Invitation to a B Group ride on 4th January

Hi all, Happy New Year,

Re Wednesday ride from Cobham, Lunch is at The Running Horse in Leatherhead🏇🏇about 19 miles, 5 as the crow flies🦅.

You know what to do, no food order required, but register with me by Monday 11-59pm after that I turn back into a pumpkin leaving only a glass cycle shoe.

~ Tony (07856 699 521)

 

P.S. Further to Dave Ward's invitation to our informal New Years Day ride to Richmond Park, on behalf of Cheam and Morden, note this advice forwarded by Diane to the B Group WhatsApp forum:

"Dear Saturday riders, the New Years Day ride will be at 9.45 am from the end of Green Lane by Worc Park Station [near The Brook ph].  Maureen has asked me to post for any wishing to come along. "

So however we get to the café we can look forward to meeting up for our first elevenses in 2023.

~ Tim

Invitation to A Group Ride from Cobham - 4th January 2023.

 You are invited onto the first A group ride of 2023 - the 4th January, from Cobham Royal British Legion. Lunch is at the Percy Arms, Chilworth, and tea at Leatherhead. The all road route is 19 miles to lunch and 12 miles to tea, and involves a couple of climbs, (Merrow Downs and Combe).

The Percy Arms require pre-orders for lunch by Monday 2nd Jan. This is the menu. Please respond to:- gedlawrenson150@gmail.com by Monday 6pm if you would like to join this ride, and make sure you include your lunch order.

Details of the route, groups, start times,  etc. will be emailed to you on Tues. 3rd Jan. 

Happy New Year!

Report for B group - 28th December

On the fourth day of Christmas, Twelve Cyclists gathered, at Walton Day Centre.

A slightly uneven split ensued, with Alan leading out five riders in the first group.

The second group headed out over Walton Bridge. It seemed the riders were in autonomous mode - most of the group found it hard to take the Right direction.

However we managed to head up to Charlton and along to Littleton - Chertsey - Lyne - Trumps Green (No sign of Donald) and onwards to Ottershaw - Row Town - West Byfleet -

And finally we made it to our Lunch destination "The Anchor at Pyrford". The Food was quite good and was served quickly; it actually took longer to pay for it, than getting it on the table.

After lunch we headed off down along Wisley Lane, traversing a Footbridge and into Wisley Airfield (Nobody fell asleep crossing the Airfield.) Our prescribed route took us into Cobham to complete the ride.

The damp weather made the Traffic seem more noisy than usual, which didn't lend much to the ambience of the cycle ride.

Thank you to all who made the effort to join in the ride.

Well done Alan, memorising the route and leading.

Dave C

(photo by Steph)

Alan writes:

On a wet and windy day, the last of the Wayfarers “B” Rides for 2022 took place between Walton and Cobham, following a circular route via Chertsey, New Haw, West Byfleet, Pyrford and Wisley. 

The route included a mix of wooded lanes, local village roads, and some busier roads carrying Christmas traffic, plus an unusual crossing of the M25 (by foot) and a short ride over Wisley Airfield.

Lunch was at the Anchor Pub, a riverside pub beside Pyrford Lock with views of the River Wey.

Undeterred by the weather, the small group of five riders who formed the early group remained positive, ignoring the rain and pushing on through the wind, determined to complete the ride despite the conditions.

The reward was a welcome lunch break at the Anchor Pub. A chance to remove waterproofs, have a coffee or drink, enjoy the food, and chat in warm and dry conditions.

After lunch, the group completed a short ride to Cobham via the pedestrian walkway over the A3/M25 interchange, followed by a windswept ride across the now unused, and desolate, former Wisley Airfield. Following a path leading away from the airfield, we rode through a partially flooded farmyard disturbing a gaggle of geese enjoying the weather on the way. We then followed a relaxed downhill route to Cobham, squeezing past a hedge-trimming tractor on a narrow lane en route and taking a detour to avoid a road closure caused by flooding on Plough Lane.

Keen to arrive home before dark, the group decided to forgo our usual tea stop and ride on to Esher, where we split and went our separate ways. An unexpected change to the weather allowed a quick and dry ride home as the rain stopped, and the wind changed direction.

Thanks to Madeline, Diane, Francis, and Arwyn for an enjoyable ride despite the weather (and to Arwyn for back marking and Dave(y) for planning the route). An opportunity to ride off the Christmas Pudding, discuss some of the memorable rides we completed in 2022, and look forward to Cycling in the year ahead.

