We routed out through Leigh with G5 (along with newly recruited Martin who decided to go with them for the day) then turning off to Newdigate, Rusper, Faygate, Tower Road, Hampshire Hill, Staplefield then up the long fast climb to Turners Hill past Worth Abbey to Tulleys Farm.
Tom and Damien were both sporting their cyclocross tyres which didn’t seem to be slowing them up at all, Pete was showing his strength starting to return after his adventures in Nepal and Clive was going well as always.
The return took us back through Copthorne and Outwood, up the lovely climb through stunning rape seed fields to Bletchingley before looping back down the cracking descent from Nutfield along Coopers Lane where we dallied briefly with the idea of a pint at the Dog and Duck in the sun before returning to the aerodrome for 50 miles total, making close to 60 from home for most of us except James, who had cycled 29 miles down from Hackney before joining us.
Tulleys Farm was a picture now that they have got rid of the winter tent, a really pretty courtyard surrounded by old buildings and flowers in bloom and a welcome tea break.
Great ride with a very closely matched group, lovely weather and perfect cycling conditions, all the more appreciated because of being so unexpected.