Our former Wayfarers secretary, Geoff Avis, now resident in West Bridgeford, Notts, writes: So sad that Bill Stead our last founder member has finally had to leave us. The ultimate clubman in his heyday, club-runs he often led explored so many little known ways that he once fooled us into doing a circular tour near Chobham, until we realised we had crossed the same ford previously! His bike technology was pretty high, as a visit to his basement would show; wheel building and rebuilding of bikes recovered from skips aplenty. I'll remember him as a quiet gentleman. Geoff Avis Many Wayfarers paid their last respects to revered Bill at Putney Vale Crematorium 21Aug06.
A flying start from Fairoaks saw Vic lead 'A' group of Pam, her friend John [welcome again, John], John B, Ray, Graham, Frank H, Pete B, Pete M, Pete Matthews (good to see you out all day with us, Pete), Mike M, Grant, Ed (I love tarmac), Bob and Brian to the Normandy Inn via Chobham, Bisley and much delightful woodland pathway. Refreshed, more off-road saw us emerge at Wood Street, on through Jacobs Well and A3 path to Burpham, over A3 and into the woods again, ignoring a no-entry sign where concrete was chopped up (Ed prefers tarmac) back to tea at Cobham, where we met Dennis for news of 'C' group. A really good day out.
Meanwhile, Frank C rode to Kensington to meet Suzanne [our very welcome visitor from OZ for three weeks], took her to North Cheam to meet Ron, Doreen, Judy and Nigel. Steady ride to Teddington then circular route to Sunbury and lunch at the Swan Thames Ditton, then to Richmond Park for three's, after which we rode back to Kensington. She will have no trouble riding with 'A' group. Frank
Hello Brian; I led Stephanie (see you at half-term?), David (ditto), Ed N, Jon, Nev, Norman and Robin from the fascination of Fairoaks to Bisley via Chobham. Hearing sporadic gunfire from the ranges we ducked our heads, crossed our fingers, bated our breath and sped past the camp to emerge unharmed near Pirbright Bridge. Heading west we turned off the main road at Curzon Bridge and took to the canal towpath, but before long we had to use a diversion which led to Deepcut bridge. Continuing westwards, after crossing the canal we doubled back on ourselves to rejoin the towpath just before Frimley Green and continued on it to lunch at The Swan at Ash Vale - a pleasant place to stop alongside the canal. Continuing along the towpath we soon arrived at Ash aqueduct. (Apparently when building the aqueduct in the early 90s to cross the A331 then under construction, River Blackwater had to be slightly re-routed. The bats present had to be relocated and living quarters for them were constructed on a nearby island. Would this be a battery?). We then followed the cycle track alongside the River Blackwater to Tongham, where we rejoined the road, straight past the Hog's Back Brewery (sorry no guided tour), under the A31 then a nice peaceful ride through Seale to Puttenham, A31 traffic noise just a distant whoosh/hum vaguely somewhere to the left. The road from Puttenham to Compton was rather busy, but soon we were on the cycle track almost to Shalford, then a fairly peaceful ride through Chilworth and Albury to rather late 3s at Shere. Nev left us here, we stoked up before beginning the assault on Coombe Bottom, then straight on past Surrey Hills Brewery (sorry no guided tour), a brief stop to admire the view at the top of Staple Lane and a glorious freewheel to the A246. Straight over then via the lanes to Cobham and beyond, I left the remainder of the group at The Black Swan (originally re-opening in August, now due for completion 'in September' - will it become the Wembley of Surrey?). Terry [Thanks for leading at short notice, Terry - sounds a great and tough ride].
I still have trouble finding Elleray Hall but after a 12 mile ride, I met Harold who still found it rather difficult to make the last quarter mile of the Teddington maze of roads. The weather was perfect and we had a good 'C' group turnout led by Lynda followed by Tom on his Cartwright having had his best bike stolen, then Beryl, Helga, Ron, Dave, Roger, Mark, Dennis and me. I counted ten after we got into Church Road but Dennis must have dropped off before we got to the Thames towpath where we had a pleasant ride until we reached the stone steps of the bridge where Ron and Dave declared, I think on behalf of those of us who are either aged, infirm or otherwise unwilling to shoulder our bikes, they knew of a better alternative to reach our lunch venue, The New Inn at Ham. We arrived first but after about ten minutes the rest of the group turned up and we had a most pleasant lunch in the sunshine. Lynda's intention was for tea at Hampton Court, which put me back on the towpath for home. I would like to have stayed for tea but I had an appointment for dinner and being (unusual for me) out of stock, had to pick up a bottle of wine --------- Albert
Friday evening 29Sep06 gives Wayfarer film buffs the chance to see the great Carol Reid epic "Lawrence of Arabia", starring Peter O'Toole as El Orrance. Nigel has kindly offered his gracious home as venue and Ed offers interval cakes and Brian has some tasty wine. We start 7pm sharp, as the running length is 3¾ hours (unexpurgated edition). Accommodation is limited, so let us know if you are coming.
