Wot a beautiful day for a hilly ride
. We must have had about 25 out for the "addiscombe half sportive". Straight out the station and up the first 12%er within half a mile- soon had the legs loosened up
, the group naturally split as the ACC heavyweight division took a rear position. Out via the lanes to box hill which looked stunning in the sun, switchbacks streching out in front of us. Up thru West Humble and on to the long drag that is Ranmore, that first bit really saps the legs so by the time you get to the steep bit by the hairpin it starts to hurt.
Regroup at the top and off we go along the ups and downs which brings us to the bottom of Sheepleas ( i think)- this is a bit of a drag which seems to go on for ever, turn right down to west horsley- is this a proper road? its about as wide as a car and twists and turns goes up and down, then it decides to go up - and then up sharply, i think the whole group was caught out by this as everyone was out the saddle in the wrong gear wobbling all over the place. After this a relatively flat piece for about 2 miles
, a quick left turn soon bought more groans as we saw the road disappear up and up - still it was very sunny! This bought us to coombe bottom where we met up with the other group who had a much easier ride coz they missed a few hills
. Everyone froze going down coombe and we warmed up at lucky duckys with cake and coffee.The place was packed with cyclists and there were bikes racked up all along the street.
Out the cafe and yep up we go again- and again then a super descent down pitch hill bought us to Ewhurst. Nice rolling roads thru the woods saw the pace increase- this abruptly ended when that nice man Huw took us up to coldharbour
- already tired legs took a beating up those 12% slopes and the group became somewhat disjointed and i am sure i heard a few swear words tsk tsk- still the descent down into dorking bought on some weary smiles, this set us up for a box hill spin- what joy!
Well done to all runners and riders today- it is not an easy ride and to the best of my knowledge everyone was waited for. Having a bacon sarnie now with a big grin on me face