A Group 28 July

Dorking to Denbies via Wisborough Green

Welcome to Nigel and Luc

A goodly, if not godly, number rolled up from near and far for the 11 o'clock service at St Martin's Christian Centre, Dorking. The regulars were not amused. Time to mount up a little late, the orientation of the As to be SSW to Wisborough Green. The sun shone on the righteous and unrighteous as we assembled in the churchyard. Great was my amazement to find behind me not my usual handful of disciples but a following of 20!

We slipped quietly along Church St. to avoid the one way system, before taking the A25 to Westcott. Here we left behind the snorting motor cars to pass Holy Trinity for the lush green, gently rising Logmore Lane. The surface was perhaps not as sensuously smooth as Cleopatra's bottom, as I had promised some, but there was still some tarmac left. This brought us breathing deeply up to Coldharbour and the reward of a cooling descent beside Leith Hill to Campfield Place. This gave us the chance to enjoy Tanhurst Lane at its most benign, the surface at its most forgiving. Yet still it had one unexpected surprise in store, as a startled deer leapt across the lane, in a vain attempt to mount Vic's pannier. Fortunately no harm to man nor beast.

From this point on, the route was near as damn it flat as the proverbial pancake, through Ewhurst, Ellen's Green and Rudgwick. Grateful thanks to Graham for his diligent waymarking. After passing The Ship at The Haven, a familiar watering stop, a quick canter past woods and wheatfields stretched the peloton a bit before we came to the hostile A272. We ran the gauntlet of the oils and soon reached our destination, The Cricketers at Wisborough Green.

After a good innings at table, fine fare and drink taken beneath parasols, too soon it was time to take to the field for the afternoon session. Views varied as to the preferred way forward. Vic and Minori, already having more miles behind them than most, opted to return via Loxwood. Pete would plough his own furrow and David Vines decided to press on to the coast.

For the rest, our return was via Drungewick, Rudgwick, Airwick and Oakwood Hill, with Weare Street producing a slightly competitive increase in tempo and stretching the elastic. However, with riders now on automatic pilot, it was destination Denbies, arriving well in time for tea. Pam and Ed, delayed by a tractor, made a dramatic entrance.

After tea and tittle-tattle it was time for home, farther for some than others, but still in sunshine. Apologies to those who found the 40 or so miles from Dorking to Denbies a mile or two too far, though congratulations to Pam, who had 92.69 miles behind her and Irene must have done a similar distance on reaching hearth and home.

Jeff

P.S. Has anybody lost a lock? If so, Luc may have it.

CS7

Inspired by Mark's account, I thought I'd try out the new 'highway' from Collier's Wood to Southwark Bridge. I agree with Mark's comments and CS7, while not perfect, is certainly a considerable improvement. My niggles are that there are too many places where parking is allowed (especially near the Collier's Wood end) so you have to pull out into the outside lane or squeeze through a narrow gap; and, at crucial points—the Stockwell turn where you have to be over in the right hand lane; and the sudden left turn onto the Elephant by-pass—I missed the signposting. A minor grouch is that the signs show distances in terms of time rather than miles (how do they know how fast , or slowly, I cycle?).

Drivers were generally well-behaved, and even considerate, but one or two pulled over to turn left in front of me without much warning and several poked their bonnets almost completely over the lane when coming out of side-roads, so I had to swerve round them (but that's nothing new). The big plusses are the good surface and the width of the lane, although mid-morning there were hardly any other cyclists, so it was hard to tell what overtaking would be like. It looks as if Southwark Bridge is being fitted with Kingston Bridge-type cycle lanes, which would be excellent.

My route back went past St Paul's, through the Wellington Arch and along Rotten Row into Kensington Gardens. I found a way through to Battersea Bridge and was surprised at how much of the south side of the river is now open to walkers and bikes. With a couple of detours and a hair-raising crossing of Wandsworth Bridge, I got to Putney along the river, stopped briefly at the church where the army debated the future in 1647 and then went on along the river to the Wetlands Centre and up into Richmond Park.

