Hello Wayfarers and Friends
Almost 200 people turned out in the rain at Leatherhead Crematorium on Monday morning for Ron Beams' funeral - a moving testament to our great friend. Later, a short celebration of Ron's long life was held at the Old Plough Stoke D'Abernon hosted by his family in place of the party they planned for August. £100 was given by Wayfarers to Cancer Research UK, comprising £25 from our funds and generous personal donations from several members.
Later, at our DA committee meeting in my house, Jill brought in the phone for me to learn that I had won the raffle at Cobham RBL and that I was now "The Rocking Horse Winner"*. I suggested a re-draw, but they would have none of it. Another call within minutes was from Thelma (who, with Hazel and Joyce had been at Ron's funeral) at RBL Cobham, inviting me to donate the rocking horse to the Shooting Star Hospice for children, and this will be done in our Wayfarers name. *A DH Lawrence novel and 1950 movie.
Seven left North Cheam for our earlyish start for elevenses at Newlands Corner. After running the gauntlet of the Dirtham Dogs, Cliff was not seen again, so I hope you are OK, Cliff. Twenty five or so assembled at The Barn, including Gill who returned home with 40 miles under her belt after several weeks of non-cycling activity. I asked Julian to write our 'A' group report, which follows.
Stunning views as the North Downs emerged from slight haze made an excellent start for sixteen members of 'A' group - Brian, Bob, John S, John M, Frank H, Steve, Ray, Nigel, Pete M, Irene, Gino, Vic, Pete B, Ed S, Mike M and Julian - setting off from Newlands Corner following our leader Brian along the North Downs Way to Pewley Down. After whizzing down the cobbles to the pedestrian bridge in the centre of Guildford, where Gino encountered mechanical problems, we forced ourselves up The Mount to the start of the Hog's Back then down past Watts Gallery at Compton and over A3 to Puttenham, then south to the Woolpack at Elstead (second new pub in as many weeks). Here the beer was good, but both it and the food were expensive. Bob remembered an appointment at Wetherspoons in Godalming, but not until he had approved the beer and rearranged the garden furniture to ensure our comfort. Our ride was turning out to be an invigorating mixture of off-road, some of it muddy, with a fair number of hills.
The way back took us under A3 at aptly named Hurtmore, through Farncombe, past Loseley Park, Littleton, and on to the Pilgrim's Way. John S turned north to catch a train from Guildford and Vic and others went with him. Pete M punctured and arranged to meet us at Abinger for tea. The rest of us kept to the Pilgrim's Way, crossing the Wey via the wooden bridge that we took care not to jump or dive from and took a mysterious and sandy track [more Pilgrim's Way], past Chantry Wood to the road at St Martha's Church. At this high point, it seemed better to make for Newlands for tea, rather than drop back to Abinger. Ray rang Pete M, who said he preferred Abinger as he was already there. After the mud, sand and hills we were all glad of high tea at Newlands (not The Barn this time, but the excellent outdoor café). The ride wasn't particularly long but, as Ray said, 'they were quality miles' and weather and scenery were magnificent. Thank you, Brian.
[and thank you, Julian - 67 quality miles for me!]
Replying to my apology for the communications glitch, Pete M writes:
Puncture mended quickly. Ray's call enabled me to climb Netley Hill instead of White Downs affording a stop among the bluebells and an offer of tea from Pete Cook (Epsom CC) who lives round the corner from Terry. Pete M
A fantastic ride, thank you, Brian. Just to fill you in on the back markers. Not sure what happened to Pete M etc but Pete B, Gino and me were off the back going up the hill before descending into Guildford and lost you all. [apologies for more poor leading] I had waited for Gino as we had done most of the day. Having descended into Guildford we took the Leatherhead road back and Pete left us at East Clandon leaving Gino and I to make our way back via Leatherhead without stopping for tea. Gino punctured to add to his mechanical problems and in the end said he would go into Leatherhead and get it fixed at the bike shop after pumping his tyre up several times.
