Saturday Ride: 12th January 2019

Three of us out today, Karen, Graham and Pete on a sunny but chilly day for a trip to Henfold lakes via Boxhill.

Our route took us via the Kingswood estate and out to Boxhill. It’s been a long time since we cycled down Boxhill and it was a real pleasure having plenty of spare energy to take in the view and achieving it in just under four minutes.

Tea stop was at the newly built Henfold Lakes cafe, which is a really great place to stop and will be even nicer in the summer when the large outside terrace will provide a sunny view over the lake.

We returned via Reigate Heath and found a new route to avoid Shepherds Hill. Just after crossing the motorway in Merstham on the A23 turn right onto Rockshaw road, follow this and then take Springbottom lane. This comes out half way up Whitehill. Turn right and head down Whitehill for one hundred yards and take Hextalls lane on your left. Follow this and then turn left to come out near the Harrow on the Hill Pub. It’s the same elevation gain as Shepherds hill but over a longer distance so less challenging and less traffic too.

We stopped off at the Harrow for a dry January pint of Heineken zero. Apparently they are one of only fourty pubs in the UK to have it on draft and it is the most impressive alcohol free lager, tasting just like the real thing.

Total distance 42 miles at a sober 11mph.