Five riders braved the sub zero temperatures (-1.5°C) today, Tracy Caudle, Trevor Kite, Bill Kent, Adam Domaingue and myself leading. The route out took us the usual traffic free trails at the back end of Ewell and crossed the Hogsmill. Today we went via the Horton Farm area and crossed onto Epsom Common for a slightly elongated route out towards Prince’s Coverts, the other side of the A24, Leatherhead Road.
The bridleway surface conditions had improved in the Coverts from last Thursday by way of all the mud being frozen. After the descent we crossed Fairoak Lane and much to our surprise discovered the trail the other side has been regraded and all the deep boggy stuff was gone. (Bill Martin will be disappointed!) After a half mile we turned left into Birchwood Lane and Limekiln Woods to get us to Arbrook Common south of Claygate. A short sharp climb after that had us arriving at the elevenses stop around 11:15hrs.
We were greeted by the warmth of the venue as we opened the door and enthusiastically ordered hot drinks and food. We then sat and thawed out all the bits that needed it. An hour later nobody was looking forward to going outside, but we braved it knowing the ride back was shorter than the ride out.
On the way back we crossed Claygate Common, climbed up to and over the A3 to Barwell Farm Lane and dropped down to Chessington South. With a few little twists and turns we ended up on the bridleway leading into the south west of Horton Country Park.
At this point the usual split occurred with me heading south to the car park and the rest of the off-road icicles heading back to Cheam and Sutton.
Good ride lady and gents, 18.5 miles for me, enough fresh air in those temperatures I believe.