Julian

A Group Splinter Group

After a close encounter with a deer on the descent of Tanswell Lane and
grovelling the last few miles to Wisborough Green on a softening rear tyre,the
West Surrey splinter group decided that eighty miles would do
nicely,thankyou,and opted for the other way home.Near Loxwood we passed back
into Surrey on a satisfyingly quiet road until Alfold Crossways,gritted our
teeth for a stretch of A281,then Wildwood Lane for Cranleigh,Shamley
Green.Wonersh and Shalford to Guildford by four o''clock ,looking for tea.The
Riverside Cafe had just closed,so we had to make do with Cafe Society outside
Wetherspoons(where else!) basking in the sunshine and admiration of the young
ladies from the Music Academy next door. With a fleeting thought of the main
group and whether they had got to Denbies before closing time we set off
through Burpham and Send to arrive home at 6:15. Quite an interesting day,which
would have been even better if the young man who opted to go to the coast had
followed my advice to go via Fittleworth.
From Vic

Easy Riders July 28th

EASY RIDERS 28th JULY 2010
Ten of us Linda ,Roger,Ron,Mike,Bill Hammond,Bill,Norman,Beryl,And Phil left Leatherhead Day Centre for lunch at Leigh.We left via the cycle path alongside the Leisure Centre and onto the cycle path alongside the A24. We passed the B group heading north from Dorking. We went along Pixham lane to join the path over Betchworth Golf Course ,Bill Hammond left us here to return home.We passed through Brockham and proceeded to Leigh via Wheelers Lane, Wellhouse Road and Tapners Road to Leigh. For a change I thought we would try the Seven Stars instead of the Plough.Not too good the 2 girls serving were not very happy,and Linda had a very small portion all quite expensive .A pub to be avoided .Returned to Leatherhead Day Centre much the same route. John.

A long "A" group ride

Thanks to Jeff for a splendid mountainous and long route yesterday from Dorking. I must compliment some of the brave ones who travelled far to get to Dorking in the first place and then complete in style the whole day, particularly Irene and Pam proving so fit, they must have ridden close to 100 miles on return home. The sight of Pam carrying Ed into tea at Denbigh's I just couldn't capture in time on camera! Frank Cubis not only did the ride all the way from Wembly but found time to finalise the temporary Ten course HQ at Beare Green village hall for the KPRC club event as the A24 is to have partial carriageway closure in next 3 weeks.
I managed a measly 60 miles but it felt more like 100 (well 85).

B Group July 28th

Lovely morning, good forecast. I struggled a bit with which way to go, it seems that from Dorking one has to retrace one’s steps if one goes south; east or west means slogging up the north downs. So we went back up the road to Leatherhead and then turned left. “We” being Bob, Christine, Eddie, Godfrey, Harold, Ian, Les, Liz, Mick, Pat, Ray, Robin, Stephanie and my good self. Through the suburbs and then Cock Lane took us to a narrow path with shoulder-height stinging nettles. Then off-road across Great Bookham Common. The path wasn’t too bad and it was nice to be traffic-free. Then via Downside, Effingham Junction, Ockham and the airfield to the A3. Bob abandoned us at the airfield, he was heart-broken that we weren’t going to a Wetherspoon pub. (Does he have shares in them?) A few hundred yards along the A3 and then Wisley and The Anchor at Pyrford Lock. Mick and Ray disappeared at this point, Ray saying it was too crowded. In fact it was OK, we were served quite quickly and had a pleasant table by the canal and in the shade. We lost two and gained one, John G turned up having had to meet his long-lost girlfriend from Australia in the morning. Les said we had had too much tarmac so PLEASE could we go up the canal towpath, which we did. All the way to Weybridge, only about 5 miles but it took some time at about 8 mph. Parts of the towpath were quite sandy, the sort of sand that stops one almost instantly. Two people failed to cope and fell off into holly bushes. I feel it would be unkind to name them but it wasn’t Punch or Redbreast. While waiting for Harold to mend his saddle on his nice new bike Stephanie entertained us with the saga of her dropped-in-the-canal handbag which she retrieved a week later with the help on a mega-magnet. At Weybridge there was a parting, some went on the road, some on the Thames towpath. The bumps proved too much for John G’s nice new bike which fell to pieces. Seven of us went on to The Weir and had a quiet cup of tea by the river. We had a nice chat, the most remarkable thing that emerged was that Christine plays poker for high stakes every Friday.

