Still in one piece!!

Bill phoned me with a brief resume of Roger`s ride on Wednesday to The Half Moon at Ripley and I was sorry to have missed the day .
What with visits to the doctor etc. and my dear friends and family rallying round, I most certainly confirm Mark`s report regarding `God speed`.
I`m sorry I will miss Cobham next week also but I`ll see Bill on our Monday ride. My annual Belgian visitors arrive on Wednesday and stay until Friday so I will have the mine host stuff to do!
My thanks to Mark for his kind step into the breach. God bless you all ----------- Albert

25 April Pics

Our Farnham ride was really good. Photo of Monty's grave stone (via our very knowledgeable leader), and Monty's house. Bob just had to have his photo taken!!!! All for your perusal! Ttfn Pam :) :)

25 April 2007 - C Group

As our usual reporter is Albert did not come to the ride at Hersham the leader Roger took us to the destination Half Moon at Ripley the riders Roger Mark Bill, Ron, Dave, Fuzz,Harold and Beryl, rather thin in numbers, as all the usual girls and other regulars did not come, may be gone to the big ride. Whilst we were having our lunch I asked Bill Hammond if he know anything about Albert as they go together on Monday ride. He told us that Albert had an accident over the weekend a big lorry or a bus squeezed him into a roundabout and he had to get some stiches put in his arm or elbow, but came on Monday in a sorry state and did not stay the whole ride and mentioned that he may have to skip the Wednesday ride. As everybody knows Albert is just about INDESTRUCTABLE and one of those creature you can't keep him down, anyway on behalf of everybody I wish him God speed, is it a right word ? The weather was good after lunch we had our tea at Cobham with thanks to our leader Roger. Harold took some pictures but I am unable to get them in the Blogg.

Mark Roy

John Mason

Hi Brian,
I saw John this afternoon (Monday), he returned home on Saturday. He is cheerful, looks and sounds fine and has a selection of six different pills to take. He mustn't drive for a month and when he sees his doctor shortly I expect he will raise the question of cycling !
Regards, Terry

C Group April 18th

Good turnout at Addlestone although the `Easy Riders` were a bit thin on the ground. The sun was still shining but it was a bit cooler than of late and I decided to wear a vest under my usual outer garment. I was glad of this later when I got stitched up at the hospital after two prangs on the way home; a jay-walker in Cobham and a bus in New Haw. But I must not digress. We had Ron leading with Roger, Beryl, Harold, Fuzz, Mark, Dennis (frequent appearencies), Bill and me. Our destination was The Old Plough at Stoke d`Abernon but some of the route was hazardous in the extreme. Having crossed the footbridge over the A3 near Wisley we got to the point where the logs are intended to stop the traffic on to Wisley airfield and instead of negotiating them as is our wont, we turned left to what must be intended as an alternative route around the airfield. This however seemed to have been churned up into deep holes and called for a lot of walking and muddy feet. Having reached tarmac again we turned down Plough Lane by The Black Swan. After a good downhill run and crossing the motorway bridge we took a right turn after which some discusion about the route and having waited for some of the others, Ron went off on his own to check up. We were in the Downside Common area, so four of us, Roger, Beryl, Fuzz and me went through the farm route to arrive at our destination. The others arrived and Ron declared tea was to be had at Claygate. Time was getting on and wishing to miss the school rush around three o`clock, I pressed on up the Stoke Road to my aforementioned nemisis.
With some bruising and nine stitches in my elbow I was able to leave the hospital by fiveish and caught the rush hour. You can't win `em all ---------------------------------- Albert

B Group April 18th

I just spoke to John Mason's son Steve - they hope to transfer him to St Thomas's or St George's soon for specialist treatment when a bed is available. He'll probably be there for 2/3 days then come home.

Apparently the attack happened Mon afternoon - he'd probably ridden up Bagdon returning from work - he often does. He told his wife Marguerite he had chest pains, she rang up and an ambulance was nearby and arrived very soon. He wants to get up but they haven't tied him down yet !


