Sunday 16th Nov

[Andrew G]

Whilst whippping Paragon backsides at darts last night I was having a little chat with Marcus who said he was surprised that there wasn't some kind of (semi-)organised Sunday run in addition to the CR. I know some of us go out and sometimes post in advance so...

I go out most Sundays and if I remember I'll post up a rough (sometimes very rough) idea of what I'm thinking of doing and if you want to join me then all good and fine (unless I do a solo ride in which case I won't post). Pace will be steady but normally reasonable so suitable for 18/19 CR group riders, i.e. would need to be happy doing 50+ mile lumpy rides at a fairly consistent pace without stopping.

It won't really be organised though so:
- I won't be (or expect anyone else to) nurse-maiding or anything and you'd be expected to make sure you have enough supplies (tubes/tools/food/drink - which you should anyway)
- Be happy enough to fend for yourself and make your own way back if you want to cut shorter or decided you want to do something different part way round - i.e. no specific "are we all here" group checking and a photocopy of a map page might not be a bad idea if you don't know the area. [EDIT: Not anti-social though and regroup after big(ger) hills]
- These will just tend to be rides that I'm doing and not club run type rides. There may be no cafe stop (assume not unless I say I will be stopping).
- Obviously no silly group size.
- If you let me know you intend to come then pm me your mobile so that I can send you mine. I don't mind delaying the start for a puncture victim, but not sleepy-heads.
- Start times are start times - I'll give it 5 mins but no half hour hanging about.

This Sunday
Start: 9am GBs
Terrain: Lumpy with a few big hills (e.g. Slines Oak, Toy's & Star) so not fixie friendly.
Rough Route: Titsey, Four Elms, Toys, Star, play by ear from there depending on what I feel like doing and the weather
I can be a bit off at guessing distances and times but if you look at a map then you should be able to work it out easily enough, I plan on being home for lunch anyway, so a 1ish arrival, probably.

[Jon H]

I'll join you on gears this Sunday (weather permitting etc).

[Del]

I may join as well this week Mr

Enjoyed the run last Sunday and am quite happy to cut off myself to return home, as I did last week at Sundridge.

An occasional start at Coulsdon or even Merstham could help as I have to ride up from Horley and may open some more options for lumpy rides East or West across the North Downs.

[quote="Del"]An occasional start at Coulsdon or even Merstham could help as I have to ride up from Horley

[Del]

Did a run earlierthis year with Andy K, Ant, Brian Nolan and a few others around Leith Hill, Holmbury Hill, Peaslake, Shere, Ranmore and Box. It's a combination of a few rides such as the CTC ride, Tour of the Surrey Hills and Legs of Steel - all variations on the lanes between Dorking and Guildford. Mind you, we did stop at a very expensive tea room in Shere and I'm not sure that Ant's wallet has recovered yet?

Enjoyed the run last week, as I don't really get across to the Kent side of the Downs as much as I should, so anything that includes Titsey, Botley, Westerham and the general area is good for me.

[Mike I]

[quote]Mind you, we did stop at a very expensive tea room in Shere and I'm not sure that Ant's wallet has recovered yet?

[-Adam-]

The Lucky Duck is worth every penny!

[Andrew G]

[quote="Sean Hogan - 何祥"]Back by 1pm?

[Ian A4size]

The Lucky Duck is worth every penny!

Hmmmmmm

[Dombo]

May see you there. 0900 GBs

[Antloony]

Guess who over slept and never made it

[Andrew G]

Jon, Nicholas, and Dombo met me at GBs this morning. We were just setting off (9.05 ) when Del and Andy headed towards us and just made it so 6 started, emphasis on started .

Long drag up to Selsdon and then up to Farleigh before a little jink through the lanes to Slines Oak. Andy was struggling so Del said he'd peel off with him after Slines Oak.

I always find this one a bit of a bugger and today was no different, my legs have never warmed up by the time I get to it. At the top we waved goodbye to Del and Andy and the remaining 4 of us set off. Just before Titsey though Jon said his legs weren't enjoying hills today so he was going to turn off there otherwise it would be too late to avoid climbing another big hill.

So now down to 3 and down Titsey, 49.8mph max today. Right, left and along the imperceptible drag at Limpsfield Chart. Never look at your speedo along here as it always shows a depressingly low number compared with what you think it should be as it's just one of those roads where you can't work out why it feels like such hard work.

Down Crockham Hill and left flick down Pootings to Four Elms, well that's what Dombo and I did. Nicholas must have descended a bit more slowly and not seen us turn off as he went straight on. We retraced and rolled a bit down the hill to the bend but there was no sign, hope you found your way back okay Nicholas.

Dombo said it was getting a bit "Blair Witch" the way people kept disappearing . After Four Elms it was up Toy's Hill and then round the corner to go up Star Hill. Left at the top and through to Cudham, down Church Hill (this is the one we'll go up at the start of Hell of Ashdown with the nasty 25% kick) and then up Berry Hill.

Plenty of nasty hills in there so a bit of flat-landing along by Biggin Hill Airfield and a left flick down to Coney Hall. Descending down to Coney Hall something fell out a tree and landed in the gaps in my helmet, and started to hurt (I shouted like a big girl as well ). I stopped, took off my helmet and shook my head and a bloody wasp fell on the floor. 16th NOVEMBER AND I GET STUNG ON THE HEAD BY A WASP!!! What's going on there?

Ta, ta to Dombo at Coney Hall as we went our separate ways. Good ride and I was home at noon, 45 very hilly miles, but all good fun (well I like the downhills anyway ).

[Nicolas]

Thank you very much Andrew & all for the very nice ride this morning! You proved me that there are some serious hills around London I suffered a bit hanging on with you guys but it was brilliant!

Yes unfortunately I missed you when you turned left, had a doubt for a moment when entering the village (at 35+ mph!), though you maybe had stopped at the very nice pub here (the Royal Oak if I remember well, there pies are cyclist friendly, i.e. huge and delicious and the owner has no problem with us coming for lunch in lycra and cleats) but finally went straight on. I ended up passing through Four Elms as well but after a detour through Marpit Hill, looped back to Crockam Hill, then took the direct route via this long painful Hosey Hill.

My limited knowledge of the nice lanes around there made me stick to the main roads, so my way back was far less interesting than yours, coming back via Warlingham and then Croydon.

Anyway very nice hilly ride and (mostly) dry, see you hopefully next Sunday!

[quote="Nicolas"]I suffered a bit hanging on with you guys

[Dombo]

Excellent ride Mr and well done for organising. Hope the wasp sting goes down, it looked at one point as if you were growing a third eye.

Glad you got back Ok Nicolas. We did look for you honest but you'd gone too far down hill so we figured you'd find your way back. And what better way to learn new routes than the pressure of getting home before dark!

As ever I need to work on my downhill skills. Only clocked 42 mph down Titsey. Repeat: Don't brake, don't brake, don't brake