A ride from Caterham May 20th

Caterham is always a challenge - both to arrive and often soon after departure. This was no exception. With other commitments ahead of the ride I decided to rerun one I led in 2023. The day was cool and breezy and although sunshine was limited we were fortunate that the threatened afternoon rain didn't materialise. 

Eleven of us met at Caterham and I let the first group away of Dave E, Dave F, Karl, Neil W and Andy C. Our ride up through Woldingham School was in the best sunshine of the day and the valley looked glorious. Gangers Hill provided the usual challenge but fortunately little traffic. We collected Dave W at the end of Beddlestead Lane to complete the group. After leaving Clarks lane we had a lovely and very lightly trafficked route to lunch at Lingfield via Trevereux Hill. 

We arrived at The Star shortly after Steve and Fiona's group. Lunch was promptly served and very good. Highlight of the day was meeting Geoffrey S at lunch who joined us for the return run to Brockham.  Even better he took the lead along Smallfield Road to give me a break from the wind. It was great to see him again in such good form.

 

My thanks to Geoffrey, to Steve and Fiona for subleading and to Andy C for back marking.

 

Steve's report...

Any ride from Caterham involves climbing to get to the coffee start (in my case from Bookham 1239 ft) and then going down to start climbing back up again. So I decided to leave early and go slowly on the way to Caterham to save my legs. I left with my fellow leader Fiona, Mike R, Richard B and Frances. Our gradual climb through Warlingham school I kept slow, as I knew what was to come after the recce. We all selected a low gear fro the hairpin left turn up Gangers Hill which was now a steeper gradient. The next hazard was a right turn into Rectory Lane, which bypassed Wesrterham. Here we spotted Brian's group ahead.  We passed them on the bridge over the M25 at Clacket Lane. Then a lovely section of single track south to Lingfield. This was subject to a strong South Westerly headwind. On the recce it was coming from the West and proved very tiring.

After arriving at The Star we met Geoffrey S who had cycled there for lunch. He joined us for tea at Brockham too. Our food was served promptly and was good. Fiona led us to tea at Brockham and in places we had a bit of help from the wind. It was about 1500 ft of climbing over the whole route, but generally gentle climbing, apart from Gangers Hill.

 

 

 Thanks to Brian for a very lovely route and for organising the pub. I appreciated the company of my fellow riders and particularly Fiona who did a turn as back marker and then led us faultlessly to Tea.