north downs mamil

little and large on the train

Saturday saw me take the road bike out for the first time in 2012. An early train out from Waterloo to short-lived sunshine in Dorking.

Having not plotted the ride myself I did not know any more than the plan to ride around 40(ish)miles. Was really looking forward to dusting off the road bike and trying to get some miles in. The added bonus of ending a ride not covered in filth and mud cannot be under estimated.

Heading out of Dorking we straight away hit a rather steep climb past Ranmore Commone, gotta say at this point at least 2 of us were not sure we were going to make the full 40miles.  We ploughed on up and down hills until we hit a main road in Great Bookham. This gave us a couple of mile repite before more hills and eventually stopping for coffee.

peaslake stop

The mid-ride stop was planned for Peaslake – coffee and cheese straw were consumed with much enthusiasm. Have to admit it was a bit disconcerting being in Peaslake on the road bike in lycra and not on the mountain bike…in face just felt plain wrong.

Heading out of Peaslake we did the road climb above Barry Knows Best before skirting around Holmbury Hill. Getting a little lost around here and rejecting part of the planned route (it looked like a bridleway). We eventually took an innocuous left turn where a rider coming the other way said “enjoy” with a wry smile. At this point it struck me that this must be the climb up to the top of Leith Hill.

Of the many options for climbing Leith Hill we had gone for the most direct and therefore the steepest and I have got to say that it was not pleasant at all. Though it is the most direct it is still a bit of a slog that certainly makes you aware of lack of fitness after a winter of not getting out on the bike as much as you possibly should have.

Once over Leith Hill we headed past Abinger Common back towards the A25. This is where a decision needed to be made. Turn right and head back to the train station or turn left and add one more climb in to the ride.

White Down Road - Steep Hill 18%

As the rain had not yet hit we decided on the latter. A little cruise along the A25 and as soon as you turn off on to White Down Road you are greeted by the signs telling you of the 18% gradient and the upcoming hairpin.

This is a short killer of a climb where the gradient according to fancy garmin gadget gets as high as 21% on the hairpin.

All 3 of us managed to get up but it would be a lie to say that it was done with any style or grace!!

After this it was a cruise back in to Dorking for the train back in to London just before the heavens opened.

Overall a cracking ride that came it at around the 44mile mark. The thing that struck me when I got home was how little flat there was on the ride. A lot of folk might not think of the south east as having many decent hills but it certainly felt like there was a few. Something like this is an ideal ride to get some fitness for later in the year and that is without even including the classic Box Hill climb. Excellent stuff.

Just to prove how much climbing there was take a look at the route profile…

dorking route profile

So for 2012 unleash your inner mamil!!