Club Run 12th December.

[Andrew G]

I'm going to do an alternate route to the cafe for an 18s group, similar distance and picks up normal run at Newdigate, should anyone be interested.

Depending on my mood I may go on from the cafe to home via Colgate, Turner's Hill, Lingfield and Westerham. Give me a shout at the cafe if interested in that and I'll let you know if I'm in the mood or not .

[Jon H]

fixie friendly?

[Andrew G]

Not really.

I've done most bits of it before on fixed but it does involve about a 200rpm spin down Pebble Hill and 20rpm up Hosey Common at the other end of the ride. I want to save something in my legs for Leith Hill on Sunday.

[Andrew G]

I took a fairly good sized 18s group on the different way to the cafe today. It's a nice option as the main road bit is quieter for those that don't like the A23 and you feel "in the lanes" more and sooner, it has the added bonus of going through the very nice little village of Brockham too, a must visit for people at Guy Fawkes Night as they have a massive do including the biggest bonfire I've seen, just don't drive there and expect to park close by. You pick up the normal route between Parkgate and Newdigate and it's the same distance as well.

I decided not to do the extended run after the cafe as I found it an odd morning weather wise. I was chilly when I left home and was glad of the layers I had on, but as the ride got going I warmed up to the point of slightly clammy. The air still felt quite cold though so any stop at a junction, or the cafe, and I got a bit shivery.

I just wanted to get home and change in to some warm dry clothes (and change the tubes on my MTB) so headed straight back tagging on to Paul and Matt's wheels as they set off. I have to confess to some rather shameful wheel-sucking, but they are pretty fast and I was using the heavy bike excuse as well .

They dropped me off the back at Merstham when I let a gap open and rather than push to close it, and probably then drop off a few minutes later, I decided to ride a bit easier home from there. Thanks for the tow chaps.

Rave reviews of the new cafe in Coulsdon from my Dad who said a fair few dropped in there on the way home, so I'll have to drop in next weekend for a coffee.

Ta,

Andrew.

[Dominic]

Have to agree Mr Green was a very nice route. I had decided last night to do this as opposed to the usual training group as I have had a sore throat for the past 3 days and I thought thrashing myself to death with the TG was not a wise move ie lower immune system et al, hence why no stop for me at the cafe.

We passed a large Crawley Wheelers group on the way out and were urged to speed up on to get away from them, which we did. I could have sworn I heard a call for straight on at Partridge Lane but found the group somewhat depleted to myself, the Shadow, Alan M and a couple of others whose names I don't know. Nice run to the sprint to the Charlwood sign where I was easily beaten by the Shadow.

As previously mentioned no cafe stop and home by 11.30am with suitably tired legs

[Amy]

Took the normal 18s out today - felt like I was riding easier today

However it was an interesting ride as we only got to the turn for the Reigate steps when Pete H managed not only to unship his chain round the bottom bracket but something complete amazing with the chain which meant that when I went back to find out what was happening, the bike was upside down, the rear wheel out, the derailleur off and Pete wielding a chain breaker

Someone stayed with him and the rest of the group continued - all nicely behaved and riding well together, mostly...

Pete Nobes seemed to be a bit driven today and went up every hill at great speed whilst seeming to hanging on on the flat Eventually he decided to drop off the whole pace and we left him just before Parkgate. Also on the way down I gave Steve Fortune tips on acting as VC

Now down to 6 we split again as two of us decided to turn off up Partridge, where we followed in the tyre marks of Grahame's 17s and the rest carried on through Rusper.

I needed to get back home fairly promptly so left with Grahame's nice steady return group where I benefited from the shelter from that northerly breeze that had blown up down to Charlwood.

Hope to get the new cafe sometime but probably not this year with Jon's ride next week and then Christmas...

[Phil H]

Yes, I rode the alternate 18s and went the long way round to the cafe. Tried to sprint but there was nothing left after a couple of rubbish late stints on the front. One day I will save myself and time the sprint right.

I think the Crawley Wheelers now know who owns them.

