A very strange name for a ride. I was searching the internet for interesting routes, and amongst the results was this one. Leith Hill is a famous or infamous climb. It was a formidable part of the RideLondons that looped through Surrey between 2013 and 2021. I did this event twice, and never climbed it though. The first time it was avoided due to concerns caused by biblical weather. The next year a medical incident caused a diversion.

I’ve climbed it a couple of times on my own since.

This ride was different. Eight roads to the top. I suggested it to my club - Oxted CC. You could say the initial response was lukewarm. Eventually I was joined by three club mates: Marian, Chris and Martin.

I created an extension to include an Oxted start. Thankfully Martin reminded me about the Godstone sinkhole, and Chris confirmed my diversion was open to bikes, it being closed to motor traffic. The temperature was on the low side at the start, but we warmed once the cimbs started. 

The first task was to get to the Leith Hill area. From Oxted its about twenty miles. RideWithGPS plotted a challenging route, with some “warm up” climbs.

Suitably prepared we hit the hills. This meant gradually loosening layers, but the descents caused a chill.  By late morning we’d completed nearly half of the legs; or should that be tentacles? I was starting to feel the heat, even as we plunged down from the summit again and again. Unfortunately Chris who could only ride two loops due to home commitments and said goodbye.

It was hard to keep a track of how many we had done. Passing the same landmark several times from different directions. The Garmins also got confused if we paused them at food stops. As we set off they would flash up many distances to the end. We had to remember what the next turning prompt was showing before our stop. By midday we needed sustenance; the snacks stashed in pockets weren’t doing the trick. Marian checked her phone and pointed to a pub only seconds off the route - The Inn on the Green in Ockley. What a great place. We arrived just as they opened so they weren’t yet busy. The people were very friendly and welcoming, allowing us to push our bikes through the premises into the beer garden at the rear.  So they were safe while we ate.

The seating we had was very plush; making moving on when the food had been consumed a difficult prospect.

The food was delicious and arrived very quickly, perfect. It didn’t remain on the plates long enough to photograph.

Eventually we had to leave, two more climbs to do.

It was almost straight into a climb, not what you need with food stop legs. 

We all encouraged each other and that helped massively. It was tough, but the camaraderie reduced the hardship.

At the top of the last accent was when the confusion really set in. Until we’d sorted it out it seemed we might ride the route indefinitely. Eventually we got on track for home. 

All was well until I noticed my bike had started to feel more compliant at the back. Either suspension had magically developed or it was a puncture. We stopped as we turned into Kings Mill Lane just past East Surrey Hospital. Sure enough it was flat. I was about to set about sorting it when Marian suggested it might be better to fix it at the Hanger 9 cafe, Redhill Aerodrome. I pumped some air in and set off, hoping it would stay up long enough. It did. When we arrived it had hardly lost any air. I decided to have coffee and cake and then assess the situation.

cake was too good to wait for the coffee.

Marion had a BBQ to get home for, so that left Martin and I to chat about our past jobs over coffee and cake. 

Returning to the bike I was pleased to note I might be able to make it home without having to sort the loss of inflation there and then. More use of the pump and we were off. About twenty minutes later as I turned into the alley leading to my garage I felt the rear end break loose. I dismounted, all the air had gone. I walked the last sixty feet or so. Leaving the bike, I’d repair it later. I went into the house to find large amounts of food.

This ride could have become a type 2 chore had I been alone. My companions improved the day immeasurably. A big thumbs up to them.

The legs obviously had to withstand a lot of punishment, but then so did the brakes. The road surface was very poor in all directions, covered in gravel most of the time with potholes. Fast descents always had an element of restraint.