Bill Kent and myself at Nonsuch today. Glorious weather with temperatures at nine o’clock and already around 25°C. A slight breeze from the south east kept it nicely manageable on the ride.
The route was out along the Hogsmill River then into Horton Country Park, Ashtead Common, over the railway and into Ashtead Park. It was quieter than usual; a lot of dog walkers had most likely gone out earlier to avoid the heat. We then passed through the back streets of Ashtead and climbed a well known rooty trail to the top of Staine Street area before going up and over the M25 near the Leatherhead junction. We paralleled the Leatherhead bypass for a while and then dropped into south Leatherhead.
After crossing the A24 we went over a very low level River Mole before climbing Hawk Hill and the final tree shaded descent to Bockett’s Farm.
At Bockett’s we found the cafe empty for a change and a lot of young staff trying to keep busy. We had the usual elevenses type stuff and analysed the first week’s Tour action.
Our route back was via a temporarily closed section of Leatherhead’s one way system, which made it peaceful and safer for us cyclists. Then the usual ‘burbs of Leatherhead, up and over then under the M25 exit slip roads trail before heading onto the west side of Ashtead Common towards Ewell, Nonsuch and Cheam.
25.4 miles, 1,144ft of climbing.