From John Austin:
The first group set off on time to head for the Surrey Hills. We had a lovely morning ride in beautiful autumn weather and reached lunch without mishap. The afternoon ride was equally pleasant with some very challenging sections around Pewley Down and Merrow Downs. Full credit to the first group, we continued through to our finish point and were able to relax in the knowledge of completing a good ride on an usual route.
~ John
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At The Jolly Farmer
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Waiting for the train at Bramley and Wonersh Station
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Ann passing through the portal to Pewley Down
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Robert and Chris in Terra Incognita
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Bob in the hills
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From Tim Gibbons:
The cool start soon turned into a fine day as we met at Cobham RBL. Our group of seven riders left promptly and made our way along a familiar route towards Effingham Junction and Horsley to face our first climb of the day up Shere Road and down Combe Lane to cross the A25 to Shere.
It seemed that we were catching up with the first group so we modified our pace in order not to overtake them. On via Little London, Farley and Shamley Green we met upon a construction crew who were in the process of restoring part of the Wey and Arun Canal. Open in 1790 it had a short working lifespan, being abandoned in 1871 and closed in 1896. Much of its demise was due to the Guildford and Horsham Railway that opened in 1865. However, since 1970, restoration by The Wey & Arun Canal Trust has led to several miles being restored to the standard navigable by narrowboats and small tour barges. Work is continuing, with the ultimate aim of reopening the entire canal to navigation.
Our route then took us along part of the Downs Link (old railway track) to Bramley where we enjoyed a welcome lunch at the ‘Jolly Farmer’ (but not so jolly landlord).
We rejoined the Downs Link at the site of the old Bramley and Wonersh station for the customary photo then to the road bridge at Tannery Lane that once crossed the railway line. On via Shalford our adventure took us up to Pewley Down along a steep and rugged footpath.
Once owned by the Austen family, from the early 16th century, it was put up for sale in 1898 (to protect against bankruptcy) and was in danger of being sold off for property development. After local protest it was bought by Friary, Holroyd and Healy’s brewery who later gifted it to the town of Guildford in 1920 to commemorate the conclusion of WW1 with the condition that it be “preserved for time immemorial as a playground for the people of Guildford.”
Suitably inspired and invigorated by our surroundings we descended via Merrow and Burpham to join the path alongside the A3 to Send Marsh then familiar country lanes to our final destination at ‘Cafe Barbara’ at Stoke D’Abernon to enjoy the cakes and beverages on offer.
Thanks to everyone involved in today’s ride. Always a pleasure to explore new territory and vistas despite the effort involved. There’s no gain without pain !
~ Tim G
From Tim Court:
For most of us the ride from home to Elevenses was quite chilly. But there was warmth in the air when we arrived and to our delight Birthday Girl Pam was treating us all to a great assortment of cakes. Happy Birthday Pam!
With little fuss John’s and Tim G’s teams slipped out of the car park at their appointed times. Just before our third group departed a very well-known veteran of the club turned up on his bike, Vic White, who most of us hadn’t seen for a very long time.
The road out of Cobham, about three miles, to Effingham Junction is pretty unpleasant with too much impatient traffic and some very rough patches which are way overdue for refurbishment. But, by contrast, as first notified to us by Andy Coxhill, what a joy the Drift Road is since its recent makeover. It is only about one kilometre long but it used to be something to be endured, avoided if possible.
Beyond West Horsley the fun began with an ascent of Shere Road, quite steep but always very beautiful, the quintessence of Surrey Hills cycling terrain. We let the boy racers on their eBikes Ken and Ian go ahead to Hillside Manor and then the junction with Green Dene while the rest of us trundled up at a more comfortable speed.
We whizzed down Combe Bottom through Shere and up the other side to Brook and Farley Green. Then a fast descent to Shamley Green where we picked up NCN Route 22 to cross Lordshill Common and join the Downs Link path through to Bramley. We had to linger at the site of major engineering works being carried out for the Wey and Arun Canal Trust. A new manually operated Lift Bridge was being installed in Birtley and we can look forward to riding over it, or kayaking under it, in the near future. The project reflects a huge effort on the part of the Trust’s volunteers.
The Jolly Farmer is a pub with history, atmosphere and a huge selection of beers. Its rafters are festooned with all sorts of tankards, jugs and other paraphernalia. The food portions are substantial and everything on the menu is cooked from fresh produce, locally sourced wherever possible. This stood us in good stead for the hills which we would encounter after lunch.
We rejoined the Downs Link path for about half a mile, coming off it at the Tannery Lane Bridge where Steph took some photos of us.
“The Tannery Lane Bridge was a ‘turnover’ or ‘roving’ bridge, used when the towpath changed sides. The aim was to allow the horse or mule to walk up a slope, cross over and come back facing the boat before turning under the same bridge, but on the other side of the canal. In this way the tow rope need not be unfastened. Designed by Josias Jessop, it would have cost about £180 to build in 1815.” ( from an Information Display)
After Shalford, Echo Pit Road and Northdown Lane we had to walk up a steep flinty track to get up on to Pewley Down. As the terrain levelled out we stopped to catch our breath before wandering further along, roughly following a path known as The Scholar’s Trail, to take in the views to the South.
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Tough going in places
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Ian explains some history of Pewley Down
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We exited via a gap in the hedgerow on the North side to pick up another flinty and undulating path through to Warren Road and on to the Merrow Downs. Soon we were following a twisty labyrinth through to Burpham and from Clay Lane followed the A3 for three miles, into Ripley.
After Ripley we managed to lose Ian after he missed the turn into Grove Heath Road but we realised that he knew his way about and had probably taken a different route home. We stopped for Tea at the Café Barbera in Stoke d’Abernon which has become quite a favourite place, a reputation enhanced when Steph found out that they are open until 7 p.m.
A big thank-you to John and Tim for being prepared to lead their groups on this adventurous route. And thank you to my team and all who joined the ride for persevering in all manner of terrain for the sake of enjoyable riding, good company and some great views.
~ Tim C
Author: Tim C
