Invitation to a B Group ride on Wednesday 4th October

B Group will be riding from Cobham via some of our favourite hills, up and over to Shere, then up and over through Farley Heath and down to Bramley for lunch at The Jolly Farmer Ale House and Kitchen. The chaps running the pub, Chris and Steve, have asked that we pre-order our lunches although they would be able to cope with a small number who might prefer to check the specials board before deciding. These were the specials on the day of my recce:

Otherwise please choose from these menus:

(click to enlarge)

We will ride in three groups and our two subleaders will be John A and Tim G, both of whom are seasoned leaders, both fresh from leading last week's rides down to East Grinstead. What tigers they are!

The route will be:

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44545764

Just before lunch there will be a delightful section of easy off-road (non-tarmac) riding with one small tricky bit where we will need to dismount and walk. In the afternoon we will head up to the Pewley and Merrow Downs which will involve a short walk up a steep flinty track. Care will be needed on the rough paths across the open land on the downs.

Please study the menus and write to me to confirm that you will be riding with us and advise your food choices. If notifying me by WhatsApp please ensure that your message is private (07767 385 596). Start times from the British Legion will be between 10:30 and 11:00; let me know if you have any preference for an earlier or later start.

Tea will probably be at the Café Barbera in Stoke d'Abernon.

Morning: 16.5 miles

Afternoon: 16.8 miles

Looking forward to seeing you all

Tim C

Invitation to A Group ride from Cobham on 4th October.

You are invited onto next Wednesday's ride from Cobham RBL to the Red Lion pub at Lightwater, and the Walled Garden, Lower Sunbury, for tea. 25miles to lunch, and 17 miles to tea - all on road. (This is a repeat ride I led in September 2022!).

The Red lion requires pre-orders for lunch. This is the full menu, with the sandwich menu below. (NB, this is a screen-shot from the sandwich board last year, and sandwiches are now £9.95).

Please respond to:- gedlawrenson150@gmail.com by 6.00pm Mon. evening.

Please ensure you include your lunch choice: if choosing sandwich, baguette, or ciabatta please specify chips or salad.

Groups and timings will be emailed on Tues, together with the .gpx route. 

Thanks

Ged

Lost and found; report on B Group to East Grinstead 28 September

 

John Austin

 

Thank you and well done to everyone who joined our ride into Sussex.

I am sure we were all pleased that Agnes did not join us and enjoyed the almost balmy conditions. Some steep hills at the start of both the morning and afternoon rides but a good mileage for everyone, especially those who had to ride quite a long way even to get to Redhill. Thank you in particular to Paul and Tim G for sub leading.

In the second group out – thank you for your pleasant company and especially to Diane for back-marking, it is so reassuring for the leader to be able to hear the occasional ‘car behind’ or to look round and pick out the backmarker and know that we are all still together. A democratic decision took us via the Pixham flag back to Leatherhead rather than Dorking and we managed to survive a slow puncture.

Tim Gibbons

 

Despite the forecast of stormy weather in the west we enjoyed a bright start and fair conditions throughout the day. Our group welcomed Paul and Justine, two relatively new riders, who joined us for today’s escapade. 

 

The morning ride proceeded very smoothly as we headed south east, making a customary photo stop outside Outwood Windmill. Built in 1665 by Thomas Budgen, a miller from Nuffield in Surrey, it is Britain's oldest working windmill. Once having navigated East Grinstead’s town centre we arrived on time at ‘The Old Dunnings Mill’ for a welcome lunch. Service was prompt and efficient as we enjoyed a comfortable location outside and under cover. Our fellow riders soon arrived and before long the whole company was assembled. The morning mission accomplished without a hitch. 

 

The afternoon ride proved not to turn out not as expected. On leaving the pub and turning right we headed uphill but for some unknown reason Mick and Bob turned left and headed off to ‘who knows where’ and were deemed to be lost. Fortunately Mick’s skills of navigation were such that they were able to make their own way, independently, to our final destination. 

