A group ride 4th May invitation

 The route planned for this Wednesday is to start at Cobham and ride south 23 miles to Thr Fox at Bucks Green. There is about 1600 ft of ascent up two big hills with two steep descents of Combe Lane down to Shere and Barhatch Lane to Cranleigh. We will cut through the Cranleigh conurbation and then pick up a quiet road, Vachery Lane passing Vachery Pond through to Tismans Common and the pub. The return is over Leith Hill, 14 miles to the Old Clunker cafe in Dorking. The roads are fast tarmac. Part of the route is in the Hilly 50 set for the following Saturday, so the hills will get you prepared for the hillier event.

Date Vine has kindly offered to co-lead, but we would welcome another leader to smooth out the planning so if you would like to lead a group please let me know. Dave and I will be doing a recce on Monday 2nd. Also email me on steve_duffin@yahoo.co.uk if you would like to join the ride, before  6 pm on Monday 2nd. I will, as usual, send riders gpx route files and group start times on Tuesday 3rd.

Invitation to a B Group ride on 4th May

Robert, Dave and myself will be leading a ride from Cobham this Wednesday on which we will be able to enjoy a great variety of terrain including a fairly level stretch after we have been up and over Green Dene, in all its leafy splendour.

Lunch will be at the Bricklayers Arms in Shamley Green which we cruised past on the way to Wonersh at the end of March. The menu may be slightly different on the day.

After lunch we will take a very scenic route to climb up onto Farley Heath then up and over to Shere. At Abinger Hammer we join the National Cycle Network 22 for over four miles of off-road terrain all the way to Dorking. Tea will be at Denbies. Care will be needed on this route to avoid potholes, tree roots and some soft sand but all these paths were bone dry during the recce.

We meet for Elevenses at the British Legion and this is our route:

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/39003707

Please write to me to confirm that you intend to join us and if you have any preference for an early or late start (within a 10:30 to 11:00 window) let me know. Or let me know by private WhatsApp message.

Hope to see you there

Tim C

If we're lucky we might see scenes like these:

Learning to drive

On the path between Denbies and Leatherhead

Report for Easy Riders - 27th April

It was disappointing to find that only the Easy Riders met at Elleray Hall especially as another group was meeting just round the corner in Bushy Park. A sign greeted us upon arrival "Welcome Wayfarers - Special Offer: Drink and cake £1.50". I apologised to the manager that there weren't more riders to take up her kind offer.

Having hurt my back falling off my bike at Cliff' Whitfield's funeral the previous day, I was disinclined to go further than usual. We set off round the back roads of Teddington into Twickenham and along the Thames bank to enter the Orleans Gardens and view the display of statues set in a cliff stage. When the water is cascading into the pool it looks impressive but, unfortunately, no water ran and weeds had taken over which made it look a little sad. We carried on to and over Richmond Bridge turning left into the shopping area and off along Sheen Road taking a right turn into Sheen Common Drive. That took us to East Sheen Gate and into Richmond Park which now has much reduced motor traffic. A large herd of deer had occupied one of the roads which brought all motorised traffic to a halt. We couldn't tell if some of the deer had super-glued themselves to the tarmac. We then traversed the Park to Ham Gate and through the Kingston back roads to the Wych Elm pub for lunch.

After lunch Helen Tovey and Ray Wren rode back into the Park to marvel at the blooms at the Isabella Plantation and the main group went along the Thames Path to Hampton Court and home.

John B

John with lots of nymphs

 

Elleray Hall to Lunch at The Wych Elm

Taken by Helen after lunch

Club Kit

Thanks to everyone who participated in the recent survey regarding the Club Kit. We have discussed the results at the last Committee meeting and as the outcome of the survey was so close, we have decided the membership would prefer to continue with the kit as it stands.

I would like to thank Dave Ward for all his hard work and input in compiling the survey.

If anyone would like to order some kit, please contact me using either email, djacksonvictoria@aol.com, by WhatsApp, or by catching up at elevenses to take your order.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Jennie Jackson

Report for B Group - 27th April

Riders met with a cool start as twenty-five of us met at the ‘Pheasantry’ cafe in Bushy Park. After an initial reshuffle of groups Tony Hooker led the first followed by Steph with the second and myself leading the third.

Having completed a short pre-amble of Bushy Park we then set out over Hampton Court bridge towards Molesey with a couple of minor detours towards Walton bridge and the river.

A familiar route led us towards Weybridge then over Chertsey Meads to cross the river at Chertsey bridge. Continuing our riverside tour we headed towards Laleham, Penton Lock then the main road to Staines and onto Thorpe village.

