- Starts: Tuesday 8 May 2018 9:30 am
- Ride leader/Event organiser: Mike Harbour
- Category: Tuesday rides
- Route grade: A - Demanding route
- Ride to elevenses grade: A - Demanding route
At: Dunsfold
Contact us about this event
Send an email to ride leader/event organiser: Mike Harbour.
Map
This is a variation on the ride that we did two years ago. We will start and finish in Dunsfold to avoid the 'rat run' into Godalming at the end of the day.
The route takes us to Shamley Green and Farley Green before we climb onto the ridge of the North Downs to cross Ranmore Common. We will descend to Westhumble Station for coffee in the bike shop. We then climb Box Hill, riding over Richard Long's painting Road River, which was created for the 2012 Olympic Road Race. We will loop to the east of Dorking then south to Brockham, before crossing the A24 to tackle Leith Hill. This is the toughest climb of the day, with the motivation that there is a pub at the top for lunch, assuming that it is now fully operational following extensive refurbishment. (This will be confirmed after the 'recce ride'.) If not, we will have lunch in the pub in Forest Green. The return to Dunsfold will be via Ewhurst and Cranleigh, from where we will ride south and east on minor roads to avoid the B2130.
John Ros and I did the recce on Thursday 3 May and I am pleased to report that The Plough Inn, Coldharbour, at the top of Leith Hill, offers a good lunch menu, including a range of beers from the micro brewery on site (Rod, please note).
The modifications to the route work well, so we are looking forward to a good, accident free ride on Tuesday!
Distance: approximately 60 miles.
Ascent: approximately 4,400 feet.
Parking is free in Dunsfold at the village car park, which is accessed from Dunsfold Common Road. Heading north along Dunsfold Common Road you will see on your left, across the common, The Sun Inn, followed by the Village Stores and Post Office. Shortly after this there is a rustic wooden sign on the left of the road which states, "Dunsfold Parish Council Village Car Park. No HGVs". This directs cars to the gravelled car park on the common forty metres to the left of the road. See map above.
We will meet in the car park at 9.15am. in order to start the ride by 9.30am.
Mike Harbour
About Tuesday rides
The Tuesday rides are typically 60-80 miles at a moderately fast pace while maintaining the social nature of the Saturday and Wednesday rides. The rides will start at various locations to be determined by the individual ride leader.
This is a great day out, and not too long at less than 100 km. It is properly hilly, at around 1341 m, with the associated long views, and includes some fabulous ridge riding along the North Downs and Ranmore Common. As Mike says, the new, improved route sticks to mostly traffic-light lanes, and at this time of year, bluebells are guaranteed!