 

As we approached Horley Pete B suggested a few adjustments to the route to avoid busy traffic so our roles were reversed and I became back marker. Inevitably the pace increased as Pete rapidly led us through Horley and over the A217 to more scenic terrain. As Pete’s silhouette diminished and became more distant we managed to lose Martin who missed a left turn somewhere around the Wray area. Now down to four we took a brisk ride via Norwood Hill, Leigh and lanes south of Brockham to finally ascend Punchbowl Lane. Despite significant roadworks we were given permission to pass and drop down to Dorking for tea at the ‘Old Clunker Cafe’. 

 

Such was the determination of our lost souls that miraculously Mick, Bob and Martin managed to join us shortly after our arrival. All’s well that ends well !

 

Paul James

Despite the proximity of a hostile weather system we had a late September day almost perfect for cycling.  Perfection would have required a lessening of the stiffening breeze which, like all breezes, blew sometimes as a headwind and sometimes as a side wind strong enough to make the bike wobble but never perceptibly as a tail wind.

Due to a history of complaints I had over-egged my briefing about the hills so that my group would be pleasantly surprised at their brevity and inclination, and this worked well enough for the A25 climb out of Redhill.  Thereafter the outward journey went well; we had a couple of rehydration stops before we climbed out of Lingfield, we negotiated the slight awkwardness of the cycling-unfriendly A22 through East Grinstead and I stayed far enough ahead on the sinusoidal suburban thoroughfares of East Grinstead that complaints would not have reached my ears.

Lunch was pleasant enough for most of us, though one of our number got the wrong macaroni cheese and was accused of causing the problem herself.  This left two of us having seconds; Chris eagerly wolfing the wrong mac cheese and yours truly finishing off the right one when it proved a little too much for the original owner.

Our afternoon went remarkably well; the rain stayed off, we had no punctures and we lost no-one, though one of our number did get so far ahead on the hills that we wondered.  Once we reached Turners Hill village, three miles and a bit out of East Grinstead, the glimpse of the Surrey Plain and Box Hill told us that all our serious climbing was done and we only had twenty miles to tea.

Tea was planned for Dorking but as we pedalled with tiring legs into Brockham we were hailed by A- Groupers, lounging outside the tea shop at Strood Green and recommending the Victoria Sandwich.  Most were in no mood to go the extra miles to the Old Clunker Café, pleasant a place as that is.  We split outside Denbies, those who had conserved their energy like wise virgins cycling home, some as far as Mitcham, those who had been sprinting up the hills taking the train from Dorking.

 

In the end it was not the hills testing the thighs so much as the undulations testing the calves, and the wrists, and the bums.  But that is cycling, is it not?  A splendid day out; thank you John.

A Group ride to Markbeech

 

After responding (probably rather rashly) to Clive’s request for a leader for this Wednesday’s A ride from Redhill, I decided the way forward was to use a tried and tested route. Almost exactly a year ago we rode Dave V’s lovely route to The Kentish Horse at Markbeech so this seemed like an excellent option. Dave kindly offered to sub lead and along with Janice, on fighting form after LEJOG, 3 small but perfectly formed A groups left Redhill for the delights of the Weald of Kent.  

 My group of Dave F, Dave W and Mark swiftly dispatched the first big climb of the day in the form of Philanthropic Rd. Presumably named after the Royal Philanthropic Farm School which relocated to Redhill in the 1800’s,  it should be re-named Misanthropic Rd for reasons all those cyclists who have laboured up it will understand.

 ‘Have you ever seen the Crowhurst Yew?’ asked Mark. None of us had so it seemed rude not to take a look and a good opportunity to have a drink off the bike. We duly stopped by the churchyard of said village and viewed what is a most impressive yew tree. I even managed to persuade my group to pose comically in the hollow trunk. They eventually got the idea….

 At the bottom of the climb up to Markbeech I realised that in my enthusiasm to photograph the yew I had left my water bottle standing on a tomb stone in the graveyard at Crowhurst. Hopefully the local vicar will not attach any disrespect to this act and it won’t  tarnish the reputation of cyclists passing through the village.

On the climb to Markbeech we overtook another cycling group, the Meridian Cycling Club. Feeling that they may also be heading to The Kentish Horse it felt prudent to put on a spurt and get there ahead of them. Somehow however they still beat us to the bar and not being as well organised as our good selves took an age to peruse the menu and order. And a rather grumpy lot they were into the bargain!

