Dieppe Raid Lunch

Pre-Raid rehydration

And carbo loading. 

Easy Riders - 26th June

We left Walton and took the path to Weybridge which we skirted and went up Woburn Hill to take the back paths to Chertsey Bridge. From there we carried on towards Shepperton and turned right into Dockett Eddy Lane which led us to our lunch stop at Thames Court. The local glossy Kingston Magazine had awarded "Best Cup of Coffee" to Eight on the River which is above the clubhouse at Molesey Boat Club so after lunch we decided to try it and took the Lower Hampton Road to Hampton Court Bridge which we crossed and joined the tow path on the other side. The Eight is about half a mile along the path and offers some tasty sounding cooked dishes plus loads of cakes and buns together with the "Best Coffee". The sun deck overlooking the Thames is a very pleasant place to sit and relax.

Eight on the River is open from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm every day. 

Regards

John

The road to Newhaven

Newdigate. 

Hysterical look back Dieppe & Sicily

Mad Hatter Morley here! I would like to wish all those going to Dieppe a fantastic time. I went last year for the first time in some years and it was fine. What I wanted to comment was that there was a programme on BBC4 Chanel 9 about the original Dieppe Raid. While it was partly successful on the East & West flanks it was a disaster for the Canadian forces attacking the beach opposite the La Plage and Windsor Hotel. Hundreds were slaughtered.
On another scene I also watched "Operation Mince Meat" about the most successful deception by the British in WW2. Hitler was convinced that the first fight back after the retreat from Dunkirk would be for the allies to attack Sicily and that was correct. So the allies decided to concoct the most amazing deception. It involved the fabrication of a love affair with a fictitious soldier and a lover called "Pam" The dead body was delivered by submarine to Huelva  off the coast of Spain with false document plans in a brief case to convince the Germans that the Allies would actually invade Greece. The deception was so convincing that Hitler authorised the rapid transfer of Panzer and army divisions away from Sicily. The deception worked and the allies managed to capture Sicily within 4 weeks and create the bridgehead of the fight back to end the second WW.
Ironically this reminds me of the Pam & Ian Appleton organised MWW tour of Sicily the year I broke my hip on the C&M Easter Tour to Bristol. I had already been on the Dieppe Raid that year when we hired a Gyte at Arduval. This was the second or third year I had organised this.
In order to avoid the hot weather in Sicily during August September Pam decided we should go in October and so we did. Unfortunately we chose the worst time in living memory. The first week was horrendous rain with all the roads like rivers. At one stage we followed our route with Robin Johnson generally in disagreement of what we were doing. Ian Appleton and he had different ideas on how to read a map. This was in the days before Garmin. We did follow a road closed sign to a bridge over a big river only to find that the substantial stone bridge had been washed away and that added some 20/30km back to Catania.
The final plan before returning home to LGW by BA was to surmount Mt. Etna! The crew apart from me who had to prove something took a coach to the Ski station before going up to the ski line. I felt the need to prove that my hip was improving so I rode my bike only to be overtaken by the marauding throng on the bus waving at my as I struggled on as they went by. I finally arrive at the Ski Lift, parked my bike and got on the lift. At the top I met Pam and others who had already gone up to the snow line in tracked Merc vehicles and back. It was clear that I could not do that as we had to get back to Catania! Anyway I raced back down half way hoping to meet the gang at an agreed, or so I thought cafe. I stopped had coffee and cake and no one arrived, so down I descended back to the Hostel where we were staying, only to realise over Dinner that night that I had left my bonk bag at the cafe. Next morning after a phone call the cafe had found my bag so it was half way again that morning back up Mt. Etna to prove yet again the madness of " Moaning Mad Hatter Morley"(MMHM!)

A group 26 June - to the Wild West

Rotten Row - the place, not the cyclists

Today we tried a new elevenses venue at Egham, a bit further than usual for some but it allowed us to explore further west. The welcome was warm, the cakes were large and the prices were small, although the service was a bit slow for some, so elevenses was mainly a success. Earlier in the week the forecasters were threatening 30 degree heat, but in fact it was pleasantly cool, overcast to start with and then sunshine later.