Bernard

From Terry in France

Bonjour ca va?
Je suis en Normandy avec Paul/Gary le cidre est bon, le soleil est bon, les galets sont bons. Salutations aux Wayfarers ps. Le Cidre est bon!
From Terry

News From Harold Fifield

HI MARK, WONDERFUL TO GET YOUR E- MAIL AS I HAVE BEEN HAVING A ROUGH TIME. IT STARTED ABOUT 79 YEARS AGO WHEN I WAS BORN WITH A PREDISPOSITION TO MALT WHISKY AND PARKINSON'S , BOTH DID NOT DEVELOP
UNTIL MUCH LATER IN MY LIFE AND IN COMMON ARE NO BENEFIT UNTIL ABOUT. WHEN I MET YOU [# WHICH WAS A BENEFIT#] -------------------ONE SMALL TALE OF WOE COMING UP-----TO TRY ON FOR SIZE-
PRINTER DEVELOPED MANY FAULTS AND THE££££ ==/&&£££ DID BATTLE ----- AND WE NOW HAVE A NEW PRINTER.!!!! PRINTER DOWN, REPEAT PERFORMANCE FOR THE COMPUTER, £££££££ MA
£££££ AT THE FUNERAL OF THIS DEVICE THAT DESTROYS NORMAL LIVING --- CAST YOUR MIND WHY I COME TO SCOTLAND ? ? ---DUE TO RESULT OF MY DAUGHTER SHIVALI HAVING A VERY RESPONSIBLE JOB ? IN THIS LAND OF THE KILT INSISTING THAT TO ENSURE THE WELL BEING OF VEENA AND MYSELF ,WE MAKE THE MOVE-----BUT STOP
HER CONCERN WAS DUE TO THE FACT OF PARKINSON'S----,A LEAKY HEART VALVE AND SEVERAL FALL/CRASHES OFF THE BIKE.THERE BY APPLY" DISPO" 1 BUT DENY
DISPO 2 DURING THIS TIME I HAD BEEN WARNED THAT EXTENSIVE BRUISE
BROKEN RIBS CLARICE DA~ DE~ DA~ WAS TIPPING THE BALANCE AT MY AGE
BUT I KNOW BETTER-------- AT LEAST I THOUGHT I DID UNTIL YES I DID IT AGAIN , THIS TIME WHEN NEAR STOPPED ON MY DAUGHTERS TRIATHLON-- -BIKE MY FOOT GOT CAUGHT IN THE FRONT WHEEL (THE VERY FAULT MY NEW ROAD BIKE WITH SHORTENED CRANKS PREVENTED ) ---THIS TIME INTERNAL DAMAGE AND ANOTHER SELECTION OF BROKEN RIBS BUT BEING FAIR ON THE OTHER SIDE LO AND BEHOLD THIS HAPPENED ON FATHERS DAY AND I 'M NOT
ALLOWED ANY DISPO 2------OR IN FACT AM UNABLE TO DRINK OR EAT FOR LAST 8 DAYS JUST STARTED SIPPING WATER
I' M NOT GOING TO WORRY SHIVALI OR VEENA ANY MORE AND HAVE GIVEN AWAY MY BIKES AND EQUIPMENT .
GIVE MY BEST WISHES TO JOHN Scot with speedy recovery
and to all at the best followed by the rest ( I punched the send key prior to completing the interesting bit )
depending on your point of view,mines horizontal----the best and many of the rest know I suffer from Parkinson's
only just held in check by medication . I often wondered what the symptoms would be without 10 tablets a day
you know what happened to the cat that was curious or the cat in Alice now mix it from their point of view leave behind lack of balance and unable to speak double vision-------child's play---you will have noticed me fall off my bike
but try another cat catatonia unable to walk or control any movement and the bonus worms coming out of every orifice.-----The reward for feeling sick and not able to eat or drink-without taking the tablets
----I'm not curious now . Scottish specialist are far more attentive saying medication on max dose cause problems and I will suffer during transition " Happy Xmas all chins up HAROLD

More from Deanna

I went into Fullers on Saturday, and learnt that this shop was started in 1892 by David Fuller's grandfather on the other side of South Street. The son and daughter are therefore the fourth generation to work in the shop.