Well fuelled and wishing Dave W farewell, my reduced group of three set off for our 26 mile ride to Brockham for tea. The route took us through Dormansland which claims to be in the High Weald thus ensuing a discussion about what and where is the Weald. I now know thanks to Wikipedia

Mark peeled off at Horley and Dave and I had a good run back to Brockham. We glimpsed Dave ‘s group at the crest of Horse Hill never to be seen again until The Shop at Strood Green (TSASG) despite some pretty hard pedalling on our part.

TSASG turned out to be a delight. Run by members of the local community, the sole lady working yesterday did not seem at all fazed by the arrival of not only most of the A group but a significant number of B's  as well. Her unfailingly good nature and customer service should be an example to all. Tim Court reports on Strava that the shop had recently been broken into so all the more reason to support them. For future reference there are a couple of tables inside and can accommodate 9 folks so whilst it may not be suitable as a group winter tea venue it’s fine if you are out for a ride with a couple of mates.

 So all in all a grand day out. Lovely company, excellent route and fine weather although we never seemed to benefit from the forecasted wind from the south on the return  home. I just need to explain to my husband now why his favourite water bottle is sitting in a churchyard in Kent..

 

JANICE’S REPORT

 

I arrived early at Redhill to find that it was so busy with B group riders there wasn’t a single bike space available. Fortunately their first group was about to leave so after a short delay I was able to lock up my bike and join the crowds in the busy indoor area.

 

It seems everyone had also arrived early and the first two A groups left on time, if not slightly before. That left Richard, Patrick, Neil W, Ged and myself suddenly rattling around with the place to ourselves so after a short wait we left too.

 

It was into the headwind, Redhill’s traffic and in no time up the first sharp hill. Soon after, this left us on quiet roads and out into the country lanes. The sun wasn’t quite shining but given much of the rest of the country is under threat of high winds and rain from Storm Agnes we got off lightly.

 

We soon passed Sue’s group who had stopped to admire the very old (2,000 years?) Yew tree. We didn’t stop as I guessed that my group had seen it before (I hope that was right).

 

A little later we saw Dave’s group and passed on a narrow lane which meant that we then had the good fortune to arrive first at the Kentish Horse in Markbeech. During the recce, the Friday before, the pub has been virtually empty, but not today! There was an ever-lengthening queue at the bar, with several ‘ladies’ from another party doing their best to jump to the front. Patrick was identified as far too polite to object but fortunately only 1 ‘lady’ managed this. Once ordered though, our food was served fairly quickly and was of a good standard.

 

After a quick photo, before which Neil put his own phone down on a table, we were off again.

 

The wind was behind us on the way back and the roads were fairly flat bar one hill so in no time we arrived at a new venue, the cafe at Stroud Green. We had a lovely homemade Victoria sandwich which will probably ensure that we use it again.

 

Unfortunately at this point Neil realised that his phone was probably still on the table at the pub in Markbeech. He decided not to cycle back for it as he had to be back for a table tennis match. He’ll be driving there tomorrow.

 

A group of B’s spotted us and decided to join us and then both Sue and Dave’s groups arrived too. Hopefully there was plenty of cake left for them!

 

A lovely route so many thanks to Sue F for organising the day and also my group for their excellent company. What a lovely day out!

DAVE'S RIDE REPORT

a big thank you to Sue for stepping into the breach and offering to lead from Reigate. This slot had long been vacant and without her there would have been no A-ride,

My small but perfectly matched group of Peter, Brian and Andy left promptly to face the twin challenges of hills and headwind, but thankfully never both at the same time. We skipped the health check on the Crowhurst 1,000 year+ old yew in favour of a prompt arrival at lunch, achieved as expected in 1hr 30min exactly.

The pub was decidedly busy, and we were lucky to arrive just ahead of a large group from the Meridian Cycling Club who had ridden from Knockholt. Despite this, and our pre-ordering lunch the Meridians were served ahead of us; you can read about their take on the service when (eventually)  they publish their blog.  Despite these grumblings the food was good when it arrived, though most of mine travelled in my pocket to be consumed as an early supper. 