Alan

Photos by Steph, Liz and Arwyn:

Alan with his team

All Welcome - Cheam & Morden New Years Day Meet at Richmond Park

Just a reminder about the traditional Cheam and Morden 1st January elevenses meeting (from 10.00 am) at Colicci Cafe, near Roehampton Gate, Richmond Park.  All are welcome!   The ideal hangover cure!

'A' Group Ride Report for 28 December 2022

 

It was a beastly day and Patrick, Paula, Frances, Ged and Dave E showed great resilience just to join me for elevenses, let alone continue on the ride!   We took a slightly quirky route, through the back ways of Weybridge,  Chertsey, and Englefield Green, to get to Windsor, tackling Prune Hill en route.   

I tried to keep the pace as high as I could, reasoning that if people were concentrating on keeping up they wouldn't be focusing on the horrible weather.   However, the group showed no signs whatever of post-Christmas fatigue and try as I might, I couldn't shake the blighters off my tail!

For some strange reason there were no other cyclists at the Cinnamon Cafe, so service was even more efficient than usual.   We were able to put the handy glove driers to good use, at least once we had worked out how to turn them on!

We had less luck with the space heater, however, and that will be a challenge for a future visit.   We had to content ourselves instead with an imaginary warm-up next to the boiler of a preserved steam loco which Dave E discovered in the bowels of the old station.

Hopes that the rain would have stopped when we set off for home were quickly dashed, as was the idea that we might have the strengthening wind behind us on the return leg.   We struggled (I did anyway) back through Datchet, Wraysbury, and Staines then took a cheeky route across Shortfield Common to Ashford, Shepperton and Walton Bridge. where we parted company.

Many thanks to all the group for your company and good spirits and particular thanks to Ged for back-marking throughout the ride.   Happy New Year to everyone and let's hope for better weather on our first 'A' ride of 2023, and that my shoes have dried out before then!

Invitation to a B Group ride on 28th December

An Invitation to join the B group ride from Walton on Thames.

19.2 miles to Lunch at the Anchor in Pyrford.

About 6 miles after lunch to Cobham, to complete the route.

A few bits of Hills en route, but nothing too drastic.

N.B.: The Anchor Pub would like us to pre-order our food and pay by Card only.

If these menus are hard to read visit the pub's website.

Two groups are planned departing at 10.40am and 10.50am.

Please let me know if you have a preferred departure time?

Semi-off road, about 250 metres in all, after lunch. Plus a footbridge over the Portsmouth Road near Wisley.

Please contact me via Email or text 07952627346

Dave (Fixie)

Join the 'A' Group Ride on Wednesday 28 December

I'll be working the 'graveyard shift' on Wednesday 28 December and leading a shortish 'A' ride from Walton Day Centre.   The slightly quirky route (one or two surprises guaranteed)  https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/139640222 (.gpx available on request) is of about 34, mainly flat, miles (one climb of any significance), taking us to a light lunch in the heated, inner courtyard at that cyclists' mecca, the Cinnamon Cafe, Windsor, and then back to Walton Bridge.   Departure at 10.30 am sharp from the day centre, and I'll shorten and issue an updated route if it looks as if the weather will be especially unpleasant!

I am not expecting vast numbers so have not recruited co-leaders.   In the unlikely event that we need more than one group I'll ask for volunteer(s) and the groups will ride in sight of each other.

If you are interested please e-mail me by 3.00 pm on Tuesday 27 December.  No one looks at this sort thing over Christmas, so I will be able to accept requests received after this deadline, but in that case cannot guarantee you will receive a confirmation before the ride.  If you book a place then can't make it, please let me know.

Happy Christmas, anyway, and I look forward to riding with you all in 2023!

Report for the Easy Riders - 21st December

We left Elleray Hall a little late and the general feeling was that we didn't want a longish ride but we knew which pub to go to for our lunch. The route took us down Teddington High Street, over the bridge at the Lock to join the Thames Path to Richmond. We joined Petersham Road and made our way through George Street to join Sheen Road where we followed through until turning right into Sheen Common Drive. This led us to Sheen Gate and through Richmond Park to emerge at Roehampton Gate. From there it was a straightforward route to the Green Man at the top of Putney Hill.

Fortunately, we did not require the services of an ambulance but, unfortunately, after lunch my rear tyre developed a puncture. It was agreed that most of the group carry on across Wimbledon Common and home however, John Connaughton generously stayed to help me replace the inner tube - it was his contribution to Help the Aged.

John

Christmas Cakes - Cyclists Charitable £££ Contributions.

 I've received a note from Sam Vaughnley from Elleray Hall expressing grateful thanks for your contributions to the homelessness charity, SPEAR, via your purchase of Christmas cakes - and more, at elevenses yesterday. Your generous contributions raised nearly £220 for this worthy local cause. Thank you.

