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
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