Time was pressing and the temperature decidedly chillier when we emerged. The afternoon was (per Garmin advice) less hilly, but decidedly longer, so we checked out the CTC winged wheel at The Fountain just down the road at Cowden without dismounting. 

 

Furnace Lane was its usual delight. Before a more well-known route from Lingfield, Horley to tea at Strood Green.

We had been swapping places with Sue’s group all afternoon, and arrived at Strood Green only a couple of minutes ahead, and finding Janice’s group making a (thankfully unsuccessful) attempt to consume all the Victoria sponge.

My thanks to all my group for their company and especially to Andy who selflessly spent his lunch break setting up his camera to take this photo.

 

 

 

Norwesters to Warfield

A surprising number signed up for the ride, 16 in total, so a sub-ride leader was needed. Ray Y came to the rescue.11's, as usual, was at the Ferry Coffee shop, but on the way there I got an email from the Shepherds Hut, our lunch pub, saying "They couldn't now accommodate us" I phoned Birds Hill golf club, about a mile and half further on, who were happy to have us. We managed to leave reasonably on time. Virginia Water came and went and we were soon cycling through Ascot Racecourse.

Through Winkfield Row and lovely quiet lanes to Jealotts Hil and a swooping descent brought us to the roundabout at the end of the Drift Road and the entrance to the Golf Course clubhouse.

 

 

The staff were very welcoming and the food orders were very quickly in front of us at the tables, it was such great service and very friendly staff, I have used the Golf club before, but never with 16 riders! As Arnie would say "I'll be back"

After lunch, we retraced our footsteps back up the hill to Hawthorn Hill and the lovely off-road track to Nuptown, Maidens Green and onto Cranbourne, the deaded Peanut roundabout and into Windsor Great Park. After the park, we had the fast descent of Tite Hill, through to the edge of Thorpe and back to Chertsey, across the Meads and the cycle track down to Wadebridge. At Cowey Sale we stopped for the loo and the groups started to disperse, just 6 stopped for tea and cake at Walton Mariner.

 

A lovely day out and a lovely bunch of Norwesters. Thank you Ray for Sub-leading, Alan and Pete for back marking and everyone else for a very enjoyable day.

Tony..

Invitation to ride to Markbeech in Kent on Wednesday 27th September

 

You are invited to join the ride from Redhill to the Kentish Horse in Markbeech next Wednesday. The ride is all on road with 3 notable  hills pre - lunch and a couple of hills after, and then a nice  longer flatter section back to tea. We are having lunch at (kentishhorsemarkbeech.co.uk) who would like us to pre-order so please can you let me have your food choices from the pub website by 12 noon on Monday. The route may sound familiar and in fact it is Dave V’s route that we rode to Kent a year ago so I can’t take any credit for route creation.

This is the route https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44492673

The ride is 18 miles to lunch and 26 miles back to tea at Brockham Reading Room. They close at 4pm so alternatives are Hillier Garden Centre on A25 or possibly The Shop at Strood Green which I will check out before 27^th.

Please let me know by Monday lunchtime  if you would like to join the ride via email sue.foster39@gmail.com

Cycle Maintenance Session

On Monday, 18th September, we ran a Cycle Maintenance Course for some of the women of the club, which we held at Woodies Free House in New Malden. We had 27 women turn up for the session which was conducted by Mick Arber, Steve Duffin and Ken Day.

It was a two hour session that had an introduction and then the practical section covered:

• tyre inflation
• puncture repair
• tubeless tyres
• wheel removal
• replacement of inner tubes
• refitting of wheel; inner tube repair
• deraileur adjustment
• brake adjustment
• chain lubrication
• chain wear and 
• disc brake checking.

We split into several groups to put the knowledge into practice.
On all levels it turned out be a very useful session, the feedback from everyone was very positive, and we shall aim to do another workshop next year.

A huge thank you to Mick, Steve and Ken, for sharing their knowledge and time.

Jennie

Wheel off, now to remove the tyre

Getting into it ...

