Over the Hill Bunch

[Marek]

Left mine at 8.45am and headed off to Betchworth where the over the hill group meet on Thursdays. Arrived in Reigate at 9.30am so had a coffee and apple danish and then headed off to the meeting point for 10am. Arrived to see a group of around 20 or so old boys and Geraldine. Alan M was out today on his Colnago as the sun was shining.

We set off in a good little group and did our turns on the front and then peeled off. We were heading for Barns Green via some great country lanes. Everything was going really well until I punctured. Not an issue, everyone waited patiently and then we headed off, 2 miles up the road I punctured again. Most of the group headed off but 5 of the others waited with me and lent me another tube.

Thankfully this one held up and we rode over to Sumner Ponds near Barns Green. This place is fantastic, as there was a big group the owner just made a huge pot of tea and left it on a table and we helped ourselves, he even topped it up a couple of times. I had some scrambled eggs on toast and it was awesome. Sumner Ponds looks to be some kind of campsite come fishing place with a big log type cabin where the food and drink is served. It was really welcoming and a fantastic place for a coffee stop with the ponds providing a very pleasant backdrop. If anyone ends up that way then you need to ride through the farm and you will find the pond.

http://www.caravancampingsites.co.uk/we ... sponds.htm

After copious cups of tea we headed back for Betchworth. The group got split up a bit and soon there were only 5 of us left. As we came out of Rusper going along the clubrun route in reverse Alan M went to the front and started to up the speed a bit. The others did not complain, so I went to the front and upped the pace a little more. The guys were tight to my wheel so I thought I would wind it up a bit more to see what they had in the tank. Pretty good they stayed glued to my wheel and then all of a sudden Alan M just came past me for a couple of seconds, I thought he was going to take to the front, what I did not realise was I just led out a sprint which they did not tell me about. Cheeky old blighters.

Headed back to Reigate with Tom and Alan and then I headed off home back to EG. Thankfully the tube held up.

Excellent ride, excellent cafe, excellent weather and excellent company. I am looking forward to my retirement more and more.

Cheers

Marek....

[Keith]

[quote="Marek"]....I am looking forward to my retirement more and more....

[Alan M]

glad you enjoyed it marek. generally the thurday speed is an average of 15-16 mph, a bit faster on tuesdays. it was good to beat you at the sprint!