Riding out from London and over the North Downs and into the Mole Valley has been part of my staple cycling diet, sadly the last time I rode here was in the late summer of 2017. Today, June 26, 2018 I rode into the valley again.

Combining the stresses and strains of the North Downs Surrey climbs with the ride out from London and then being able to stretch the legs on the undulating Mole Valley roads, well known to many who compete in Surrey League road races (the biggest race league in the world I believe), was always a great ride and a good challenge.

This time I avoided the London ride out by taking the train to Dorking on the Waterloo line. I avoided Box Hill and went via Pixham, over the North Downs by riding Punchbowl Lane, a good hill which has a slight tinge of the South Tirol about it so I call it ‘the Little Tirol’.

Then its fast down Tilehurst and past Scammels Farm which gets pretty dirty after the rains have fallen, then over the River Mole, through Brockham (famous for hosting a huge bonfire on November 5), tea and buns at the community shop at Strood Green before heading towards Leigh (‘lay’ if a local and ‘lee’ if an outsider) before hitting New Digate with a great descent (a climb known to Surrey League riders) before a stop under the oak tree at Fourwents Pond. Then it’s back where I came and over the ‘Little Tirol’ to Pixham (which is a great name for a place).