I made my way up over Headley and home to reinisce on a glorious day out with men (and woman) of like mind. Best regards to all. Mike M.
Meanwhile, Norman led 'B' group from Newland's Corner to Cranleigh and I saw Terry looking very fresh heading south from Leatherhead around tea time.
In response to my overture "Your poetic prose is keenly awaited"
Harold writes: My 'C' ride was forsaken to the tender mercy of Roger and the gentle hand of Lynda, at least that's what the plan was. This improvement of leadership made possible by the breaking of a tooth followed by two weeks of anti things, then the spectacle of a grown man "escorted into the dentist chair resisting pushing and pulling with limbs all of a tremble". This not the whole tooth, make up your own mind about the fearless fellow who is now minus the cause but still has the pain. Sorry I can't oblige Brian but you know - don't like writing reports and will find any excuse not to.
Harold [Good job we've got our Albert]
In warm and sunny weather around twenty of us left Molesey Day Centre en-route for Nonsuch Park and a picnic lunch. Lynda took the lead in the absence of Harold. There were a number of riders whose names I did not know apart from Beryl, Lynda, Carole, Bill, Mark, Ron. Dave, Roger, Phil, Dennis, John C, Derek and Geoff. I did get the name of the tandem stoker, Doreen, her husband [Ron] being on the end with the brakes and her brother-in-law [Frank] on a solo. The route took us through a few shortcuts and a bit of off-road during which I managed to get in the way of a lamp standard without serious injury. I have followed Lynda around the environs of Cheam on previous occasions but still need to keep my eyes on the mudguard in front! About eight of us purchased a snack lunch at the bakery in Cheam and consumed same in the sunshine and well-kept gardens of Nonsuch Park. Much of the ride after this was pretty urban and we took tea in a most upmarket spot which in the past had been a RAF medical establishment. With directions from Lynda and the company of Bill I made my way home via Claygate, Esher, Hersham and Weybridge having clocked up 39 miles and over four hours ride time. Next week should be a doddle!! Albert
Almost 200 people turned out in the rain at Leatherhead Crematorium on Monday morning for Ron Beams' funeral - a moving testament to our great friend. Later, a short celebration of Ron's long life was held at the Old Plough Stoke D'Abernon hosted by his family in place of the party they planned for August. £100 was given by Wayfarers to Cancer Research UK, comprising £25 from our funds and generous personal donations from several members.
Later, at our DA committee meeting in my house, Jill brought in the phone for me to learn that I had won the raffle at Cobham RBL and that I was now "The Rocking Horse Winner"*. I suggested a re-draw, but they would have none of it. Another call within minutes was from Thelma (who, with Hazel and Joyce had been at Ron's funeral) at RBL Cobham, inviting me to donate the rocking horse to the Shooting Star Hospice for children, and this will be done in our Wayfarers name. *A DH Lawrence novel and 1950 movie.
Seven left North Cheam for our earlyish start for elevenses at Newlands Corner. After running the gauntlet of the Dirtham Dogs, Cliff was not seen again, so I hope you are OK, Cliff. Twenty five or so assembled at The Barn, including Gill who returned home with 40 miles under her belt after several weeks of non-cycling activity. I asked Julian to write our 'A' group report, which follows.
Stunning views as the North Downs emerged from slight haze made an excellent start for sixteen members of 'A' group - Brian, Bob, John S, John M, Frank H, Steve, Ray, Nigel, Pete M, Irene, Gino, Vic, Pete B, Ed S, Mike M and Julian - setting off from Newlands Corner following our leader Brian along the North Downs Way to Pewley Down. After whizzing down the cobbles to the pedestrian bridge in the centre of Guildford, where Gino encountered mechanical problems, we forced ourselves up The Mount to the start of the Hog's Back then down past Watts Gallery at Compton and over A3 to Puttenham, then south to the Woolpack at Elstead (second new pub in as many weeks). Here the beer was good, but both it and the food were expensive. Bob remembered an appointment at Wetherspoons in Godalming, but not until he had approved the beer and rearranged the garden furniture to ensure our comfort. Our ride was turning out to be an invigorating mixture of off-road, some of it muddy, with a fair number of hills.