Setting off promptly meant we were leaving Windsor Great Park by 11.25, heading via Fifield and Bray to Maidenhead and Cookham, where Ken punctured, but this was quickly fixed. After that it was less familiar routes: Winter Hill and down into Marlow, and then we stuck a toe into the Chilterns and the "big dipper" remembered by Janice and David Ward from past Cheam & Morden rides. Lovely countryside, however tummies were rumbling and lunch was calling from across the Thames, so nobody took up my generous offer of a bonus hill.

Hambleden Lock

We crossed by Hambleden Lock, waiting to watch a few boats go through, and stopped at The Flower Pot, Aston. It was 27 miles to lunch and we got there around 1.30, but service was swift, so although it was tempting to linger, we were away by 2.30 for a shorter ride home. Quiet roads led us through Warren Row and White Waltham and then we joined the pretty direct route through Forest Green to Windsor, Runnymede and Staines, and onward to tea at Notcutts, Laleham.

50 miles and 1500 ft ascent from 11s to tea - for some it will have been an 85+ mile round trip.  Thank you to everyone who helped make the ride go so smoothly, especially Dave Vine for back marking. It's a pleasure to ride with such a great bunch of experienced riders.

B Group - 26th June

I would like to thank all 23 who came on the ride. Welcome to Simon and Gemma, two new Wayfarer members. Good to have you with us.  Our route to The Pineapple, Dorney was via Chertsey, Virginia Water, into Windsor Park and out at the Rangers Gate and it was mostly Cycle Route 4 from there to lunch. 

Fantastic service and good food...and we were on our way again in plenty of time to have tea at Shepperton Lock...via Jubilee river, Windsor, Old Windsor, along through Runnymede, Egham, Thorpe, into Chertsey then over Chertsey bridge and on to the Lock.  A fabulous day all due to our wonderful corner markers and back marker Peter.
Thank you 😊

I counted 20 folks at tea 😊  all enjoying the sun and chat.

Thank you all...happy cycling, Pam 😊😊

A great ride with Pam to The Pineapple and back to Shepperton Lock.

Welcome to Gemma, the tall person at the back

Grant contemplates his BLT (Tony Hooker)

Captured after avoiding the group photo

Pams ride to Dorney

Tri-Vets 2019 - finishers

Congratulations to all those who rode the Tri-Vets event on 19 June.   (* means only part of the course was completed).

100 miles
17 Alan Imeson
74 Andy Bond
73 Ann Bath
67 Ann Keogh Godsall
82 Brian Bent
14 Brian Greenwood
25 Christina Berkley
22 Dave Vine
10 David Cullen
13 David Ferrett
80 Emily Seabrook
45 Gary Jacobs
28 Ged Lawrenson
37 Graham Seabrook
60 Guy Cowley
27 Hans Formella
78 Jacqui Pitman
3 Janice Dawes
69 Joanne Holden
7 John Austin
8 John Bassett
6 John Beer *
36 John Seabrook
59 Julie Rand
11 Ken Day
1 Mark Gladwyn
38 Martin Seabrook
20 Mike Morley
30 Mike Reynell
81 Neil McIntyre
66 Neil Warland *
47 Nigel Bassindale
71 Patrick Watmough
57 Pete Beyer *
68 Peter Holden
39 Peter Horsfield
55 Peter Sayer
54 Rob Seall
61 Roger Wheeldon
62 Ruth Mayorcas
56 Sarah Chapman
2 Simon Lambourn
12 Steve Duffin
42 Toni d'Italia

100 km
77 Angela Smith
87 Bob Pannell
5 Carolyn Beer
51 Geoff Gregory
44 Gill Holder
76 Jo Rifaat
75 Kaye Quinn *
41 Pam Jones
70 Paul Tuohy *
84 Peter Cornish
46 Peter Stratton
83 Peter Tiller
34 Ray Youlden
40 Sarah Irwin *
50 Stephanie Wyatt
48 Stephen Hickey
63 Sue Bellamy
26 Sue Chasty
35 Terry Lowe
9 Tim Court
16 Tim Gibbons
15 Tony Hooker

50 km
88 Ed Sharp
86 Francoise Humphrey
52 Frank Carter
19 Maggie James
23 Maureen Gallichan
18 Paul James
53 Sandy Bayliss

New Garmin

I've got a new Garmin, as the old one was getting a bit shonky, and it is better.

