Winchester to London (Again) 25th August 2012

[Aperitif]

Miss out lunch, save pounds and get back earlier!

 

[ianrauk]

We lunched last time at the Gomshall Mill. However, I have looked at their website and they appear to have gone a bit fancy and expensive. So we need somewhere nearby and I am open to suggestions. Based on timings from last year we arrived here at 1.30pm and I would expect to arrive about the same time.

It was the Compasses Inn @ Gomshall wasn't it??

 

[StuAff]

We lunched last time at the Gomshall Mill. However, I have looked at their website and they appear to have gone a bit fancy and expensive. So we need somewhere nearby and I am open to suggestions. Based on timings from last year we arrived here at 1.30pm and I would expect to arrive about the same time.

Wrong pub, Tim, it was this one http://www.thecompassesinn.co.uk/welcome.html
Edit: cross post with Ian.

 

[Davywalnuts]

We lunched last time at the Gomshall Mill. However, I have looked at their website and they appear to have gone a bit fancy and expensive. So we need somewhere nearby and I am open to suggestions. Based on timings from last year we arrived here at 1.30pm and I would expect to arrive about the same time.

Super. Isleworth (where Ill be doing house/dog sitting) to there or there about's is easy.

 

[Trickedem]

I said it had changed!
I thought I would offer options however. As an alternative we could stop at Rykas Cafe at the foot of Box Hill, or at the National Trust Cafe at the bottom. The disadvantage of the stopping in Gomshall is having to climb up White Downs Lane.

 

[Sittingduck]

I broke my cherry on White Downs a cpl of weeks ago and found it pretty steep on that second section. Very narrow and the 4x4s up the 'arris probably assisted my speed. Luckily I was on a triple and in the granny ring... all be it stuck in the granny ring, as my Ultegra shifter bust somewhere along the A25, just before I turned into WDL!

Had the pleasure of coming down it, from the North, on Sunday. Shame it was like a river of mud and loose rock or it would have been fun

 

[martint235]

I said it had changed!
I thought I would offer options however. As an alternative we could stop at Rykas Cafe at the foot of Box Hill, or at the National Trust Cafe at the bottom. The disadvantage of the stopping in Gomshall is having to climb up White Downs Lane.

You don't have to do White Downs you know. You can just stay on the A25 into Dorking then A24 to the bottom of Box Hill. T'is entirely your choice however.

 

[Trickedem]

You don't have to do White Downs you know. You can just stay on the A25 into Dorking then A24 to the bottom of Box Hill. T'is entirely your choice however.

That would be cheating! and you know about my aversion to A Roads.

 

[martint235]

That would be cheating! and you know about my aversion to A Roads.

Well if Davy is along for the second half of the ride, his allergy to hills like White Down trumps your aversion to A roads!!

Anyways I'm along for the ride, so long as someone feeds me fish and chips at lunchtime I don't care if the A road goes over a hill.

 

[rb58]

I don't mind A roads, but the A25 from Gomshall to Dorking is a nasty stretch because it's narrow with fast traffic and enough ramps to slow cyclists down. White Downs would be my preference.

 

[Trickedem]

Sorry Folks, but I am not going to be able to do this ride until September, due to a family commitment. As a number of people are planning on riding down to Winchester the night before I am sure it will still be going ahead.
Who would like to step up to the plate and become the new ride leader? The only responsibility is getting people past the A34 roundabout successfully. PM me if interested and I will get in touch to explain the route.

I will probably be doing this on Saturday 8th September if anyone is interested in joining me then.

 

[martint235]

I suppose I'm happy to lead the ride back. However it's possible I may take a more direct route than other people may prefer so if someone else would like to lead please feel free.

Is this roundabout particularly fatal or just unpleasant? How does it rate compared to something like HPC or E&C?

 

[Trickedem]

I suppose I'm happy to lead the ride back. However it's possible I may take a more direct route than other people may prefer so if someone else would like to lead please feel free.

Is this roundabout particularly fatal or just unpleasant? How does it rate compared to something like HPC or E&C?

The roundabout is very nasty, because traffic is joining it at motorway type speeds. However there is an underpass, which we failed to find first time and then ended up going all the way around the roundabout. I now know where the entrance to the underpass is.
I can also provide the gpx for the route.

 

[martint235]

I would prefer someone else to lead but I don't want the ride not to go ahead as I'm looking forward to the ride down to Winchester.

Anyone up for leading then?

BTW the 8th Sept is the day of the FNRttC to Southwold so I'll be on that.

 

[Trickedem]

Good spot. I can't do it the following Saturday, so now will be aiming for Sat 22nd Sept.