Cycling Cows

Spotted outside Rodez this July whilst the Tour was in the offing

Thursday 5 August 2010

OHG ride to Four Elms via Chiddstone and Cowden lead by Dave Gill. A large group starting from Betchworth included Tony M, Dave B, Caroline, Roger Smith and his son Richard, Barry A (a guest rider from the London Phoenix) and Trevor. Tony M and Brian Staples went missing after the first hill, deciding they were having a shorter run. Tony and Dave B had been on the Wiston ride the previous Tuesday with the OHG and had ridden over 80 miles. A new interesting route by Dave G to Four Elms via Cowden and Chiddingfold. Roger and son, Dave, Barry and Trevor road back to Ewell via Bletchingley and Banstead. 70 miles round trip from Epsom at 15.6 mph.

Tuesday 3 August 2010 to Cranleigh

Trevor with the OHG/OHG except they left early at 8:45, however Trevor followed the route to Cranleigh and caught up with Norman and Cliff in Weare Street when cliff was mending a puncture. The three continued on to Cranleigh to meet Barry G coming the other way with the intention of intercepting the ride. At Notcutts Nursery for refreshments they were met by Dave B, Brian Staples, Jake and some other riders. Dave, Brian and Trevor road back together via Newdigate. From Epsom to Ashtead, (were the Garmin batteries failed) was 58 miles at 15.3 mph

Woldingham Station MTB

Dave E, Paul M and Trevor to Woldingham Station to meet Barry G, Billy and Mick A for Ev's MTB ride. South over the downs, descending and crossing the M25 towards South Godstone. The climbs were tackled at a steady pace but rapid descents with dust flying from the wheels in the arid conditions. After a small circuit without crossing any roads Ev retraced part of the outward journey and headed for the Haycutter at Broadham Green between Tandridge and Hurst Green. A welcome relief after riding for more than 2 hours. The distance was 18 miles but the average speed was only 8mph due to the continual climbing and descending. Then a short ride of 14 miles back to Woldingham. However Ev had arranged a finale to climb the downs off road on a track ascending for 2 miles from 358 to 900 feet through Titsey Park. Excellent ride with routes that no one was familiar with. Dave, Paul and Trevor returned via Purley and suffered the usual consequences.

Mountain Bike Ride 1 August 2010

Seven brave souls met at the rural Woldingham station car park: Ev, Mick Ayliffe, Barry Gregory, Dave Elliot, Paul Martin, Trevor Hughes and Billy, looking fresh after last weeks ride and having been out on the previous day as well.

We headed south, saying hello to the goats, past Marden Farm on the bridle way, saying hello to John and Dennis, the pigs. Instead of climbing up to South Hawke we wheeled into the convent and up the convent road. We crossed the A22, using the bridge, we made our way up Gravel Hill before turning left onto the next trail (and through a thicket of stinging nettles) and wheeled around to the top of Gravel Hill where Paul Martin filled us in on the history of the Pilgrims Fort which used to stand there.

We descended off road towards the M25, almost colliding with some riders heading up the hill, crossing the A25 and heading on the sand based track to Rabies Heath Road. With Paul already asking for a tea break we headed down to do the loop of South Park; a lovely little loop around the fields which gave the chance for Mick to take a pic of us posing a ride past sunflowers! Completing the loop we turned right on the bridle way before Rabies Heath Road and made our way via Tilburstow and Tandridge to the stop at the Haycutter near Hurst Green.

While Paul and I discussed the problems of the world outside, the "commomers" decided to stay in the bar to leer at the barmaid in their infantile manner. Dave had to be dragged out when we set off again! If you like stilton cheese, get the ploughman's there as you get a massive wedge of it!

We headed East for a couple of miles through the pleasant woodland of the Chart before heading North again for the climb of the day up Titsey Hill. For the first time in four years the ford over the River Eden was dry. It was a heroic climb with only Mick and I riding up all of the way. Poor old Trevor got to within 20 yards of the top before being beaten by a rouge rocky bit of surface.

West along the ride to South Hawke before dropping down to Woldingham Station. 26 miles; a good pub stop; warm windless conditions which was overcast with a few sunny spells and no punctures. I do worry though about what Barry was puffing through the tube attached to pack on his back.

And well done Billy! After last weeks ride which took a bit out of him, he rode really well on a ridged bike.

Thanks to all of you for a most enjoyable ride.