It’s Saturday morning, the wind and rain are lashing the windows and it’s my turn to lead the RCC off road ride from Godstone. Well lets plan my day right now, nobody is going to be fool enough to turn out today So, take the van down to Godstone, wait for a suitable amount of time then go back home to tea and toast, do a bit of work on the computer and wait for a break in the weather to go for a short on road ride.
I arrive at Godstone at 9-15 in the pouring rain to see a line of cars and bikes already there, whilst sitting in the van making the mental adjustments required to take the ride somewhere after all, there is a flash from outside as God takes photographs and follows with a shutter sound that resembles thunder.
Ten RCC riders braved the elements together with newcomer Bob who is from Croydon but has a sister conveniently living in Godstone.
I had altered the route from Tatsfield which would have taken us through some very muddy terrain through Limpsfield to a climb over the North Downs via Gravelly Hill on relatively mud free flinted tracks.
As we set off the clouds cleared, the sun came out and those foolhardy enough to wear shorts wore a smile too, not for long as within a short time the rain came back with a vengeance and the pattern was set for the rest of the ride.
The route was pretty standard, going over Gravelly Hill, down into Harestone Valley leaving by the very steep paving slab path by Caterham School (about half of us made that one). The N21 took us down to our tea stop at Woldingham Knights Centre.
After a good break and imprinting our selves on most of the external plastic chairs we took the way round behind the Garden Centre back onto Woldingham Ridge and eventually back down towards Godstone where four of our bravest riders added another two or three mile loop back over Gravelly Hill before returning to base. There were no punctures and only one mild mutiny at the top of Marden Park where some riders wanted to wait under the shelter of a tree (they complained of getting wet!) and were quickly chivvied back on to their bikes by the leader.
Frank