Invitation to the Annual Lunch - 2nd March at 1pm

This year we will return to our old custom of holding the Annual Lunch and Prize-giving on the first Wednesday in March which is 2nd March this year.

As in recent years we will return to the Ristorante Sorrento where we feel that the food and service has always been excellent. And Rosa-Lina has advised us that they will keep the set price for our three course dinner at £19, including service charge.
 

Ristorante Sorrento, 379 Ewell Road, Tolworth, KT6 7DE

We will pay for all drinks, including coffee or tea after our dinner, separately.

Leaders should plan their rides from Cobham (elevenses) so that they can deliver their teams to the restaurant between 12:00 and 12:30, no later.

Note that you must book and pay in advance. Please contact me (Tim) by email to confirm that you intend to come and to advise me of your choices for the Starter and Main courses. We need these details by Wednesday 23rd February so that the restaurant can plan and lay in provisions for us. See the menu below.

Desserts do not need to be ordered in advance and can be chosen on the day, subject to space available after the preceding two courses.

Any food allergies or Vegan requirements should be notified to me so that we can let the Restaurant know. We may need to find out what dishes can be offered to you before you make your choices.

The preferred method of payment (£19) is by bank transfer. When you advise your order to me ask for the club bank account details (same as for paying subs) if you don't already have them. When you use online banking to make your payment it is essential that you put your name in the 'Reference' field and, if space permits add the word 'lunch'. So for example: 'B Wiggins lunch'.

Our Treasurer Simon Lambourn will be keeping track of payments.

For anyone unable to pay by bank transfer, or preferring to pay cash, please find Simon or myself at Elevenses. If we are unable to give you change for £20 we will make a note and refund your £1, probably on the day. We can also accept cheques if necessary.

You should be prepared to comply with any Covid safety measures the restaurant may require. If you are concerned about your health or possible exposure to Covid please take a test to reassure yourself that you are safe to mingle. And please don't attend if you might be at risk yourself or a risk to others.

So please put this date in your diary and lets look forward to the wonderful occasion which this can be.

Tim Court

p.p. Jennie Jackson

Click to enlarge

Invitation to A group ride 2nd February

We will be leaving from Cobham RBL next Wednesday and I have re-plotted a ride we did couple of years back across Farley Heath via Albury to Wonersh and The Grantley Arms. The pub is huge inside, but outside bike parking is limited to the front fore court area. I have booked us into three groups. Return is back to Cobham in Caffe Capital avoiding Guildford by riding via Black Heath village and past Chilworth Gunpowder Mills, a historic monument (set up in 1626 by the East India Company) to Burpham and the A3 cycle path. Weather is forecast dry with grey cloud and temperature in double figures so perhaps a layer less. Once again, the route is relatively straightforward, but with a few quiet roads we haven't ridden for a while.

On the mask wearing front, I plan to wear a mask inside as normal, unless sat down to eat. I will also do a test on the Tuesday before the ride to make sure I am not going to spread more than good wishes to everyone. You must decide for yourselves what is appropriate.

Neil C and Dave Vine have kindly volunteered to co-lead. If you would like to join this ride, please email me steve_duffin@yahoo.co.uk before Monday 6pm and I will send back route files and group details on Tuesday 1st February.

Steve D.

Invitation to a B Group ride on 2nd February

You are invited to join next Wednesday’s ride from Cobham which will offer something for everyone; a not too challenging climb in the form of Green Dene, a fast whizz down Staple Lane and then a nice potter along quiet country lanes to The Seven Stars at Ripley for lunch. I ate there a couple of weeks ago and the food was good and service excellent. We don’t need to pre-book and we can park our bikes in the rear garden.

After lunch, we head to Pyrford and join the Wey Navigation. Care needs to be taken on the tow path as there are quite a few tree roots to watch out for but generally it is fine to cycle. Off at New Haw lock and we then take familiar roads  through Addlestone, Weybridge and head for tea at the Riverside Theatre café.

