AGM Minutes now available

 A brief note to let everyone know that the AGM Minutes (and  Appendices) are now available on the CTC SWL Information Hub.

For ease of reference, here are some  links to click.

Minutes

Appendix A Annual Report 2021_22

Appendix B Treasurer's Report 2021_22

Request for food contrubutions for Tri-Vets event

The Tri-vets event (15th June) is rapidly approaching. I am still looking for volunteers to make some cakes, flapjacks etc. 

I’m aware that for some of you it may be difficult to get the items to the venue, but if I know, I can make arrangements for collection.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Thanks 

Jennie 

djacksonvictoria@aol.com

The Shoreham Century Ride - 8th June 2022.

Plans have now been finalised for the annual Shoreham Century ride. The ride follows the traditional 'minimal hills' route devised by Mark Gladwyn, with elevenses at Tanhouse Farm, lunch at the Bridge Inn, Shoreham, tea at the Pavilions in the Park cafe, Horsham, and a welcome pint at the Edmund Tylney, Leatherhead for those completing the whole ride. Whilst the .gpx mileage is 73 from Tanhouse back to Leatherhead your ride from home should hopefully hit the magic 100miles.

The ride is open to all A and B group riders. (Note: as usual, there is also the B 'train-assist' ride from Datchet led by Tony Hopkins). To book your place on the Shoreham Century please respond to:- gedlawrenson150@gmail.com by Monday 6th June by 6pm. You can also let me know on the A or B Whats App. groups.

In addition to myself there are 4 sub leaders for the ride:-

Dave Vine,

Steve Duffin,

Dave Cullen - Fixie Dave,

John Austin.

The groups will be arranged depending on the response - and if you have any preferences for distance and pace. As such, some groups may contain a mix of A and B riders. For those unfamiliar with Tanhouse Farm, a led ride from the traditional start at North Cheam will be arranged. Again, let me know in advance.

Four groups will be riding the whole distance, whilst John Austin will lead a group who wish to return after tea by train from Horsham. There is also an option for you to ride only down to Shoreham and return all the way home by train from Shoreham. Or even - if it's a nice day, make your own way cycling from Shoreham along the sea-front for afternoon tea in Brighton and train home.

The Bridge Inn has reserved 5 outside 'dining pods' - which can accommodate 30 diners. (If there's more than 30 riders I will book further spaces). You need to pre-book your menu choice for lunch when signing-up for the ride. (See the new menu on the link to the pub above).

This is the route we will follow, ridden by Fixie Dave and myself on our recce last week. Also now a Ride With GPS file - https://ridewithgps.com/routes/39624366 - thanks to Tim!

The Shoreham Century ride involves earlier starts from Tanhouse - from 10.15am onwards. Further information/briefing and start times and groups will be posted on the blog on Tues. 7th June.

Let me know if you have any queries:- 07986 254073

I hope the weather stays fair and sunny for our annual trip to the seaside!

Improvements to the Guildford to Shalford cycle path

Good news: The southern part of this cycle path is now resurfaced with wide, smooth tarmac and very rideable (green dotted line within the red rectangle).

New cyclepath,
from the top of the steps

Bad news: the bit just before it, from the waterworks and including the half-dozen steps, has not been touched.   The improved part seems to rejoin the road just by the steps.   In my view, it's worth pushing up or round the steps to use the cyclepath all the way from Guildford to Shalford.

If you don't know what I'm talking about, this post is not for you: apologies for wasting your time.  But try it anyway!

Ride London 2022

 CONGRATULATIONS to all those A and B riders that took part in todays ride, hoping that you enjoyed the ride and feel happy with your achievement.

Geoff

Invitation to a B group ride on 1st June

Please let me know by Monday evening if you wish to join my ride from Cobham for lunch at The Cricketers in Epsom, with Tea at Merton Abbey Mills. This is a short ride of 30 miles to help you to keep your strength up for next week.

Regards Tony

07856 699 521

 

Gravelly Hill

 For those who missed the view from Gravelly Hill on Wednesday's A Group ride, this is how it looked this morning.

