A nice but very cold ride today.
I set off with a list of 14 possible J4F riders in my pocket. En route to CSS, Deborah phoned to apologise - she was having trouble fitting new brake blocks. "Pop down to Coulsdon and we'll see what we can do", I said. "It's too late", she replied. "Where do live?" I asked pondering whether I could offer some assistance on the way home. "Earls Court" came the reply
Ok, you'd best let Evans look at it then
In the end only Claire, Cassian and Adam showed up. A number of others set off with us though – Phil Nash, Alex Protasiuk, Phil Foyle, Bus driver Peter, but we split just after the motorway turnoff. I sent the others on and Claire and I rode at a slower pace to Reigate, where we had some refreshments in the Country Kitchen before riding across the Heath and then cutting across to Woodhatch and intercepting the route home up past Earlswood.
As it was relatively early, we went left along Gatton Bottom and then up Markedge, past Fannys Farm to Chipstead High Road and down to Coulsdon. As I mentioned last week, the High Road is one of my favourate lanes in the area. Unfortunately, the terrible surface on the steep descent of Portnalls Road, and the congestion at the Lion Green Road junction rather spoils it at the moment
I might make this a regular return route though when those things are fixed, although some self-retraint is required to ride past Fanny's without stopping for more tea & cake
Loads of Agreeables at Nonna Rosas, where I enjoyed a veggie lasagna & carrot cake washed down with a latte. Before riding back with Il Capitano 2000-2010.
An agreeable week to you all