Wasn't sure how far I was going to get so went for a little ride by myself with the intention of heading towards the Medicine Garden just outside Cobham. Didn't do anything fancy - just headed out through Wallington up to Woodmansterne and then along Chipstead Valley road and down the Dorking Road to the Box Hill turn off. OMG felt like I was riding the wrong way It was a never ending stream of cyclists climbing up the Zig-zag!
Bit quieter climbing up Ranmore from Westhumble (I had meant to ride down to Dorking and come up the other way...) but still seemingly riding against the flow towards Box. It is not my favourite climb, just drags with a little kick at the end just to make sure you're awake. Unfortunately too late to see the snowdrops by Ranmore Church in bloom but it was lovely still riding along the ridge with sun out, the trees not yet shading the road while the first shoots of dog's mercury were starting to turn the ground green. Didn't feel too bad so turned up over Green Dene and Sheepleas until the top of Coombe Bottom where I turned right to drop down to East Clandon. Here I realised my mistake - if I'd turned north at East Horsley it would've been downhill all the way but going via East Clandon meant a couple of slightly bigger bumps to get over. Came back the short way via Oxshott, Malden Rushet and Ewell after tea and toast at the lovely Medicine Garden.
I feel quite virtuous now with 50+ hillyish miles at decentish mph, yet done without killing myself