Mark

Dieppe Raid 2022 - Routes

I have transcribed the recently published routes for the Dieppe Raid into RideWithGPS. We understand that they are the same as for 2019. This is the information posted on the Dieppe Raid pages in Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/143795830611/files

The Cue sheets available here are almost adeqate but quite minimal and the maps are just good enough to provide an overview.

The four routes, 30km, 60km, 100km and 140km are bundled together online in this collection:

https://ridewithgps.com/collections/48249?privacy_code=QoH4uqLgQWPQnPnn

Scroll down and click on the link to choose your route. Zoom in to see the fine detail and remember that you can change the 'map type' to one which best displays the map with the level of detail you require.

The rides all start and end at the Salle Municipal Paul Eluard (5 Rue Thiers, 76200 Dieppe) and run anti-clockwise. Note that we all head out of Dieppe on the D154 and don't join the Avenue Verte (V16) until later in the rides.

The Lunch Stop is where it has been for several years, in the Parc Guy Weber on the Avenue Verte between St-Aubin-le-Cauf and Dampierre-St-Nicolas.

N.B. Please check the routes I have created in RideWithGPS and let me know about any errors. The routes include the turn-by-turn cue sheet instructions which have been generated by the software and are generally pretty good.

~ Tim C

 

Join the 'A' Group Ride on Weds 1 June

In contrast to last Wednesday's rather adventurous ride with Dave F, next Wednesdays 'A' group ride from Cobham will be very mundane!   From Cobham we will ride just into Hampshire for lunch at The Tilly Shilling (Wetherspoons), Farnborough, and back to tea at Walton-on-Thames, a round trip of 45 miles, with a mere 300 m of ascent gain on the whole ride.  No significant climbs, and mainly on quieter roads and lanes although there are a few miles of unchallenging and easily-rideable off-road track (Christmas Pie Trail).   No white knuckles here!

I will be ably assisted by Hans and Dave B.    If you'd like to join the ride please let me know (cycledave23@gmail.com) by 5.00 pm on Monday 30 May.

Tri-Vets: final reminder

Just another reminder that all entries should be in ( email to me ) by next Tuesday: May 31. Payment £5 to Simon in the same way as subs/annual lunch. 

By the end of next week I need to start assigning groups so please don't leave it too late.

Thanks

Brian

A group Ride from Caterham on 25 May

 

16 hardy souls applied for my Ride. Some had read all the information on the ride invitation.

My warnings about bringing a spare energy bar initially appeared good advice at 10:20 as we helped ourselves to instant coffee / coffee on an otherwise empty table, but no sooner had I eaten one when generous plates full of goodies were brought out to us. A terrific effort from the Caterham team. It was also fun to share a garden table and banter with some early bird B group riders.

Unfortunately, the promised lovely scenic views were obliterated by overcast skies and the threat of drizzle. Some of the N21 cycleway unsurfaced sections were not bone dry with some puddles to be circumnavigated. However, the promised generous helping of hills before lunch had not been washed away.

Many thanks to Steve D and Mark G for responding enthusiastically to my pleas for assistance and particularly for completing a Recce, despite the location, for the benefit of their groups.

My 11mph target pace group ( Sue C, Gina, Keith and Nigel) set off promptly at 10:45.

After getting chilly heading down the Hill to the A22 roundabout a short sharp ascent of 18% Succombs Hill soon warmed us up. We bravely battled the brisk wind, light drizzle, ascents and descents together as we followed the roller coaster route around some gorgeous and less visited extremes of our available day trip territory. No back marker required. Marks group overtook us along The Ridge as I had hoped and before the decent of Gangers Hill and single file N21 section. Spirits were sill high as I explained that the toughest but last big climb was still to come.

We stopped for a breather and admired what was left of the view from Gravelly Hill. Sue C kindly took a picture to celebrate the achievement. ( She didn't share the selfie version). Our decent towards lunch on a variety of surfaces was at a slow controlled pace and was enjoyed by some but certainly not all (irrespective of subgroup). By the collective thought process of the latter,  your ride leader was duly punished as the puncture fairy paid me a visit at the M25 underpass. Only 1 mile to lunch! Fortunately, the second group then came into view so my group were able to follow Steve and wait in a nice warm pub while I changed tubes.