Lunch at the Red Lion was a new experience for many of us and despite previous assurances by the proprietor the servicewas slow and somewhat disappointing. It’s always good to find new lunchtime venues but a pity when they do not live up to our expectations.

After a brief photo shoot our afternoon ride took us towards Chertsey, over the river to Shepperton then up to Upper Halliford and an off-road path around London Irish rugby ground to Sunbury, then another path to Hampton Hill.

Veteran group members may well have been aware that the planned route then took on a meandering course through Fulwell and Teddington to reach our final destination in Bushy Park. Perhaps I was feeling somewhat adventurous in planning this section of the course or just filling time !

A welcome break and teatime refreshment was taken back at the Pheasantry where we were joined by other group members.

Many thanks to my two sub-leaders Steph and Tony for taking on additional passengers at short notice and to Colin for acting as my back marker.

We would also like to welcome Peter Suchy who joined us for the first time today.

After a series of hilly and more challenging rides in previous weeks I hope you all enjoyed what proved to be a flatter and less arduous experience.

Tim G

 

Tony writes:

Jacqui back marked for our group of eight. There were nine when we started but Tony baled out due to cold weather.

We kept to most of Tim’s route and I agree the pub service was slow . After lunch Brian join us. We   
decided to stop for tea at The Walled Garden where we were joined by Madeleine. The garden is also known for The  Embroidery Centre where we were given a  guided tour and an explanation of the design of the Tapestrys. We saw that they are enlarging the Garden building.

A well planed route by Tim.

Steph writes:

A rather cold start for Tim G's riverside route.  With Pete Barnard hanging on the back for a bit (come back Pete we haven't seen you for ages) Arwyn, Robert, Diane, Ann B, Tim C and I negotiated Hampton Court Bridge and turned for Walton and the river.  The route was well planned and easy to follow but unfortunately I punctured east of Staines.  Robert and Tim manfully tackled the tube while helpfully discussing the pros and cons of various approaches.  Late to lunch but gave the group a slight detour in the afternoon as reward for their patience and snapped the camel and the Lochness Monster round Penton Hook.  A lovely route back to Bushy Park  (why do we always wheel along Lower Sunbury when the pleasures of a traffic free path past London Irish lie only a few yards north?). Big thanks to Robert for carrying the correct adaptor for my pump - I ve now got two as I went to Halfords to get a replacement then found the original lurking in the bottom of my bag.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Showing Steph's version of the route

 

 

Ride Report - 'A' Group Wednesday 27 April 2022 (New Malden - Cudham - Cheam)

 

We have had enjoyed several rides to north-western parts over the past year so I thought it would make a change to head 'darn sarf' (well, south-east, anyway).   Whether it not it was a pleasant change, I'm not sure!   I eventually hit on the idea of joining up the (mainly) off-road cycle routes from Motspur Park to Sutton and Carshalton to Croydon, and then heading up to Downe, as it were.

I was very fortunate to have no less than three keen co-leaders (Fiona, Frances, and Neil W).   I am not sure if they quite realised what they were letting themselves in for when they volunteered, but they all did an excellent job and enabled us to have smaller groups, so many thanks to them.

On our recce ride we had had a cold and grey start which gradually brightened to a lovely sunny afternoon, and I was hopeful of this for the ride itself, but the bright bit never happened.   It was freezing cold all day!   My group (Simon, John B and Geoff) never let it dampen our spirits, although we shivered a bit as we paid reverence to the 'great thinker'!

Other groups were less respectful.

Just before lunch there was the slight obstacle of the 'Downeberger' with its vicious final 25% section to overcome.

Simon did genuinely ride all the way to the top, but Neil's otherwise excellent second action shot shows just how a camera can lie!

The Blacksmith's Arms thoughtfully seated us indoors and it did feel cosy!   They seem to specialise in zany signs, not always in the best taste (don't worry it isn't quite what it seems to be), as well as Little Titch memorabilia!   Prices were reasonable, the service efficient and the food generally good, although some had a bit of a wait.   

My group were the last away, just before 2.00 pm.   We cut off a corner from the pub to the start of Tatsfield, which may have saved us a bit on distance but probably resulted in greater elevation gain.  Never mind, it enabled us to admire the abundant bluebells in greater detail!    Finally, there was a blissful descent pretty much all the way from Botley Hill to Purley Oaks, after which we turned west and at last shook off the wind which had been nagging us all day.  Then it was seemingly endless back-doubles passing us close to Purley, Wallington, Carshalton and Sutton but never quite into them, before we arrived at Nonsuch Mansion in time for tea.

