B Group Report - 6 April 2022

Christina's Report

Cobham is a popular place for most Wayfarers, we have 29 sign ups for the B ride as it is a challenging ride with a small C, lunch venue is considered "posh" but proved good (delicious food and mostly prompt services with white cotton napkins (probably the most "posh" bit).

We rode mostly on scenic and quiet roads, quieter today as it is a school holiday week, dry and clean air around Cobham, West Horsley, Sheepleas, Clandon prior to lunch.

I hope everyone enjoyed their ride today with a modest 26 miles between 11s and tea time. Weather was not bad either, dry most of the time, apart from sudden downpour, hailstones and thunder from 3.30pm, when most riders either found shelter or not too far from home.

Thanks to Clive Janes and Sue Foster for sub-leading the ride.

Christina B

Sue's Report

There is that sinking feeling when you just know you have had  a puncture before even looking isn’t there? At least I had cycled almost all the way to Cobham before it happened. In true Wayfarer’s style I had offers of help on reaching RBL and as is always the way for me, learnt a couple of things ; my tyre levers are rubbish and I need to invest in the ones Terry has (VARS - much wider) and a couple of tips from Mr Court on how to get the inner tube seated properly. Many thanks both.

Francis, Paul, Inder, Anne, Dave, Jacqui, Sue
on Staple Lane

So with a bit of delay to our planned 11am departure we set off for the North Downs. The weather was holding and we had good views from the top of Staple Lane. Paul mentioned that HG Wells had lived in Woking and the town was the inspiration for The War of the Worlds. Over recent years new building has certainly furthered its image of a futuristic landscape and its reputation as the cradle of science fiction writing.

A lovely stretch from East Clandon to Send Prison followed and we were soon at lunch. A great choice of pub and excellent food.

Feeling rather smug that it had rained whilst we were eating lunch we were to be disabused of the idea that we are able to cheat the weather gods on Portsmouth Rd. Surely  none of us had  done anything so bad as to deserve what we received en route to Garson’s Farm. Biting hail, torrential rain and even a spot of thunder thrown in, we arrived at the farm cafe dripping water all over their lovely cafe. Rather a wet end to what was a most enjoyable day but to be fair it is April so not too surprising.

Drying out at Garsons

Many thanks to Christina for a lovely route and planning our lunch and to my sub group of Tim C, Anne, Francis, Fixie, Inder, Jacqui and Tony for their great company.

Sue F

Clive's Report

I set off from home in a shower of rain and into a brisk headwind. The rain soon stopped, though, and a dull grey overcast took its place as I pedalled across Bookham Common towards the designated meeting place for this week’s ride, Cobham RBL. 

My group, entitled the Aces, were first off at 10:50. We were only 5 minutes behind schedule, but we had plenty of time to cover the relatively short distance to lunch. The Aces were: Gill Holder, Paula Buckton, Bob Pannell, John Austin, Paul Day, Ken Day and Martin Gandy.

The 'heron' can just about be seen
contemplating the pond

We headed out of Cobham along Plough Lane, past an uncannily realistic plastic heron by a pond in Ockham, through West Horsley and thence to the foot of Shere Lane, today’s challenge.

Unfortunately, Shere Lane was a challenge too far for Paul’s bicycle. The pedal crank came off as he got out of his saddle to tackle the steep bit. He did well not to come a cropper. The crank would not go back on securely and ergo Paul was forced to retire due to mechanical reasons. He was escorted back to base by Ken.

Compulsory Staple Lane Photograph
Paula, Martin, Gill, John, Bob, Clive

The remaining Aces continued up Shere Lane, each going at their own pace, and we regrouped at the top of Staple Lane.

The momentum gained from an exhilarating but chilly freewheel down Staple Lane seemed to stay with us as we shot through East Clandon and past HMP Send. 

We found the headwind again, though, as we turned on to the A247 towards West Clandon. However, our lunch venue, The Onslow Arms, was not far away.

The food was very tasty and was served with astonishing speed.

The other two groups had arrived by the time we were preparing to set off again so there was opportunity for some inter group exchange of views, etc. A light drizzle had set in. But as luck would have it, Paula discovered she had a puncture. We were all able to shelter by the heaters under cover at the pub while Paula expertly carried out the necessary repairs.

The drizzle had passed as we headed off on the second leg. Due to the gloomy afternoon weather forecast, we had agreed to end the ride at Cobham instead of going on to Garson Farm. When we got there the Sun had come out and there were blue skies, but this was a false dawn. I got home just a few minutes before a torrential downpour and ferocious gusts of wind. Hope everyone else did too.

Thanks to Christina for organising and John for back marking.

Clive J

Welcome to new Wayfarer John Brooking, hope you enjoyed the ride, and it was good to see Inder back cycling with us again, although it is sad to hear he will soon be moving away from the area.

Thanks to Tim C for additional photos and map.