lane rather than Hogden in case conditions were tricky.
Janice left first - here is her report:
The forecast hadn't looked too good the night before but the reality on Wednesday morning was worse. It was cold with a wind from the North taking the 'feels like' temperature down even further to -5. More to the point, the expected reasonably heavy rain was falling as snow and reports came in from Twickenham to Tadworth confirming this.
The forecast rain/snow was due to be on its way out after 11 so I decided to leave as late as possible for my reasonably local start in Leatherhead. Lack of recent practice meant that I had underestimated the time it would take to force overshoes over my winter boots and so I arrived a few minutes late. Fortunately, my cheery group of Patrick, Guy, Clive, Dave V and Richard were taking in a last few moments of warmth indoors but were soon ready to set off on the amended route which cut out the pretty Hogden Lane in view of the weather.
Maybe it was the cold or maybe it was the hills but it felt like we were riding into a headwind even when dropping South. We managed the first big climb out of Effingham and were approaching Box Hill when my Garmin lost its ability to place me on the map or navigate. Oddly, that had happened on my recce too in exactly the same place. The Garmin behaved again once I'd pressed power off and then restarted it at the top of Box. Has anyone else experienced this? All other Garmins in the group had behaved.
As we started climbing Box Hill about 20 seconds in front of us there was a loud crack and then crash sound and we saw that a large branch had fallen across the width of the road. A car driver helped some of us clearing the road. We were very glad not to have been 20 seconds faster up the hill!
After Box Hill it was down Pebble Hill and through pleasant country lanes to arrive at the Plough In Leigh. Service was super efficient and my jacket potato with chilli and cheese was certainly worth cycling through cold, wind and rain for.
Reluctantly we turned down offers of coffee and dessert and got back on the bikes to head for Leatherhead. This time it didn't just feel like it, it really was straight into the headwind. We all decided to press on for home rather than stop at Leatherhead.
Despite the weather it was an enjoyable day out due to the good company of my group, so thank you. Particular thanks to Dave V for back marking and Brian for the route. We'll have to try the full route another time, in better weather.
My report:
My group of Dave F, Dave W, Simon and Karl were a bit late away. Beech Avenue tested those recovering from recent ailments but even so we overtook a few B group stragglers before decending to a flood in the dip before St Teresa's.
Just approaching Ranmore crossroads an approaching car slowed - only for the lady driver to lower her window and express her admiration for us being out on such a day. That was a first!
Steady progress over Box Hill and beyond was brought to a halt at Betchworth. Simon had suspected a problem with his front wheel descending Pebble Hill and found that it was soft. We continued after he pumped it up but at the end of Flanchford Road it was clear that he wasn't going to make it to lunch without changing the tube. He sent us on while he tackled it which proved to be more complex than expected and we were beginning to get a little concerned by the time he arrived. Dave W meanwhile had headed off to Dorking station.
The pub had been expecting a cancellation based on the weather so were rather pleased to see us. It was almost 2.30 by the time we left for an uneventful ride back to Leatherhead though punching into the wind beyond Denbies was hard work. We didn't stop for tea.
My thanks to all those who braved the conditions to turn out on such a challenging morning - especially Janice for sub-leading.
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