Ride Report A group 21st December

 14 riders from A group met at Elleray Hall Teddington to the sounds of Christmas Carol rehearsal, coffee and little Christmas cakes.

Simon caught me brushing up on my leadership skills!

After consulting with leaders Dave Ward and Neil Warland we decided on two groups.

Neil Warland set off at 10.30 am with Clive, Patrick, Janice, Dave Bartholomew, Neil Crocker and Dave Ward as back marker. It was only 18.8 miles to lunch because today was the 'shortest day' in terms of daylight. The route was to follow designated cycle paths in a circle through Ham, Richmond Park, Roehampton, Wimbledon, Colliers Wood, Mitcham and finally Wallington to The Whispering Moon pub. A Weatherspoons with cramped parking, where we managed to secure the bikes in the area behind the fire escape of the pub.

I set off with my group of Dave Vine, Nigel, Simon, Dave Ferrett, Sue Chasty and Ged as back marker 5 minutes after the first group. The weather was cloudy with blue bits but, a balmy 10 degrees. There was a little rain in the air, but no downpour. The paths and roads were decidedly quiet due to schools on holiday and people shopping. Even the pub was quiet.

So having refuelled we set off in our two groups for tea at The Horton Cafe, Horton Park Epsom. The route went through Belmont area, Oaks Park, Woodmansterne, Banstead, Epsom Downs and across to Horton Park.

Inside the Horton Chapel was evidence of extensive renovation. This was the last to survive of six in the area and was managed by a charitable trust. Inside was an exhibition of how the Epsom Hospital had expanded in Horton to accomodate over 40,000 soldiers from the first and second world wars. The chapel had been sectioned off to create another 'Performance Hall' where various shows and orchestras could entertain, the overall acoustics being excellent.

We all had a pleasant day out with some exercise and a little exploring. Thankfully no casualties to punctures or collisions so all good. I am very grateful to Dave Ward and Neil Warland who not only mastered this tricky route, but did a recce in the ice and snow when I considered the conditions unrideable. Thanks to Ged and Dave Ward for back marking and appreciation for everyone's company who came on the ride.

Steve D.

Thank you Simon

What a lovely 11s today at Elleray Hall with all the lovely cakes sold for charity and carol singing too.

Good to see Simon as he had searched through his cycle light accessories and miraculously came up with a perfect fit for my old opticube cats eye light that works perfectly but I no longer had the handlebar fitting.    

Christmas Greetings from Tony Ashford

Wishing you all a very merry Christmas and happy New Year

Hi Tim,

             It was good to see you and the club (if very briefly) this year in Dieppe, all the more so after the cancellations of the previous two years. I gather that the 2023 event may now take place so hopefully we can all meet up again.

            Here in Germany we had quite a long summer and we were still cycling in shorts until the middle of November. It all changed quite dramatically at the end of that month necessitating full winter kit (and sometimes quite a bit of post-ride suffering). As I write this we have a lot of snow, but I gather that it'll be gone by Christmas which is a bit sad for the kids and the grown up ones too.

            Anyway, I'd like to wish you and the other Sou'westers a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year and hopefully we will meet up again in Dieppe for the Tour des Trois Vallées.

All the best, and happy cycling.

Tony and Annett

Christmas wishes

AAA    AA A Very Happy Christmas and New Year to all Wayfarers

Lets hope we will have many sunny days cycling ahead

Geoff

Who do you think you are?

One of our resident artists Brian Bent has been busy drawing our faces for quite some time and would like to invite you to see how many you can identify. These are mostly taken from photos posted with our reports.

This might also give us a chance to identify anyone who has so far escaped Brian's artistic pen for him to start a new page in the album. Please let me know if you don't see yourself here.

~ Tim

Invitation to Ride with the A group 21st December

 We will set off from Teddington Elleray Hall. Please check out Ged's comments on Day centres below.

Because it is the winter solstice, the start of winter and the shortest day, I have plotted a route using our magnificent cycle path network. We set off and cross Teddington railway using a cycle bridge and then ride 18 miles in a clockwise circle to The Whispering Moon - a Weatherspoons which will be serving Christmas fare - in Wallington. From there we complete the circle 12 miles to The Horton Cafe which is set in the vast ex Epsom Mental Hospital Chapel in Horton Park, which has recently been refurbished and will be open until 6pm. Inside the Chapel is an exhibition setting out the development of the Hospital including its worldwide significance and some case studies including a soldier who fell on a grenade to save his buddies and survived. I have tried to plan an interesting way, with two venues we have not tried yet, but trying to get us to the tea stop well before lighting up time which will be 3.50 pm. Make certain you have lights.