Small group back Box Hill way. Small group of younger, fitter and slimmer people than me and that meant I was trashed by the bottom of the hill so a casual spin up to the top with a fellow Pearson owner. Then a nice casual 30mph run past Walton and home to massage my thighs and weep quietly.

[Dombo]

Took the mtb up to Leith Hill today for a spin in the mud. Surprisingly dry and a couple of major changes since I last went.
Bridleway up from Rookery Lane (assuming a Westcott start) has been completely relaid with sand, gravel etc. Makes for a much easier ascent and a blast coming down although unable to get much air before the blind left hander at the bottom. The singletrack in the cleared section west of Wolvens Lane has been fenced off. Forestry work has meant that the gates have been left jammed open so the final rooty/rocky ascent to Leith Tower from the East has a fast run in before the climb with no loss of speed.
Best til last - Barry Knows Best descent to Peaslake has been completely remodelled at the bottom to give some nice banked hairpins, taking out the final ridiculous arse-over-the-back wheel descent to the road.
Nice cuppa at the top with a slice of the best fruit cake in all of England as the wind picked up. Great on a Saturday as no walkers or horses about.

[Roy Green]

Also went with an 'alternative route' group, this one planned by Pete. Was a bit concerned at CSS that they'd be a bit too brisk for me, but was told 'Don't worry, we'll wait for the slowest' (that'd be me, then). Evil long hill start, forking left just as we started what I thought would be the normal Chipstead Valley road via Kingsdown. Excellent sheepdog work done by Rob Q. and a couple of others to drag me back to the group. T'was a most intriguing route, dipping and diving over/under motorways and coming out briefly on A25 between Bletchingley and Nutfield, then lanes around Salfords/Hookwood way; great route.
On returning the usual route I found that, like the other , I needed a good backwheel to follow into the chilly north-easterly. Many thanks, Bridget, for providing it.
First visit to Nonna Rosa impressed — a real Italian cafe, and shop. And the owner had thoughtfully put Cycle Sport and Pro Cycling mags on the table for us!
Vive les routes alternatives!

[Marcus]

[quote="Roy Green"] We'll wait for the slowest' (that'd be me, then).

[NickH]

After the usual slightly hesitant start, a good sized group came forward to form the 19's. We had a good run to the cafe, interrupted only briefly near Rusper when a dog decided to attack us! Poor Kate took the brunt but it only needed a slower moment while we re-grouped and then off up the hill. That hill still causes me grief. I fell a bit behind but managed to catch up again by the T&O turn off. A moment of indecision and those heading for the T&O were off ahead of me and another gap to close! Step forward Ant, who paced me up the hill and back to the group - a top man who has helped and encouraged me all the way since I joined this year - much appreciated. T&O was good; nice speed and smooth. I was done by the final roundabout and so could only watch as the others went for the sprint. Can't tell you who won that one but life is full of personal challenges and happily I won the sprint against myself!

A short break at the caff as the dentist was calling so set out early with Geoff and Kate. Where did that headwind come from?! It would have been v hard work had it not been for Geoff who was v strong and pulled us nearly all the way back. I am sure he has more than just tea at the break! Was completely shot as we entered Purley, only to watch Geoff and Kate who were both still strong enough to turn off and ride up Bencombe Rd!

A good morning out on the bike - thanks all.

[Antloony]

[quote="NickH"] A moment of indecision and those heading for the T&O were off ahead of me and another gap to close! Step forward Ant, who paced me up the hill and back to the group - a top man who has helped and encouraged me all the way since I joined this year - much appreciated.

[Hal]

Rode down with Mr Green on the slight alternative route, Chipstead Vally, along the top to near Box Hill, down through bookham and then cut down Partridge to the cafe. Nice ride.

Took a similar style alternative home, standard route back till Meath Green then turn right towards Outwood, up the reverse side of the Bletchlingly circuit to Nutfield/Bletchingly then up to Chaldon and down Farthing down. Not much longer but avoids all busy roads, not the hills though.

May try a slight alternative next week between Reigate and Newchapel to avoid the worst of the frosty lanes.

Hal