Report for B Group - 15th December

The ride didn't start too well for this sub-leader.  The bridleway from Malden Rushett to Claygate was terrible, and after getting stuck in some sticky mud the chain came off and jammed, despite having a chaincatcher.  After struggling for a few minutes I managed to free it and set off again, heading for the station café at Claygate, a mistake of course.  I arrived quite early and settled down with my coffee, not too concerned to be the first there.  But after about ten minutes there was still no sign of anyone else and I started to wonder if I was in the right place.  Fortunately I had Tim G's number and sure enough found that everyone was at the Day Centre, which I didn't know about.  A quick sprint and I was there just in time for my 10:30 start, but I missed out on the cakes.

We then had an easy ride via the quiet roads in Molesey before crossing the river at Hampton Court and having a lovely ride through Bushy Park before crossing the river again at Ham and continuing through Richmond Park.  After passing through Raynes Park the route took us through an interesting area of smallholdings, very strange so close to Worcester Park.  I went slighty off course here but with the help of Fixie and Tony got back on track on 'graffiti alley'.  Then an easy route through quiet roads around Sutton before a slight sting in the tail with the climb up to Banstead.  I left my group at Woodmansterne Lane with a plan to visit C&N Bikes in Redhill to get some Bontrager GR2 gravel tyres, which hopefully will be a big help.

Martin G

Tim writes:

After so long since our last visit it was excellent to be able to meet in the Claygate Day Centre again. The refreshments were good, especially the bread and butter pudding, and served by cheerful staff.

Tim Gibbons had planned a good route for us and after a bit of an accident on Monday he reluctantly decided that he shouldn’t do the ride. However he drove over to the DC for elevenses and to see his teams off.

We headed through Esher and crossed Hampton Court Bridge to take the Chestnut Avenue through to Teddington and the lock. We traversed Ham Common and Richmond Park then Paul took over as leader for the dash along the A3 cycle path and so to Raynes Park.

Martin's team in Richmond Park

We arrived in Banstead feeling that we’d done quite a lot of climbing and then cruised along the top to The Woodman in Woodmansterne, pleased to have arrived with our good appetites after 21.6 miles. This is always a good pub to visit and service was brisk with good food for all.

Ken and Paul declined my invitation to be in this photo

Helen, Paul, Steph, Anne, Ken, Pat D, Ray Youlden, and myself comprised our Team 3. Pat left the ride, as intended, in Bushy Park; Ray made his way home from the Robin Hood Gate. We were pleased that Helen was able to take the day off from leading the Easy Riders to ride with us, a sort of busman’s holiday, I guess.

As we had been a bit late leaving Claygate, and with our ride to lunch taking about two and a half hours, riders left the ride before we reached The Old Moat and most of us would have arrived home after dark.
Tim’s route was appreciated by all, it didn’t rain and the temperature was up into double figures. A very enjoyable day out.

~ Tim C