The funeral will start at 12.30 on Wed. 28th from Fullers, and at David Fuller's request the coffin will be conveyed in a horse drawn carriage to St. Martin's church. Hope there will not be a traffic jam!

Deanna.

News from John Scott

Julian et al,

Tricky procedure yesterday. Three stents fitted-One before the arterial junction, One special one to cover the junction and one after the junction. The cath lab operator made several attempts to effect a successful conclusion making lots of measurements and trying several balloon dimensions. I thought at one point he was going to call it a day and opt for an open heart job. After what seemed to me to be over an hour he finally did it.
The technology is absolutely amazing and I thank god I am living in the computer age. Our fathers were not so lucky and I owe a great debt to all those involved in saving my life.
Look forward to being back on the bike when I have had a suitable period of rehabilitation.
Hope to see you soon.
Kind regards,
John

Fullers Cycle Shop Dorking

In yesterday's Dorking Advertiser I read an obituary notice for David Fuller the proprietor of Fullers. He died in Dorking Hospital aged 79, in the town he loved best.

For about two years or so he had been suffering from altzeimers, although he still appeared in the shop, above which he lived, having moved there from another South Street address after his wife died. It was a pleasure to speak to him.

This will be of more personal concern to myself having lived in Dorking for thirty odd years, but is worthy of mention as it has been a family business for many years. I recall way back in time seeing an elderly Mr Fuller senior, father of David, still serving the customers.

Son Andrew and Daughter Liz also help run the shop. There is one grandchild, Diana, who is probably now aged five.

A funeral service will take place at 1.30 on Wednesday 28th July in St. Martin's Church, yards from where Midweekers will be having elevenses on the same day.

Regards Deanna.

p.s. I undertook Clive Oxx's Brockham cycle ride quiz on Sunday. Helped me to observe an area I thought I knew well on my doorstep.

Report from Ireland

Approaching Killarney

Lunch time Guinness in Tralee

Slea Head Dingle Peninsula

Three of the three hundred and three photos that I took !!!! Our lunch time Guinness in Tralee en route to Killarney taken at 12.44 and then the stormy approach to the town of Killarney at 16.14!! Once again we were wet upon arriving at our B+B! We were very lucky for we were met by yet another cheerful, helpful proprietor!! The other photo is of Slea Head, Dingle Peninsula. The sun shone specially for us as we approached this beauty spot!! I think it fair to say that our weather the second week was much better than the first - the importance of that being that we could truly enjoy the beautiful scenery etc. We cycled the Beare Peninsula, superb! Very exciting along the coastal route (especially when it is very wet)!!!! It is like a roller coaster! We then cycled around the Ring of Kerry, beautiful! Whilst there we met other cyclists and as there are not too many roads we met the same people a few times, plenty of waving and chatting! Then it was onto the Dingle Peninsula, just as beautiful, with even more hills to challenge us, but so worth it once one reaches the summit!! The hardest day for me was from Killarney to Cork, 54 miles up hill after hill after hill!!!! (That's how it felt to me)!! That day we had bought sandwiches knowing there was to be little on the road ahead for refreshment, when after climbing up and up and up on the 'Butter Road' (a route from many years ago when the farmers took the butter from Kerry to Cork for trading), a chap invited us into his garden and gave us tea etc whilst we ate!! It was another example of the Irish hospitality! Our last day was spent site seeing in Cork during the morning and a visit to a small island, Cobh, in the afternoon where we sat in the sunshine eating ice-cream! Then on to Ringaskiddy for the ferry - but before boarding, we just had to have our last pint in the local!!! It is true, the Guinness does not taste the same in England!! We arrived back at Swansea 7.30 Wednesday morning where we were met by weather to match the evening we left which gave us a good soaking for our arrival at JDW's for breakfast! It really was a super trip - as we all agreed when we parted company in Paddington that afternoon! From Pam

John Scott—Grandfather

John has e-mailed to say—

My grandson "Alexander James Scott-Deaville" arrived in St Mary's Hospital, Paddington at 01h10 on the 22nd July 2010 weighing 3.62 Kg (8lbs). Difficult delivery but worth the effort. Mother and child all ok.