Frances writes of her group's experiences - Lovely ride from suburbia New Malden meet up at Tesco before Keith, Christina, Sue and Clive (back marker) followed the twists and turns via Bedlington Park, Croydon and beyond to finally head for the hills of Kent.  We had some challenging climbs, photo stop at Charles Darwin House before heading for the piece de resistance (at 25%) up to Blacksmith Arms Cudham.  Only one mishap near the top resulted in a chain off for Christina but all was well and it was a welcome stop and food shortly thereafter.

We went after lunch with a few more undulations, swift ride across the ridge before descending into Warlingham.  

Soon we were back in the Sutton/Carshalton suburbs and we  parted company with Keith, Sue and Christina before Clive and I headed for the final stop at Nonsuch Mansion.

Lovely day out, thanks to all the crew for patience and assistance on twists and turns.

Thanks to all for your company.

Remembering Cliff

A very good number of Sou'Westers were present today to celebrate the life of Cliff Whitfield, an active cyclist in this club and a great cycling companion at home and abroad for many years.

Our thoughts are with Maureen and Cliff's wonderful family for sharing their day with us.

~ Tim C

Passenger list for B Group ride tomorrow

Wednesday 27th April - B ride running order

We are meeting at The Pheasantry café in Bushy Park. Please note your start time from the list below.

10.15am departure.
Ray Youlden (sub-leader) Mob: 07480 922 214
Mick Arber
Brian Bent
Liz Bernard
Gillian Holder
Tony Hopkins
Arwyn Morgan

10.30am departure.
Tony Hooker (sub-leader)  Mob: 07856 699 521
Dave Cullen
Dave Ellis
Grant Pyke
Jacqui Pitman
Paula Buckton

10.45am departure.
Steph Wyatt (sub-leader)  Mob: 07909 774 234
Ann Bath
Tim Court
Alan Imeson
Robert Tolley
Diane Porter

11.00am departure.
Tim Gibbons (leader)        Mob: 07756 961 505
Sue Bellamy
Colin Garrod
Paul James
Maggie James
Peter Suchy
Madeline Shearer

Tim G

 

Funeral for Cliff Whitfield tomorrow

This is a reminder of the times and venues for Cliff's funeral:

The funeral will be held on Tuesday 26th April at 12.40.

The venue will be:

The North East Surrey Crematorium, Lower Morden Lane, Morden, SM4 4NU.

A celebration of Cliff's life will be held afterwards at:

Woodies Freehouse, The Sports Ground, Thetford Road, New Malden, KT3 5DX

Thanks to everyone who has advised us of their intention to come.

There is a good cycle track from the Crematorium to Worcester Park and Woodies is approximately 10 minutes further on (on the New Malden side of the A3).

For the short ride after the service, from the crematorium to Woodies, Steph and Tony are intending to lead us.

Regarding suitable attire for the occasion Maureen has informed us:

"I am delighted the cyclists will be wearing the Sou’wester kit, Cliff will also be dressed in it."

~ Tim C

 

 

Ending the Reduced Sou’Westers Subscription rate

At the 2013 AGM the committee proposed a temporary reduced subscription rate, intending to reduce our bank balance by returning some funds to our members.  Members agreed.  Since then we have returned around £900 to our members.   By the end of this financial year our funds will be around £1230, a little above the minimum reserve of £1000 the committee has set to ensure we have enough to run the club.

So, it is now time to recommend returning to a subscription rate that will cover our costs.

When I started as a novice Wayfarers Membership Secretary in late 2012, the subscription was £3 per year.  It was reduced to £2 in 2013, and further reduced to a ridiculously cheap £1 pa. from 2015 until 2022.  If you ride every week, that’s 2 pence per ride, with a loyalty bonus of a couple of free rides at the end of the year!

The money raised is mostly spent on the printing of the Sou’Wester newsletter and the costs of running our annual competitions, which are open to all Sou’Wester members.

During that time we have generally made a deficit of around £200, with smaller deficits in years when we run occasional self-funding events such as the Tri-Vets ride, which make a small profit for the club.

The committee will propose at our forthcoming AGM on May 11th to return the annual subscription rate to £2 for 2023, with the likelihood of a further rise to £3 the following year.   We hope you will agree that it still represents good value for money.