Otherwise, see you at SWLDA club at Worcester Park 8:30pm tonight, at Westminster on Sunday for the Tour of Britain final laps or at Cobham 10:30 Wednesday.
A flying start from Fairoaks saw Vic lead 'A' group of Pam, her friend John [welcome again, John], John B, Ray, Graham, Frank H, Pete B, Pete M, Pete Matthews (good to see you out all day with us, Pete), Mike M, Grant, Ed (I love tarmac), Bob and Brian to the Normandy Inn via Chobham, Bisley and much delightful woodland pathway. Refreshed, more off-road saw us emerge at Wood Street, on through Jacobs Well and A3 path to Burpham, over A3 and into the woods again, ignoring a no-entry sign where concrete was chopped up (Ed prefers tarmac) back to tea at Cobham, where we met Dennis for news of 'C' group. A really good day out.
Meanwhile, Frank C rode to Kensington to meet Suzanne [our very welcome visitor from OZ for three weeks], took her to North Cheam to meet Ron, Doreen, Judy and Nigel. Steady ride to Teddington then circular route to Sunbury and lunch at the Swan Thames Ditton, then to Richmond Park for three's, after which we rode back to Kensington. She will have no trouble riding with 'A' group. Frank
Hello Brian; I led Stephanie (see you at half-term?), David (ditto), Ed N, Jon, Nev, Norman and Robin from the fascination of Fairoaks to Bisley via Chobham. Hearing sporadic gunfire from the ranges we ducked our heads, crossed our fingers, bated our breath and sped past the camp to emerge unharmed near Pirbright Bridge. Heading west we turned off the main road at Curzon Bridge and took to the canal towpath, but before long we had to use a diversion which led to Deepcut bridge. Continuing westwards, after crossing the canal we doubled back on ourselves to rejoin the towpath just before Frimley Green and continued on it to lunch at The Swan at Ash Vale - a pleasant place to stop alongside the canal. Continuing along the towpath we soon arrived at Ash aqueduct. (Apparently when building the aqueduct in the early 90s to cross the A331 then under construction, River Blackwater had to be slightly re-routed. The bats present had to be relocated and living quarters for them were constructed on a nearby island. Would this be a battery?). We then followed the cycle track alongside the River Blackwater to Tongham, where we rejoined the road, straight past the Hog's Back Brewery (sorry no guided tour), under the A31 then a nice peaceful ride through Seale to Puttenham, A31 traffic noise just a distant whoosh/hum vaguely somewhere to the left. The road from Puttenham to Compton was rather busy, but soon we were on the cycle track almost to Shalford, then a fairly peaceful ride through Chilworth and Albury to rather late 3s at Shere. Nev left us here, we stoked up before beginning the assault on Coombe Bottom, then straight on past Surrey Hills Brewery (sorry no guided tour), a brief stop to admire the view at the top of Staple Lane and a glorious freewheel to the A246. Straight over then via the lanes to Cobham and beyond, I left the remainder of the group at The Black Swan (originally re-opening in August, now due for completion 'in September' - will it become the Wembley of Surrey?). Terry [Thanks for leading at short notice, Terry - sounds a great and tough ride].
I still have trouble finding Elleray Hall but after a 12 mile ride, I met Harold who still found it rather difficult to make the last quarter mile of the Teddington maze of roads. The weather was perfect and we had a good 'C' group turnout led by Lynda followed by Tom on his Cartwright having had his best bike stolen, then Beryl, Helga, Ron, Dave, Roger, Mark, Dennis and me. I counted ten after we got into Church Road but Dennis must have dropped off before we got to the Thames towpath where we had a pleasant ride until we reached the stone steps of the bridge where Ron and Dave declared, I think on behalf of those of us who are either aged, infirm or otherwise unwilling to shoulder our bikes, they knew of a better alternative to reach our lunch venue, The New Inn at Ham. We arrived first but after about ten minutes the rest of the group turned up and we had a most pleasant lunch in the sunshine. Lynda's intention was for tea at Hampton Court, which put me back on the towpath for home. I would like to have stayed for tea but I had an appointment for dinner and being (unusual for me) out of stock, had to pick up a bottle of wine --------- Albert
Friday evening 29Sep06 gives Wayfarer film buffs the chance to see the great Carol Reid epic "Lawrence of Arabia", starring Peter O'Toole as El Orrance. Nigel has kindly offered his gracious home as venue and Ed offers interval cakes and Brian has some tasty wine. We start 7pm sharp, as the running length is 3¾ hours (unexpurgated edition). Accommodation is limited, so let us know if you are coming.
Otherwise, see you at SWLDA club at Worcester Park 8:30pm tonight, at Westminster on Sunday for the Tour of Britain final laps or at Cobham 10:30 Wednesday.
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