Kind regards to all,

John Scott and family (Patricia, Olivia and Robin)

I've sent him our congratulations and best wishes for tomorrow............Julian

A Group 21 July

At the Royal Oak, Wood Street

Sign showing the first symptoms of sudden oak death syndrome

Healthy Bunch of Wayfaring Lads

A Group July 21st

A nose-peeling day produced a sparse gathering at Addlestone with only nine riders in the A group; and not much traffic about. We headed up past the hospital and down Gracious Pond Road before Mincing Lane led us back to the main road. After a left at the Castle, we sneaked through Bisley using the narrow Warbury and Clews Lanes into constant gunfire. After descending Cobbett's Hill it was soon the Royal Oak at Wood Street Village for an extended alfresco lunch of meals and wedges. The old Guildford barracks and Jacobs Well brought us to familar tracks and lanes and into Sainsburys Cobham for another lengthy stay. Just over 50 miles door to door - not a day for energetic exercise.
From Graham

easy riders july 21st

As we got to the King's Centre some of the group were sitting outside with their coffee in the sunshine. After a while we made our way inside for some shade. We had a nice surprise from Pat M., who came for 11's. After a good natter, those who were coming on the ride - Mark, Fuzz, Roger, Bill, Beryl, Ron, Sonia, John C., Chris, Norman and myself headed the backway to Hook, then onto Chessington. Thro' Ewell Pk., on towards Stonleigh and Nonsuch Pk. We then turned up left to the avenue out of the park and backways to Nescot. Thro' the alleyways to Epsom and the back of the hospital. Then we went into Ashtead Pk and down passed the High Street to The Woodman Pub. After ordering drinks; we started to order food, when the barman said the wait was 40 mins. So, we had our drinks and left, making our way up into the High St., and stopped at Superfish on the corner. We sat at a round table for 6 and enjoyed a starter of prawns and warm french bread; followed by our fish, chips, mushy peas and complementary pickles. We all thought this was good value and enjoyed the quick service.

Coming back Beryl and I visited the Howell Hill Butterfly Reserve which was mentioned last week by the Point people (in Cheam Village). Its opposite St. Paul's Church on the Cheam Road. A slip-way into the field. Then we went back to Nonsuch cafe for icecream and sat on a bench. Another nice day without rain. Let's hope it comes tonight and stays dry for the weekend!

Lynda.

B Group July 21st

Having forgotten that today was my birthday, I was reminded of this fact at elevenses when Harold Somers brought in a cake, baked by his wife - probably at the behest of my wife who is currently away visiting her brother and family in Switzerland. The Addlestone Day Centre specifically forbids consumption of food brought in from outside. Nevertheless the cake was shared between most of the Wayfarers present. Jeff, if you receive a letter of complaint from the day centre, please grovel obsequiously and cringingly on my behalf.

On a glorious day, fifteen of us left Addlestone by Green Lane and Bittams Lane, and crossed on the tarmac path through Botleys Park to Stonehill Road, and then by Gracious Pond Road, Red Lion Road and Windlesham Road to the Centre of Windlesham, then via Westwood Road and a complicated route through the outskirts of Sunningdale to the "Royal Oak" in Station Road, Sunningdale. The food here was excellent and very reasonably priced, but the service was on the slow side. After lunch, we went off-road on Kiln Lane and across the grass bridleway on the Coworth Park estate to a gravel road leading to the A30. We almost immediately turned right off the A30 to go through the Wentworth Estate. On emerging from Wentworth's East drive, we noted that the "Fox and Hounds", an occasional lunch stop on past rides, on the corner of Wellington Avenue and Crown Road is now closed. We proceeded via Thorpe by-pass into Chertsey and on through Shepperton to tea at the Walled Garden in Sunbury.

John Gould

Cycle Superhighway

The first of London's 'Cycle Superhighways' opened today - CS 7, from Collier's Wood to Southwark Bridge, so I thought I'd take a look at it.

A jaundiced view would be that it's just a strip of blue paint - which it is - but it's also blue paint that has at least the appearance of some legal standing. This seems to work. With the exception of illegal parking, which is a general nuisance in London, cars respected the painted strip and it was possible to bowl along quite nicely. The promises of a good surface were fulfilled, this must be the only piece of road in England without pot-holes at the moment, and cyclists were given reasonable protection at junctions. Difficult junctions like Elephant and Castle and Stockwell have separate lanes, all others have a good-sized piece of road marked out at the front so that cyclists can give themselves visibility and a head start.

