It was wet, but ok wet, summer wet, warmish wet.
Just four at the Vineries, Effingham for an extended 11's courtesy of the lad on the coffee machine.
May need "counselling" as my old employer used to call it........speed up or on yer bike!
Into the hills we went, for the first hour we were either climbing or descending, Beech Avenue, Critten Lane, Abinger Lane, Leith Hill Road, but after Forest Green we were on a gentle plateau making our way south to the lunch stop at Rudgwick & the Milk Churn.
Famous for posh cheese toasties, Martina & Simon didn't waste anytime munching away whilst waving away wasps huddled under a parasol from a passing shower.
The route home via a lovely new surface on Weare Street, albeit mainly on the less populated lower part, was a joy to ride on.
But after many days of furnace like temperatures & zero wind, I was suprised to find a tree blocking our way!
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It's customary to stop & observe life at the pond.
Today, we saw a male & female mallard, a large white duck (maybe an Aylesbury) & a runner duck - pointed out by Simon.
Apparently they run instead of waddle!
We arrived at Capel at three for church teas.....but I had other ideas.
After a quick call to Terry to make sure he wasn't en route, we deserted Capel in search of a new location at Mickleham that were also serving teas this summer.
With a following warm wind & sunny skies, we arrived at the church to find, contary to information I had.....no teas.
So off we go to 51 Degrees North which of course were shut too......I mean who in their right mind would want tea & cakes at 4' o'clock in the afternoon on a sunny summer Sunday?
Collective rolling of eyes.
Costa in Leatherhead saved the day.
Thanks to Simon for providing a couple of pics, Dave/Simon for backmarking & Martina for coming in what turned out to be an 82 mile ride for her.
A modest 51 for me.
Data from plotaroute:
Uphill - 28%
Downhill - 20%
Flat - 52%
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