B Group - 20th September

Seventeen B Group riders met to mingle with the ‘A’s’ at Fairoaks and 15 continued to lunch.   We made steady progress westward to Frimley Green via Chobham, Bisley and Deepcut, then used the cycle routes through The Hatches and Prospect Park to deliver us to the Tilly Shilling at Farnborough in good time. By a happy coincidence Wetherspoons had reduced all their prices by 7.5% just for this one day, so the food and drink tasted even sweeter than usual!

The sun still hadn’t put in an appearance by the time we set off for home, but we had a good ride back up Tunnel Hill to Mytchett and Knaphill, then made a detour to the Pennypot ford where, disappointingly, only two took the challenge of the icy waters!   From there it was on through Gracious Pond and  Stonehill to the outskirts of Chertsey where those stopping for tea elected to try the newly-refurbished Squires.  This might have been a better bet for those of us who decided to press on because we were met by severe traffic congestion in Addlestone, then a very long wait at the level crossing eventually relieved by the anti-climactic passage of just one locomotive and two wagons!   Many thanks to all for your company, for keeping up well,  and for a seamless ride with no punctures or ‘mechanicals’ (barring one twig in the spokes with no harm done), and sorry the 'spiral footbridge' didn't feature as billed (another time)!

~ Dave W

Terry couldn't be with us but has contributed this little history:

"Tilly Shilling was a scientist at RAE Farnborough during the Second World War. One of many projects she worked on was a modification to the carburettor fitted to the Rolls Royce Merlin aero engine (as used on Spitfire, Lancaster and many others). She also lapped Brooklands on a motorcycle at100mph+ for which she earned a Gold Star. She wouldn't marry her fiancé until he did likewise. He did."

~ Tim

Thanks to Steph for this photo

I know where I was but where was Vic?