The route is 15 miles to lunch and 10 miles to Walton:

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/38399102

If you would like to join the group, please email me by the evening of Monday 31^st 

Sue Foster

 

'A' Group Ride Report - Weds 26 Jan 2022 (Weybridge & Camberley)

 

Our ride today began at Morrison's, Weybridge, the first time we have used this cafe where pyjamas and dressing gown seem normal attire!   As the photo shows, some of our members clearly didn't want to be recognised there!   I take a learning point from this experience - if you begin a sat-nav led ride from a basement car park, expect trouble!   Despite this, my group (Brian, Steve W, Frances, Dave F, Sue C and I) set off promptly and had an uneventful ride to lunch.    I was slightly anxious for Dave J and his group - Dave had very generously agreed to sub-lead from .gpx at short notice, so we tried to keep his group in sight, the route having one or two tricky bits!   However, try as we might, we couldn't shake Dave and crew off and they arrived hard on our heels at The Claude Duvall.

Lunches were quickly ordered and promptly served (a member of staff told us Wetherspoons expect customers to receive their meals within 15 mins).   My group set off for the ride home and all went well for the first couple of miles until Brian's rear derailleur suddenly got stuck on the largest rear cog.  Steve W provisionally diagnosed an STI lever jam, and suggested loosening the gear wire and resetting the chain manually on a suitable medium cog, then re-tightening the wire.  This temporary fix worked brilliantly and Brian was able to limp bravely on for the rest of the ride!

We were bathed in pleasant sunshine as we stopped to admire the English Heritage grade 2 listed 'tin tabernacle' at Deepcut, but the gloom was back as we crossed Brooklands banking by the mysterious steps.   Two Concordes and  and a skid pan later we managed to get refreshments at Walton Bridge by the skin of our teeth (now beginning to close for the day at 3.30 pm, apparently)!

Thanks to all in my group, but special thanks to Janice and Dave Jackson.

Report from Janice's group:

Dave B, Mark, Steve, Hans, Patrick and myself were first off after a rapid refuelling stop at Morrisons. I’d actually arrived in plenty of time but my (very good) toasted tea cake only arrived minutes before we were due to leave.

The rather devious route to avoid main roads started as it meant to go on by exiting the car park via the path at the back taking most by surprise.

We felt we were making rapid progress hampered by only one wrong turn (off the A30) and a couple of hesitant last minute turns. My Garmin had decided to give slightly different information in the turn instructions compared to the route shown on the map. By the end of the ride I had worked out that the route on the map was more accurate than the turn directions. I was very glad to have recce’d the ride first and wondered how Dave had managed leading without a recce.

We arrived at the Claude Duvall in Camberley in good time. Being near Burns night several ordered haggis which I understand was very good but with peas or beans instead of the hoped for neeps. Hans was delighted to find that a pint of Leffe with his meal gave such excellent value for money that it couldn’t be missed.

The second and third groups arrived in quick succession leaving me thinking that we must’ve been hanging around on the way out.

Suitably refreshed by fairly enormous meals all round (the fish and chips must’ve been as Patrick was still too full to order a cake later on) we set off, Mark making for the station for a train to Reigate.

I was hoping for a nice tail wind home but if it was there I didn’t notice it, only the inclines on this flat ride. It was a longer route back to Walton and the remaining 5 of us stopped for refreshments, which I was certainly glad of, before the final leg home.

Thanks to Dave for this inventive route which managed to avoid most main roads, we were all kept guessing and enjoyed it. Thanks also for the good company of my group.

David Jackson wrote of his group's experiences:

To use the adage, it’s OK to make mistakes but do not repeat them more than

once, the ride began quite happily with literally a tour around the car park of

Morrison’s in Weybridge so I decided to follow Dave Ward’s group out and

along to more familiar roads. Eventually the route on Garmin locked on and we

went over the railway and on towards Addlestone. Crossing over the M25 I

decided to let DW’s group go in front of us and give us a ‘route pointer’ which

they did to a greater and lesser degree to lunch.

After lunch Dave said to follow him and his group again as the start was ‘quite

complicated’, this we did until thinking we were on the route we undertook

the climb and decent of an additional hill, however we were soon reunited

with them as they had stopped to carry out adjustments to Brian’s bike.

