Started off with a bit of faffing around as Cap'n Jon checked memberships but eventually got going. Cap'n Jon and Mick '18s' Ward took a faster 17s out leaving a nice comfortable group who either didn't want or weren't able to ride on the rivet. I was relatively comfortable with the pace most of the way round but still a bit off on the hills <sigh> Strength seems to come and go (go quite fast too...). On that basis, I decided on the short cut to avoid Lamb's Green and the bottom bit of Rusper Hill which I find an absolute drag when I'm struggling. Meant I could relax a bit and not worry about the rest of the group having to wait for me at Rusper church. Wasn't there long before Jacques and the rest rolled in.
Came back part of the way with a group led by Alex but then I turned right half way to North Holmwood and headed into Brockham via Root Hill then over to Betchworth and Trumpets Hill. Just as I came out onto Wray Common I saw three riders from the 15s pass by and just after the three steps I found them stopped as one had unshipped his chain and was struggling to get it back on. So I showed him (sorry, names!) how to lean over the bike, grip the lower jockey wheel and pull the gear arm forward so as to have as much slack chain as possible to pull onto the top of the front chain-ring, making sure the front derailleur won't knock it off as soon as you turn the pedals: once you've got that bit on the top, you just turn the pedals and let it do the rest.