Simon Lambourn

(Sou’Westers Treasurer and Wayfarers Membership Secretary)

Report for the Easy Riders - 20th April

We left Leatherhead DC with a roundabout route roughly in mind to end up for lunch at the Running Mare in Cobham. It was fortunate that we all knew our destination as three of our number who had lost sight of the group decided to turn left off Cobham Road instead of following through. We waited at the top of the hill for some time and then Don Elms volunteered to retrace the route to Fetcham but found no sight of the three riders. We had no alternative but to carry on so turned left down Langaller Lane to join The Glade and onto Bookham Common. None of the group seemed to have any idea where we going except, fortunately, the leader. All was forgiven when we ended up at the car park near Bookham Station. We traversed Bookham Common to join Bookham Road and then turned right at Downside along the tracks to Tilt Road. At the pub we met up with the mislaid three who seemed happy with their version of the ride.

After lunch we followed the Stoke Road and turned left into Blundell Lane, across the level crossing and onto the track across Oxshott Heath to the train station. We then crossed over to Fairoak Lane and into Rushett Lane where we turned off into the old West Park Hospital estate and that led us to the Old Moat for tea.

John B

Invitation to a B Group ride on 27th April

Our ride from ‘ The Pheasantry’ in Bushy Park will take us on a flat route through Molesey, Walton, the river and Staines to Thorpe village.

Lunch will be at the ‘Red Lion’ at Thorpe.

The afternoon ride will take us back via Chertsey and a varied route around Sunbury and Hampton Hill for tea back at Bushy Park.

This is the route:

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/39089944

Please reply by Monday evening to be included on the ride list.

Email - timgibbons1@virginmedia.com

WhatsApp - 07756 961 505

Looking forward to seeing you all next Wednesday. 

TimG

 

'A' Group Ride - Wednesday 27 April 2022

For something completely different, next Wednesday's 'A' group ride will start from elevenses at Harris & Hoole, Tesco Extra, New Malden (note change from Elleray Hall, Teddington).   Please use Burlington Road car park entrance to Tesco, not the A3!   The ride of about 45 miles will take us in a south-easterly direction to the Biggin Hill, Downe and Knockholt area of Kent with lunch at The Blacksmiths Arms, Cudham, then back to tea at Nonsuch Mansion, Cheam.   Much of the route (https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/98708251) is either traffic-free, or else on quieter roads, but a few busier sections cannot be avoided.   With about 2,000 ft of ascent this is by no means the hilliest ride the A's have ever attempted, but there are still some climbs which will leave an impression on you, including the 'Downerberg'  (take the challenge and see if you can get to the top of the short, steep section on the bend at the end without wheel slip forcing you to get off and walk)!

If you would like to join the ride please e-mail cycledave23@gmail.com by 6.00 pm on Monday 25 April.    As the start and finish venues may be unfamiliar to some, please let me know at the same time if you need help with routes to get to elevenses or back from tea.   If there is any demand I might be able to lead a group to the start (meeting at either Hampton Court or Kingston Bridge at about 9.30), and also back from tea to Long Ditton.

Reports for B Group - 20th April

John reports on behalf of the True-Blues:

Six of us set off from a sunny Henfold Lakes, well warned that once we turned south on the road we would be faced with a short and very sharp start to our ride. Irrationally, it felt as if the slightly chilly wind was always a headwind.

We progressed through lovely Surrey lanes to have lunch at The Pheasant on the A25 in Buckland, one of the so called "Three Bs" that we passed through on our ride (the others being Betchworth and Brockham). After lunch we made our way along the river Mole valley towards Leatherhead. A great day out. 

Pete and his mates

The True-Blues at Henfold Fisheries

John A.

 

Francis reports on behalf of the Evergreen Team:

After a refreshing coffee and cake overlooking sunny Henfold Lakes, we left promptly for the start of the 19 miles to lunch. Post the sudden relatively flat hill at the start :-) we settled into a good pace visiting the picturesque villages of Newdigate, Rusper, Charlwood and Leigh (with its beautiful church and History Box) before arriving at The Pheasant, a rather delightful gastro pub with an amazing outdoor canopy and seating. What better after lunch than a group photo on the resident tractor! The next 11 miles to Leatherhead went smoothly, with a small detour by the group's local historian Tim G to see and hear about the Buckland Mill (Grade 2 listed), the last surviving saw mill in the UK.

It was my first sub-lead role which I enjoyed immensely. My thanks go to my fellow cyclists, Jacqui, Maddie, David, Paul, Maggie and my back marker Tim G (much appreciated Tim) for their high energy, humour and lovely company.

