Well what a great night that was. It started not so well with a weather forecast of torrential rain for the whole evening so I was expecting a big turn out of riders at Nirvana.
As we previous years we had a table booked at the Kings Head in Holmbury but for a larger than usual number of 25. Most people tend to meet there be there’s always a large percentage who like to cycle hence avoiding the drink driving issues of getting home.
So as Brian and myself rode up from my house to the shop we weren’t expecting too many others to appear. In time the group number rose to 7 with Ray, Charlie, George, Matt G and Matt R all turning up before the 6.45 off time.
Our first stop was to be the Stephan Langton and we headed off that way, up round the church, up Rookery lane and then the Rookery climb, where Matt G and myself both performed miserably not quiet making it to the top. From here it was along the singletrack beside Wolvens Lane then the cheeky path over the style and down the edge of the field tot the style at the bottom.
This path can always be a little dodgy and today proved no exception with Brian taking an off and ripping his jacket quite impressively on the barbed wire fence.
Having all safely negotiated the styles at either end of this path with some relief we headed on up past the waterfall to Broadmore.
From here we climbed up between the houses on a path that is becoming increasingly boggy with all this rain up to the road then straight over and down to Friday Street. George took a spill as his bike washed out in the mud on this section but no harm was done.
As we pulled up at the Langton there was already a pile of bikes outside which turned out to be Nick and his Norwood Paragon group. They to were on there Christmas meal ride and planned next to visit the Kings Head before concluding their evening with a meal at their regular drinking whole of the Volunteer.
We shared the Langton with them for a pint and then they headed on there way. We on the other hand found Joe was also there and had ridden the whole mile or so from his house as was Paul and Ed Duffy. Glasses were refilled and lots of rubbish talked. At some point Nashie arrived in the car with Wendy and Huw and a 3rd pint appeared in front of me.
Eventually it was time to head on and with Joe swelling the number of riders to 8 we set off on our way. A short tarmac stretch over to Abinger Common then off road to Holmbury followed. We arrived at the Kings Head in time for our supposed 8.30 start and found the rest of our party there.
The pub was heaving with 25 of us and 2 other Christmas parties there too there wasn’t a lot of space and we were all rather crammed in. The atmosphere and beer thou were very good and the beer flowed nicely. To be honest I can’t remember much detail of what followed.
He food did come out in drips and draps so we found some people had virtually finished there main whilst others were just starting – didn’t bother me and I really enjoyed my food and still the beer flowed.
As has become a bit of a tradition I handed out a small present for everyone – normally these would be personalised colanders but this year for a change everyone got a Dorking Cocks puncture repair kit which seemed to go down well.
Eventually the time passed and before I new it midnight had come around and the ride home loomed. A sneaky ciggie with Charlie out front confirmed the weather wasn’t a complete nightmare and us cyclists eventually saddled up for the late night trip home.
I’m not sure who led the way but quite sensibly they opted for the road, down towards Abinger Hammer but cutting off past the Volunteer pub, down to then along the A25 and home. No idea how much I drank in the end but it was a top good evening, a suitable end to a very wet year.