Due to traffic conditions, we were soon just following Garmin again and

including pushing the bikes up and over some of the original banking at

Brooklands we found ourselves back in Weybridge after which the trip to

Walton Bridge can be described as uneventful.

Dave had devised a really interesting and wonderful route which I think all in

my group enjoyed. (Too kind, I'm sure - Ed)

I would like to thank everyone in my group for their understanding and

patience for the numerous times I stopped to either adjust our route or check

it, and for their input in going the right way eventually. A real team effort!

Thanks to everyone in making it such a great day out!

Ride report for B Group - 26th January

Dave writes:

The Weather always warrants a mention, it being less cold than of late, making it more conducive for us Wayfarers. It always seems to be a bonus when we are able to cycle in dry weather and we were even blessed with some Sunshine after lunch.

Twenty cyclists gathered for our jaunt out from Walton day centre to our Lunch venue at the King William 1V Pub in West Horsley

The route took us initially alongside the Thames at Walton then through Weybridge, and Addlestone. We traversed the M25 without a problem! Onwards through Row Town, passed over the Basingstoke Canal and headed towards West Byfleet.
More water passed underneath us in the form of the River Wey. Always a bonus when Water is below, rather than above, falling on us.
None of our group were tempted to swim in Papercourt Lake?
Today's route included some trails, which got us away from the sometimes relentless traffic that is always around, ready to crowd  for some reason?

Condolences to the Wayfarers who were unable to join us, for one reason or another.

Thank you to the two sub-leaders today, and all who took part, making it a pleasant day out.

Fixie-Dave

Clive writes:

My group set off from Walton Day Centre with the usual promptness, just the standard 5 or so minutes behind schedule. There is no reason for it, just that it takes time to put on woolly hat, helmet, glove liners, gloves then remove gloves again because you can’t operate the computer with them on, then load the route and put gloves back on. It might be better in the summer.

We the Vanguards (Sue, Paula, Gill, Mags, Brenda and Tim G) made our way out of Walton and on to the river path where we briefly mingled with many dog walkers before exiting the path and taking to the road instead (Walton Lane) towards Weybridge, going down Weybridge high street and out the other side.
We saw a little bit more of Bourne Business Park than was intended by Dave, when he was concocting the route, due to the navigator leading the Vanguards on a short detour. Anyway, having found the way out of the business park maze, the Vanguards were rendered in two by the level crossing in Addlestone. But this gave Mags a few minutes to tell a few of the Vanguards about her camper van trip around Europe with her husband – it sounded like a great trip.  

Eventually the level crossing barriers lifted, and the Vanguards were one group again, heading towards West Byfleet and out in to a more rural scene at Pyrford. It’s quite possible that this photo was taken around there somewhere.
 

Paula, Gill, Brenda, Sue, Mags and Tim

The route then compelled us to cycle past the atmospheric Newark Abbey, the peaceful Papercourt Lake, and the pretty countryside of Ockham before arriving at the King William IV pub in West Horsley.

The pub had one or two IT issues when the Vanguards were ordering their lunches, but the staff happily maintained a cheerful outlook throughout. I think these may have been ironed out by the time The Main Core and The Rear Guard arrived.
 

The Vanguards (Sue behind camera) ready to depart

Suitably refreshed and refuelled the Vanguards set of as one again, gradually losing one Vanguard at a time as they cast off towards their home ports.
Thankyou Dave for today’s varied route. It was certainly enjoyed by all the Vanguards. Thanks Tim for back marking and to everyone else for the company.

~ Clive

Stephen with 'The Main Core' team

Stephen writes:

Stephen’s  group - ’the Main Core’, consisting of 5 riders - left Walton after Clive’s.  Hardly had we reached Weybridge, however, than Tim’s front tire lost pressure and we came to a premature halt.  It gave those of us not familiar with it the chance of a quick lesson in tubeless technology and we were soon able to continue.  We did wonder whether Addlestone might prove Tim’s terminus, but in fact the tyre held up and we were all able to complete the ride in good form.  Highlights included the lock on the Basingstoke Canal (pictured) and the path around Papercourt Lake.  Lunch at ’The Billy’ was excellent, the sun appeared for the first time in a week, and we dispersed to get home in time for tea (some) and chores (others).

