A group ride 21 October

The ride was from Effingham and as service has been slow in the past we split from the B’s who used Laylas and we used the Vineries. In the event, service was good albeit with fewer people to serve.

The plan was to cycle from Effingham to the Scarlett Arms in Walliswood, a hilly journey of 18 miles and in the afternoon to take a slightly longer circuitous route of 23 miles to Leatherhead. I normally like to have the longer ride in the morning with an easier afternoon but in the event, the short morning with a later start worked well because of the weather.

Weather watching for the few days beforehand showed a likelihood of rain but it wasn’t looking too bad the night before. However, on the morning the forecast had changed and there was heavy rain in the morning, forecast to lighten and reduce by lunch time.

As torrential rain battered down several people text to say they were unable to make it. Gritting my teeth I set off and was heartened to find many already happily socialising at the Vineries. After a quick shuffle of the 3 groups into 2 due to reduced numbers Brian’s group set off.

Here’s Brian’s report:

Overnight the weather forecast had turned on it's head and we were now to have a very wet morning and, maybe, a better afternoon. At least I had only 5 miles to get to Effingham but after a damp start got hit by a short, sharp downpour in Leatherhead. Fortunately I just made it to the Vineries as a biblical downpour descended.

After an hour letting the worst of the weather pass my rearranged group of Sue C, Dave F, Dave V and Andy C set off in light rain. By Green Dene it was drizzle and as we looked south from Combe Bottom the sky looked a bit lighter. We mixed with various groups of Bs as far as Winterfold and conditions on Shophouse Lane were better than I had feared given the weather. By now there was just a bit of damp in the air and we arrived at the Scarlett Arms damp rather than soaked. 

Lunch was on the table in the time it took for me to walk from the bar. By now there were some breaks in the cloud and it was almost unanimously decided to continue with the full route through Rusper. It turned out to be a cold but partly sunny afternoon - well worth the hardships of the morning. The roadworks on Shellwood Road had reappeared with a total blockage before Bunce Common road. After some discussion Commando Coxhill went to investigate the potential for avoiding a long detour. Suffice to say that we were soon at Brockham where we decided to stop for tea.

Thanks to Janice for the route and my team for their willingness to battle the weather.

Frances, Guy, Patrick, Neil W and I set off at 11.30 in light rain, heading out to Shere via Green Dene and from there Farley Green, Cranleigh, Ewhuret and arriving at the Scarlett Arms just after 1. Service was fantastic and by the time we’d made it from the bar to the table most people’s sandwiches had arrived, all very good quality too. 

We set off for home via Ockley and just before the Capel turning Patrick realised he had a major problem with his brakes. Initially he and Frances set off for the shorter route home via Capel but Patrick soon discovered both brakes were out of action so he had to head home via Ockley station and Cogs bike shop in Dorking.

Guy, Neil W and I carried on towards Rusper before heading North for home. We found that Shellwood Rd was closed but managed to pass through and before long were at Leatherhead where we parted company.

Despite all that the weather threw at us, it was an enjoyable day out enhanced by the cheerful good company of my hardy fellow riders so my thanks to them and in particular to Brian for being a willing sub leader.