OK, I got to South Coulsdon Station at 9:35 to find it deserted! When Marcus pulled in just behind me coming down from Caterham as he does. After a good conversation about the sad departing of Amy Winehouse from this mortal coil, and the proliferation of drugs in the music industry ( NIce to think it's not only cycling that has these "lifestyle " problems!) I set off for Box Hill along the Chipstead Valley Road. I had a vague idea of riding out to the Wyndy MIlla race shop for a bit of cake but after descending Box and climbing Ranmore and going through Dorking i noticed signs saying they are resurfacing the A25 from Westcott to Gomshall which is the direct route to Shere I wanted to take, so I decided against it. Waiting at the bottom of Coldharbour Lane to decide what to do next who should come down the hill in a big group of Acc and Kingston Wheelers? but Steve, Ben, NickH and Roland. The sunday ride crew i had ridden to Css earlier and missed!
Jumping on the back wheel of the large group i soon caught them up and we formed our own distinct group as the Kingston Wheelers all stopped to decide where to go next.
Having already ridden Leith Hill the group decided to go back up to Ranmore Common. After climbing it the other way there was some protestation from Nick who had enough of hills for the day, we set off with Steve tapping out a good tempo. After re-grouping at the top of Ranmore Common, Nick's assertion that he had done enough hills for one day only strengthened!
Down Ranmore on the fast descent i had climbed only shortly before was fun and i led the group down what is a narrow, fast descent. Along the M23 towards Box Hill i had got a bit of a gap and thought about setting off up Box for a solo victory when i was distracted by a poster for an open day at the High Ashdown Activity Centre.
After closer inspection i saw it was unfortunately principly aimed at teenagers ;-(
By this time Steve and Roland had traversed the M23 by the subway and were ready to get down to the serious business of climbing Box.
Seeing them pass i turned round away from the poster advertising team building fun stuff, to pursue them up to the base of Box. Ben and then Nick not being far behind.
Seeing me whizz up to their wheel Roland helpfully suggested i go for it, i politely declined saying i wanted to do my bit for the team and sat in behind Steve up the climb proper. Keeping contact with Steve until after the second hair pin he injected another turn of pace which i couldn't follow and so watched as he caught other riders who were also climbing the hill. I felt good climbing today and was glad of Box's gradual incline and managed to save something for a sprint up the last rise round the corner overtaking a fellow cyclist, which is always nice!
After waiting not very long at all for Roland and Ben and NIck to arrive we hit the tuck shop which seems to have improved greatly recently with the variety of goodies on offer. I plumped for the treacle tart today which went down very nicely indeed. Overhearing talk that they may demolish the whole thing and build a proper cafe after the Olympics left me with a rather sad feeling of affection for the current system of queueing and then finding a spot on one of the open air benches or tables. Which is exactly what our group did. The wooden tables were nicely warmed by the rays of the sun and made our goodies most agreeable in the pleasant weather and surroundings!
The last section of the ride flew by as we raced back along the chipstead valley road. One final dig was had stretching the legs to the limit and goodbyes were said at the Purley Cross roundabout to a fine days riding. Cheers Guys!