It started off with an innocent

"So where are you heading?"

"Dorking"

"Cool, that's where I'm heading. Do you know the area well?"

"Yeah ..."

... and suddenly I was following Ivan "The Lean Mean Cycling" Machine, who was pumping down the roads and then up the hills.

He'd obviously been cycling longer than me, a little taller, so he was steaming through like there's no tomorrow ... well, that's my excuse anyway.

But once I got warmed up, it was a little easier, though I was the reason for frequent breath taking breaks.

All of the painful uphill struggles were rewarded with some fantastic downhill rides with names such as Yoghurt Cups, Telegraph way and Summer Lightning trail (the best!).

Here are all the pics ...