From Addlestone I led Gill, Brians N and S, Cliff, Harold, Ian, Johns G and S, Mike, Norman, Pete B and Roger to Chobham via Ottershaw and a very quiet Fairoaks, then through Knaphill to join the peace and quiet of the Basingstoke Canal towpath at Brookwood. We left the towpath at Pirbright bridge, rode through Pirbright to have a delicious and mostly quickly served lunch at The Royal Oak.
Shortly after restarting Brian S had a flat rear tyre to repair, then on through Normandy, along Glaziers Lane turning left into Flexford Road. Soon this became unmetalled and we enjoyed the ride through the woods, eventually joining White Hart Lane to Wood Street Village and passing The White Hart pub (I doubt if Phil would recognise the interior now !).
In Stoughton we passed the impressive old Barracks building and thanks to the free Surrey Street map made a slight diversion to see the new CTC office (with hindsight I should have arranged a tea stop there!). For a change we rode along Stringer's Avenue in Jacobs Well and noted Margnor's shop - supplier of quality nuts, bolts, screws etc to the discriminating cyclist, unusually quantity no problem. Tea was planned at Watson's (Ripley) but we arrived too late, so pressed on to Ockham Bites which was closed, decided to try Watson's at Cobham but they were busy sweeping up so we crossed the pedestrian way to the cafe which 'Certainly is open' to quote the manager.
After enjoying our well earned break we were pleasantly surprised by the arrival of Robin, who had been checking out his route for next week's trip to Farnham. We then went our separate ways, having enjoyed a sunny (though not especially warm) day out.
Terry

A Group April 18th

“A” ride report by Frank Cubis

Leaving the Eileen Tozer Centre at Addlestone at 11-25 the ride was advertised as being possibly a little brisk, but 16 riders took up the challenge in warm sunshine with Gerrards Cross as the destination. They were, Graham, Pam, Jen, Vic, Frank H, Steve, Rob, Pete, Bob, Grant, John, Nigel, Ray, Ed, and Steve Hillier making his first ride with the Midweekers. Taking the direct route to Chertsey Bridge we turned left along Thames Side to Laleham and to Staines Town then along More Lane passing under the A30 then north along the cycle path by the M25 to Stanwell. We crossed the M25 via the roundabout at junction 14 with ease, into Poyle and Colnbrook to cross the A4 at Brands Hill, we crossed the Slough arm of the Grand Union canal with long boats moored as far as could be seen, into South Bucks. It was a left and right at Shreding Green, straight over the Uxbridge/Slough road past Pinewood Film Studios and crossed the Alder Bourne ford near Fulmer (only about an inch of water) along Hawkswood Lane and up the only hill of the ride, but still tuff, to lunch at The French Horn pub opposite Gerrards Cross Common. They had no problem with our numbers, eating outside in the garden, food was good and reasonably priced.

Dragging them away from lunch we rode south, through the village of Fulmer and Wexham, past Wexham Hospital to cross the Bath Road just slightly east of Slough town centre riding towards Datchet, we crossed the level crossing at Datchet Station and rode East of Home Park to Old Windsor, it was along this stretch towards Runnymede that Pam was our lead out man with the whole group strung out in single file hanging on to Staines. We had tea in the precinct at Staines at the Bakers Oven, and still in sunshine sat outside. From there we made our individual ways home. It was a pleasure to lead a group of professional midweekers.

Frank

No reports received from A or B

Key West 2 Anchorage by bike !

Hi Guys, I called into The Villages bike shop and a guy (Josh) arrived on a overladen touring cycle. As I held open the door for him and his bike he said he's riding 8,000+ miles with 2 other guys to Anchorage in about 20 weeks. I spent an interesting hour talking with Josh while we both awaited the repair of our machines. Made me feel very humble.

See thier website diary.

http://www.keytoanchorage.com/ www.livestrong.org/grassroots/floridatoalaska

Bob Lees

Amendment: April 25th

Vic White rang to point out that his 25Apr07 Train Assisted Ride will leave Farnham at 11am (not as in Sou'Wester).

Please amend your rides list accordingly and let anyone else know.

Thanks

Brian

C Group late addition

I`m afraid I omitted at least one important name from my last report and Ron will no doubt take me to task when we next meet. Sorry Ron--------------------------Albert

C Group April 11th

Good turnout at Walton and grand weather still. My saddle came apart and I was obliged to go home and change it before making a solo dash to catch the others at our lunch venue at Chobham, The Castle Grove. Roger was leading with Mark, Harold, Bill H., Bill and Pat M., Fuzz, Lynda, Beryl, Helga and Sonia. I overtook Dennis at the Walton end of the towpath but that was the last glimse but I had to press on to get my saddle changed. They had almost finished their meal when I arrived but I had time for my usual pint. Tea was to be at Hampton Court so I rode with them via Stonehill Road leaving the peleton at Green Lane with Harold and Bill H who joined me for tea at my place. Not much of a report but the best I can do in the cercs ................................. Albert

'A' Group at Oxted for lunch

A Group April 4th

April 4^th 07 - Wayfarers A Ride from Cobham

Leader Ed - Weather Sunny

On Ride: Ed, Pam, Rob, Pete M, Ray, Nigel, Bob, Vic, John, Frank H, Pete B, Mike, Steve, Frank P.

