Ride Report 25th March Molesey to Puttenham

 Seventeen riders met for coffee at the Molesey Rowing club cafe where we were served excellent coffee and cakes. Sue F decided not to ride today having just returned from cycling in Majorca. Lucky girl! So I set off with 7 riders, namely Sue C, Patrick, Clive, Dave B, Simon, Karl and Neil W. Having completed the recce on Saturday in brilliant sunshine I was confident, but the weather forecast was for cold and rain. The route took us through Brooklands Park where Neil left us, to Byfleet village. From here we took Dodds Lane and the Wey navigation and the sun appeared briefly. From here it was mainly straight roads south of Woking into the teeth of the North West wind. At a stop Patrick kindly offered to ride ahead of me to shelter me from the blast, but I was trying to keep a steady pace so declined. The climb up to the A31 from Wanborough finished me and I ended up walking the last 50 metres. We were supposed to take the footpath down to Puttenham, but the others had different ideas and took the road. We were then treated to a good lunch at very good prices. Everyone commented on the homemade chips which made a healthy choice.

After lunch we tackled the climb up Down Lane past the Watts Gallery and over the top track in sunshine to The Mount with spectacular potholes. We went up Castle Street in Guildford to avoid the High Street which was also quicker and then the A246 via The Street, West Clandon, after which we were hailed on. Then to Cobham where black clouds loomed ahead. Sue decided to carry on home and so six of us stopped for tea at Gail's Cafe. We met Dave V there who had led the first group and this is his report:-

Dave’s Ride Report

My group, comprising Ged, Guy, Hans, Richard and three Daves – E, F and W - were seemingly

undeterred by an unpromising weather forecast with an almost certain 25 miles into the wind.

In the event it was not as bad as forecast, the rain held off before lunch, with only a battering by

hailstones to dampen the mood. The sun made some welcome appearances, and we were

treated to a welcome tailwind up Wanborough Hill.

Most of the route was on familiar roads, but the Wey Navigation towpath and Dodds Lane,

often a quagmire travelled only by the B’s, was dry and in better condition than some of the roads.

Lunch was well received and service attentive.

After lunch the promised tailwind must have helped though its blustery nature meant it never felt too helpful.

We missed a heavy downpour which passed through Guildford just ahead of us. Dave’s W and F left us in

Guildford, while Hans had parted company before lunch. The remainder of my group arrived in Cobham

around 3.30, four of us feeling sufficiently battered to need tea at Gails, before further homeward battering.

My thanks to Dave W and Ged for back marking, and Daves W and E for photos.

So there you are. I thought it was a hard ride because of the cold and the head wind. At Gail's we refeulled for

the ride home. Patrick thought I should be named Steve 'Windbreaker' for riding ahead, acting as a windbreak,

but I thought the name had nasty connotations. 'Windcheater' or 'Windsurfer' might be better. Anyway many

thanks to Dave V for stepping up to the challenge of leading a group and to Clive for back marking mine.

Everyone got home without getting too wet as well. I really enjoyed the ride and everyone's company.

Steve Windbreaker