Eighteen of us gathered at The Inn On The Pond and set out along the familiar N 21 cycle route towards Woldingham.
We turned left to Hextalls Lane then on to Willey Park Farm where we picked up the Green Lane bridleway to Happy Valley. We climbed the trail up to Farthing Downs, where Gareth and Richard made light work of the very steep climb where the rest of us took a slightly longer but less steep option.
Some of us couldn’t resist testing our strength on the horizontal ladder exercise station, most of the lads made it across with their pride intact as did newcomer Crystal to even things out for the girls. We stopped for tea/coffee and cakes at the Tudor Bakery in Old Coulsdon before heading back down into Happy Valley then across the fields in Chaldon to The Inn On The Pond via Merstham.
No punctures and very little rain, so we made it back at 12:30pm. Graham reliably informs me we covered 17.7 miles and climbed a total of 1387ft. It was great to see so many new faces and we had eight girls on the ride which might be a new club record!! At this rate it won’t be long until the men are in the minority.
Thanks to Helen for back-marking and Cheryl for the lift home.
Alan