After lunch and the departure of Marks group, the remainder of us formed a super group for the promised 19 flatish miles to Leatherhead. Some were so disappointed that the afternoon did not include any proper hills that they elected to go off in search of some more on the way home (via Hilltop or Markedge Lanes). The remainder enjoyed the stop and view of Spynes Mere and the N21 scenic route into Redhill before a more familiar and much brisker blast back to Leatherhead. After a short burst of rain at Dorking, the act of stopping to don waterproofs led it to stop and by Leatherhead there were even sunny spells. 4 of us enjoyed a cuppa and cake at Lucio’s which was not only still open when others were not but also good quality and value.

Steve D led the moderate paced group 10 minutes after mine and has this to say.

"My group with John B, Neil C, Steve W and Janice as back marker set off at 10.55 from Caterham DC after being pampered with cakes and hot drinks from the welcoming staff. After the fast descent of Burntwood Hill and the short stiff climb up Succomb's Hill we got a foretaste of the ride to come. I was grateful for Dave F's voluminous notes and our recce as I knew the tricky parts. 

We were slow up the hills and the head wind and watery, misty rain made for colder conditions than you expect from late May. Dave W joined us here and as we ground our way up to the 200 metre summit of Nore Hill we were chased by the fast group led by Mark on the cycle path, who seemed very happy with the ride. Must have been the prospect of the off road!

As we passed Titsey Hill the traffic got less busy which was less concerning, and we concentrated on getting the miles in.

Lovely sweeping vistas of Kent opened up but were spoilt by the grey swirl of drizzly air. The off road was charming woodland, but the view from Gravelly Hill was again limited by the weather. We found Dave F with the first group as he was mending a flat front tyre, at Green Lane. We merged with the first group and carried on to lunch. Here Dave W left us for home. His comment on WhatsApp 'Many thanks Dave F and Steve D for today's devious and dastardly, not to mention devilish, dalliance with the darker depths of the North Downs'.

I was cold at the pub and so sat with a blanket over my knees, much to the amusement of Janice. However, despite the drizzle I wasn't damp or wet so it must have been low cloud rather than rain. Neil W was outside mending a puncture.

We decided to merge the two groups after lunch and while some made their way home, six of us carried on to Lucio's in Leatherhead using the off road 21 cycle route to Redhill.

Thanks Dave F for all your hard work planning this route. I feel it would have been stunning with full sunshine. Another memorable cycle route to be tackled again. Thanks to Janice for diligently back marking and negotiating some of the trickier off road sections with no support. "

Mark G led the fastest group planned to depart at 11:05 and reports as follows.

"Five of us away from Caterham, after being made very welcome by Angela and her colleagues.  We set off pretty briskly and met Steve’s group on Slines Hill.  A bit blowy over the top, but the wind turned to a tailwind as we headed East.  Down Hogtrough to the Pilgrims Way, by which time we were heading West, of course, but that’s just the nature of things…

Climbing up to Gravelly Hill Neil was troubled by a slow puncture, which nagged on for the rest of the day, despite a solid attempt to fix it at lunchtime.

A quick gravelly descent and then a couple of road miles to the pub where, for the second time in the day, we were made very welcome.  A good lunch, good beer and a cup of coffee and we were back on the road again.

We stopped at Spynes Mere to look at the birds, some inconclusive discussion as to whether we could see swallows, or swifts, or (minority opinion) house martens.  Swallows got the vote, on the basis that ‘one swallow does not a summer make’.  It wasn’t summer, so it must be a swallow.
More cycleway, not too wet, and a surprise entry to Redhill by the back door.  Back lanes to Reigate where Neil left us to take his puncture to a train

Ged turned off at Dorking to take a train and save his legs for Sunday.  He’s riding the London 100 - all the best, Ged.

Which left Hans, Dave and me to ride to Leatherhead. We didn’t stop for tea, as we all still had a bit to go to get home.

Good ride, good pub and good company.  That’s why we do it."

Ride London - Essex: Wayfarers riding the 100.

We have a good turnout of Wayfarers riding the Ride London - Essex. These are the riders, (there may be more), their start waves/times, and, if appropriate, a link to the donation page of the charity they are riding for.

