Felt lousy riding up to CSS so I was quite happy to go with the slow group: we had 3 new riders out today - Paul, Martin and Paven. I think Paul and Martin should have no problem moving up to the 17s next week. Paven found the pace more challenging but did very well to hang on all the way there and most of the way back. Paul and Martin went to Box but Paven joined a small and select group that came back via Tilehurst Lane (right turn after the right turn towards Pixham) along to Brockham, over the Mole, right again towards Betchworth, then round the village past the Red Lion then down Sandy Lane to come back past Wonham Place and up Trumpets Hill. This nearly finished Andy and Matt off, with Andy getting cramp. Cap'n Jon left us at Reigate and the rest of us carried on up to Coulsdon via Merstham.
Just as we came round the corner into Merstham itself, Andy in front, me just behind him, when we saw an elderly lady take a tumble to the pavement. Immediately Andy swung over and stopped, with me close behind, the other two a bit further back. Andy and I helped Frankie, as she was called, back onto feet and assured ourselves she was more embarrassed than anything else - at 88 she hadn't fallen over before! Her friend was just behind and Frankie felt quite capable to carry on with what she intended to do in Merstham. Hopefully she met with no more slips and trips and stayed on her feet, especially without the ACC to help pick her up again!