Tuesday, July 11, 2006

July 5th More

Back from my short West Country holiday in excellent weather, I find masses of emails including an encouraging message from Bernard:
Dear Brian I'm out! I came home on Monday from 4 weeks isolation at Kings after my bone marrow transplant. Low energy, thinner, poor appetite and hairless but otherwise OK. All are standard symptoms and will recover. I'll be back on
my bike ASAP! Regards to all Bernard

Fuzz, overheard at tea stop, said his recovery program has embraced three rides, including the Wandle Carnival where he got a free lunch, the London Gardens ride where he got a free drink and the West End ride where (most beneficial to his recovery) he got to see three hundred nudist riders!

From Rob, leading 'A' group from Cobham on Wednesday: Thunderstorms were forecast for today's ride, and a few us got a good soaking en route to Cobham. But in the event, the rain kindly held off for us, only coming down when we were safely ensconced under canvas at lunch. In view of the weather forecast, a ride of modest length was embarked on, by Irene, Pam, Nigel, Ed, John M, Frank H, Julian, Graham, Rob, Ray, Pete M and Vic. Our route took us up Blundel lane to Oxshott, then down Fairmile Lane to Malden Rushett towards Epsom. We then branched off at Christchurch through the woods to the Wells Estate (origin of Epsom salts) and up Wilmerhatch Lane. A detour through Ashtead Park gave onto a pastoral view of the scholars at City Freemans school playing cricket. Then it was up the rise to Headley before climbing the hill on Hurst Lane to Walton on the Hill, where we had lunch at the Chequers, one of many watering holes frequented by the late George Best.
Frank, Graham and Nigel departed separately after lunch (we had already lost John M to a shopping trip), and the rest of us passed Headley Heath before drifting down the hill to Leatherhead where Pam bought a new mech for her bike. Finally we pressed on for an extended tea at Seymours, where we basked in the warm afternoon sunshine, as we watched Pete make short work of a 'Wimbledon special' of (what else?) strawberries and cream. Rob

Because of his absence this week, Brian asked that ride reports be sent to Pete, but may have given a dud address: At elevenses, Mark Roy celebrated completion of two stages of his charity "end to end" ride by buying tea and biscuits for all who made it to Cobham. Thank you, Mark. 'C' group starters were Mark, Bill, Fuzz, Dennis, Philip, Beryl, Roger, John G, Albert and Ron. Although many of us were soaked by a heavy shower on our way to the British Legion Hall at Cobham , there was no more rain during the ride, and temperatures were comfortable. In the morning, we cycled from Cobham along very quiet country roads to Ockham, Ripley, Pyrford Village, and Pyrford Lock. Front wheel problems caused Ron so drop out early. Fuzz and Dennis took alternative routes, but arrived safely to join the rest of us for lunch at the Anchor Inn overlooking families of ducks and Swans on the Wey Canal. Albert, being only 3 or 4 miles from his home, left us immediately after lunch. The rest of us took the towpath Southwards and then a track to Ockham Mill. Here we had to lift our bikes (thanks Philip for all yr hard work helping everyone else) and ourselves over a locked gate before emerging on Mill Lane. We crossed under the A3 and proceeded via Ockham, Downside and two off-road tracks to emerge on River Lane, Stoke D'Abernon. Seven of us stopped for tea at the bakery by Cobham and Stoke D'Abernon station ( Bill's recommendation) before dispersing to our homes.
Regards John Gould

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