As well as the usual minor software changes that promise to transform my cycling life, it has a couple of genuine improvements:

(i) it has a new screen, which is (slightly) larger and clearer,

(ii)  it has a new chipset, which is claimed to use less battery,

(iii) it has a bigger battery.

These last two seem to work.  I used it for the Tri-Vets last week and it came in with 42% battery left.  I then fiddled with it to reduce battery usage (it was using the backlight constantly, for example) and rode a 100k Audax on Sunday.  It came in with 75% battery left.

This is a considerable improvement, and, for the real long distance rider, it is possible to buy a battery pack that clips under the GPS and extends the range even more.  Garmin claim 40 hours + with one of these.

Garmin 830 - in shops now, as they say.

Mark

Advice for B Group

This Wednesday the B group will be having lunch at The Pineapple Pub, Dorney - renowned for their extremely generous sandwiches.
 
I have been asked to pre-order.  My apologies for this late request but I have a menu and I will ask you what sandwich you wish to order at Elevenses.

See you all at Walton on Wednesday,

Pam 💋🍔 @🍍

A new elevenses location for the A group, 26 June - Egham

The A group is trying out a new elevenses venue this Wednesday - Manor Farm Day Centre, Egham.   It's a few miles up the road from Shepperton or Chertsey.  Manor Farm Lane is on your left as you approach Egham town centre from Staines.  I'd like to get away promptly at 11 please.
I'm taking advantage of this north-westerly start point to go into areas we don't normally explore.  We will be heading through Marlow and across the picturesque Hambleden Lock to get to lunch at The Flower Pot, Aston.  It's not a very hilly ride (1700 ft of ascent).  About 27 miles to lunch, and a fairly direct 23 back to tea at Notcutts, Laleham, with the option to get the train back from Windsor if you wish.

There is a bonus hill for those who want it: another 200 ft of climbing and an extra mile of cycling in gorgeous Chilterns lanes between Marlow and Hambleden Lock.  We promise not to eat all the food at the pub.  Contact me if you want the GPS track for it - the main group won't be going this way.

Tri-Vets 100km - Team Tim

We had a most enjoyable ride and we were very pleased to welcome Paul Tuohy into our group. He proved to be a very agreeable riding companion and was kind enough to treat us all to our morning tea in Horley. In the afternoon he departed to attend to the fallout from the case of Robert Hazledean who has just been given a heavy fine for running into and injuring a pedestrian who was crossing the road while looking at her phone. Apart from that concern Paul was very pleased to have been able to take time away from the office and come riding with us.

We also had a photographer, Peter Cornish accompanying us, sprinting ahead to ambush us with his camera. After our cuppa in Horley he went round the corner to another café to join Tony's group, in search of more photogenic subjects probably. We will look forward to seeing the results but if you visit Paul's Twitter feed https://twitter.com/Paultuohy and scroll down a little way you will see Peter's lovely photo of our club Mum and Dad. The next day Paul went to France with his wife Wendy and the pink tandem and you can see a few photos from their cycling holiday there.

We were pleased to be joined by Bob Pannell who registered for the event the day before but were most sad that Liz was feeling a bit wuzzy in the head and didn't want to risk riding, and that Paul James was suffering from sciatica after overdoing it on recent rides. However he went out in Maureen's group and had done over 100km by the time he arrived home. Both have pretty much come right and will be out this week.

~ Tim

Tri-Vets 100km - Team Tony

What is the most fun you can have for £5? Go on the Tri-Vets rides!

Our 100 Km ride went smoothly apart from a small delay by Thames water; we stopped for a morning tea break at Horley then on to a deliciously prepared lunch.

Thanks to Peter for back marking and for being a back-up navigator!

A big thank you to the organisers and catering staff from from us all.

