History of Cycling

The Olympic Velodrome

Today, Maggie and I went to the Olympic Velodrome to see some of the UCI Track Cycling World Cup. It was a bit of a consolation prize, as, like millions of others, we have failed to get tickets for the Olympics. So this was a chance to see what it would be like, and to see the Velodrome used for its first serious competition.

Getting there was a bit of a faff, as the trains went wrong, but once we got to Stratford it was fairly straightforward. There was quite a bit of queuing, as security is airport-style, and we had to take a bus to the Velodrome once we had checked in. I don't think that this will be the case for the Games themselves, but it is necessary at the moment because of the large amount of building work still going on. The advantage of the bus is that you get a tour of the entire Olympic Park.

We only saw a couple of hours of the competition, as even the 'London Prepares' events are hot tickets, but we did see Chris Hoy and the lads qualify for the final, being just pipped to first place by the Australians; and we saw the Australian women set a new World Record in the Team Sprint. Not bad for a couple of hours on a Friday afternoon.

To know what's going on you need either to really understand it or to watch it on the television. But for the experience, you have to be there. We're glad we went.

Mark

Easy Riders - 15th February

The morning section of the day's ride from the Weybridge Day Centre to The White Hart in Hampton Wick (Kingston), led by David S.

(GPS data gathered by Ron W)

A Group, 15 February

Weybridge - Gomshall - Dorking

A Group 15th February

Well the milder weather allowed a return to the hills so we set off South from Weybridge to Brooklands and Byfleet then along the Wey Navigation from Murray's Lane to the Anchor. Our token off road stretch over we continued through Pyrford and along Polesden Lane to Send Marsh where we did a little dogleg through Gambles Lane to reach Hungry Hill Lane. So far so flat and mostly wind assisted but after East Clandon we tackled Staple Hill to the top of Combe Lane. Here my attempted descent on a very slippery surface provided some amusement when after locking the rear wheel three times on the approach to the right hander I abandoned the turn and came to rest gently ( and upright) against the bank. So on to the waiting horde at the bottom and a loop through Shere before arriving at the Compasses at Gomshall. Eighteen of us enjoyed good food and Surrey Hills Brewery ales and away by 2. At this point Peter Tiller had a puncture and we waited while he pumped it up in the hope that it was a slow - not very, it transpired. From lunch we went up to Burrows Cross, then Hoe Lane and Sutton Lane to Abinger Common and the long drag up to Leith Hill. Having waited for the last of the flock at the Abinger Road turn to Coldharbour it seemed the others had a thirst for tea and fled leaderless to Denbies. Here there were seventeen of us with Peter having dropped out to mend the puncture. He arrived just as we left having had the misfortune of a second puncture in Dorking.

B Group - 15th February

What a difference a day makes' - do you remember that song? Well, I was delighted that I could leave off the thermals to-day, even so, I was still a little over heated! I heard the same remark from others as the day went on!

Twenty four B riders left Weybridge; eleven stayed for tea in Cobham.
Our route took us over the footbridge in Addlestone into Crockford Park Road, Liberty Lane, onto the bridge over motorway to Row Town, New Haw and West Byfleet where I wandered if Dave Jarvis would catch sight of us from his jewellers shop?! We took to the tow-path at Sheerwater and left at Arthur's Bridge Road. Up the short hill on Church St and on to the pavement to get around the roadwork's allowing us to turn right into South St. and so to The Plough. The staff always make us welcome, enjoyable food and no looong waits!

Back on the road at 13.40. We turned right out of the pub, another right and soon to the six cross roads on A320. After Maybury we encountered another set of major road works in College Road, but once again we were able to cycle on the pavement! (Do you think the council's are using up their coffers as it is nearing the end of the financial year?) Pyrford Common Lane took us into Newark Lane into Ripley and from there we followed the well ridden route into Cobham. My thanks to back markers- where would I be with out them? :)

A fine day, my computer tells me I cycled 44.5 miles in total. Not alot, but enough!!

Pam :) :)

Pam's ride from the Weybridge DC to The Plough in Horsell then on to the Sainsburys cafeteria in Cobham, 23.1 miles

A Group 15th February

A good ride from Brian today, who set aside the Kelly Doctrine, giving us hills before and after lunch. No complaints. 29.58 miles at a rolling average of 11.2 mph; maximum speed 39.2 mph and 1,325 calories. Didn't really notice the temperature, but it was almost double figures, giving a 12º rise in a week.

Mark

A Group, 8 February

Effingham - Headley - Banstead

Morning tea at the Vineries Garden Centre Effingham

Between Friday, when the roads were cold but dry and the following Wednesday, the Snow Queen and her servile courtier, Jack Frost, had decided to intervene. The southerly Plan A was therefore unceremoniously abandoned, to be replaced by its polar opposite, the northerly Plan B. The chilling effects of global warming did not detract from a warm welcome at the Vineries Garden Centre in Effingham, chosen for the first time as our congregation point for elevenses. I'm sure we shall return. Tables were reserved, staff friendly and the atmosphere convivial. At first we had two leaders each with one follower, but numbers swelled to about 25 before we each set off.

