Congratulations to the 5 off-roaders who took part in the turbo
challenge
last Friday evening - a very impressive performance! But where were you
on
Saturday morning?
As it was 21 riders turned up at Westcott, including a new face -
Andy's
chum, John. The weather forecast had been very gloomy but the driving
rain
didn't materialise and we enjoyed a very pleasant morning in watery
autumn
sunshine.
We took the usual route towards Winterfold via the bridleways through
Abinger Roughs, round the back of Gomshall and Shere - suffering one
puncture on the way - and then over the railway line onto Ponds Lane
(Sue
take note). The recent rain has turned the byeway to a quagmire again
presenting a lovely soggy challenge. As we rose up the hill however the
trail dried and the going became easier.
After rounding up a bunch of errant riders, the climb up through
Winterfold
Wood was made on a trail discovered doing the Evan/Bramley event. It is
a
long, steady rise through silent fir forest with plenty of lumps to
keep
everyone on their toes. Perfect in my view!
By the time we got to the road near the top of Reynards Hill it was
11.30
and tea was calling so we didn't dally for the view, but headed
straight for
Peaslake and the posh shop via Bentley's Copse. The queue for tea and
Garry's broken chain meant that we ran out of time to do the loop to
the
west of Peaslake that I had planned. My proposed ride was far too
ambitious
for the muddy conditions - will have to save it for the summer or park
closer! In the event, Phil tells me we made 18 miles by the time we had
made
it back to Westcott via Rad Lane.