Woodham Lock on the Basingstoke Canal

~ Stephen

 

Thanks to Dave, Clive, Brenda, Sue Bellamy and Stephen for the photos in this report.

~ Tim

 

 

Easyriders from Ashtead - 19th January 2022

We met at Coffee Active. There were 14 of us. One didn’t start and after 2 mechanicals Christina made her way home as did John before we got to The Lion in Teddington for lunch. Numbers were made up by Madeleine who joined us en route. So, we were 12 for lunch.

The 10.9 mile route mostly took us on quiet roads and bridleways near Epsom and West Ewell and then via the Hogsmill to Tolworth, Berrylands, Kingston Bridge and Hampton Wick to the pub which we haven’t been to before. It’s tucked way in amongst Victorian terraced housing. Unsurprisingly it wasn’t very busy. However, the service and food were good.

 

After lunch most of us decided to take the riverbank route to Hampton Court and thence home.

A grey day enlivened by good company!

Peter T

Invitation to a ride with B Group - 26th January

A cordial invitation to the B ride on 26th January

*Updated* 

We'll meet for elevenses at the Day Centre in Walton-on-Thames (KT12 2PB) in Manor Road, just off the A3050/Church Street by Pets at Home.

The plan is to cycle to The King William IV at West Horsley.

Here is the menu:

Starters and Mains

Sandwiches, Spuds and Pizza

Three groups will depart at 10.30, 10.45 and 11.00.  So which group for you & with whom? Our group leaders will be Clive, Stephen & myself.

This is the route based on our recce:

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/38421747

Please email me or reply on WhatsApp to confirm that you are coming and to let me know what you'd like for lunch.

Thanks

Davey-Fixie

Join the 'A' Group Ride on Wednesday 26 January

To reduce the numbers at Walton Day Centre, Wednesday's 'A' group ride will begin instead at Morrison's supermarket cafe ,Monument Hill, Weybridge, KT13 8RT.    Enter the covered supermarket car park from the roundabout on Monument Hill and you will find bike racks on your left just inside the entrance.  Cafe and toilets are upstairs and accessed from close by.

Our ride from Weybridge will take us to lunch at The Claude Duvall (Wetherspoons), Camberley, and back to tea at Walton-on-Thames, just under 40 miles there and back through Surrey heathland scenery (https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/88046986).   The route will almost certainly take you to some places you haven't visited before, and, while not totally free of climbs, is flattish by 'A' group standards, and mainly on quieter roads.   Nothing unsurfaced.  There are a couple of sets of shallow steps which shouldn't be a problem for any for e-bikes.  Janice and Neil W have very kindly volunteered to lead groups.

If you would like to join the ride please e-mail me (cycledave23@gmail.com) by 6.00 pm on Monday.

A Group Ride from Dorking - 19th Jan. 2022.

The As ride to lunch was hilly, rolling, undulating - and a bit lumpy!

First off was Pete Bs group - and first to the Punchbowl, (although Pete let slip that a slight short-cut was involved).

Brian led next.

My group of Janice, Andy, Patrick, Neil W, Neil C, Mike and Hans headed off soon after our allotted time for an interesting and unusual route to Okewoodhill. The climb to Ranmore is a long drag and I was happy to get onto the long rolling stretch along the top of the Downs. My group were hard on my heels most of the way but any faster progress would have been in vain as half of Pete's group were still at the bar when we arrived. Lunch was a while being served and then Mike drew the short straw of the missing order. Finally we left at about 2pm for the homeward run and five of us stopped for tea in Leatherhead. My thanks to Janice for back marking and to both Janice and Andy for some welcome drafting on the way back.

The Punchbowl Inn - a cold start after lunch.

Weare Street Wayfarers.