It took me just over half an hour from Collier's Wood to St Paul's riding my pretty steady Moulton - there was definitely faster traffic - and it was an enjoyable ride. About the same speed as the Tube and rather pleasanter on a fine day.

Mark

John Scott

John has sent some more information about his condition and treatment—

"As I said in my last message to Pete and others I have two areas of stenosis. One at 80% restriction over a length of 1.5 centimetres at a division of two major coronary arteries. The position also feeds several other arteries in the heart so it is imperative that I get this fixed as soon as possible otherwise I will be heading for a heart attack. The other is only a small stenosis caused by another atheroma in the other side of the heart. It is only a 10% restriction over a length of half a centimetre and is not a problem to be corrected at this time. I will however be regularly monitored for the rest of my life which is a good thing.

I am aware that others in the club have similar and other conditions. Please let them know that despite my own problems they are still the subject of my thoughts for a speedy recovery."

John says he would also like to thank everyone for their good wishes.

Our thoughts are with you John and we will keep in touch.........Julian

A/B Group 14 July

Annual Meet with East Sussex CTC at West Hoathly
Hookwood - West Hoathly - Reigate Garden Centre

Some cycled en groupe from North Cheam, some solo from home, to the Tesco emporium at Hookwood. This presented the first serious challenge of the day, an FEB (Full English Breakfast), overcome by most. One or two then clocked off, while the rest lined up behind Ed, en route for the annual meet with East Sussex CTC at West Hoathly. Ed's route was pretty direct, if not pretty: South along Balcombe Rd, then East along Turner's Hill Rd to Turner's Hill and South again along Selsfield Rd, to bring us efficiently to the Cat Inn at W. Hoathly.


Some from E. Sussex already had glass in hand, others soon followed, coming from as far afield as Eastbourne. We mingled over lunch, exchanged opinions and experiences, and agreed that the food was too expensive. When the sign was given for the return, the MWW were up and off before our E. Sx. colleagues had time so much as to wave goodbye. One (fool-)hardy quorum decided to tackle Cob Lane, before rejoining the rest of the group at Turner's Hill.

Our route to tea at Reigate G.C. was a cocktail of country lanes from Copthorne, busier roads and Lonesome Lane. Ed timed our arrival to perfection. The first drops of rain fell as we entered. The heavens then opened in one almighty downpour and we feared the roof would not withstand the onslaught. Yet on leaving, the ground was almost dry again, our homeward journeys untroubled by rain. Mileage for the day will have been from 45 miles upward.

We shall meet E. Sx. CTC again next year. The provisional date proposed is 13 July; the provisional venue the Green Man, Horsted Keynes.

Jeff

Easy Riders July 14th

After the excitement on Sunday of retrieving my valuables from the depths of the R Wey and the horror on Monday of abandoning a child at the Science Museum (still a return rate of 89 out of 90 is'nt bad!), today was to be a doddle. With advice from Ron (also useful on river retrieval duties) I took a north-easterly towards the source of the Beverley Brook, via Mole, Ember, Thames, Hogsmill. The Beverley was a brook too far so we disembarked at Woodies where after lunch and serenading the Birthday Boy I abandoned all for a hospital appointment. Thanks to Dawn (backmarker), Ron, Fuzz, Mark, Chris, Frank, Roger, Linda, Harold, Beryl, Norman, Les (BB), Bill (as far as kingston), Mick and Bob from Addlestone (turned off somewhere?), Phil(did he come?) Geoff Clarke (saw him at Waynflete's) Albert (didn't come) and where was Dennis??? Steph

News from John Scott

I chatted to John by phone today, prompted by an entry in the latest DA Committee minutes—thank you Pete B.

John is going into the Hammersmith Hospital on Friday 23 July to have a stent fitted in his coronary artery. He's expecting to be home within a day.


He and his family are also planning a complicated house move. Early next year, he and Pat should be in a renovated Edwardian house in Acton. From this September until the renovation work is complete they'll be living in Wokingham. John hopes to find a local group in the Wokingham area to cycle with occasionally until he can rejoin us early next year.


