Wednesday, September 19, 2007

B Group Sept 19th

The route for B Group's Ride was a last-minute Plan B following the outbreak of Foot and Mouth last week, and thanks are due to my good friend Irene who rode it out with me on Saturday. Thirteen of us (or twelve and a leader for the superstitious!) set off from Weybridge - Judy, Liz, Stephanie, Pam, Norman, Bernard, Cliff, Terry, John G., Roger, Mike and Mary on their tandem - welcome back Mike and Mary, it was good to see you out again - and me, Gill.
We made for the towpath on the Wey Navigation Canal at Blackboy Bridge just above Town Lock and followed it to Walsham Gates - a lock famous for being the only original turf-sided lock left on the Wey. Despite being a bit dusty in places, the towpath was in reasonable condition and on the last stretch from Pyrford Lock the National Trust workers were busy cutting back the nettles, etc., anticipating Norman's concern that the path was very overgrown! They must have known we were coming!
All was peaceful on the calm waters and a heron standing tall on the opposite bank must have been surprised to see us cycling past. It was also nice to pass one or two narrow boats on the move. At Walsham Gates the towpath was taped off as a no-go area due to Foot and Mouth (it is closed from here to Papercourt Lock) and having crossed the weir we left the Navigation Canal behind and took to a footpath leading up to Ripley Green. From here we followed the Portsmouth Road, across the roundabout at Burntcommon and down to the start of Wood Hill, then Vicarage Lane which led to Potter's Lane and a final downhill freewheel to The New Inn at Cartbridge - beside the Wey again. Here the weather was kind enough to give the occasional burst of sunshine as we sat outside to have our lunch - the food was good and service was friendly and speedy.
The route for the afternoon was back to Ripley, climbing back up Potter's Lane but turning off on to Wood Hill, through Send Marsh to Polesden Lane - Tannery Lane reputedly being closed due to Foot and Mouth - and right into Ripley along Newark Lane. (Pam left us here.) At Ripley we crossed into Rose Lane, left into Guileshill Lane, through Ockham and into Cobham for afternoon tea at the cafe opposite Watson's Bakery. Thanks for your generosity, Cliff, your reward will come another time!
Gill Finlay

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