Ride Report A’s June 3rd

I should have learned by now, but this is an English summer and the weather gods rule, so the forecast of rain all day discouraged many. Of the 18 signed up 8 riders either abandoned or didn’t make it to the start, including myself, laid low by illness. However 10 hardy riders assembled in Cobham, including Brian and Steve as group leaders – thank you both. These are their stories.

Brian writes. As we all gathered outside The Bakery the first spots of rain arrived. Neil Crocker asked to join my group as his legs weren't ride fit for anything faster. My group then consisted of Gill H, Sue C, Gina, Dave F and Neil. We set off in light rain but by Plough Lane it stopped and we had a mostly dry ride to the top of Staple Lane though into a stiff headwind. Here Dave F left us as he had an afternoon commitment (or an intuitive sense of impending rain). As we set off from the bottom of Combe Lane the rain really set in and continued most of the way to Bramley. The sign in Thorncombe St showing 2.5 miles to Godalming via Iron Lane tempted several of the group but we decided to continue. 

My glasses were rain soaked and steaming up every time we stopped which wasn't making life easier and I mistakenly took an early right turn into Alldens Lane. On seeing "the wall" I quickly realised my mistake and we resumed the correct route. Climbing Hascombe Lane was particularly unpleasant with my glasses steaming up and Neil nearly hit by a piece of falling tree. At the top there was a clear desire to skip the route to Markwick Lane and head directly to Godalming. No sign of Steve's group here and it was some time before they finally appeared.

    


Occasional glimpses of sunshine appeared often while it was still raining but after holding out until after 2pm we set off. Only one shower to Guildford and then the sun came out. What a transformation! A strong tailwind swept us back with little effort and we were soon in Ripley where we took Wisley Lane and the new cycle path back to Pointers Road and Cobham. A lovely end to the day. Neil and I had stopped for a brief chat when Steve and Guy arrived and joined me for tea.

My thanks to all the group for putting up with my sometimes tentative (half blind) leadership in the rain and Neil who became unofficial, but de facto back marker.

Steve writes. After the torrential rain on Tuesday, I had decided not to ride on the Wednesday. However I saw Brian was going to Cobham to see who else would want to ride. So as I am only 6 miles from Cobham I thought I would do the same. I set off in dry weather at 9.30 and arrived at The Bakery in time for the rain to start drizzling. 10 of us were there and Hans was on his way. I was amazed to see Gill in shorts with bare legs! We got word that Hans had suffered a puncture and Brian's group were getting ready to leave at the correct time.

Dave W, Guy, Richard and I decided to leave at 10.50. I had the route as did the others, but we agreed I would lead. The rain was constant now and we started our climb up to Ockham, then East Clandon and up Staple Lane, finally descending Combe Lane to the A25 and Albury. We had passed Brian and his group before reaching Staple Lane. After the climbing we went flat through Wonersh and Bramley up to Thorncombe Street and the B2130 to Godalming. The route then took us left along a tarmac bridle path, which ended with 100m of gravel in a loop to the back of the town. Guy must have punctured along here, because shortly after turning into Mare Lane we had to stop. At first we couldn't find the hole and thought it might be the valve and so I used my valve spanner to fit a new one, but it made no difference and so Guy fitted a new inner tube and off we went again. All the standing around had made us very cold and the rain continued to soak us. I had converted my phone to IP69 waterproofness by putting my phone in a zip lock freezer bag. This now played havoc with my navigation, because the bag kept touching the screen and freezing the navigation screen. Another learning curve!

As we went along Tuesley Lane Guy hit a deep pothole 4 inches deep and punctured his rear tyre once again. By now Guy was becoming an expert and pulled off his rear tyre by hand and quickly fitted another new inner tube, kindly supplied by Richard. Soon we were coming to the back of Godalming and Wetherspoons. Dave W left us here to make for home. It was 1.45 pm when we arrived, however Brian had sensibly taken a short cut along the B 2130 and got to the pub first. We ordered hot drinks and food to warm ourselves up. My Goretex top had allowed my sleeves and jersey to get wet and my feet were wet too, but not too bad considering constant rain.

We left at 2.30 pm and followed Dave V's interesting route through Farncombe, up, up to Pilgrim Wood and then down to the A3100 familiar road to Guildford. Up the cobbled high street and to the cross-roads between the A246 and London road. When the lights turned green, I pushed hard on the pedals and snapped my chain clean in two! Guy rescued it from the road, but could find no trace of the broken link. Fortunately I always carry a spare quick link and so five minutes later we were on our way again. Must have been a fault in the chain. The good news was it had finally stopped raining! From here we went to the A3 cycle path, taking Potters Lane to Send Marsh, then Ripley and Ockham. After this Richard left us to make his way home. Then Guy and I finished at Gails for tea and cake with Brian. It was 4.10 pm when we arrived. What an adventure! We were pleased just to get there, but as a bonus the sun appeared and we sat outside and dried off. We even took our wet gear off to ride home. The rain had made progress very difficult, but excellent exercise for mind and body. 

It was such a nice route, we must repeat it in sunnier times. As always I enjoyed good company in my small group and it was good to meet up with everyone else.

Respect to everyone who came out today. Strangely  nobody mentioned the beautiful views along Thorncombe St which was the inspiration for planning the route.

Apologies I (or perhaps Blogger) have temporarily lost the ability to post photos. I'll try again another day.