Frances Stewart, Wave L, 7.30am

Paula Buckton, Wave M, 7.45am  Ruils

Janice Dawes, Wave D, 6.20am

Diane Porter, Wave N,  Diabetes UK

Jennie and Dave Jackson, Wave M, 7.45am

Dave Vine, Wave M, 7.45am

Ged Lawrenson, Wave H, 6.45am, St. Gemma's Hospice

Neil Warland, Wave K, 7.15am.

You can follow the progress of riders by downloading the Ride London app to your phone.

Even if you can't be there to cheer-on our riders, I'm sure they would welcome any last minute contributions to their fundraising. 

Best wishes to all the riders - have a safe and happy day!

 

Report of the A Group Ride on 18 May.

Sorry for the delay in reporting, a lot has been happening. And now my memories of the ride are fading but here's what I do remember.

• The weather gods smiled on us and it was a warm and sunny day. 
• Despite half a dozen of our usual riders being away in foreign parts we still mustered nineteen for the ride.
• Walton Day Centre was full of happy cyclists, inside and out, just like the before-times.
• I set off first with Dave and Jennie J, Sue F, Paula, Gill H and Alan. And we were the best group, riding at the best speed and having the best possible time.
• Summerleaze bridge over the Thames was even more rickety than usual and there were signs to say it will be closed this week for maintenance. We walked over taking in the view.
• The Pineapple was busier than on my recce but we were happy sitting in the sun/shade (according to preference) and drinking until the sandwiches arrived. They are smaller than they used to be but still more than enough for most hungry cyclists.
• After lunch a random stranger took our photo.
  

• We then headed off on a direct route to join the Thames at Laleham and on to afternoon tea at Shepperton Lock. Here we sat in the sun again, drank tea and ate cake, and agreed we had had a great day out.

Thanks to Dave for the back-marking and to all for the fine company.

Willing volunteer Dave W led the second group and his report has been sitting in my inbox since Thursday. Here it is.

It was a lovely day and we had an excellent ride.    Despite my best efforts to shake them off Dave F, Geoff G, Frances, John B and Nigel clung to me like limpets, before and after lunch, and we made steady progress.    I even tried to lose them by taking them the wrong way on Ascot racecourse but Geoff was wise to that!    

Approaching Windlesham we sighted Neil's group ahead.   One highly competitive member of my group was overcome by the thrill of the chase,  but in the end we gave Neil a sporting chance to get his group away only to re-catch them at Fifield.    

The Pineapple was a jolly good choice for lunch and the sandwiches were still very good value despite the absence of chips or soup. 

We had a fast ride back to tea in glorious sunshine despite a bit of a headwind to end a lovely day out. Thanks all for your company and many thanks to Geoff for back-marking all day.

Always eager Steve D led the third group and here is his report (which has been keeping Dave's report company since last week).

My group of Janice, Andy, Steve W, Dave B and Ged set off from Walton at 10.55 am. We were missing Hans due to pressure of home chores which was disappointing. 

Nevertheless the route was a fast one and relatively flat. So we found ourselves quickly overtaking the first two groups. The only incident was a small collision at a junction where I failed to call 'stopping' and stopped. Andy clipped me and his chain came off which proved difficult to replace. 

It was a pleasant time to be out in sunshine and the Summerleaze bridge provided a lovely view of the Thames a flood plane below.

The Pineapple did us proud. Delicious sandwiches and drinks at a reasonable price. I had a 'sheep dip' which was lamb with mint mayo. 

Soon the call of the open road beckoned once more and we struggled out of the sunny pub garden to re-mount our bikes. This time we rode into a small head wind, which wore down my tired legs. Janice kindly helped by riding ahead of me and setting a slightly faster pace. So it only took 65 minutes to arrive at Nauticalia near Shepperton.

Thanks go to Neil for a fine route and to Ged for tirelessly back marking. Finally thanks to my group for helping out with navigation at Dorney and their pleasant company.

Invitation to A group ride from Caterham Day Centre 25 May.

 

The ride from Caterham was planned to expect a warm dry clear day so we could enjoy some lovely North Downs views and explore some less trodden territory. (click links below).

