Thursday, July 27, 2006

July 26th

Dear All, writes DA treasurer and CTC National Committee member Simon Legg, Our August Coast Ride will depart Hyde Park Corner at midnight on Friday 11th August, and proceed via coffee and cakes at Gatwick Village, to Brighton. I had planned something slightly more strenuous this month, but we'll be joined by people who could find London-Brighton mileage quite sufficient. Do come along, bring good lights, and waterproofs. If you've questions, please get in touch before the 4th August, because I'm on holiday from the 5th. And, should you want to know what you've been missing, don't be put off by accounts of the last ride on.....

http://bikereader.com/forum/index.php?topic=15789.0
http://bikereader.com/forum/index.php?topic=18485.0

Simon

This was the toughest 'A' ride of the year. Getting to Caterham is quite an achievement, especially if, like Don, you start from Walton on Thames - not so bad if, like Mike, you start from Walton on the Hill. It usually sorts out the men from the boys and girls. After elevenses the weather was as hot as last Wednesday and the route for the six of us (Don, Mike, Nigel, Toni, Ed and Brian) took in four major climbs, including Salt Box Hill up to Biggin Hill airport (the cycling-famous Salt Box Café has given way to housing with splendid views) and Perry's Hill culminating in a 1in4 summit in Cudham. Even so, the final climb to The Crown PH on the North Downs at Knockholt seemed the hardest of the day. Suitably refreshed, we returned along the crest of the North Downs to Woldingham where cream teas were a highlight, before returning via Kenley, Purley and Woodmansterne and going our separate ways from Banstead (still 500ft above sea level). Don must have covered about 80 hard miles - well up to Le Tour standards.

Meanwhile, 'B' group of Terry, John M, Frank H, John S and myself, left Caterham Day Centre, via Burntwood Road, Woldingham Road, Woldingham School, The Ridge. When we got to Oxted, outside Old Oxted PH we all felt thirsty, lunch intention had been to go to Dormansland, that was abandoned.
After lunch, on to Godstone, Bletchingley to Merstham for tea at Hungers End. After tea, John S looked for a railway station (look behind you!!!). Terry and John M headed for Redhill. Frank H and I rode back to North Cheam. Les.

We had a very good 'C' group turnout at Hersham considering the hot weather. Around fifteen of us with Phil in the lead, set off for lunch at the Old Plough near Horsell. There was Mark, Bill, Harold, Roger, Fuzz, Beryl, Ron, two Johns, Dennis, Tom and myself and the names of the other one will come to mind when I recover from 38 miles in that heat! The route started off as usual around the green at Hersham and up to the roundabout where we entered St Georges Hills, emerging at Brooklands Road, then right into the Brooklands Trading Estate, then into the wilds of Byfleet after which a great deal of offroad took place. I recognized the bridge we crossed with some difficulty over the Wey Navigation Canal from the time we gave Ron a hand to get his recumbent over on another occasion. The farm roads were familiar and we emerged at our destination to a welcome pint. Tea was to be at Shepperton and happily we stayed on the tarmac on a very pleasant route via the Chobham Road, Stonehills Road, down Holloway Hill and through Chertsey, crossing Chertsey Bridge after which a diversion along by the river to Ferry Lane and through Lower Shepperton to the day centre where we had the aforesaid tea. By this time we were only down to ten. Not bad considering the weather and mileage most of the others still had to cover. Not a very comprehensive report I'm afraid. Perhaps one or more of you might try a fill-in? Fantastic spot of leading though, Phil ---------------- Albert

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