Checking disc brake pads for wear

Up close

Tubeless tyre technology explained

Closer inspection required

Mick explains

Invitation to the B Ride on 27th September.

After meeting at the Methodist church cafe in Gloucester Road, Redhill we shall be riding southwards into Sussex to have lunch just outside East Grinstead. The afternoon ride back to Dorking will be a little more than usual at 25 miles. A good opportunity to have a longer afternoon before the autumn closes in.

No need to pre-order but you may wish to look at the menu at 'The Old Dunnings Mill'.

If you would like to join the ride please email me by close of play Monday 25th on johnaustin04@yahoo.co.uk

If you prefer an early or late departure please let me know (we shall set off a little earlier than usual to allow for the longer afternoon ride).

John A.

Group B Ride from Fairoaks to Woking, 20th September2023

 

I had previously cancelled our ride west to Puttenham due to the strong winds and potential rain making the journey hazardous in the afternoon. So, rather than cancel our ride all together it was decided that we would try to run a local ride from Fairoaks to Woking. The idea was to see how the ride to Fairoaks felt in the morning due to the strong winds and judge how safe it would be to cycle as a group is such conditions. There was also the consideration of heavy rain arriving around lunch time to add into the mix.

Thirteen of the potential victims arrived at a very quiet café at Fairoaks airport all eager to start the ride. For Carolyn it was a swift return home hoping that the strong tailwind would help.  For the rest of us it was the reverse, having to ride into the wind for the first part of the course. I had given Davey, the other sub leader, two potential courses, one approximately 15 miles long and a shorter course around 11 miles long. Both taking us to the Herbert Wells pub in Woking. The potential afternoon rain being the deciding factor on which to use. It was then a case of reshuffling the groups to bring the numbers back to approximately the same. Davey with the confused help of his phone decided to take the longer course.

Davey’s Report, Sub Leader

13 optimistic midweek wayfarers assembled at FairOaks Airport to take part in Our B group ride. This being Ray's somewhat curtailed route, which took us to Woking.

I assume my fellow cyclists held the same view as myself. "It might never happen" This being the forecast of apocalyptic weather, which some cyclists from other group/s took to heart? Or perhaps it was the case that we were hoping to get the most of the ride under our belts before the inclement weather happened? 

After a quick reshuffle of who was to be in which group, 7 of us took flight from the Airport at about 10.55am. Our group contained, Davey ride sub leader, Paula, Gill, Diane, Mick, Chris, & backmarker Stephen.

It was interesting or pleasing not to see any sign of Noah or any animals walking along in pairs.

Ray's route took us along towards Horsell common then alongside Goldsworth Park Lake, a short part of Basingstoke Canal, through Pirbright, Bullswater Common, Rockford Common, Prey Heath Common, Mayford, Westfield Common, Woking Park, and then sustenance in Wetherspoon in Woking, which seven of us consumed. 

After Lunch the group became smaller, and the road was traversed towards Ripley, then along a familiar route into Cobham, no sign of any cyclists having tea or coffee, so it was decided to forego that pleasure and head for home. The light rain in the afternoon wasn't too harsh or too cold. 

Many thanks to Ray for organizing & planning and replanning a pleasing pleasant route. 😊🙂 Thanks also to all who took part today 😀     

  Davey

Davey’s Group in Woking Park

Ray’s Report, Leader

Steph, Tim Gibbons, Tim Court, John Austin and I left the café at 11.05. I had already decided to follow the shorter course after consulting the weather forecast that indicated that it would be raining as we arrived in Woking; my first mistake! We turned left out of the car park and into the strong south westerly wind before gaining some shelter as we entered Philpot Lane.  We then took the cycle path on the right-hand side of the road so that we could turn easily into Horsell Common Road. We then made our way through Goldsworth Park, avoiding all the urban sprawl, going past the lake, following the Triton, Dione, and Hyperon cycle routes to the Basingstoke canal.  At Brookwood we left the canal and along Bagshot Road before taking a left into Heath House Road. This was the turning point in the journey, with the wind behind us and a slight down hill we made quick work of the run into Mayford.  We were then on familiar roads and followed the Mars trail through Woking Park, Woking town centre and onto the pub and lunch. So far, we had not encountered any signs of rain with the weather being mild but with a strong south westerly wind that had not troubled us too much on the route. 