The ride to lunch at the Red Lion  Bletchingly is 23 miles with a very generous helping of hills.  Highlights include Pilgrims Way  and Gravelly Hill . Outside seating at the back of the pub has been reserved.

The afternoon leg is to tea at leatherhead is 19 flatish miles in recognition that just getting to Caterham adds 1000 ft of climbing for most people. It includes views of the tranquil Spynes Mere Nature reserve.

Total ride 44 miles 2500 ft ascent

Warning: The ride includes some surfaces, including sections of N21, similar to the infamous “fast tarmac” ride led by Steve D on 4 May (ie a bit like Ashtead Common or Horton Country Park.) There is also one short steep potentially loose surfaced climb last ridden by the A group when led by Mark G in September 2018. (I did a preliminary recce on 8^th May and it was OK, but I did subsequently cut out a couple of tricky descents that I didn’t think I would be thanked for.)

There will be one moderately paced group and up to two quicker ones (thanks Steve D and Mark). Departures will likely be 10:45 to 11:05

Please email me at dlferrett@hotmail.com by Monday 7pm to register for the ride. I will circulate final route, runners and riders on Tuesday.

Invitation to a B Group ride on 25th May

We shall meet at the Caterham-on-the-Hill day centre (Chaldon Road B2031) before we set off into the Surrey country lanes, just cross the border into Sussex, have lunch near East Grinstead and then return to the Dorking/Leatherhead area.

This is the proposed route:

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/39487078

Please let me know by email (johnaustin04@yahoo.co.uk) if you would like to join our ride and let me know of any preferences regarding your timing. Please contact by Monday evening.

John A.

Update from Ken

Ken wrote to Dave and I on Tuesday with this news:

Finally home after 16 days in hospital - I have not experienced such boredom before so it is good to be home. My hospital stay got extended because I had to wait for a few days before the hospital could operate and then a further delay in availability of a care team for home visits.

My previous longest hospital stay was a week in Kazan in Tartarstan in 1969 - despite my complaints I prefer the Royal Surrey.

The only significant injury is a fractured ankle so I suppose I can consider myself lucky. My eBike frame is broken and cranks, gear and rear wheel and mech are all destroyed so I think the car pushed me off the bike clear of the car apart from my right leg and then drove over the rear of the bike.

I am am not allowed to use my right foot at all as the ankle has been fitted with steel rods/plates and reset in a plaster cast, so I have to move using around using a zimmer frame which is completely knackering. Each trip to the toilet is harder than a ride over the North Downs. The plan is the foot will be reset in load bearing plaster in 2 weeks time so hopefully I can hobble/walk and possibly get into the garden, and after another month possibly remove the plaster cast. Back on the bike?  - physio advice is to take it slowly -  could be 12 weeks.

Now looking for a replacement eBike. I have got Cycling UK/ Slater and Gordon to take up my claim. The police have advised that they are planning to prosecute the driver for careless driving.

Tim - congratulations on being awarded the Jessop trophy - well deserved.

Dave - thanks to you and the Wayfarer's posse, especially Sue, which rescued my bike.

Thanks for the card

Ken 

 

Shoreham Century Ride - 8th June 2022 - Ride Leaders Required.

The annual Shoreham Century Ride will take place on 8th June. Last year's ride was very popular, with 5 groups of 30 A and B riders enjoying the trip down to Shoreham - and back. To cope with anticipated numbers I need 4 sub-leaders to guide groups on their way. 

Steve Duffin has tentatively agreed to sub-lead one group, but ideally I would like at least one B leader, as well as two more A group leaders, to make-up four sub-leaders, together with myself.  Now's your chance to lead an epic ride! Please respond to:- gedlawrenson150@gmail.com

The ride will follow the tried and trusted route originally devised by Mark Gladwyn. I plan to recce the route on Monday 23rd May starting at Tanhouse Farm at 10.30am. If you are available to sub-lead you can join me to ride all or part of the route - with various train options on the return. Alternatively, you may be confident of leading by .gpx.

Thanks in anticipation! 

Photos and map for Tim Gibbons' B Group ride

 

Tim's puncture party near Virginia Water

John's team

Tim C

B Group Ride - 18th May '22

TimG's Report :

There was a good turnout at Walton Day Centre where today's groups met for elevenses.

