There was a rainbow at the Drome at 9am. A rainbow tells you there's rain somwhere. This morning however, there was little rain but more water than you could shake an ark at. We should have guessed when approaching Lodge Lane to turn left towards Horley that there was a problem for there were the G4s passing the junction en route to Reigate. Logic should have told us. Why go that way? That's the way home way... and indeed within half a mile we came across the Burstow having burstowed its banks and flooded lonesome lane.
Luckily for us all we had Mike O with us. After a hasty conflab, we abandoned hope of making it to Chapel lane in Westhumble for the inteneded route. Flanchford Road, likely flooded. Wonham Mill, likely flooded. Brockham, likely flooded.
So Mike suggested the heretical idea of heading north. And that we did. A winding through Reigate and Redhill to Merstham, short sharp climb up Rocky Lane then the much longer one past Fanny's Farm shop. Onward to Chipstead and a wiggle left to Outwood Lane before the amazingly only puncture of the day for Mr T saw us enjoy a sunny hiatus at the Banstead Wood car park.
Here newcomer Tim got to the compare the weight of his Specialized Roubaix with disk brakes to other much lighter steeds. Later in the day as his fitness as a long time running afficionado started to tell he was whizzing up hills despite the extra weight and something suggests G4 awaits before long.
Puncture fixed it was the drag up to Banstead, across the 217, Epsom Downs, Langley Vale and then the delightfully named Pleasure Pit Lane for a new tea stop the Olive Tree Cafe at the Garden Centre. And lovely it was too.
We took the quick way home. Headley Via Hurst Lane down Pebble Hill and thence Brockham and left.
A really sociable evenly matched group. It was very short (but lumpy) and quite adventurous given the sheer volume of roadside water to avoid en route but better than being indoors cursing.
Windy too.
Thanks all and particularly to Mike whose lane knowledge came in very handy!