I had great pleasure in leading the B group with the help of
sub leaders Tim Court and Tim Gibbons on a day when the weather was just about
perfect.
Group 1, Tim Gibbons Sub Leader
All the indications were looking good as we gathered for
11’s at Weybridge day centre. Blue skies and dry conditions prevailed as seven
of us set out towards Brooklands following the Venus trail to the Wey
Navigation towpath. A variety of twists and turns via Sutton Green and Jacobs
Well took us to our most westerly point through Wood Street and onto Roker’s
Cafe.
Tables had been reserved and we enjoyed an alfresco lunch
in green and pleasant surroundings.
Duly refreshed we left for our afternoon ride that
included a very scenic section of the Basingstoke Canal to West Byfleet. On via
New Haw, Addlestone and Weybridge we then explored the little known ‘Engine
River’ which once provided a commercial route between the Thames and Weybridge.
Unfortunately, the cafe at Walton bridge was just closing
as we arrived so we decided to disperse and make our own way home.
Thanks to everyone involved in making today’s ride a
success, always a pleasure to lead a compliant and appreciative group of
cyclists. Congratulations to Ray for devising a varied and interesting route
that included a number of previously unexplored sections. An ideal way to mark
the summer solstice.
Tim G
Group 2, Ray Youlden, Leader
Sabina, Alyson, Bernard, Tony, Dave (fixie) and I left
Weybridge at 10.50 and started our journey to Roker’s Park Café. We took an unusual route by leaving the car
park via a back entrance down a cycle path and out onto Heath Road. We then
proceeded down through Brooklands following the river Wey, through Byfleet and
onto the Wey Navigation. Here my
navigation using my phone failed me, so it was down me to remembering the route
from my recce plus several u turns needed when I did not instantly recognise
exactly where we were. We then went through Woking Park, Sutton Green, Wood
Street and onto Rokers Park Café at Fairlands.
The service provided was exceptional with our pre ordered
food arriving shortly after we had paid and more than meeting our requirements.
On leaving the car park, we rode more or less straight to
join the Basingstoke canal at Brookwood. The canal was gorgeous, with herons,
ducks and swans all adding to the overall scene. At West Byfleet we were meant
to leave to canal and ride through Addlestone but decided to carry on along the
canal to Woodham Junction, where it joins the Wey Navigation and onto
Weybridge. Just after Weybridge our plans for tea at Cowie Sale came undone. We
found the café closing early, so decided to go to the River House Barn in
Walton for tea and who provided us with refreshments and a chance to sit in the
garden and reflect on the ride before going our separate ways home.
Group 3, Tim Court Sub Leader
Though Steph wasn't able to ride with us but Grant put in a
surprise appearance and we were pleased that he could join us and make up the
numbers.
We rode South from the DC alongside the Heath Road and at
Weybridge Station headed down the scenic route, crossed the River Wey and
meandered along the cyclists' routes around the old Brooklands airfield. After
Byfleet we arrived at Murray's Bridge and followed the woodland path by the Wey
Navigation to Dodd's Bridge, stopping at both for some photos, then the Dodd's
Lane path through to West Byfleet.
Murray’s Bridge
Ann, Pam, and John negotiating Dodd’s
Bridge
The 3rd
Groups at Dodd’s Bridge
We skirted around the Pyrford residential area to cross the
Common, thence to Woking and its park for a quick pit stop. At Elm Bridge we
deviated a little from Ray's prescribed route for a tranquil parade alongside
the Hoe and its ponds, Willow and Chestnut. Back on track we made our way to
Jacobs Well and eventually to Wood Street before turning North to join the
Aldershot Road and a mercifully short leg to reach Holly Road and Rokers
Farmhouse Café.
We enjoy going to Rokers and sat outside to take in the
views across the former golf course. The service was efficient and friendly and
as usual we were made to feel very welcome. A serious lethargy threatened to
prevent us from standing up after lunch to continue the ride but with a burst
of collective willpower we made it off the premises and launched ourselves in
the direction of Worplesdon and Fox Corner.
After some busy roads we were relieved to reach the Basingstoke
Canal to ride along the Saturn Trail. Approaching Woking I failed to notice
Ray's planned detour from the Canal at Arthur's Bridge to go along the Neptune
route so we sailed along as if we knew where we going and soon Ray's intended
route converged with where we were heading anyway, in time to negotiate the
recently constructed bridge across the canal, to continue the route under the
Chobham Road and along the southern bank.
Misfortune struck further on when Christina discovered a
rear wheel puncture which we cured with a tube replacement. A small shard of
flint appeared to be the cause. But as we drew closer to West Byfleet Maggie
found that she too had punctured. Sadly, for want of the correct spanner, we
couldn't get her wheel off which left Maggie and Paul walking to the station
for trains home. They arrived at Wimbledon to find that trains to Sutton
weren't running due to a signal failure. Not a happy way to end their day.
While we were dealing with punctures Ken and Grant, with
quite some way to go, decided to leave us at West Byfleet. Christina, Anne, and
I pedalled on to Walton, arriving much too late for the ice creams we had
craved. But the loos were still open, and we were soon heading for our homes.
Ray had devised a clever route with plenty of riding away
from the main roads including some little routes we didn't know about. Thanks
to Maggie for back marking and maintaining discipline in the peloton. Thanks to
the team for appreciating the ride and remaining chirpy all day.
Tim