This is not a fast route, but hopefully a safe one. At the moment it is largely not rideable because of ice and snow. My co leaders Dave Ward and Neil Warland rode the route with plenty of ice around and fortunately did not meet with a mishap. However the weather for the day is 9 degrees at lunchtime with a little rain in the afternoon and so I will do yet another recce before then and make certain the route is good. Nevertheless it is a route with a small amount of earth track and so if you have a wide tyre bike this will help.

If you are interested in this ride please email me at steve_duffin@yahoo.co.uk by 6pm on Monday 19th and I will include you and send you route files, details and start times on Tuesday 20th.

Invitation to Ride with the Bs on Wednesday 21st

We shall set out from the Elleray Hall in Teddington for a slightly longer than average morning ride of 22 miles to Epsom. There will be no organised afternoon route, but I am sure that individuals or small sub-sub groups will be able, with the aid of Rudolph, to navigate their own way home.

If you would like to ride please contact me by email at johnaustin04@yahoo.co.uk by Monday 19th, letting me know any preference for an early or late departure.

Please see Ged's update about Elevenses venues for this and the following Wednesday.

John A

Elevenses Updates - 21st and 28th December 2022.

 There will be a collection box at Elleray Hall, Teddington, next week, and you may wish to make a donation. The donation box is for a Winter Appeal for SPEAR, a charity that provides a range of short and long-term support services for people experiencing homelessness. 

For the following week, 28th December, I've been advised that the Walton Day Centre will only have a limited  array of refreshments available - although there will be teas and coffees. (Not too much of a hardship for those overindulging over Christmas I suspect!). 

Happy Christmas - and Safe Cycling. 

December 14th A Group “Ride” Report

I believe we all had a great lunch at The Angel today. It’s good to see such a historic cycling venue still going strong.

Many thanks to Pam for organising, supported by Simon on the money.

 

It was a wise decision to call off the morning ride. Kudos to anyone who rode to lunch, and especially to anyone who did more than ride straight home.

 Hopefully a tad warmer next week.

Some sad news from Colin Garrod

We learnt from Colin at the weekend that his greatly loved wife Jane died suddenly on Friday. She was on her bike riding to the local food bank in Epsom, where she has been a regular volunteer, suffered a cardiac arrest and died on the roadside. Earlier in the week she had felt unwell, suspected an issue with her heart and visited her doctor the next day. With nothing of concern diagnosed she felt able to carry on with her busy life.

Colin and Jane’s son Ollie, daughter Katie and her husband have been with Colin since Friday. One great comfort to the family has been that three months ago Katie presented Colin and Jane with their first grandchild, a little girl.

Our heartfelt condolences to Colin and family at this very sad time for them.

~ Tim 

Cancelled Rides from Claygate - 14th December 2022.

 Due to the extreme cold weather and the resultant dangerous road conditions all ride leaders for the 3 ride groups have cancelled their rides from the Claygate Day Centre on 14th December. This was a decision reached independently by the ride leaders and was taken in the likelihood of the continuing freezing/snowy weather causing hazardous cycling - and possible spills, putting an extra burden on emergency services.

As a consequence I have contacted the Claygate Centre and cancelled our elevenses. For the A group, riders may still need to ride to the Angel for the Xmas lunch. However should the weather and road conditions improve considerably in the next few days individual riders may still wish to ride to the Day Centre and meet informally for elevenses. (Claygate Centre have been made aware of this possibility). Thereafter riders can decide for themselves whether it is safe to continue riding. It is important to note that as the formal group rides under the auspices of Cycling UK have been cancelled, riders who wish to ride as group, whilst protected individually by their membership of CUK, will not be covered by the group riding insurance liability provisions of Cycling UK. 

I hope this advice is helpful. Please contact me should you require any further information or advice. Further updates may be provided. Stay safe.

Ged Lawrenson,

Rides Secretary

mob. 07986 254073

Cancelled: A group ride to Xmas lunch, 14 Dec

The A ride on Wednesday is Cancelled due to continuing weather forecast of freezing conditions and possible snow.  We do not feel it is prudent to run the route as we cannot guarantee road conditions.

Each rider can decide on day mode of transport to our Christmas lunch.

If you are not able to come due to train strike or circumstances please let Pam know directly so she can liaise with The Angel.

Thank you for your understanding and look forward to seeing you on Wednesday for lunch.


~ Frances and sub leaders.

