Sunday Ride: 19th February 2017

Hot air from Jamaica bathed us in yet more unseasonable climate. A big gang heading south to Tanhouse Farm on a rounabout route that took us up Portnalls, down Reigate Hill, out to Charlwood and then back to the tea stop. 23 miles!

Trouble is this detour allowed a rather large ladies club to get in ahead of us. Well, not quite in as the queue stretch three deep outside. What to do? Admire Frank’s deutchbender socks ….

Or press on to find someplace that could serve us in the foreseeable future? As it was the Anerley no decision was obtainable. Some went home, some decided to wait it out and six of us set out for pastures anew.

We doubled back via Newdigate and out through the cafe-free zone that is Capel. We did find a village store selling coffee, hot chocolate and stuff but they only had three chairs and we didn’t feel much like musical chairs. Finally Jeremy seized the initiative and led us to The Cricketers at Ockley. Undistinguished from the outside which made the inside quiet despite being quite lovely with a fine Ringwood on draught. And so the lonesome six had a celebratory round and a selfie …

Refreshed we passed our original afternoon stop at Abinger Hatch then zoomed along the A25 to hang a left at Dorking to take on Box Hill as a final prize on a long but great ride of almost 60 miles ay a respectable 12.75mph moving average.