My group was missing Steve W - delayed by a Wahoo glitch to elevenses, but gained John B, delayed by a rogue cashpoint, and then saw Geoffrey descent back from Ranmore. We were warmed by the ascents (lumpy), and reached the Punchbowl as the first groups were awaiting lunch. Alas Frances went without - having lost patience with her order that failed to arrive. 

Weare St is always a pleasure to ride, and the pond is a favourite spot for a photo. By the time we reached Amici’s, only Brian was there to welcome us, but we had time for tea before losing daylight. Kudos to Frances for her first 50+ mile since her accident in September.

Thanks to Dave V for backmarking my group, Brian and Pete B for sub-leading, and to Steve D and Brian for photos. An enjoyable, lengthy winter’s ride.

Attachments area

Report for B Group - 19th January

John's report

It was a delight to be back to the Christian Centre coffee shop in Dorking after a long break away. Thank you and well done to all those who joined the B ride from Dorking, even though you knew we would be climbing up to Coldharbour. For anyone for whom this was their first ascent of Leith Hill – well done and I hope you are looking forward to your next climb.

The first group set off with all present as arranged to ascend Leith Hill. We made good progress and then descended carefully, aware that there is often a good deal of surface water and gravel. We were fortunate that there had been no overnight frost and continued on our way across the lovely countryside to lunch in Westhumble. Our group split after lunch and in fact although a couple of riders got close to the tea stop, no one actually ventured in.

Thank you to Tim C and Clive for sub-leading and to Geoff who back marked my group. Now that groups are a more manageable size back marking is not so vital, but it is still very reassuring as a leader to be able to glance around to see the back marker wave to indicate all is well!

~John A.

Clive's report

Ian decided to get a head start on us so had a few minutes lead before the remaining group of me, Sue and Alan set off from the church café in Dorking with a determined resolve to conquer the towering Coldharbour Lane that lay ahead. With gears accordingly set to their lowest possible ratio we began the ascent shortly after leaving Dorking. Did anyone walk up? I don’t know, I didn’t see a thing, honest. Anyhow, one way or another, everyone reached the summit where we were reunited with Ian.

It was all worth the effort, though. We were rewarded with fantastic views of the Surrey plains below us as we cycled along Coldharbour ridge, and the long fast descent towards Ockley where we stopped for a photoshoot outside St. Margaret’s Church.

Alan, Ian and Sue at St Margaret's Church

 
Having reached the plains, that we had seen from on high, we made blistering progress through Capel, Newdigate and Brockham to arrive at the Stepping Stones pub in Westhumble, with a pretty good appetite for lunch.

I had started the day with the good intention of going on to the tea stop at The Old Moat. But because that would take me almost directly past my house in Leatherhead I decided to call it a day, along with the rest of my group, and head home after lunch.

Thanks to John for devising an enjoyable route through some of the very best of what Surrey has to offer and to my group Sue, Alan and Ian.

~ Clive

 

Tim's report

Our little group of six mustered at the St Martin's Church Centre in good time for our departure at 11:00. Maggie had arrived with Paul but declined the invitation to ride up the hill with us. Grant's arrival wasn't a big surprise but we were also pleased that Steve Wiltshire turned up just a little too late for his A Group departure. So he and Grant both joined our team. Thus eight of us headed off up Coldharbour Lane with one or two wondering if we would make it without getting off to walk. As it had been about six months since we last ascended this monster hill we neared the summit imagining that somewhere around the next bend was one more brutally steep section but surprised ourselves with our almost premature arrival at the Anstie Lane turnoff then The Plough.

We rollercoastered along the top, passing Windy Gap and at Campfield Place took off down Leith Hill Lane to pass Ralph Vaughan Williams' old home, and once safely down proceeded through Ockley, Capel, Newdigate and Parkgate, and so to Brockham and Westhumble, our lunch destination.

We received our usual friendly welcome at The Stepping Stones and ate well. John's team was on the verge of departure when we arrived but Team Clive was still relaxing.

 

Thanks to Anne for taking this photo

 

Thanks to everyone in the team for your company, to Colin for back-marking and to John for his daft idea of leading us all up to Coldharbour and Leith Hill in the middle of Winter.

~ Tim