Pam led us out via St. Georges, Weybridge. Vic said Cliff Richard lived here (Lets all go on a Summer Holiday) on to Addlestone, Chertsey Boatyard, Thorpe village, Egham across meads to Windsor. Wetherspoons could not cater for all so some of us repaired to The Watermans Arms. On departing Pete M. left us at Eton to start his Easter Tour. On to Datchet, Wraysbury, Staines by river side to Chertsey, Weybridge along river to Walton for tea. Afterwards Bob led some home via Esher, I chose to go via Molsey, Hampton Court with Rob and Frank H.

Distance for me was 60 miles
Ed.

B Group Aprl 4th

A group of 15 of us set off from Cobham for the 21-mile devious route to our lunch spot, The Pelican on the Wey Navigation Canal at Addlestone - Liz, Carol, Terry, Norman, Les, Ed, Ed C and daughter Leslie (just arrived from Alaska for a 2-week holiday) on the tandem recumbent, John G., John Scott, Harold, Cliff, David, David A, and me, Gill leading. We took the Downside road out of Cobham, turning off on to the Drift Golf Course road and up to the roundabout at West Horsley. Following the line of the A246 we used the quiet back road, Blakes Lane, while it lasted, then back on to the dual carriageway to the turning for Clandon. We had had the wind behind us up until now but turning north we met the full blast of the icy NE wind and it was a chilly downhill ride to the Burntcommon roundabout just over the A3. Here we did a dog-leg off to the left and came into Send via Send Hill. Our route now took us across on Papercourt Lane to Pyrford and down to West Byfleet. Here we started the towpath section of the ride - beside the Basingstoke Canal then the Wey Navigation Canal. At Cox's Lock we crossed to the other side of the Canal, crossed the railway by a footbridge and were at our destination - The Pelican. At long last the sun was trying to make an appearance but not sufficiently for us to sit at the outside tables right by the waterside. By the time we emerged from the hostelry the weather had turned fine and sunny. We rejoined the Wey Navigation Canal at Town Lock, enjoying the warmth and admiring the beautifully mown lawns of the large houses on the other side. The last lap was along the Thames Path from Weybridge down to Hampton Court, still enjoying the sun and the pleasure of being by the water even if there was a bit of a headwind. Afternoon tea, with indulgence by those not restricted by Lenten pledges, was in the pretty courtyard at Lynda's favourite cafe by the bridge.

Gill Finlay

C Group April 4th

A bit cooler than of late but still good spring weather. The turnout from Cobham was very good and with Phil M leading, there were about eighteen riders en route for The Stepping Stones pub. After crossing Bookham Common most of us took a left turn just before the main road, the main group's intention being to take the hillier Polesden Lacey route. I've tackled that hill on previous occasions and along with Mark and Roger, opted for a flatter way to get our lunch. We went through Bookham and took a right turn just before The Anchor and a left at the traffic lights. A fast downhill along Young Street brought us to the cycle path on the A24 and thus to our destination. We got there first and chose a large round table just as the others arrived. We managed to squeeze thirteen of us around the table; John C, Lynda, Helga, Deanna, Brian S (on a rare ride with 'C' group), Beryl, Roger, Fuzz, (I didn't ask which route he took), Bill and Pat Matthews, Bill P, Mike W and me. Mark and Ron, who stayed in the garden, joined us as did leader Phil who was leaving us. For the return ride Ron led along the cycle path to Leatherhead after a short diversion over the Mole and through the farm. At Leatherhead I made a beeline for home via Stoke D`Abernon and Cobham. I clocked just over thirty miles and enjoyed every one of them but as, dear reader you can see that's about the limit for my aged frame! ------------- Albert

Meanwhile, Ron's off-road, side streets route via Ashtead Common took us to the Wells Centre at Epsom for tea, then on to where used to be The Rembrandt Cinema at Ewell, where we finally dispersed ...... Brian