~ Francis

 

Dave reports on behalf of the Well-Reds:

Twenty one B riders gathered at Henfold Lakes on a day in which we were blessed with good cycling weather, mild Sunshine.

However it came to pass that one of our number (an indefatigable cyclist) wasn't disposed to take part in our ride.
 
We formed into three groups. The True-Blues, The Evergreens, and The Well-Reds

The First group out was led by John A, thank you John.

The second group out was led by Francis, thank you Francis.

The third group out was led by myself. [Editor's note: thank you Dave]

After a reshuffle of the group participant's, 7 Well-Reds set off from Henfold Lakes traversing the 20 miles to The Pheasant gastro Pub in Buckland.

Dave 'mono-cog' with the lovely tulips

The odd motorised vehicle disrupted the tranquility of the ride, but not too much. It was pleasant cycling along the various rural lanes and roads, at this time of the year, Spring enhancing the greenery, with various displays of bluebells.

After Lunch a cheer leader, Madeleine, joined our group from the evergreens, which gave our group 8 cyclists when we set off to our afternoon tea stop at Leatherhead.

Grant tried to escape on the Fergie ...

 

... until it was hijacked ...

... by Rent-a-Mob

An added bonus was the fact that there weren't any mechanical problems reported.

Dave C (Fixie)  

N.B.
A group, please take note of the fact that we have a new B rider by the name of Dave Ellis.
Do not attempt to poach him to join your group, since you have more than enough Dave's already.

                                                                   

TriVets East course check

 I decided instead of joining the groups this week I would check out the TriVets East route with the intention of leading a group on the day of the TriVets rides, it turned out that Simon would also do this, we arranged to meetup for a slow ride and see if any changes needed to be considered.

All started well with coffee and danish at the Brockham Tea Rooms then a slow ride towards a possible stop at 21miles in Horley. We decided to stop at Wetherspoons in Horley for a slow lunch and long chat.

Setting off again for the last leg of the route with Horse Hill coming to soon after lunch.

 I had been experiencing problems with changing from the smaller chainring. Approaching 'The Fox Revived' and changing gear the chain wedged between the two rings, instead of stopping we coasted down and stopped part way down to fix it.

Approaching Leigh I noticed that the chain appeared to have a jump in it, deciding to stop, checking things out I discovered that 3 of the ring bolts had come out the last 2 were very loose, not ridden the bike for many months it did not make sense as to why it should have happened, I tightened up the two remaining bolts and we set off for Dorking to find a cycle repair shop.

As luck would have it we stopped outside of Cogs Workshop and they were able to replace all of the 5 bolts, many thanks to them we were soon on our way to Leatherhead for drinks and cake 

Thanks to Simon for good company on a sunny days ride and the photos

I should say the route has not changed and the usual upward gradients are still there to tweak the legs.                 

                         

  

                                                                        
 

   

A Group ride 20th April

Firstly, well done to all. My mileage was quite modest, living relatively close to the start, but many will have had their first really long ( 80-90 miles) ride of the season. In all we were 17 in two well matched groups. 

Mark was first away:

Nine of us on the road, right on time, on a sunny morning with a bit of a tail wind.  We set a good pace, and were looking good for an early arrival in the pub when our leader took a handy short-cut (know these roads like the back of my hand).  A lengthy and hilly diversion meant that we weren’t so early after all.  No-one seemed to mind …

Anyway, a good lunch in the sun, and the party divided to take two different routes home.  Hans, Mike and Fiona went North of the hills, having done a few Dorking runs recently, the rest of us followed the planned route past Abinger to The Old Clunker in Dorking.  A very pretty run, and an enjoyable tea - with thanks to Neil, who treated us.

We were just finishing when the second group arrived, so we had a brief chat and then headed off.

 

 

My group of Sue, Gina, Clive, Nigel, John B, Dave's F and V set off at 11 and made good progress. All agreed that it is a wonderful route (no credit to me as most is part of the Tri-Vets) and to do it on such a glorious spring day with flower filled verges was a pleasure. The only "off" moment came shortly after Baynards where a lovely patch of wild garlic was overwhelmed (un-aromatically) by the recently manured field next to it.

We arrived at the Grantley Arms just before 1.30 to find Mark's group just being served. We also enjoyed the sunshine and good service. We were away just before 2.30 and all continued to Dorking where some stayed for tea at the Old Clunker. This turned out to be a fine alternative to last weeks closed venue with a warm welcome and good cakes. 

My thanks to all my group and to Dave Vine for back marking. Also to Ged for this photo as we left Tanhouse Farm.