DA Competition Rules

The rules for the DA competitions are available for viewing here: http://cyclingswlondon.blogspot.com/

Now is the time to consider your entries.




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Steam at Dorking

A Group - 9 December

Newdigate - The Six Bells

Easy Riders Dec 9th

There was a good turn-out at Kings Centre in Chessington for 11's. For some, it was their first time there. A bit of a hiccup; as there was an 'Accountancy Exam' taking place in the hall adjacent to where we were sitting having our 11's. They had signs up saying, 'Exam in Progress - Please be quiet'. Well, we are a bike group! And I did notice that, Fuzz, has the deepest voice! So, after a while, a very nice man came and politely pointed to another area of the cafe where we could sit and be a bit quiet. Pat and Bill were there; Albert and Peter by their tandem trike, Dennis and Bill H., who decided to go to Hampton Court for lunch.

The rest of the group, Roger, Fuzz, John C. Chris, Lisa, Jono, Helga, Les J., Charles, Mark and back-marker, Ron. I led them the back roads of Chessington and Ewell to Longmead cycle path. We then headed for Ashtead Common going through part of Epsom Common. At Ashtead station we turned right to go over the path on the green towards The Woodman on Barnetwood Road. I was quite surprised that the Common was well drained and no problem with puddles. After lunch, we went up to Ashtead High Street and turned left and right to go through Ashtead Park; the back of Epsom Hospital and the back streets to Ewell; where we had afternoon tea with cake/mince pies. A gem of a place; but cannot reveal where, as we are going back next week for our Christmas lunch!

Lynda .

A group 9th Dec

35028 Merchant Navy class 'Clan Line' at Dorking this afternoon.

And here's one I took earlier!

After enjoying a delicious slice of Birthday Cake (thanks Louisa and Bernard) on a windless, sunless and thankfully rainless morning I led a largish group from St Martin's, Dorking past the cockerel roundabout to turn south into Punchbowl Lane, shortly turning into Tilehurst Lane. Soon we joined Bushbury Road (the lower end of Roothill) - and had to be alert to avoid the potholes which would have made the fwc there too risky. We left Brockham on Wheelers Lane and pedalled on to lunch at The Six Bells, Newdigate, via Dawes Green, Leigh, Norwood Hill and Parkgate. I think they were pleased to see us - there was only a handful of other customers. After a pleasant break we left just after 2pm, using the most direct route to Dorking, aiming to be there by 3pm for a special treat. However, most preferred to carry on to Annie's but a few of us diverted to Dorking Deepdene station to see steam locomotive no 35028 Merchant Navy class 'Clan Line' thunder through. We then rejoined the group at Leatherhead for refreshments before going our separate ways. Thanks to Brian G for backmarking.

Terry

A Group 9th December

Terry led off from Dorking promising a 'devious' route to Newdigate, which he duly delivered, with a brisk run back after lunch to allow steam enthusiasts to catch a glimpse of the 1500 at Dorking. Tea at Annies, Victoria sponge again. I am becoming a creature of habit.

24.83 miles - not bad for a week before the solstice, moving average 11.21 mph, 1180 calories and a highest speed of 33.4 mph down Punchbowl Lane on the return leg.

And it didn't rain.

Mark

Easy Riders Dec 2nd

I am sending this report of C group of today's ride from Cobham.I was quite surprised the number of people came on our ride. our leader decided to have a short ride as he had some problem with his gears. the total number of people were five mark Roy, Roger Mitchell, Les, Ron and the leader Phil Marx the destination was a pub in the middle of Leatherhead. the route was through Bookham.when we reached Bookham Ron decided to visit Mike Withers so we were left only four. However we reached our destination hurried our lunch to go for tea at West Ewell I wanted to avoid the rain which was forecasted for the after noon so I did not stop for tea and rushed to reach home before the rain but no I was caught only half a mile from home and got drenched.I must say it was a brave effort on our part, I am sure all other C group people will agree. Mark Roy

A Group - 2 December 09

Three Horseshoes - Irons Bottom

One I took earlier before the rains came down

Bob played Father Christmas and led the sleigh-ride over some well chosen off-road and on-road to the Three Horseshoes near Sidlow. Top class range of beers (excellent mild), good food and welcoming host. Submariner Graham took over the helm for the return. Pete is challenging for the title of Lone Rider.

