Thursday, October 05, 2006

October 4th 2006

Hello Wayfarers and friends

Great to see so many at Cobham yesterday, particularly John Hammond, due to become our second nonog in three weeks time. Norman seemed to have fine riding in Belgium - bikes being given priority wherever sharing with other traffic. Good news from Albert - his pacemaker is good for another 12 months (our third nonog?), keeping more than just him on the road - where would we be without his weekly reports. After about four rides with us, it is time I welcomed Bill Parkhouse to our ranks. We also greeted Stephanie, seriously considering joining our rides.

'A' group, led by Bob, descended en masse on The Swan at Redhill after a typically devious route, so I believe, having taken time out myself.

As last minute (literally) 'B' Group replacement leader, I had never before led a B ride. My hastily formulated plan was for an off-the-cuff route, which combined elements of two C rides earlier this year. The pre-lunch leg from Cobham, via Ripley, to Pyrford Lock should have been about 10 or 11 miles, which is rather shorter than on a typical B group ride. So it was lucky that I missed the turning from Pyrford village to the lock, and we ended up going the long way round via West Byfleet, thus adding two or three miles to the morning run. All 13 starters (Anita, Beattie, Carole, Christine, Liz, Cliff, John G, John M, John S, Les, Nev, Norman, Terry) had lunch at the Anchor pub at Pyrford lock (long wait for food, but good when it came). Carole and Anita had to leave early to get back to Sutton/Cheam before 3p.m. So now we were eleven. After lunch, we set off southwards down the tow-path next to the River Wey Navigation. I had intended to turn left from the tow-path onto Wharf Lane, but was confused by a public footpath notice, and turned off too early. We found ourselves on a wide, well-paved, winding path through the greens and lakes of Wisley Golf Course.
When we got to the Club House, I called a halt to look at the map. Three of our number did not wait for the decision to turn South, and instead turned North which would have taken them back to Pyrford Lock. We waited for them for a few minutes but they did not return; so now we were eight. At the Southern exit from the Golf Course, the big gate on the bridge over the River Wey opened automatically for us (NB: this doesn't work when cycling in the reverse direction). We turned left into Mill Lane, crossed under the A3, and proceeded via Ockham and Martyrs Green to Downside. We then took off-road paths to Stoke D'Abernon, private roads to Oxshott and paths through the woods to Claygate, and crossed under the Kingston by-pass to tea at the Long Ditton Garden Centre. As the sun was now shining again, we decided to sit outside. Les was last to come out with his pot of tea-and ten miniature bags of brown sugar. He poured his first cup of tea and emptied all ten sugar bags into it. Having drunk the first cup, he went inside and emerged with twelve more sugar bags for his second cup. Having drunk the second cup, he took the teapot in for more hot water, and emerged with fifteen more sugar bags, all of which he opened and put into his third cup. Les is the thinnest man I know, and I need to lose weight. It therefore seems logical for me to try a soft brown sugar diet. In case it doesn't show, I'll let you know how I get on. John Gould

A bit cooler but good weather for cycling. With Roger leading, there was Lynda, Mark, Fuzz, Harold, Ron, Dave, Frank, Bill/Albert, John Knox, Dennis (around the halfway mark we saw him coming the other way!) , Bill and Pat Matthews and I, setting off for The Jovial Sailor at Ripley. With a feeling of relief we passed the turning at Plough Lane and took an unmarked right turn half a mile further on then a left up Ockham Lane, at the end of which we did a right and left at Ockham village church. There were a few climbs for about two miles but the roads were quiet and mostly traffic free until we got to Barns Lane where we crossed the roundabout with the Portsmouth Road. I thought maybe the venue had changed as we were going into Send, but a right turn at Send Marsh Road brought us back in the direction of Ripley just a few yards short of The Jovial Sailor. After lunch we made for Cobham Day Centre via Ripley village with a right turn at the corner cafe bakery, back over the A3 to the Ockham Road and down Plough Lane where I was still trying to catch up. I caught Ron on the long downhill as he was trying to see how far he could freewheel. Most of the group made it for tea and by the time I reached home I had clocked 31 miles. Thanks for a good ride Roger. Afraid I'm getting too old! --------- Albert

Don't miss the Ripley cycle jumble sale this Saturday - head West out of Ripley and it held in the school on your left after about 500metres. Same old faces - same old format - unmissable!

This Sunday, why not cycle off main road with Brian via the Wandle, the Ravensbourne and Greenwich Foot Tunnel to The Cycle Shoe at Excel E14 - leave Cheam Station (South side) at 09:00 - allow all day.

Wayfarers AGM takes place next Wednesday at Hersham Village Hall (adjoining Day Centre) at 11am. Agendas and previous meeting minutes were distributed at Cobham (please bring them to the meeting) or will be available at elevenses. I have asked (nominated) Pete Barnard to chair the meeting and he has kindly agreed. Anyone arriving at about 10:30 to help put out the chairs would be most welcome!

Olleh greaseless Hub

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