Regards, Tony

Easy Riders - 19th June

Leaving Kingston we (8 of us) followed the Thames to Teddington Lock from where there is now a very pleasant tarmac surfaced path to Richmond Bridge. We then crossed the river and followed the path to the London Apprentice for our lunch. Afterwards our trip took us through Syon Park and then across Kew Bridge to take the tow path to Mortlake. It was here that Liz and I found that we had lost the others who, we guessed, must have carried on the tow path to Putney. We two decided to carry on through Richmond Park and home, not stopping for tea as Liz had somehow to get to Waterloo with the train drivers' strike on.

Not a bad turnout considering that we lost a few usual riders to the Tri-Vets but otherwise not one of my best days as leader.

Regards

John

Tri-Vets 2019 - badges and photos

Well, it seemed to go well!   Thank you to all who took part, and especially to those who helped in large and small ways.  We will publish a report, with input from the various people who helped organise it, in the near future.   Meanwhile:

Badges and date bars are available to those who completed 100k and are 'veterans' (over 50).  They can be ordered from the Cycling UK website.   For those who ordered on the day, I will do a group order and get the badges to you.   They are expected to take about six weeks to arrive.

Photos: We would love to see and share your photos.   Tim has organised a DropBox folder to collect them - just click on the link and it's very easy to add your photos.   You don't need a DropBox account.

Tri-Vets 100 Miles - A Well Balanced Group

This year, I led one of the two 'Tri-Vets Standard' groups, the plan being to set a steady pace that made sure we achieved 100 miles in twelve hours, but also to be sure that we would enjoy ourselves and not be slaves to the clock.  The group was well balanced, in that we had three generations of Seabrooks, grandfather John being the most senior and, probably, the oldest rider in the event, and grand-daughter Emily, probably the youngest.  Riders who were not members of the Seabrook family included Rob Seall, who is organising the West Kent Tri-Vets on 14th July, Gary Jacobs, whose mechanical cunning fixed Ken Day's gears at lunchtime and Julie Rand of Cycling UK, who was a rock-solid back marker all day.  A strong team.

We got off on time, under the fatherly eye of Jeff Tollerman, and set a steady pace until about Ellen's Green, where Emily had a puncture.  What's the point of cycling with your Dad if he can't fix your bike?  The rest of us had a chat for a few minutes and then we all carried on to coffee.

We were the first group at the cafe, which was lucky, as the sheer number of riders overwhelmed them in the end, but they kept at it, and everyone was served.  We rode on to lunch, were well fed and were able to meet riders from other groups before we set off again.  Rob, who was riding his handsome Flying Gate, decided that he would ride solo for the afternoon, as he was suffering a bit from cramp.

At Outwood we stopped for a moment, for a briefing before Tilburstow Hill, the core of which being that none of us would be able to keep up with John, who had an e-bike.  This turned out to be true, and we all re-gathered at the top.  A brief stop in the car-park for views and photography, then on to Crowhurst to see the Yew, because we always do.  Peter and Joanne Holden passed us here on their tandem, and we all met in Lingfield for tea.  We had only been there for a few minutes when Rob turned up, so he obviously had the cramp under control.

On to Horley, much busier traffic now, but happily the flow was in the other direction, so it didn't bother us much.  Summiting Norwood Hill it began to pick with rain, and by the time we got to Leigh it was raining fairly steadily.  A quick check to see what people thought, and the view was 'b*gger it' and we pressed on to the Cricket Pavilion without bothering with rain jackets.

Certificates, congratulations, cake and a few more photographs before we made our farewells and set off home.

It was John's eleventh Tri-Vets, and, at 10 hours 05 minutes, his fastest, so we were all very satisfied with our ride.

My thanks to my fellow riders, and all of our thanks to those who fed, organised and administered us on a very enjoyable day.

Mark

CTC Tri-Vets 2019

Here are the customary map and performance stats from my group.  I think that they're pretty typical, and that we all did well.  For the most part, lucky with the weather. too.

Mark

Dieppe Raid

I have the Neville Chanin award (largest club entry) which has to be returned to La Plage hotel, Dieppe. If anyone is driving there would they be prepared to take it there for me ?  If you won't be at any club runs before then I can be reached on 01306 884467 or 078814 38644.