B Group Dec 2nd

Seventeen of us left Cobham for a bracing and sunny morning ride through quiet relaxing country lanes, wooded paths, canal paths, wartime airstrips, fords and floods to lunch at Castle Green near Chobham. About half way through our meal we noticed it had started to rain, and by the time we re-started after lunch it was bucketing down. The rain made it very difficult to see anything at all thru' the lenses of my wrap-around cycling spectacles, and unlike my everyday spectacles I am unable to peer over the top to see where I am going. This is my excuse for losing my way just after lunch causing us to have to turn round and retrace our steps. We cycled along Gracious Pond River and Foxhills Road to Addlestone and then Weybridge where the party unanimously decided to omit tea and get home into the dry as soon as possible.
Frank H cleverly avoided the afternoon soaking by arranging for Francoise to have a puncture in the morning while we were crossing the airport at Wisley. Not wanting to delay the rest of us, they told us to go on, and, after replacing the tube, they decided to make for home, which they reached at lunchtime completely dry.

John Gould

A Group 2nd December

A ride of two halves - and, indeed, two leaders. Bob led us out from Cobham in bright December sunshine, Graham led us back from the Three Horseshoes at Ironsbottom in heavy rain which cleared before we got to Annies. 30.47 miles, respectable for a Winters day, 1262.3 ft of ascent, moving average 11.47 mph and 1449 calories. Highest speed 30.9 mph on Bunce Common Road and Victoria Sponge for tea.

Mark

Alberts Story

Pictures from Albert

I hope you get a full report of Stephanie`s ride as I was with Peter 0n my tandem trike quite unable to follow the others and opted for our own route to The Tide End Cottage near Teddington Lock. At Elleray Hall there was a good turnout with Mark, Lynda, John C., Fuzz, Roger, Les, Dennis, Ron, Johnno, Lisa, Chris, Peter and myself plus of course Stephanie who led the ride. My only contribution is a few photos of those of us who arrived at this delightful watering hole----------------Albert

Easy Riders

A surprising number for a windy day. Began at the Elleray Centre by buying 3 ladies their teas (they gave me the money) as they were getting a little tired of waiting for the queue to go down. Then a lovely day in the sunshine, through Bushy Park, in and out of gates. Thanks Ron for being back marker and for enlightening me, the gates in an out of the water garden are not intended to make it difficult for us to get in but to stop deer from getting in. Along the R Crane in sunshine, back roads to the long footpath at the side of Strawberry Hill railway and down to Tides End Cottage. Service good considering numbers but delayed our afternoon start so a short run along the north bank of the Thames to Kingston and back into Bushy Park to join As and Bs at tea in the new cafe. Good to see Albert and Peter who joined us for lunch. Mick, Roy, Fuzz, Frank and John C, who left us after lunch, and Roger, Chris, Jono, Les, Eddy, Lynda and Liz who stayed for tea. From Stephanie

A Group Nov 25th

I uttered the phrase "Get home in the light" and suddenly the A ride was 28
strong (it seemed more) at times stretched out over hundreds of yards of
tarmac. But nobody was lost thanks to Tail End Irene. Bushy Park was entered
unusually behind NPL and exited in Hampton; both have "kissing" gates! Soon
we were in an anonymous cul-de-sac (Roy Grove) where surprisingly there is a
monument to the man whom many consider to be the founder of Ordnance Survey
(Major-General William Roy). From leafy avenues our way lead under the A316
into Feltham and through BP's main UK site at Sunbury. TEI may have been
unmoved but Ed was delighted with home town (Ashford) and Europe's largest
female prison (HMP Bronzefield). After the Spelthorne council offices we
were divided in the centre of Staines, some to The George, others to The
Town Hall and the rest to somewhere near the church. For your future use,
the Town Hall service is not Wetherspoon quick but the gents has inflatable
pigs and sheep for sale (www.naughtyvend.com). Our rendezvous was brief and
orderly; somewhere on towpath to Laleham, Pete B terra-firma'ed seemingly
without injury. Five were last seen heading towards the Shepperton bakery
and an early bath. Around Lower Sunbury Frank/Francoise punctured; never to
be seen again. From Hampton station and down to 13, we went back to the
haves and have nots of the stag world. The Refractory was a new teastop,
relatively expensive, glass and steel. It should have been perfect (mid
afternoon, midweek, term time) but the place was packed with B/C Wayfarers!
A blustery southwester and copious sunshine made it a fine day for cycling
but a mere 27 miles door to door.

Graham Hill

A Group 25th November

Today's map is not a complete record as I turned off a couple of miles before tea to head for Hampton Court Bridge.

On a bright late November day Graham led us 18.78 miles from elevenses to Sunnyside Reservoir - probably just over twenty altogether. Moving average 10.21 mph, 893 calories and a pretty flat run.

Mark