Two riders only out today as most have gone to the Forest of Dean to play in different, posher mud! Bill Kent joined me for the sorté out to Claygate. A slightly overcast day, but a lot warmer than recent weeks. We slithered our way out of the back of Nonsuch Park and crossed the Ewell bypass. My route took us away from the usual Hogsmill River for a change and headed south west out of Ewell to the Horton Farm. After that we crossed onto Ashtead Common heading towards our crossing point of the A24 just north of Leatherhead. We then descended a deserted Prince’s Coverts and crossed Fairoak Lane (the Malden Rushett to Oxshott road) where I took a moment to photograph the pot hole I had reported two weeks ago to Surrey Council.
It’s a least 20cm deep (8” imperial) and by my reckoning we’re looking at the early 1950’s road surface layer at the bottom!
Our next turning into Limekiln Woods should’ve taken us to Arbrook Common; alas our route was blocked by a flood, and neither of us fancied the extra work involved in draining water from ourselves or the bike frames.
And so wisely, avoiding an early bath, we backtracked and headed over the A3 a little further north into the backstreets of Claygate, probably shaving off about 2.5 miles in the process.
The tea stop was busy, friendly, and as usual the food was good. Much conversation took place as you’d expect from two fine gentlemen. On the journey back, Claygate Common was avoided in favour of a small road section, the ‘Clay’ in ‘Claygate’ gives you a clue as to why.
We climbed east past Chessington South Station and skirted the edge of Horton Country Park before entering the suburbs of West Ewell. I was parked not much further on and so Bill and I parted company and he headed another mile or so on back to Nonsuch Park and his own vehicle.
A good and slippery ride, 18 miles due to the flooding shaving a bit off the planned route. Nevertheless a pleasant ride.