Thanks,

Terry

Tri Vets - 100k Geoff Gregory as leader

100k riders who are with me on Wednesday I may know you by sight but not by name,  I do not have contact details for some of you, if you would bring along your mobile phone number if you have one, also an emergency contact number should anything go wrong. I will also give out my details.
Let's hope for an enjoyable ride, I'm looking forward to meeting you all.

Geoff

Tri-Vets ride 19 June - last minute info

As most will know, this Wednesday is a joint ride for the A & B group and Easy Riders, the Tri-Vets from Brockham cricket pavilion.  (The Easy Riders also have an alternative ride starting from Kingston Bradbury Centre).   The event is fully booked with about 80 riders having registered.

Here are just a few additions to the main rider briefing information here.

Train Strike: Industrial action is planned on South Western Railway: however the main services south from Clapham Junction are run by Southern, and should be running normally every 30 mins.

Cake:  Last time we were delighted that several riders arrived bearing food to add to the refreshments.  It would help us to plan if you can let us know beforehand if you're bringing something. (email Simon or Mark).

Photos:  We'd love to share your photos on the blog and possibly the website - maybe they will even get chosen for publication in Cycle magazine!    Please take lots and feel free to share them using this dropbox link.

LEJoG: Notes from a Large Island

Day 1
Set off  09.30, lunch, tea, arrived lands end hotel around 05.00 pm took M3 A30 past Stonehenge. Weather: sun, cloudy 15, light wind

Day 2
09.45 Start in mist, undulating but one 22% climb, lunch in Truro, finished St. Austell 4.30pm.

Day 3
Earlier start, 09.00 as we have 73 miles to do today, either climbing or descending 30 going down and sometimes getting to 3.9 going up. Coffee in Liskeard, lunch in Tavistock, Devon 40 miles. Did 42 mph over Dartmoor on one descent. Total climb for the day 7926ft, arrived in Exeter 7.00pm

Day 4
Later start, getting Jennie’s bike adjusted at the Bike Shed in Exeter, really helpful. No major climbs, a little undulating, but due to accidents on M5 really bad traffic around Bridgewater. I got a puncture, arrived 6.30pm.

Day 5
Again an earlier start as a long day today, coffee at Congresbury, over the Bristol Channel, then whilst making our way to Tintern abbey, the road was closed, and despite requests a worker refused to allow us to walk our bikes across the area, so we had to go back up the hill and the diversion added another 6 miles on the ride. Finally arrived at the hotel, just before 8.00pm.

Day 6
Slightly shorter day, rolling countryside all day, arrived at the hotel north of Shrewsbury at 6.30pm. Some slight showers during the day, basically used the A49.

Day 7
Again a 09.30 start, undulating until coffee at Whitchurch, including a 7 mile stretch on the A49, then a true ‘Wayfarer’ route across country to Taporley and lunch. After that more down than up, tea in Warrington, three further miles onto the hotel.

Day 8
We were lucky with the weather given the forecast - first 40 miles in the dry, to Garstang, then the rain came in and the temperature dropped to 12C for the 10 miles into Lancaster.
No problems through Preston, a helpful cycle lane marked out for much of the cross town. Lunch in Garstang was warm and welcoming.
Arrived at the hotel at 5.30pm shivering and soaked.
A short day today at 53 miles but long enough with the wet finish.
460 miles covered so far.

Day 9
Leaving Lancaster we stopped at Carnforth where David Lean filmed Brief  Encounter. Then rolled on to a stop in Kendal for lunch and up and over Shap Fell, 1402 feet of climbing over 11 miles, then 6 miles of descent. Then due to a split tyre, off to Halfords for replacement before dinner.

Day 10
Left Penrith with new tyre on the front wheel, A6 to Carlisle, coffee in a wonderful cafe in Bank Street, then on to the border at Gretna. Lunch in Annan. Rolling terrain all day to Dumfries.

Day 11
Today’s route from Dumfries was to be another long ride, so started early, climbing up and over the pass at Beattock, unfortunately there was nothing around to be able to get some food until then. We went off course for a while and although the terrain was not difficult it caused an additional 20 or so miles to the trip, so by the time we arrived in East Kilbride we had done 90 miles.

