Report for B Group - 3rd January

B Group had a large turnout of 33 riders, lured, as I now understand, by the prospect of sharing a lot of cake with Dave Vine who was celebrating his birthday. Thank you Dave and Many Happy Returns.

Some encountered obstacles en route to Elevenses

The three teams, an assortment of low-calorie biscuits, rolled out of the RBL at their designated departure times.

The Bath Olivers getting ready to depart

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Ray Youlden led the Cream Crackers 

Our group consisted of Tim G, John, Gill H, Paula, Jane, Lillian, Maureen, Davy, Dawn and Carolyn. It was decided that we should split the group into two more manageable sizes, led by John and myself, with Tim G back marking and Carolyn and Davy covering corner marking. 

We left Cobham at 10.30+ and headed out towards Leatherhead, taking the Tilt Road rather than the more normal route along Stoke Road. We crossed Stoke Road and started our first gentle climb of the day up, Blundel Lane, where we entered the woods of Oxshott Common before emerging onto the A244, Warren Lane.

Luckly the road was not too busy, as we headed north towards Sandy Lane. This undulating road took us to our second off road section, Fairmile Common, that led on to Green Lane and to the familiar route, along Fairmile Lane, Portsmouth Road, West End Lane, and on towards the roundabout near Princess Alice Hospice. From here we headed up Riverside Drive and onto Pelhams Walk where we stopped to look at the Waynflete Tower. On arriving at the top of the hill, we could only do one thing, go down the other side towards Hampton Court. Unfortunately, it also signalled the end of the good weather, so a quick stop was required while we donned various bits of rain wear. At Hampton Court, we crossed the Thames and went along a very wet and puddly riverbank to the entrance of Hampton Court Park and our lunch time destination.

Lunch at the Golf Club was excellent and after a bit of after-lunch chat, we all departed for home.

Thank you, Tim Court, for organising such good route, John, Tim, Davey, and Carolyn for helping by keeping us all together and to the rest of the group for their company despite the change in the weather. 

~ Ray Y

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Mick Arber led the Bath Olivers 

Tony, Ian, Steph, Francis, Stephen, Sabina, Bernard, Ann, Mick and Peter set off from Cobham on time in reasonable winter weather.  We welcomed Peter Betts, from the ‘A’s, who was trying us ‘B’s out with our leisurely pace and off road deviations.

We stopped to marvel at Wayneflete Tower; evidently even those that regularly use this route were not aware of the tower.  As we cycled on towards Hampton Court Bridge light rain started but did not last long.  Over the bridge and onto the Thames path where we came across Pam who had missed the start because of a puncture.  She declined an offer to join us stating that she was waiting, as arranged, for Tim C.’s group.

The Thames path was surprisingly wet so by the end of it our bikes were quite muddy, a christening for Peter :-).  On to Hampton Court Palace Golf Club; many of the group had never been into that part of the park before.  

The staff at the club were welcoming, the food was good and served quickly.  As this was a midwinter ride no afternoon route was planned.  Mick made a quick exit because of family duties, leaving the rest of the group to make their way home.

~ Mick 

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Tim C led the Scottish Oatcakes

Gill Finlay, Tony Hopkins, Pam, Liz, Mags, Anne, Grant, Paul James, Julie, Peter Beaven and Christina comprised our team. We were pleased to welcome a new rider, Peter Beaven who has been riding on Saturdays but can now afford some time to ride with us. It was also good to see Francis again after a long convalescence.

News had come through that Pam had suffered a puncture on her way to Elevenses and let Tony know that she could meet us at Hampton Court Bridge during our ride.

On our way out, at the bend in the River Mole by the Cobham Mill the water was pretty much level with the road. We wondered what all the recent rain might have done to the off-road sections of our route. Gill advised us that earlier a tree had fallen over the road in Blundel Lane so we were relieved to find the road clear but with much evidence of damage to the roadside shrubbery. 

We turned into Oxshott Heath to ride the leafy track to the station then up Warren Lane and left into Sandy Lane for our second detour through the woods of Fairmile Common.

By the time we reached Esher it had started to rain but we stuck with our plan to stop and look at the Waynefleet Tower. This impressive structure is the gatehouse of the former Esher Palace. When Cardinal Wolsey fell out of favour with Henry VIII for failing to negotiate an annulment of the King’s marriage to Catherine of Aragon, the King banished him to Esher Palace.

Tim Gibbons has shared this little history lesson with us:

Wayneflete Tower, also known as Waynflete's Tower, is an historical gatehouse located in Esher, near London. Part of the Palace of Esher established in 1462 by Bishop William Waynflete of Winchester, it was connected to the keep by a curtain wall. Demolition in the 17th century removed furnishings and granite blocks. In the 18th century, the tower was made part of a Gothic mansion house by William Kent for new owner Henry Pelham. The tower is a Grade I listed building.

At Hampton Court Bridge Gill Finlay departed for a family appointment, Pam joined us after a long wait and we all proceeded along the slightly squishy Barge Walk to Kingston Bridge. Once in the Hampton Court Park we followed the good road through to the golf club, rather than the puddle strewn alternative track.

We briefly imagined that this might be our destination

Our first experience of this new lunch venue was great. Having originally advised the manager that there could be as many as 20 visiting them for lunch I had wondered how they would cope with 30 of us. We were made to feel very welcome and served good substantial meals without having to wait very long at all. The large bowls of chunky chips certainly blew a few New Year's resolutions out of the water.

Thank you to everyone for being so enthusiastic about joining this first ride in 2024. Thanks to Paul for maintaining order at the back of the peloton. Thank you to Ray and Mick for leading their big teams safely to the sanctuary of the golf club.

~ Tim C