Surrey Hills corporate cycle (Summer 2019)

The summer of 2019 posed a challenge as to how to improve on the previous year’s corporate cycle in the Surrey Hills. Preparations started early in the year and we linked up with corporate event specialists Across the Divide to help with managing the event. The idea was to again explore some of the highlights of the Surrey Hills with a mixed group of riders joining from across the UK and various locations in Western Europe.

The group assembled at Waterloo train station during the afternoon of a warm and sunny July day. Train tickets were duly distributed and we hopped aboard the train that whisked us out of London down to Box Hill & Westhumble train station. It was then a short walk across the road to the Burford Bridge hotel at the base of Box Hill.

At the hotel, we were met by the guys from Across The Divide who had arranged bike and helmet hire from the ever reliable British Bike Hire. Once everyone had their bikes in order, riders were free to relax and visit the hotel bar for a drink. Just before dinner, we gathered on the hotel's patio to have a fun cycling related quiz. There was plenty of good natured banter and it quickly became apparent just who was the cycling aficionado and who was not. We then moved through to the main dining room where event cycling jerseys and other kit was distributed and there was a safety briefing from Steve (aka 'Sid') from Across The Divide. The two chaperone riders, Geoffrey and David, were also on hand to answer any questions from riders about the route the following day. Despite an early start the next day, the dinner carried on late into the evening with a few of the ride participants making best efforts to empty the hotel bar.

The day of the ride arrived with sunny and bright weather. A breakfast box and plenty of coffee was made available for each rider. Following a group photo we set off promptly at 7am. There was a gentle reminder for riders from mainland Europe to remember to cycle on the left hand side of the road!

The route was to be an anti-clockwise loop of the Surrey Hills totaling 100km with an altitude gain of 1,370m. A few of us had completed a trial run of the route the previous weekend – it was both a beautiful and challenging ride!

The ride started well until we realised that one of the group had slept through his alarm. However, with the ever resourceful Sid on hand, the rider was helped out of a rather sticky situation. As for the rest of the ride group, we proceeded up to Ranmore Common and followed the North Downs Way westwards towards the picturesque village of Shere. The route then zigzagged through the Winterfold Woods and Holmbury Hill.

At about the half way mark, we stopped off at The Snooty Fox cafe in Shalford for some well earned coffee and cakes. Fuelled by these refreshments the group carried on and made our way up and over Hascombe heading southwards towards Dunsfold. We then looped around Dunsfold Aerodrome, home of BBC's Top Gear test track. Thereafter the route wound its way through the green and leafy countryside eventually bringing us to the base of Leith Hill. A steep climb so late into the ride tested the riders but all overcame the obstacle and allowed us to roll into Dorking. The final finish took us past Denbies Wine Estate and back to the hotel finishing on time at 1pm. A few keen riders took on a final challenge of a ride up Box Hill.

Riders were able to shower and change before a buffet bbq lunch on the hotel lawn where a fun prize giving session took place. There was general agreement that the favourable weather, good route and great company had made for a very good ride in the Surrey Hills.

Ride highlights

• Box Hill challenge

• Exploring quieter parts of the Surrey Hills

• Excellent support from ride chaperones and mechanic from Across the Divide

• Coffee and cake stop at The Snooty Fox, Shalford

• Hospitality at The Burford Bridge Hotel

Links

• https://www.acrossthedivide.com/

• http://www.britishbikehire.co.uk/

• https://www.accorhotels.com/gb/hotel-6635-mercure-box-hill-burford-bridge-hotel/index.shtml

• https://thesnootyfox.uk/

Testimonials

"Thanks again for the invite to such a well oiled and professional event. It was hands-down the best marketing event that I have attended so you have set a very high bar!" MM

“Many thanks indeed to Brett and all those involved … for such a grand day out and unfailing hospitality” NW