A quick discussion was had, and it was decided that we would make our way home in the dry rather than wait for the rain and Davey's group. Steph and John left first with me and the two Tims chatting on the pavement when Davey and the first group arrived. Following a fair bit of banter, Tim G went to the pub, so he had an excuse for using his rail ticket later. Tim C left to use the canal on the way home and I left a couple of minutes later with the intention of catching him up. I somehow lost Tim to a slightly different route home but enjoyed the dry route to Walton Bridge where I found Steph having lunch in Cowey Sale café, so joined her. While having lunch the heavens opened so it was a case of on with the rain gear and completing our journey in the rain.

Ray

Steph, prepared for the worst!!

Steph and John at the Weybridge end of the canal

Norwesters 20th Sept

A good crowd put their names down for the ride to Windsor, a shortish ride due to the expected rain. 11's was at the Pheasantry,  which was actually closed due to the high winds. So sitting outside was fine as it was mild and not yet raining, albeit windy. A reasonably straight route to Lunch in anticipation of the impending rain. Through Hampton, Brenda B, left us just after Feltham, Ashford and back roads and off-road to Staines. Liz left us as we got to Staines,  she wanted to miss the rain, Wetherspoons is always a lifesaver. 

It wasn't raining when we left but it started just after Ashford and with a vengeance, Pam had gone straight home at Staines, Gill went her own way home, as had Dave and Jernny. Leaving Simon, leading, Pete B, Tony Hookrer and myself. Tony H and I left Simon and Pete at Feltham. A nice morning ride, marred by only by the wind and afternoon rain. A good day for ducks.

Tony..

A group ride from Fairoaks

 Unfortunately I have decided to cancel tomorrows ride due a lack of riders (4) and the threat of wind and rain all of which combined to an agreement to abandon.

The B Ride to Puttenham has been cancelled. An alternative shorter ride to Woking is proposed.

 Unfortunately the ride to Puttenham has been cancelled due to poor weather in the afternoon. There will be a ride to Woking , starting from Fairoaks providing there is interest. The start times for the Woking ride will be at 10.50 and 11.00 with arrival times at Woking being around 12.30. just before the rain is due!!!  there will be no afternoon ride. The pub we are going to is the Herbert Wells which is a Weatherspoon's pub so no one has to pre-order.

A Group ride 20 September

Next Wednesday’s ride from Fairoaks will head towards Twyford on mainly good, mainly flattish roads. Finish at the Ferry Cafe in Shepperton. Distance from start to finish 47 miles on fast roads. Only one sub leader to date so spaces may be limited.

I’ll give participants info on lunch stop asap.

Please sign up by 6pm on Monday.

Contact me at hansformella@gmail.com 

B Group Ride - 13th September '23

After last week’s revision in hill climbing I thought it might be appreciated if we had a flatter amble through less challenging terrain. It’s been a year since we dipped our wheels into Windsor Great Park so I thought it was time for a revisit. 

Twenty-six B riders assembled a Walton-on-Thames day centre so we split into four groups led by John A, Mick A, Alan C and myself. Our initial route was along familiar roads via Weybridge, Chertsey, Lyne and then further east over Chobham Common, Valley End and Windlesham. Turning north we cycled up to Ascot eventually ending up at the quiet village of Woodend. 

The ‘Duke of Edinburgh’ proved to be a particular successful lunchtime venue. We were well accommodated and promptly served in comfortable surroundings. 

Our afternoon ride took us into Windsor Great Park where we payed homage to the late Queen’s equestrian statue erected to celebrate her golden jubilee and then the 100ft totem pole gifted to her in 1958 by the grateful province of British Columbia who had just celebrated the centenary of their foundation. 

Before leaving the park we availed ourselves of the most salubrious toilet facilities at the main entrance. Heading west we cycled via Thorpe and Chertsey to join the remaining number of fellow riders at the ‘Ferry Cafe’ at Shepperton Lock. 

Many thanks to everyone involved in making today’s ride a great success and especially to my three sub-leaders for their excellent support. 

A good day had by all !

