Midweek Wayfarers CTC: Report for B Group

Thursday, April 04, 2024

Report for B Group - 3rd April

Cobham - Walton on Thames - Bushy Park

a ride by Robert T.

Steph writes:

Being first to leave Cobham we were about to pedal off at 10.40 when Vic White cycled up hoping for a chat with folk before the ride.

Team Steph heading out

He has enough lung capacity to chat as he cycles and so accompanied us up Plough Lane. The route was perfect for those who'd had a cycling Easter at Eastbourne and we were soon happily through Ripley and on the scenic loop through to Lock Lane. However all was not well. A collision held us up a bit but no damage done and we had the pleasure of accompanying Vic home with an added tour of his garden.

We then picked up the route in Weybridge and arrived at the same time as everyone else.
An enjoyable afternoon and tea at the Pheasantry. Thanks Robert for the route and Ray and Pam and Bob for backmarking/advising on routes etc. A great day out.

~ Steph

Robert writes:

A total of 31 enthusiastic riders were at Cobham for the B ride (excluding Vic who joined Steph's group at the start).

We divided into 3 groups led by Stepanie, myself and Fixie Dave. My group of 11 included Francis as back marker, Diane, Michael, Chris, Sabina, Bernard, Tim C, Ann, Anne and Alan I. We headed for Ripley then turned north to reach the Wey Navigation Canal.

The first part of canal path was good as we passed under the 1751 Murray’s bridge to New Haw locks. After that to Cox’s lock, the path was muddy with most of us opting to walk partway.

After each group had its own problem, ours being Sabina’s flat tyre (easily fixed at lunchtime), we all ended up at The Ashley Park in Walton for lunch at about 1pm. However, the Pub coped with the large number very well. They had given us the party area and, without pre-orders, managed to serve us all within 20 minutes. Several of us took advantage of the daytime mains, including a good value 3-course meal.

After lunch we crossed the Walton Bridge and followed Thames Side before circling round to Bushy Park for a pleasant tea [exchanging pleasantries?] at the Pheasantry, in Bushy Park.

~ Robert

Dave C writes:

Our group of ten cyclists was the last to Leave Cobham at 11:10am. But not the last to arrive at our lunch destination, in Walton-on-Thames. Amusingly all the groups arrived at the same time, but not all from the same direction.

Taking part were Christina, Mags, Paula, Ian W, Peter B, John A, Stephen H, Geoff G, Tony Hr, Dave C (aka Fixie)

Thank you Geoff for coming forward to take your place at the back.

I blame our group ride leader for avoiding the River Wey (mea culpa) . I was concerned that somebody might fall by the Weyside.

Sadly Mags needed to leave our group before lunch, due to the bolt holding the Saddle onto the Saddle stem breaking. A temporary/ad-hoc fix got Mags to the nearest Station.