Report for B Group - 11th March

Apart from the competing appeal of the Nor'Westers ride, and numerous riders having other commitments, importantly as subleaders for Paul's final(?) recce for the big London ride next week, we nonetheless set off with eight eager people to enjoy an interesting day out.

So, as Terry had planned to meet us at The Drummond for lunch seven of us departed roughly on time, crossed the Scotland Bridge and turned on to the Basingstoke Canal path for two and a half miles of blissful riding. One advantage of riding with just one group is that the sub-leader can often be persuaded to lead, allowing the 'leader' to be back-marker. And this arrangement worked well yesterday; Mick delivered us reliably to The Drummond in just over two hours, as planned.

We left the canal near Maybury, meandered through the leafy residential roads and took our usual route through Woking Park where, as we had seen during our recce, the toilets are now permanently closed. After Elm Bridge we took our usual cunning little turnoff in order to follow the cycle and pedestrian path alongside the Hoe Stream, always a delight.

By the Hoe Stream

We turned off the path to cross the bridge over to Hawthorn Road to pick up the 'Earth' trail and its Egley Road Cycle path.

Towards Sutton Green we detoured down Robin Hood Lane and after Jacob's Well we turned into the Riverside Park Nature Reserve which nowadays has a good surface apart from the last bit. We noticed that for walkers there is a path along the bank of the Wey which leads into the heart of Guildford.

By the big pond in the nature reserve

We passed through Stoke Park, again with no toilets where they used to be, and at London Road Station the 12 miles of flat riding came to an end. We soared up into the hills and along White Lane, noting for another day the possibility of riding along the tracks to Newlands Corner. But we plummeted down Guildford Lane to claim our reward for all the climbing and parked in the garden behind The Drummond.

As beautiful as the day had been the air remained chilly so we opted to eat indoors and we had a perfect area set aside for us with a commanding view of the garden. Terry had arrived before us so we were eight now. Although some items on the menu gave rise to a discussion all sense of injustice was addressed when a large plate of freshly grated parmesan was delivered to us, primarily to garnish the Orzo risotto.

 

Mick had completed the more complicated navigation of the morning route so I was happy to lead in the afternoon. After the beautiful architecture of Albury's Village Hall and Old Post Office and The Drummond itself, and notably the extraordinary chimneys on the Farriers Cottage and Weston House, we set off up the ramp of New Road and cross country to Hoe. Down at Sutton Abinger we turned up Raikes Lane for another serious climb followed by an easy descent to the A25.

 

 

Chris was having a mechanical issue which deprived him of access to his low gears so he took the easier route down Felday Road and headed for Dorking Station. We turned off into Balchins Lane to pick up Route 22 into Dorking where Terry left us for home. As the rest of us arrived in Leatherhead Steph realised that she had punctured. But being so close to the station she walked there and caught a train home. So just four of us took Tea at Lucio's.

So, it was the sort of ride that many of us enjoy with its broad variety of terrain and scenery. Well done to the team, Steph, Stephen, Arwyn, Terry, Chris and Julie and a big 'thank you' to Mick for joining me on the recce and leading the morning ride.

~Tim