TimG. 

Sub-leader also adds...

Mick, Dave C., Christina, Robert, Paula and Chris left Walton with good weather for September, dry and refreshingly cooler than recent rides. We followed the Thames to Chertsey and then off to a quiet Chobham Common. We looped round Windlesham and Sunningdale and then into Ascot past the racecourse. It was then through a very up market estate in North Ascot into Brookside and our lunchtime stop. 

We stat outside under cover in the garden of the Duke of Edinburgh, the staff were pleasant and the service fairly quick. 

Prizing ourselves away from the pub we were off to Windsor Great Park and Virginia Water which we nearly had to ourselves. Stopping at the totem pole, in the absence of Tim G., there was some discussion about its history; evidently it was a present to Queen Elizabeth II in 1958 from British Columbia, Canada. 

It was then back to Shepperton for tea and cake at the Ferry Coffee Shop.

MickA.

A ride September 13th

It was possibly foolhardy to decide that if my birthday fell on a Wednesday then I should embrace it and lead so that I could decide that we went to the Surrey hills rather than to Staines and beyond. It could have rained but it didn't and although sunshine was in short supply I suspect that most were glad that this week was cooler than last.

A slight potential hiccup occurred when Dave Vine and I realised that my route covered about 15 miles of his route last week but fortunately almost all in the opposite direction so we figured that no-one would mind since I left out his two big hills. It didn't go unnoticed though that my alternative of frequent smaller ones resulted in a very lumpy afternoon. 

I left first with a group of seven ( Sue C, Jennie and David J, Andy C, Dave F and Simon ) but was soon overtaken. After the early fiddly bits to Brooklands and Muddy Lane the outward route was quite straightforward and we were only about 10 minutes slower than my recce ride to lunch.

As always the Grantley Arms served us promptly with good food and we were on our way within an hour without rushing it.

So then we traversed Thorncombe Street for the second time in a week though this is such a lovely lane that there were no complaints (even from Dave B - see Neil's report). The afternoon was characterised by unusually high levels of traffic in both the climb up Farley Heath Road and also Hoe Lane where we had to wait for the traffic to untangle itself. 

As on the recce, the hills (sorry: carefully curated undulations!) and lack of fast downhill opportunities meant that the pace was significantly slower than the morning but we arrived in Dorking in good time to fnd both the other groups still at tea.

My thanks to Simon for backmarking and to all my group for their excellent company. It was a most enjoyable day. My thanks also to Steve D and Neil W for sub-leading:  Neil at short notice as numbers crept up.

Neil's group left next:

We left on time from Waldon DC and passed Brian's group surprisingly soon, just before Muddy Lane we paused for Dave B. to catchup, he had stopped to adjust something, we were chasing a fire engine (in support), but as he said, we still didn't know where the fire was. Good climb on Staples and a few others, Patrick again displaying his seemingly effortless style cruising past at the steepest sections. The level crossing at Chilworth came down just as we arrived, what a long wait. We took a few minutes to view the Art & crafts church in Blackheath, saw Steve and Janice ride past then the rest of their group. The weather was great for the ride, and good for outdoors lunch. 

 

On Thorncombe Street Hill Dave got a puncture. 

 

During this intermission Mike R and Hans tried my bike and liked the Selle SMP saddle, which Neil C recommended to me. This is where the fine sculptures of horses are displayed, I saw two of them, the other group were taking pictures, told usthere were three, and I was a bit slow picking up on the 'pipeline' they were pointing out to us. A few times my group were saying the route was like a rerun of last week in reverse, again I had missed this, it seemed a novel route done this way round. Anyway, no question, we enjoyed this ride. The white squirrel was a bit of a surreal finishing touch.

PS. the large horsehead sculpture that was on display next to the A3 near Oxshott and its replacement were sculpted by Nic Fiddian: the sculptures we saw on our ride are by him, he does his work from the farm there ..
https://www.sladesfarm.co.uk/events/horse-trekking-open-day/nic-fiddian-green-equestrian-sculpture/  

Steve led the last group from Walton:

I have to say I was impressed that Janice joined us after her epic success on the LEJOG with Fiona. They both showed superior levels of fitness to complete a more arduous 'holiday' than was anticipated.