Best wishes, John



Julian

A Group 14th July

Second helpings from Ed today, who led us from elevenses at Hookwood to the Cat at West Hoathly where we had our annual get-together with the East Sussex CTC. Fed and watered, some were tempted by the delights of Cob Lane, 18.9% and 213 watts, as highlighted in the telemetry. The rest waited patiently at Turner's Hill for the Alpinists, before a pleasant ride back to Reigate where a torrential shower was completely avoided by perfectly timed tea.

34.55 miles elevenses to tea, rolling average 10.3 mph, 1642 calories and a steady 63 watts.

Mark

News From Graham and Gill Holder

A short update on our travels....we are now in Goslar, Germany. We crossed the channel to Dunkirk on 30th June and headed north on the North Sea cycle route to the Hague were we joined the R1 route east to Berlin.

We have covered 610 miles with the highest mileage 63 miles. Today is our first rest day since we started! Bikes holding up but the tent needs replacing. Another week and we should be in Berlin.

Route generally flat although this part of Germany has a few hills.

Will update further when we find another internet cafe.....

Best wishes Graham and Gill

Wednesday Report from Ireland

Got in the mood at Swansea by going to Mumbles and back in the rain. Little did we know of what was in store. Only one completely dry cycling day so far but we are not deterred. All still cheerful. Great scenery , good roads, the Guinness slips down a treat. The lunch highlight was pan fried mackerel ( caught that morning) at a wagon overlooking Garinish at the end of the Beara peninsula, run a close second by yesterday's seafood chowder.
Best Wishes
Brian, Pam, Ian and Robin

Les Johnston

Dinner Dance 1956

Not bad for a man nearly 80!

B Group July 7th

From Cobham, fifteen of us set of in the direction of Effingham, Steph, Les, Harry, Dave, Jane, Terry, Ray, Mick, Irene, Eddie, Godrey,
Norman, John, Ken, and myself proceeding via High Barn Road to Ranmore. After descending to West Humble we opted for the steady climb
via Juniper bottom to Headley before cutting through Walton Heath to the Sportsman Inn for a delightful lunch.
We continued through Mogador and Chipstead to Woodmansterne before stopping for tea at the Lavender Fields, near Oaks Park,
absolutely amazing - Purple haze!!
My thanks to Terry, the ever dependable back marker.
Perfect cycling conditions. I clocked up 44 miles.

Liz

Easy Riders July 7th

Good turnout at Cobham. Weather overcast and somewhat cooler than of late. Fuzz led around twelve of us en route to lunch at the garden centre at Chessington, Peter with me stoking as usual on the tandem trike with Lynda, Roger, Ron, Mark, Chris, John C., Mike, plus a few more. Our first port of call was the cemetery at Stoke d`Abernon to have a look at the rather splendid memorial for John McAlpine. Having negotiated the many graves we pressed on to the parish church and a few more resting places in the hope of seeing some interesting brass rubbings within the church itself. This extra delight was not to be since the church was locked, Nevertheless a few 15th century gravestones caught our eager eyes so we pressed on to lunch at the garden centre where apart from good food they also stocked a favourite ale of mine TEA from The Hogs Back brewery. Peter and yours truly headed for home via Claygate and Esher.--------------Albert

A Group 7 July

Cobham - Godalming - West Horsley

Very Happy Birthday, Ray. An example to us all!

When you think of Godalming, what somes to mind - Wetherspoons or Cotterell House, 69 Meadrow? Ed had decided to lead us, like a herd of old tuskers, on a nostalgia tour to Godalming. Our route followed a well-worn furrow via the Hautboy to E.Clandon, up and down to Shere Road, when it became a breathless chase to keep up with Ed along the A248 to Bramley. We then followed some lovely, shaded and upwardly mobile lanes that led us into Godalming. The Jack Phillipps needs no introduction.

Lunch at the Jack Phillips may have been a bit monochrome.

Outside the Jack Phillips, Godalming and Squires GC, West Horsley

After lunch, our ride to tea at W. Horsley was interrupted only by Guildford, where some shoppers imagined that we were testing out the cobblestones for the evening's cycle race. For most it was a gentle jaunt along the A246, though Vic and John decided to stretch their legs a bit and I was able to resist Will's invitation to catch them up before the Garden Centre. After a leisurely tea, the group disappeared like butterflies in the late-afternoon summer breeze.

