Lewisham Cyclists Ride:Surrey Hills Autumn Edition
Shorter version of our Surrey Hills Ride. Ride starts and ends at Epsom Station. We will meet on the Dorking train from Waterloo which leaves at 9.24 and gets to Epsom at around 10.00am. I’ll be at Waterloo from 9am, but its probably best to meet on the train, look for the bike symbol on the carriage. There may be more than one so dont worry if you dont see other riders at first.
The train from Waterloo doesn’t go via Norwood Junction, but via Vauxhall and Clapham Common, then Earlsfield, Wimbledon. If you plan to join anywhere other than Waterloo, please text me.
Im planning to return, however, from Dorking, or Box Hill and Westhumble, so I will use my oyster to get out to Epsom and buy an add on ticket for the return. People are welcome to join me, or if they want the longer ride, could head down, do an ascent of Box Hill and return via our route out, bearing in mind you cant access the Epsom Downs section after 4pm.
I plan to ride out via Epsom Downs. The exit from Epsom is a little traffic heavy and its a nuts one way system but its not long before we are on a gentle(ish) climb up to the Downs. We have to take a bridleway across, but a lot of this is smoothish asphalt with a bit of gravel. I am bearing in mind, however, that Storm Ciaran will have passed through the two days before, so I may have to adapt this section to stay on road if necessary.
From Epsom Downs through Headley and then Box Hill Village. We can stop at the viewpoint if people want and then head down the hill. Tea and toilet stop before the descent if folk need one.
Id forgotten what a great descent it is.
Then its alongside the busy main road to a turn off through Dorking town centre. Again like Epsom its a bit traffic heavy. These Surrey folk do seem to love to drive their big cars everywhere. But not long before we are on the lanes climbing up and down to Coldharbour.
I’ve had to chop a climb out of this ride, youll be sorry to hear! If we are to finish this ride in reasonable time and have the stops I know folk enjoy, then Ive decided to chop out the Holmbury Hill climb. Which means no Peaslake stop. And the Friday St descent was absolutely awful, covered with slidey slippery leaves, a couple of new potholes and loads of gravel under the leaves. So, sadly, I think I’ll have to give this favourite little descent of mine a miss too. Its likely to be even worse after storm Ciaran. So after Leith Hill, we will head straight towards Abinger. And then on to the last climb, White Down.
Its worth it for the rolling glide along Ranmore Common and then a last descent to Westhumble. One of my favourite descents in the South East.
The return trains from Box Hill and Westhumble stationto Waterloo are on the half hour, but there are trains back to Victoria every half hour from Dorking. Some of these also stop at Westhumble. You need to buy a ticket thats valid on any route as two diffent train companies run these trains.
As for refreshment and toilet stops, there are a couple of pubs on the route. One thing to note is that pubs in this area are pretty expensive which is why I usually use the Peaslake stop. However, I’m taking a picnic and, for me and whichever pub we choose on the day, will just have a drink and toilet visit. The Plough in Coldharbour might be the best one to choose, as it has a small shop right next door that sells tea and coffee and snacks. Not as good as Peaslake Stores though!
Apologies for the last minute changes. I hope folk are not too disappointed. Its still a great ride, about 30 miles still, through some lovely country with some testing climbs and terrific descents.
Im aware that the above is a lot to absorb, so if youre unclear on anything do text me on 07395153782.
Its classified as a hard ride according to the grading system on our general ride info page on our website. There’s a link to that below. Although we wont drop anyone and in no way do we race, it is a hilly ride and you should have some experience plus a reasonable level of base fitness to fully enjoy the ride.
If when you’ve read our general ride info (link below) you still have questions, by all means contact the ride leader on 07395 153782. Texts are best as my job is not desk based. I will get back to you!