B Group - 22nd July

Just as we were about to ride away from the day centre Liz had to replace her chain - the only mechanical of the day - I'm pleased to say!  Straight out towards Chertsey, into Willow Walk and Colonel's Lane heading for the motorway bridge on the A320.   Right hand down - gently does it for it was a steep right hander onto Monk's Walk, just a dirt track to start with but soon becoming quite a hard surface - beware of tree roots!!   We were cycling between Thorpe Park and the Water ski centre towards the village of Thorpe.  Upon reaching the end of the path we had to clamber over a large paving slab and down two steps....I was helped by a young gentleman taking time out for a smoke and then of course we all helped each other!  I was concerned that the group would be up in arms but thankfully I did not hear any adverse comments!

We continued through the village, into Lyne Lane, Longcross Road, Accommodation Road to Stonehills Road.   A well known area for some....from here we headed for Burrowhill to turn left into Ford Road, a bridle path with a wee bridge over the Bourne to Pennypot Lane and into Lovelands Lane to cross the Ford...well...5 riders went through the ford..and didn't get wet..no tumbles!!!  A couple more turns and we were at Guildford Road which took us to the Garibaldi and lunch just after 1pm.

We were made most welcome by the staff and the tables had all been put together for us - but - only one person in the kitchen stretched our lunch stop to over an hour and a half and I felt bad for Andy had only just eaten his last mouthful as we prepared to leave!

In no time at all we were on the Basingstoke Canal - then the River Wey to New Haw.  Time was not on our side for I really would have preferred to get to Shepperton Lock or Squires at Halliford for tea;  instead, I chose to go  into Addlestone G.Centre.   As it was we were asked to move on at four thirty!!

Tim tells me that our distance to lunch was 16.5 miles and to tea only 9.8.  

Thank you all for being out yesterday - shame about the heavy shower in the afternoon!

Thank you very much to Irene for back marking, assisted by Terry and to others who stopped at the corners.

A most enjoyable day,

Pam :) :)  

Off road route from Chertsey to Thorpe

The blue line shows the Basingstoke Canal path