Invitation to a B Group ride on 14th December

We will meet at the Day Centre in Claygate and ride to The Woolpack in Banstead. The management at the pub don't require us to pre-order and I think they are intending to serve us at the tables for both drinks and food orders.

The car park isn't ideal for parking bikes so I asked the manager at the pub if the side gate could be opened for us before we arrive so that we can wheel our bikes into the garden area. I don't imagaine that anyone will be dining outdoors.

This is the route:

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/41340378

Individual leaders may choose to vary this, according to their whims on the day.

Between Leatherhead and Walton-on-the-Hill there will be some undulations but much of the route will be less challenging. Just South of Claygate, New Road should be even dryer than it was this week.

Please confirm by email or private WhatsApp that you wish to come on this ride and indicate any preference for early or late departure. Your sub-leaders will be Christina and Francis. It will be cold so wear your warmest things.

After lunch there is no organised afternoon ride, allowing us to get home before dark. We will still be in the period of the shortest afternoons in the year with sunset scheduled for 15:51.

Tim

Your leaders preparing for the ride

A group ride to Christmas Lunch - Wed 14th

Please let me know if you're coming on our ride from Claygate Day Centre to The Angel on Wednesday 14th December. There are 3 leaders and we'll be aiming to get to the pub no later than 12:30. The ride is 22 miles, with one off-road section across Bookham Common (1mile).

This is our route: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/139126275

If the weather forecast suggests ice and/or snow I reserve the right to cancel and will let all riders know.

If you're not coming on the ride, please try to get to the pub around 12:30.

Email francespstewart@gmail.com by 6pm Monday 12th December so I can allocate timing and groups depending on numbers. 🎄

~ Frances

Report for B Group ride to Christmas Lunch

from the original by Brian Bent

 

Wednesday was very cold but there was no prospect of rain and with Christmas Lunch bookings assuring us of a full house at The Angel we had three full groups of cheerful Wayfarers. Before we left Dave Vine made a short speech and presented Noreen and David, the volunteers at the RBL, with the customary small gift of chocolates. We are pleased that our regular attendance at the RBL was able to resume after the pandemic receded and grateful to have two cheerful people there every month to cater for us, this time including the seasonal mince pies.

The last of our three B groups left almost on time at 11:00ish and made good progress up through the woods of Oxshott Heath and after a brief but lovely meander through Heath Road joined the busy Fairoak Lane before venturing into the trees along New Road. On separate rides Christina and I had done our recces and on both days found New Road to be completely unrideable due to several enormous puddles straddling the path. So we had been concerned about whether it would be good enough to take our groups through on the day. But after so little rain in recent days the path was almost totally dry apart from a few squiffy bits and we arrived in Claygate without mishap.

New Road as it was on the recce

New Road on Wednesday

During our recces we had cycled along the path through Littleworth Common on a carpet of damp autumnal leaves but on Wednesday it seemed that a project had just commenced to resurface the path and the soil was quite soft in places, and totally devoid of all leafiness. I hope they won't lay down tarmac but whatever they do to it I hope they will consider doing something similar in New Road. I wonder when New Road was actually 'new'.

As the last group out it dawned on me that we wouldn't get to lunch on time if we did the whole course so after turning left at Hampton Court Bridge for a ride along the river and a tour of Molesey we took a short cut to reduce our distance by a couple of miles and arrived at The Angel around 12:30, as planned. But both Gill Holder and Christina, with the earlier teams, proved that they were made of sturdier stuff by riding the entire route, all getting there in good time for a natter and a drink before lunch was served.

Our experience of the occasion served to remind us why we go back there year after year. The staff cope so well with what most of us would regard as bedlam and they served a very decent Christmas lunch to us all. By now Pam must have lost count of how many times she has organised this event for us and we remain hugely grateful for her hard work in getting it all together and supervising proceedings. She did seem to have quite a number of elves this year and blow me down if Santa himself didn't turn up to spread good cheer all around.

(photo: Tony Hooker)

While we were dining at The Angel the Easy Riders had cycled to The Jolly Coopers for their Christmas Lunch at Squiffy's restaurant. It was unfortunate for them but one of the delights for our ride was that Ed met us in Cobham and cycled with us to have dinner with B Group. Mind you, he was pretty quick to grab a drink and station himself in front of the fire as soon as we arrived.

The one and only Ed

Ho Ho Home time

A big thanks to Christina and Gill for subleading for an intricate route in quite 'varied' terrain and for transporting everyone to the pub in good time. Thanks to Mick in my group for back-marking and to everyone in the peloton for their cheerful perseverance and hearty appetites.

~ Tim