Glorious spring weather inspired us all - I've never seen so many Wayfarers at Dorking - almost 60 of us, including several guests, Janice, Pam back from her long holiday and a new man whose name I failed to note. What with another big turn-out at Kingston, this might rate as our record. Somewhere amongst you all there must be someone willing to assume the mantle of Wayfarers Secretary, from which I announced at our AGM I was retiring - nobody has done me the favour of even enquiring about what is involved, which is worrying me a lot. We can't get to the next AGM with no-one in the frame. For starters, is there someone willing to take on receiving leaders reports, editing as necessary and distributing to members and to the Wayfarers blogsite? If not, we will have to discontinue weekly Newsletters.
Unseasonably warm weather brought out the Spring flowers and also Wayfarers in profusion at Dorking. There were far too many in 'A' group to name individually, but I counted 26 starters, which may be some sort of record. Frank C helpfully held some riders back so as not to form too large a peleton. We set off strictly due South down Chart Lane, through Blackbrook, past Henfold Lake and into Newdigate. Then the route took us into Rusper, where we regrouped before dropping down across the A264, across the railway line at Little Haven and into Roffey. A contingent then peeled off to get lunch in Horsham (unfortunately finding Wetherspoons tempoarily closed but an open pub next door), while the main group carried on through Roffey up the hill to the Dragon at Colgate, where it was warm enough to lunch outside, not bad for March.
Confounding the doubters, the 'Horsham' contingent rejoined us at the Dragon as planned, and we set off down Tower Road towards Faygate. Hardly had we started, though, when a loud explosion stopped us in our tracks. First impressions that pigeon shooting might be behind this were found to be false, the real culprit being Pete Mitchell's rear tyre, with several inches of material being blown away from the wire. What luck that Ed carried a spare. Not to be outdone, Ian also picked up a puncture on this stretch. After that, there were no further mishaps, and we took a fairly direct route back via Lambs Green, Langhurst and along Partridge Lane into Brockham, finishing up at Denbies for tea. After that most headed back via Leatherhead, where Ray and I spent some money on bike bits at Lidl before returning home. Rob
If I hear from 'B' group, I'll pass it on.
The weather is still great; sunshine all the way and no wind. Harold led a pretty large 'C' contingent from the Bradbury Centre in Kingston en route for The Stoneleigh pub in Epsom where a few remained as it was pretty early when we arrived so we pressed on to Lynda`s watering hole, The Spring Tavern in Ewell. Apart from Harold and me there was Lynda, Carol, Helga, Mark, Bill, Roger and Dave who made it to Ewell. At the start there were Fuzz, Dennis, Bill and Pat Mathews, a couple of chaps new to me, Paul and John (not one of our regular Johns). Most of the route was rather urban with a few spots of offroad. When we got back to Hampton Court for tea, Harold only claimed a third share in the navigation with Lynda and Dave! It was good to see Tom and John H at elevenses. Guess I`ll soon be joining them soon in the senior age group. I clocked up 36 miles and felt pretty bushed but am now recovering with my usual whisky/mac. bless you ------------------------- Albert
p.s. Apologies Harold for missing your name on my last report!! ----- A.
Olleh Hub
Unseasonably warm weather brought out the Spring flowers and also Wayfarers in profusion at Dorking. There were far too many in 'A' group to name individually, but I counted 26 starters, which may be some sort of record. Frank C helpfully held some riders back so as not to form too large a peleton. We set off strictly due South down Chart Lane, through Blackbrook, past Henfold Lake and into Newdigate. Then the route took us into Rusper, where we regrouped before dropping down across the A264, across the railway line at Little Haven and into Roffey. A contingent then peeled off to get lunch in Horsham (unfortunately finding Wetherspoons tempoarily closed but an open pub next door), while the main group carried on through Roffey up the hill to the Dragon at Colgate, where it was warm enough to lunch outside, not bad for March.
Confounding the doubters, the 'Horsham' contingent rejoined us at the Dragon as planned, and we set off down Tower Road towards Faygate. Hardly had we started, though, when a loud explosion stopped us in our tracks. First impressions that pigeon shooting might be behind this were found to be false, the real culprit being Pete Mitchell's rear tyre, with several inches of material being blown away from the wire. What luck that Ed carried a spare. Not to be outdone, Ian also picked up a puncture on this stretch. After that, there were no further mishaps, and we took a fairly direct route back via Lambs Green, Langhurst and along Partridge Lane into Brockham, finishing up at Denbies for tea. After that most headed back via Leatherhead, where Ray and I spent some money on bike bits at Lidl before returning home. Rob
If I hear from 'B' group, I'll pass it on.
The weather is still great; sunshine all the way and no wind. Harold led a pretty large 'C' contingent from the Bradbury Centre in Kingston en route for The Stoneleigh pub in Epsom where a few remained as it was pretty early when we arrived so we pressed on to Lynda`s watering hole, The Spring Tavern in Ewell. Apart from Harold and me there was Lynda, Carol, Helga, Mark, Bill, Roger and Dave who made it to Ewell. At the start there were Fuzz, Dennis, Bill and Pat Mathews, a couple of chaps new to me, Paul and John (not one of our regular Johns). Most of the route was rather urban with a few spots of offroad. When we got back to Hampton Court for tea, Harold only claimed a third share in the navigation with Lynda and Dave! It was good to see Tom and John H at elevenses. Guess I`ll soon be joining them soon in the senior age group. I clocked up 36 miles and felt pretty bushed but am now recovering with my usual whisky/mac. bless you ------------------------- Albert
p.s. Apologies Harold for missing your name on my last report!! ----- A.
Olleh Hub
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