Jeff

A Group 7 July

Ed stepped in as leader today, and took us over Staple Lane ( a proper hill) to Shere and then on to Godalming for lunch; tea at Squires West Horsley. 31.25 miles elevenses to tea, rolling average 10.9 mph, 1502 feet of ascent and 71 watts - about right for the slightly sultry weather.

Mark

Ray Dare

Birthday Greetings to Ray and thankyou for the Teas at Cobham

Tate Britain Harrier & Tornado

Not quite a cycling theme but a very good place to cycle to for a free exhibition of art. I know that people like Terry and Norman used to work for British Aerospace at Kingston and now you can see two of the most successfully British Planes ever built and still serving with our RAF and RN. It's a staggeringly impressive piece of art. As I came home on the train last night I read the Evening Standard only to read that Tate & Lyle's London sugar and golden syrup refinery on the Thames at Silvertown is being bought by the American Sugar Refining Company! Yet another part of our heritage and industry falls into foreign hands like Cadbury. What I did not know was that the Tate Gallery was bequeathed to the Nation by the Tate sugar family. The exhibition is on until January 2011.

The Swim and the Feast at Bernards

Heather and Stephanie in at the deep end heating the pool while cooling off

Not only is Bernard a very fine Host he is an excellent cook as these Sea Trout from the Tay portray

Some of the bigger fish that got away on this splendid day.

Relaxing enjoying first class wine, beer juice and all finished off with fresh strawberry's and cream what could be better and the ride home was mainly downhill apart from the last 10mls uphill from Mitcham to Walton on the Hill. 44mls for me door to door.

Bernards Swimathon Treat

Bernard on behalf of all thanks for a great day. It seems we even did more ascending than the "A's" but not quite 29000 ft! Was it 2900ft? Anyway we all made it to the top of Succumbs Hill a 1:4 or modern parlance 25% as can be seen if you zoom into the road sign.

Not only hills and lots of them but Dinosaurs and weird Darwinian creatures en-route through Crystal Palace Park

A Group 30 June

Redhill - Cowden - Fanny's

Wednesday at Redhill: a choice between town and country. However, if all the B group boys and girls got up Succombs Hill without dismounting, hats off! Though we didn't manage 29,000 feet of climbing. Our destination was Cowden, just past Dormansland on the Surrey/Kent/E.Sussex border. We don't often get into Kent, but not a lot of climbing planned. We headed out of Redhill via Philanthropic Road, perhaps the sharpest climb of the day, but it wasn't long before sackcloth and ashes had to be donned. Despite a halt by Hilltop Cemetery, the leader restarted too soon and realised too late that he was short of numbers. Apologies to Brian and Terry. I have an abacus on order for the handlebars.

A motley crew at Cowden

Our route was a familiar one through Outwood, Horne, Newchapel, Lingfield and Dormansland. Here we ignored the Old House at Home and climbed steadily along Hollow Lane before turning left onto an unnamed lane past Lower Basing Farm to enter Kent. This secluded lane is one of my favourites, one of the most idyllic that I know and reason enough to take up arms against any aspirant invader. We enjoyed it at a gentle pace until the junction, where we turned left to reach The Fountain Inn at Cowden.

This inn is one of the few distinguished by still bearing the welcoming Winged Wheel - AND a definite article!. Welcoming too the hostess, Pinky, as well as good food and drink, taken at leisure in the garden at the rear. A helping hand was given to hold a ladder near vertical against a wall, while a braver man than I anaesthetised a nest of wasps, buzzing oninously beneath the eaves. After lunch, we made a brief visit to the church of St Mary Magdalene, before taking North Street and Spode Lane beside Waystrode, Crippenden and Leighton Manors to cross the B2026 to Mark Beech.

On top of Tilburstow

Then we had the long downhill to Edenbridge, after which came Staffhurst Wood, Tilburstow, Bletchingley, Merstham and our tea-time stop at Fanny's Farm Shop, still in warm sunshine. After a relaxing pot of tea, the order of the day was: 'Home, James'.

Tea-time at Fanny's

The mileometer read 54 , more I'm sure for others.

Jeff

Quiz: Spot the difference! Not the ladder. The clue is in the report.