Saturday Ride: 22nd December 2018

Five of us out today for an off road excursion to Godstone. Bob and Denise turned up on their new and far too clean bikes so we headed for the mud half way up Old Lodge lane and on to Farthing Down where we met Karen at the car park. It was then across the fields by Chaldon Church, down Shepherds Hill and via bridle paths to Bletchingly.

Half way up Rabies Heath Road the plan was to turn left down the bridle path to Godstone. Bob warned that the path was very muddy so the ladies decided (sensibly as it turned out) to stick to the road and meet us at Flower Farm for tea. Roger, Bob and Pete then headed down the path and into a revolting, knee deep, mixture of mud and pig slurry. It was too late to turn back so we had no option but to carry on. We’ve been down that route before in the summer and it was very pleasant, but it’s definitely on to avoid in winter.

The tea stop at Flower Farm was very festive with free mince pies and mulled wine.

Our return was via Marden Park and up the zig zag for a final pub stop at the Wattenden Arms where Bob received an early visit from the Christmas puncture fairy.

28 miles at a boggy 9.5 mph