Despite the fine weather, only four of us turned up at the Drome. Numbers might have been affected by the large number of club members who had Chased the Sun (and cycled 209 miles to do it) the previous day.
I had planned a hilly 90 mile ride but both Julian H and Norman M had to be back by 3 so I cut a 20 mile loop via Wisborough Green and we headed more directly for Cranleigh. At Newdigate, Norman declared that 4 weeks off the bike has taken its toll and he decided to turn back.
Three of us headed down Weare Street, through Cranleigh, to climb over to Shere via Farley Green. We stopped for refreshment at the Abinger Hammer Tea Rooms (highly recommended) before cycling through Holmbury St Mary to Forest Green. We then tackled Leith Hill via Leith Hill Lane.
In Dorking, Julian headed home. Billy W. and I carried on over Box Hill to pay a call on Geoff Clifton in Destination Bike. Over coffee, Billy decided he needed to be back home early; I suspect he was tired of having to wait for me at the top of every hill and short climb but was too polite to say so.
Billy turned down Pebblecombe leaving a solitary rider to complete the course, through Kingswood, Chipsead, up Hazelwood Lane along the HIgh Road and past the now closed Fanny's Farm Shop to Redhill.
Mike Ormerod