Day 12
From East Kilbride through and round Glasgow on cycle route 7. Alongside a tributary of the Clyde, really lovely cycling to Bowling. Coffee in Dumbarton then a long stretch on the A82 beside Loch Lomond to Tarbet, poor road to cycle on. Last few miles uphill to Crianlarich.

Day 13
Rain showers this morning, again either climbing or descending, up and over the Glencoe mountain where the rain was torrential. However by the time we rolled into Fort William it had stopped, 54 miles

Day 14
Wonderful scenes alongside Lock Ness, rolling country, once we left the A82 at Drumnadrochit, a real sting, 15% climb for about half mile, but it seemed longer, cold head wind. Arrived at the hotel just outside Alness after 79 miles.

Day 15
Sunny this morning when we started, within an hour we were having showers and strong winds against us. Tea and food at Bonar Bridge then just a slog against the wind and rain along a single track road for nearly 50 miles to Tongue, only two places to stop and warm up and have something to eat and drink the whole way

Day 16
Very, very windy at the start of our last day, lots of climbing to Melvich and our first stop of the day, undulating to Thurso and then a very pleasant ride to the end at John O’Groats.
Finished!!!!



An epic journey.

~ David and Jennie Jackson

Easy Riders - 12th June

We (nine of us, plus Ron who went home after elevenses) had a very short ride as I didn't want us to get caught in the predicted storm later in the afternoon. We left Ewell and took the tracks across Epsom and Ashtead commons and then took a tour of Ashtead ending up for lunch at The Woodman. We then returned via a different route across the commons.

Regards

John

Tri-Vets 2019 Start List

Sou’Westers Tri-Vets Ride - 19th June 2019

100 Miles

08:00 Tri-Vets Standard 

  22 Dave Vine (Leader)

20 Mike Morley

42 Toni D’Italia

17 Alan Imeson

64 Martin Aldridge

66 Neil Warland

67 Ann Keogh Godsall

62 Ruth Mayorcas

82 Brian Bent

08:10 Tri-Vets Standard 

 1 Mark Gladwyn (Leader)

59 Julie Rand

36 John Seabrook

37 Graham Seabrook

38 Martin Seabrook

80 Emily Seabrook

54 Rob Seall

45 Gary Jacobs

08:15 Tandem  

    68 Peter Holden

69 Joanne Holden

08:20 100 in 10  

 14 Brian Greenwood (Leader)

10 David Cullen

25 Christina Berkley

4 Tony Hopkins

61 Roger Wheeldon

73 Ann Bath

78 Jacqui Pitman
85 Geoffrey Shields

08:30 100 in 10  

  2 Simon Lambourn (Leader)

7 John Austin

8 John Bassett

39 Peter Horsfield

60 Guy Cowley

56 Sarah Chapman

71 Patrick Watmough

08:40 100 in 10  

  28 Ged Lawrenson (Leader)

49 Neil Crocker

11 Ken Day

13 Dave Ferret

55 Peter Sayer

47 Nigel Bassindale

57 Pete Beyer

81 Neil McIntyre

08:50 100 in 8  

  27 Hans Formella (Leader)

31 Frances Stewart

6 John Beer

30 Mike Reynell

3 Janice Dawes

12 Steve Duffin

74 Andy Bond

100 Kms

09:00 100 kms  

  9 Tim Court (Leader)

18 Paul James

35 Terry Lowe

41 Pam Jones

34 Ray Youlden

65 Liz Bernard

70 Paul Tuohy

CTC Photographer 84 Peter Cornish

09:10 100 kms  

51 Geoff Gregory (Leader)

26 Sue Chasty

75 Kaye Quinn

76 Jo Riffatt

77 Angela Smith

46 Peter Stratton

29 Grant Pyke

48 Stephen Hickey

09:20 100 kms  

  15 Tony Hooker (Leader)

5 Carolyn Beer

16 Tim Gibbons

50 Stephanie Wyatt

44 Gill Holder

40 Sarah Irwin

63 Sue Bellamy

79 Richard Delamere

83 Peter Tiller

50 Kms

11:00 50 kms  

 23 Maureen Gallichan (Leader)

19 Maggie James

52 Frank Carter

53 Sandy Bayliss