Nine riders at Nonsuch Cafe this morning: Lucinda, Jigs, Bill Kent, Tracy, Trevor Kite, Dave Clarke, Andy Pearce, myself and Bill Martin leading.
A glorious day, and tapering off temperatures from this week’s heat wave with a pleasant 71°F to start off. Our route took us out via Priest Hill and the east of Epsom before gently climbing onto a parched, brown Epsom Downs.
Then to Headley before descending on a dusty and technical trail, with some serious off-the-back-of-the-saddle stuff for those of us without ‘Dropper seat posts’ to the lower end of Little Switzerland near the base of Box Hill.
Andy had a rear wheel puncture which required the insertion of an inner tube into his tubeless set up as the hole in the tyre was larger than could be sealed easily.
The repair was expedited with the usual advice, help and banter as expected and we were soon turning into a busy Rykas car park for elevenses at twelveses!
Excellent food was consumed on a table under a tree that was begging for some rain, but still was gracious enough to provide us with shade whilst the first wasps of the season said: ‘Hello, can we eat your food?’
The return ride was a democratic vote with a seven to two split. Seven for ascent of Box Hill, and two wise ones (Given the temperature had risen @ 85°F) opted for a flattish run along the bypass cycle lane to Leatherhead, and back via a scorched looking Ashtead Common.
A good turn out, 27.5 miles for me.