John A and Ray Y led the first groups out followed by ours across Walton bridge to Shepperton, Chertsey and up to St Ann's Hill. Our route then took us on a tour through Thorpe Green, Stroude and back on the main road towards Virginia Water.

Turning into Blacknest Road, just south of Virginia Water lake I unfortunately cycled over an 'electrical cable clip' that punctured my back tyre. This provided Tim C and Paul with the ideal opportunity to provide us all with a hands-on masterclass demonstration on how to replace a rear wheel inner tube. An excellent example and worthy of any YouTube inclusion had we made a recording.

Back on track and fully inflated (courtesy of Steph's pump !) we made good progress through Sunningdale, Windlesham and Lightwater to join our fellow cyclists at the Red Lion. Service was prompt and efficient and we enjoyed a welcome lunch in the garden in fine sunshine.

Our afternoon ride took us via West End, Castle Green, Woking, Pyrford, Ripley, Ockham to Cobham where Peter and Paul peeled off and the remaining members enjoyed a refreshing tea stop at 'Caffe Capital.

Many thanks to all involved, especially to John and Ray for sub-leading and to Tim C for back marking and providing the puncture repair masterclass.

A good day had by all !

RayY's Report :

On arriving at Walton the group had reduced from six to four but by the time we were ready to leave we were back up to strength having gained Grant and Tony Hooker. Six of us set off including Dave, Michael, Gill, Grant, Tony and myself.

The route ahead was both devious, interesting and challenging. With no major hills but sufficient accents included it involved lots of turns which meant keeping an eye on my phone. We set off through Shepperton, Chertsey Meads and on to St Ann's Hill and then down to Green Road where I led them up the wrong track which was quickly corrected with a few adjustments.

On to Virginia Water, Sunningdale, Windlesham and on to Lightwater we had lunch at the Red Lion. The service was quick and efficient and an hour later we were ready to leave for Donkey Town via a devious off-road route.

On to West End, Horsell, Ripley, and Cobham where four of us payed a visit to Caffe Capital to take advantage of their four pound offer of a coffee and cake.

Many thanks to all who rode with me and made it fun and interesting.

AGM: Tim Court awarded Jessop Shield for Outstanding Achievement 2022

 

The Chairman spoke to commend Tim Court as a very reluctant but worthy recipient of the trophy and outlined his numerous contributions to the life of the club.

He was recruited early to the vital post of club secretary, succeeding Pete Barnard

If that wasn’t enough, shortly after he took on the task of organising our competitions and prizes, from Mike Morley.  Since when he has been a very busy man

The role of Secretary is the highest profile in the club. It is the principal contact with CTC, named on the CTC website and in Cycle with his home phone number too. So, he is the first person an outsider would contact, and therefore a very public person. As well as being an active secretary. he has made a major contribution to modernising our website and keeping it relevant.

As competitions organiser he revitalised the photo competitions, using his IT skills to bring them into the digital world. At a more down to earth level he is the custodial of our crown jewels, the club trophies, keeping them intact with quantities of Blu-Tack, and nursing them carefully as he transports them around in his panniers.

In addition, he found time to organise at least one club holiday in northern Spain.

After about 7 years he successfully handed over his Secretaryship to Dave Ferrett, who thanks Tim for his considerable assistance during a long handover period. He might have become less busy. If anything, the opposite is true. He remains on the Committee to help represent the views of B and C group riders. His name constantly crops up in connection with club activities, be it competitions, promoting women in the club, helping recruit new ride leaders, and most recently organising the publicity around the Hilly 50.

But above all, we all know he gives generously of his time and knowledge to all of us who need help, advice, or encouragement.

I commend to you and propose Tim as a worthy recipient of this year’s Arthur Jessop Shield for Outstanding Achievement. The motion was duly approved by the AGM.

Club kit: details of the range, prices and a size guide

 

Here is the latest price list and size chart for our club kit.

 

After placing an order the kit will take approx 4-6 weeks until delivery.

Items will need to paid for on placing an order.

As requested they can adjust sleeve length, free of charge.

Items delivered individually at an extra cost of £8.50.

 

Hope this information is helpful; if you have any queries please contact me.

Jennie Jackson