Sunday Ride: 26th February 2017

Just five of us turned up for the start on a warm if occasionally drizzly start. Capt’n Tom was indisposed so Stuart G led out up through Marden Park where even TomTom could express a smile (above).

The sun lay teasingly over Lingfield. Always ahead, fleetingly ahead – like a rainbow we could never quite get there. We picked up young Jeremy in Crowhurst to replace another rider lost with an early puncture. Uneventfully we rode on into a crosswind which, thankfully, had yet to grow to full force.

The Agora, East Grinstead, was the destination and the home to their famous ‘Budget Breakfast’ here modelled by Jeremy. Baked beans in a ramekin – that’s real class!

Two returned by different routes leaving three to follow Tom V’s route further southward to Sharpesthorne before whizzing back to a very busy Red Lion at Turner’s Hill for ‘Mild & Scratchings’ another classy Anerley delicacy.

The ride back through Crowhurst was speedy. We cruised easily at over 20mph with the ever increasing tailwind. A combination of Mild, Wind & Speed rather intoxicated us to avoid the planned easy re-entry via Merstham & the A23 but instead zoom up to Bletchingley and the Whitehill. Jeremy did the full monty back to Kenley whereas TomTom and myself cut across for what I had thought I remembered as the easier climb to Chaldon.

Age ages memory and it was hard. The following wind refused to assist but we made it. And it was worth it for the triumphantly glorious view from the top of Farthing Down back into London.

47.46 miles at a moving average of 12.37mph.