SUNDAY CR 18th Oct 17/18 mph pace to Shere

[Jon C C on a Bianchi]

Meet Feathers, Merstham to leave at 9.45. Heading west to Shere. be there or be square!

[Amy]

Well I made it to the Feathers. Didn't fancy taking on the motorists' intelligence test (the motorway junction) on my own, even on a Sunday morning, so took the more scenic - but also hillier route up through Carshalton Beeches to Woodmansterne, back down to the Chipstead Valley Road then up to the High Road where there was a traffic jam for the little kiddies football practice

Only 4 others out - George who managed to stay upright for the time I was there, Simon, Julian and the captain and ride leader himself, Jon. Had come out with the idea of seeing how I went and soon after starting off, decided that I probably wouldn't get to Shere, especially after listening to Jon's description of the route - blah hill blah hill blah hill Flats and downhills weren't too bad but still not quite got the oomph up the hills yet but it's getting there...

Hope the rest of the ride was OK once I left you at the bottom of Coldharbour. I came back through Leatherhead, Ashtead, then up to Epsom Downs via Langley Vale, then through to Wallington via Banstead - just to add a couple more hills to make it feel worth while

Simon, I'll try to keep an eye out for a red car full of little girls waving at me next week

[Jon C C on a Bianchi]

Hi Amy

Sounds like you had a good ride. Julian baled out at the top of Leith Hill - wrong bike - big gears. So it was just Simon, George and me for the rest of the ride. 80 kms and over 1000 m of climb! Good fun! The Duck was busy as usual but not too much of a queue. Knackered now but glowing.

[MattR]

Sounded like fun sad I missed out now. Got to do better.