Rule of 6 - Surrey 6 Hills

You've heard the hype. The tales of fig rolls and balmy summer nights. Effortlessly ascending the likes of Exedown as the sun sets to survey the fly tipped mattresses at the top before chasing the tailwind along Knatts Valley. Fables of artisanal Carra-dee-ché saddlebags swaying wildly and getting in the way of domination of the 10 mile TT back to the pork scratchings and pub beer gardens. This won't be one of those rides...

After making it to only one TNRC last year and spending most of the last six months consuming mince pies I can see this being somewhat slower/harder work than previous editions and there's going to be no pub at the end.

That said I'm incredibly excited that Roadman Boris has decreed that group rides of up to six are now permitted so it seems fitting we undertake the traditional Surrey Six Hills season opener and get the TNRC show back on the road. If it turns out we've got more than six then we can ride as two groups. I've proposed a meet time of 7pm but happy to discuss if a little earlier or later suits.

Route is here: https://microcosm.app/out/G8ach

Trains out/back are still something of a no-no with the 'rona so I'm riding out and back, given the trains are notoriously crap from Effingham Jct. that's no big loss and it's a bank holiday Friday the following day to permit some recuperation from the inevitable late finish. Who knows, if there's a few of us heading back towards town after the suffering then maybe we can sample some tins of lukewarm John Smiths in a bus stop somewhere.

THE LIST:
1.) cagimaha
2.)

ambitious timing around childcare (ugh)

I am excite - 2020 was a write off for me so hopefully that can be corrected toot sweet!

THE LIST:

1.) cagimaha
2.)scrabble

I really want to. But riding out and back plus six hills?

I did 25 miles this morning out to Knockholt and it was hard going.

I'll wait for later in the season, I think.

Right I'm gonna put my name on the list and work out logistics later. I would love to make this.

THE LIST:

1.) cagimaha
2.) scrabble
3.) YAL

I have no idea if I can make the logistics work but I'm going to put myself on the list because fuck it. Miss you all so much!

THE LIST:

1.) cagimaha
2.) scrabble
3.) YAL

I wonder if YAL will put his name down?

Oh god

If I don't get a place at a TT the next morning, I'm in.

And my Stayer is finally finished (but not painted)

Sort of tempting to bivvy as I’m not sure I’d be able to make it back home... you know - huge distance to twickenham after...

I’m a yes as well.
1.) cagimaha
2.) scrabble
3.) YAL
4.) onyerbike
5.) seager

As @cagimaha can testify - I’ve not done a ride with more than 400m of climb in a year at least.

#blessedwindsor

Holy shit - not pub either. The usual one has proper closed down as well.

What’s even the point.

Yes! So in. Friday off too, how good is that!
1.) cagimaha
2.) scrabble
3.) YAL
4.) seager
5.) ruserius

I do love a good list mess-up.

I can't even work out how this one happened. :)

ah, I hadn't seen seager's message, so edited, but didn't realise he'd included onyerbike.
As we're adding might as well include rhowe too:

THE LIST

1.) cagimaha
2.) scrabble
3.) YAL
4.) onyerbike
5.) seager
6.) rhowe
7.) ruserius

Best get my lights fixed then

I have a hospital appointment at 1630 that day. It's virtual but need to do it from home. Might be a stretch to make it for 1930 but we'll see. I'll be on the road bike for sure.

I have run the numbers and sadly it's not gonna happen for me. I'd have to leave work bang on time and then avg 16mph without stopping all the way round to make it back to Bromley South to for the last train (with 5k ft of climbing inbetween). Not that the numbers are unachievable (!) - but I still gotta get out of London, do the 5 hills with you lot and then make love to the A24 and A232 in the big ring all the way back without error or incident. Stakes are too high atm.

This is a long way of saying I'll wait for Kent or something North but not Essex UNLESS that pub is open that serves The Mild.

THE LIST

1.) cagimaha
2.) scrabble
3.) onyerbike
4.) seager
5.) rhowe
6.) ruserius

The first reply didn't appear on my mobile! Or I was too excited to pay attention properly.

Sorry I'm not going to be able to make it. I'll just have to find another way of feeling fat and slow this week.

Still need to replace my helmet after an incident a couple of weeks back too.

THE LIST

1.) cagimaha
2.) scrabble
3.) onyerbike
4.) seager
5.) ruserius

Good work sorting this out @cagimaha ..

THE LIST

1.) cagimaha
2.) scrabble
3.) onyerbike
4.) seager
5.) ruserius
6.) Rod_Munch

Where's @cgg at.. ?

I think that it's a bit ambitious given I've only been riding my Brompton over the past few months and even then not that much. Not sure my knee can take that. I do like the idea of the impromptu bivvy though.

Oh no! What's the deal with the knee? Just flared up again?

Sorry to hear your knee's so bad. :(

Commiserations for that poorly knee.

Maybe try a medlar poultice?

ah @cgg i feel your pain on the knee front. Hope you can find something that sorts it. No fun.

On the ride front - I've just put the 19t on the back in anticipation of the inclines. Weather is looking fab, if not quite as warm as the last few days. Excited.

Are most folks riding out through Kingston? If so - happy to tag along from out here. Got a bit of a light gravel diversion via Ardbrook Common and Downside if people are so inclined. 23c friendly I think.