 

Nevertheless, along with Mark, Dave Ellis and Peter Suchy, Janice made five including myself. I started a few minutes behind the second group led by Neil W. The cycle path through Brookland was quiet and traffic seemed to be low so we made good time passing Brian's first group. The wind was cold so when the sun started to make an appearance it was welcome. I soon warmed up climbing Staple Lane and watched Mark and Janice forge ahead out of sight and soon Peter followed. After descending Combe Lane it was a lovely descent through to Albury and on to Black Heath and Wonersh. Just before the lunch stop at the Grantley Arms, Neil passed us with the second group. They had stopped to look in a church and we had unknowingly passed them. We ate a sumptuous lunch inside as it was still chilly. 

The afternoon ride was a delightful romp through Bramley and the single track and bridleways of Thorncombe Street. After the ascent of Farley Down we were looking forward to tea, or at least I was. The top of Wotton signified the last bit of ascent and I took a picture. 

 

Then it was an easy off road way to The Old Clunker cafe in Dorking. There we caught sight of a white squirrel! I had seen one years before in St. Martin's church cemetery in Dorking, but it had disappeared and so it was very comforting to see the line had not died out. 

Thanks go to Peter Suchy for back marking so effectively with an excellent flashing front light. Of course, many thanks also to birthday boy Brian for devising a really lovely route and organising drinks and cake at the start!

Group B Ride to Puttenham, 20th September

 

Next Wednesday we will be cycling from Fairoaks airfield near Chertsey via the outskirts of Woking, Brookwood, Pirbright, Tongham with lunch at Puttenham. After lunch we will return via Shalford, Guildford, Ripley and tea will be at Cobham. The course is approximately 36 miles from Fairoaks to Cobham. There are some hills between Tongham to just past Puttenham plus the occasional up on the way to Tongham and after lunch to Shalford. There is approximately 2 miles of gravel track along a disused railway track before Tongham that is accessed by a walk down a 10-metre-long rough slope. Lunch will be at the Good Intent pub, who have ask us to provide them with a spreadsheet with everyone’s menu choices by Monday night. The menu can be found on the following site:- https://www.spccs1.co.uk/MenuPdf/Good%20Intent%20Guildford%20Summer%20Main%20Menu%202023.pdf?nocache

So, you will need to contact me by 18.00 on Monday evening via email ryoulden@virginmedia.com or via private WhatsApp 07480922214 with your food selection and let me know that you are coming.

The course can be found on the following web page: -

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44238537

I will look forward to seeing you all on Wednesday.

Ray Y

Day 10 of LEJOG

 

How lucky have we been, we set off at 8.15, 16 degrees and a south westerly wind.
Along the A836 past Crask Inn over the river Mudale before turning east onto the B873. With a good tail wind we made fast progress along Loch Naver. The skies gradually darkening overhead and across the Loch.
We then headed north once more, climbing upto Bettyhill where we got wonderful views of the sea. Travelling east again, along the coast for our last and final  46 miles. Stopping at Hallandale Inn at Melvich for lunch.
Our final brew stop was at Thurso ( 75 miles). The sight of the Red brew van will be missed, as it has been a big part in breaking the 1000 mile journey into small, manageable bite sized pieces.
With the wind behind us and John O’Groats ahead we made fast progress to The Seaview Hotel where we all met.
The whole group, of the 18 ( out of 20) of us remaining, gathered together to complete the last 400 meters as one.
Wow - what an amazing challenge and adventure it has been.

Invitation to A ride 13th September

 Wednesday's ride from Walton is to the Grantley Arms at Wonersh and then to the Old Clunker cafe in Dorking for tea.

Outward via Byfleet, Ripley, Staple Lane and Albury. Return via Thornecombe St, Farley Green, Abinger and Westcott. Only one significant hill in the morning but a carefully curated selection of smaller undulations after lunch. 

The only off-road is Muddy Lane (bone dry yesterday) and the well surfaced path from Westcott to Dorking.

No need to preorder but the pub menu can be found here

Please let me know by 5pm on Monday if you wish to come. email