Report for B Group ride from Caterham on 20th May

After the rugged undulations of Mt Banstead and Farthing Down we were pleased to arrive at the Westway Centre and sit in their small but cosy recovery room for our Tea and Pastries.

Traversing Farthing Down

Twelve had signed up but Martin and Julie were unable to join us on the day. So we ran with two teams rather than three; John led the first group of five and another Tim led our second group for which I was happy to be the back marker; I know my place.

The morning ride was unchanged from our previous runs down to Horley in recent years although we did have some discussion about whether we should opt for the safety of using the network of footpaths to get from one side of the Ann Summers roundabout to the other. But though it is notionally safer we decided that we would just be careful and ride around to the third exit into Woldingham Road as we usually do.

But the real delight of this ride comes after we peel off to the right under the railway bridge into the road leading down to the Woldingham School. The school’s mission is to develop “courageous, confident and compassionate” young women and, unusually for this ride, we came across a number of these young women, all exuding these worthy virtues. The road through this beautiful Woldingham Valley and part of Marden Park is always a joy to ride for its exquisite scenery and lack of traffic, if not for the quality of the road surface. The cows always look as if they are posing for John Constable although Steph stopped earlier to take some photos of a now rare breed (traditional English Longhorns) that the artist may never have encountered.

An English Longhorn studies his visitors 

Beyond the school and down the Quarry Road we passed up our opportunity for the challenge of Gangers Hill as that experience had been earmarked for the pleasure of A Group. We enjoyed our long and fast descent of Flower Lane and were soon enjoying the next highlight of the day, Church Lane and the splendid architecture of Church Town. Our leader Tim G gave us a brief history lesson, describing the 12th century origin of St Nicholas Church, verified by Paul who recognised the Norman style of the arch over the door. The church had endured several reconstruction projects through the centuries but was notably restored in a 13th century style by Sir (George) Gilbert Scott around 1872. We also noted briefly St Mary’s almshouses and chapel which Gilbert Scott designed in a Victorian Tudor/gothic style. The famous architect lived in the village for a time.

But we were all eager to tackle The Enterdent, high on our list of fun climbing experiences in Surrey so we zoomed down past the Old Packhouse (painted pink) which dates from the 15th century, and then got on with our climb.

On The Enterdent I was able to ramp up my power level to get ahead of the bunch and take a few action photos as Tim and the others chuckled their way up the incline. Fun indeed!

 

We joined the Old Tilburstow Road for a fast descent to the A22 junction and in Blindley Heath turned into Byers Lane to cruise through the countryside all the way to The Farmhouse Pub in Horley. John’s group were well into their lunches when we arrived, and we didn’t have to wait very long for ours. This is a nice venue for us; the alternative would have been the Spoons in town, but the Farmhouse pitches us on to quiet roads for the afternoon ride without having to negotiate downtown Horley.

John's speedy team

Tim G is hiding behind the umbrella

 

For the sake of varying the afternoon route, rather than taking the Avenue Verte (NCN 21) up to Whitebushes, we crossed the A23 south of Salfords and headed along the wide cycle path into Meath Green, a route pioneered by Steph several years ago. Once beyond this housing development it was very agreeable cycling along Lonesome Lane up to Doversgreen. We rode west then practised our descending techniques for the Freewheel Competition, riding down Root Hill, then turned into Tilehurst Lane for our usual route to Tea at Lucio’s in Leatherhead.

Action on the Col de Tilehurst

We sat outside with our tea, coffee and cakey things, marvelling that we had cheated the forecast of rain. However, on the home leg I got caught in a shower and I suspect others did two.

Thank you to Tim G and John for leading their teams. Thank you to everyone who joined us and enjoyed the day.

~Tim C