The way back took us under A3 at aptly named Hurtmore, through Farncombe, past Loseley Park, Littleton, and on to the Pilgrim's Way. John S turned north to catch a train from Guildford and Vic and others went with him. Pete M punctured and arranged to meet us at Abinger for tea. The rest of us kept to the Pilgrim's Way, crossing the Wey via the wooden bridge that we took care not to jump or dive from and took a mysterious and sandy track [more Pilgrim's Way], past Chantry Wood to the road at St Martha's Church. At this high point, it seemed better to make for Newlands for tea, rather than drop back to Abinger. Ray rang Pete M, who said he preferred Abinger as he was already there. After the mud, sand and hills we were all glad of high tea at Newlands (not The Barn this time, but the excellent outdoor café). The ride wasn't particularly long but, as Ray said, 'they were quality miles' and weather and scenery were magnificent. Thank you, Brian.
[and thank you, Julian - 67 quality miles for me!]
Replying to my apology for the communications glitch, Pete M writes:
Puncture mended quickly. Ray's call enabled me to climb Netley Hill instead of White Downs affording a stop among the bluebells and an offer of tea from Pete Cook (Epsom CC) who lives round the corner from Terry. Pete M
A fantastic ride, thank you, Brian. Just to fill you in on the back markers. Not sure what happened to Pete M etc but Pete B, Gino and me were off the back going up the hill before descending into Guildford and lost you all. [apologies for more poor leading] I had waited for Gino as we had done most of the day. Having descended into Guildford we took the Leatherhead road back and Pete left us at East Clandon leaving Gino and I to make our way back via Leatherhead without stopping for tea. Gino punctured to add to his mechanical problems and in the end said he would go into Leatherhead and get it fixed at the bike shop after pumping his tyre up several times.
I made my way up over Headley and home to reinisce on a glorious day out with men (and woman) of like mind. Best regards to all. Mike M.
Meanwhile, Norman led 'B' group from Newland's Corner to Cranleigh and I saw Terry looking very fresh heading south from Leatherhead around tea time.
In response to my overture "Your poetic prose is keenly awaited"
Harold writes: My 'C' ride was forsaken to the tender mercy of Roger and the gentle hand of Lynda, at least that's what the plan was. This improvement of leadership made possible by the breaking of a tooth followed by two weeks of anti things, then the spectacle of a grown man "escorted into the dentist chair resisting pushing and pulling with limbs all of a tremble". This not the whole tooth, make up your own mind about the fearless fellow who is now minus the cause but still has the pain. Sorry I can't oblige Brian but you know - don't like writing reports and will find any excuse not to.
Harold [Good job we've got our Albert]
In warm and sunny weather around twenty of us left Molesey Day Centre en-route for Nonsuch Park and a picnic lunch. Lynda took the lead in the absence of Harold. There were a number of riders whose names I did not know apart from Beryl, Lynda, Carole, Bill, Mark, Ron. Dave, Roger, Phil, Dennis, John C, Derek and Geoff. I did get the name of the tandem stoker, Doreen, her husband [Ron] being on the end with the brakes and her brother-in-law [Frank] on a solo. The route took us through a few shortcuts and a bit of off-road during which I managed to get in the way of a lamp standard without serious injury. I have followed Lynda around the environs of Cheam on previous occasions but still need to keep my eyes on the mudguard in front! About eight of us purchased a snack lunch at the bakery in Cheam and consumed same in the sunshine and well-kept gardens of Nonsuch Park. Much of the ride after this was pretty urban and we took tea in a most upmarket spot which in the past had been a RAF medical establishment. With directions from Lynda and the company of Bill I made my way home via Claygate, Esher, Hersham and Weybridge having clocked up 39 miles and over four hours ride time. Next week should be a doddle!! Albert
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