Train: Clapham Junction to Dorking. Consumed 3 x Lattes and we had enough time to walk to the train rather than the usual panic to get on the train before the doors close.
The Ride: Out and about around the villages of the Surrey Hills.
Riders: Big Smurf, Granty & Inaki
Notably missing again was Raph and Woody (Al) – the excuse book is filing up guys.
Bikes:
Grant's big red girls blouse of a Pinarello FP2 (bit of a tart and definitely caught the boys eyes – the bike I mean).
Inaki's Boardman – fast and racy just like him, but please oh please drop the tri bars.
My old Cannondale CAAD 5 – bit of a mongrel with aluminium frame and carbon bits but bites hard and deep.
Description:
After the obligatory loo stop we headed off from from Dorking station, turning left out of the station onto the A24 and then first right on to London Road up into the town centre. Turning right at the traffic lights on to the High Street, we head on up the High Street, but take a little turning right down to West Street to stop off at ‘Head for the Hills’ bike shop www.head-for-the-hills.co.uk to get Granty a spare inner tube (for his bike by the way, he doesn’t need one personally}. Head for the Hills sell mountainbikes but are opening a road bike shop right next door – so yet another retail opportunity coming soon, heaven help us.
We set off again, and get back onto the high street and head up South Street to the mini roundabout and then left up Coldharbour Lane which leads is up towards Leith Hill and a long steady climb. This is a long steady climb up to Coldharbour and will definitely get your heart pumping.
My old Cannondale CAAD 5 – bit of a mongrel with aluminium frame and carbon bits but bites hard and deep.
Description:
After the obligatory loo stop we headed off from from Dorking station, turning left out of the station onto the A24 and then first right on to London Road up into the town centre. Turning right at the traffic lights on to the High Street, we head on up the High Street, but take a little turning right down to West Street to stop off at ‘Head for the Hills’ bike shop www.head-for-the-hills.co.uk to get Granty a spare inner tube (for his bike by the way, he doesn’t need one personally}. Head for the Hills sell mountainbikes but are opening a road bike shop right next door – so yet another retail opportunity coming soon, heaven help us.
We set off again, and get back onto the high street and head up South Street to the mini roundabout and then left up Coldharbour Lane which leads is up towards Leith Hill and a long steady climb. This is a long steady climb up to Coldharbour and will definitely get your heart pumping.
After Leith Hill we had a nice fast descent into Abinger Common. The decent was fast, especially for Grant, as he had been passed by three young bucks on the climb and he was determined to get them back on the decent. (it’s all fun and games on the bike, you wouldn’t get me being so competitive. Abinger Common saw me pull out the Soreen – a little finger of fruity goodness to share with the boys.
From there we headed down to Holmbury St Mary and enjoyed the ride down the winding lanes, as we worked our way towards Peaslake. The ride down to Peaslake is great – a long descent down a narrow road through the forest. The only issue was it was a bit muddy and in some places wet, as I approached Peaslake I came round the final bend only to meet a white van, which was taking up the whole width of the road. I slammed on brakes and skidded to a halt just missing the front of the van by about a foot. Once past it there were then mtbers walking, I mean walking – yes, it’s a hill but come on guys, the shame.
The Peaslake Village Store is a welcome break and great place to top-up your water bottle and fill your face with pasties and cake. We hadn’t ridden very far, but I find it difficult not to stop when there is a cake stop opportunity.
Leaving Peaslake we headed on down Ewhurst road towards Ewhurst and then taking the winding roads back round to Farley Green. From Farley green we headed towards Shere Road and the A25 back to Dorking. The A25 is best avoided, but as we were in a hurry it was our best option, though normally we would head on to the roads that are a little quieter.
Food: Peaslake Village Store
Friendly and a welcome break. Popular with cyclist of all types, though today was more Mtb orientated. The usual stop-off when we are mountain biking in the area.
Consumed: 3 x Teas, 3 x Bananas, 1 Cheese & Pickle Sandwich (shared) , 1 x Cornish Pasty (shared) 1 x Sandwich, 3 pieces of Soreen, 1 x bottle Lucazade Sport, 2 x Clementines.
Mechanicals: Teething problems with Granty's gears on his new Pinarello. Had a few attempts at sorting them out, but it is going to need to go back in to the shop. Nothing serious and just needs setting up a little better.
Distance: Approx 35 miles (including the cycle to Clapham and back from Thornton Heath)
Terrain: Hills and more hills, undulating in places and some fast descents. Road great but wet and muddy in places so descended with caution.
Weather: cloudy, dry and cold
Notes:
Get a bigger bladder as all I seem to do is want to go to loo.
Avoid running into White vans when tearing down a narrow lane.
Don’t wear ruby slippers in the wet, as they get all dirty.
Again, don’t let Inaki fool you by letting you think he is tired, as he will suddenly appear and blast off into the distance. I had a full bladder so had to stop before I could continue the chase, so it was down to Granty to get him.
Weight Grantys bike down as he seems to be going faster on the carbon Pinarello.
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