The A group did not have time to get into its stride before a pause was called at the Church of St Lawrence to visit the grave of Barnes Neville Wallis, of bouncing bomb renown. Some anxiety was expressed at the rather unhealthy interest being shown by certain leaders in visiting graveyards. Nonetheless, we were soon happily bouncing along northward on roads more familiar in the opposite direction. Conditions were mercifully snow and ice free as we passed Martyr's Green, Cobham, Stoke d'Abernon, Oxshott and Malden Rushett to reach the outskirts of Epsom.

At Stamford Green we turned South and started to gain altitude as we headed towards Woodcote, the RAC Club and Langley Vale. Here snow still covered the hills and fields, but the lanes were clear as we reached our lunch-time stop - the Cock Inn at Headley. A Cock stop, as it were. We were expected and served with staple fare, though the IPA was a little sour but changed without quibble.

Offered the choice of a longer or a shorter ride to tea, the vote was unequivocal; no need for putinesque ballot rigging. Banstead it would be, via Walton and Kingswood (where we had time for a minor altercation with a hooting motorist), before a warming ride to Pistachios for an early tea. Soon it was time to remount, with a sporting chance of getting home in the light. I shall not question Mark's Garmin which recorded a distance of 26.57 miles from elevenses to tea - and a minimum temperature of -2.4 degrees C.

My thanks to all for a cautious ride - no thrills but no spills.

Jeff

B Group 8th February

What a good turnout for a new venue on a bitterly cold day! Starting so close to the hills and not being able to go up them was a huge disappointment for some though for others probably a sigh of relief! Having recced possible routes on Saturday, Monday & Tuesday (and seen the snow), today’s route felt rather strange and was definitely a compromise.
17 of us emerged from the Effingham Vineries Garden Centre to find some suspicious white stuff on our bikes. Turning into the wind with a distinct chill factor that was to last until tea , we made our way across Great Bookham Common to the Tilt area in Cobham and on towards Esher via Fairmile Lane. We avoided Esher itself by dipping down into West End. After photographs of Wayneflete’s Tower (an impressive 15th century brick gatehouse, which is all that remains of the palace of the Bishop of Winchester) and now on a private estate, we descended by Sandown Park to Hampton Court. Using the towpath to Kingston Bridge we got to The Anglers pub at Teddington Lock around 1pm.
Lunch was leisurely despite the prompt service – we needed to re-connect with our extremities! Then it was across the bridge and on to the towpath to Richmond Bridge. It was my intention to go on to Kew and back through North Sheen to Richmond Park but after discussion and with the increasingly grey look about everything we turned up Richmond Hill to the Park and “enjoyed” the bracing run down to Roehampton Gate and tea 23 miles from coffee (17 before lunch and 6 afterwards).
In view of the cold a few rightly turned for home after lunch and then even more did so on the way to tea where there were just 4 of us. It was here we “finally turned the corner” away from the wind but all 4 of us had to go up Broomfield Hill to get to our various homes. I did a modest 41 miles – others will have done more – and despite the unremitting cold it was a good day out, and I am glad to say, with no dramas.
Peter T

B Group - 8th February

Peter T's ride from Effingham Vineries to Teddington Lock for lunch and on to the Richmond Park café for tea, 23 miles

Some pictures of Jeff's 'A' Group's ride

Snow in Walton on the Hill

Apologies to Jeff for missing the turn after visiting Barns Wallis grave but I then decided upon two things:

Firstly to visit Jolana at the Ramada East Horsley, some of you will remember her from Denbies last year at tea - well at least I do. Jolana has offered to help with accomodation for Paraplegic Paul Smith's wheelchair of hope ride in April to raise £55k for Children in Need.

Secondly I then rode the first lap of Kingston Wheelers Sporting 14 mile TT course starting in Ripley and around Hungry Hill, surprisingly clear of snow apart from one very dodgy corner. I hope it's still OK on Sunday 12 Feb.

Finally on arriving home this evening I had to walk along Meadow Walk it was so icy with lots of snow still piled high! It's tough at the top (of North Downs)!

Phil Mark

This is a news about one of our easy riders leader.As you all know phil mark had been a long time rider with wayfarers and he was to lead our wednesday ride.few days back Jeff sent the news that Phil had a fall few days back and he is in the hospital and wanted a new leader for the wednesday ride. Phil tetephoned me on tuesday evening to tell me this news which shook me. He was riding with Uxbridge section week before last,after about 20 miles all of a sudden he felt unbalanced and fell down other riders helped him up and he got on the bike again after about 2 miles he fell dizzy again and fell down and hurt himself . The ambulance was called and he was taken to the hospital where they asked him wht he fell. When he told them that he felt unbalanced they did a scan on hid head and found a tumor he was taken to Royal Marsden where they confirmed that the tumore is cancerous He is waiting to get addmited for treatment which he will know what kind. This is the news so far. He promised to keep in touch and anything I hear I will let everyone know.Mark Roy

A Group 8th February

A well judged ride from Jeff today - quiet roads, but not so quiet that they were ribbons of ice, and a steady pace to keep the cold at bay. 26.57 miles from elevenses at Effingham to tea at Banstead; lunch at the rehabilitated Cock Inn, Headley. Rolling average 11.4 mph, lowest temperature -2.4ºC on Chequers Lane, Walton on the Hill.

(Yes, that is minus 2.4ºC!)

Mark