Report for B Group on 6th November

From Maddie - The Ducks

The ducks had a lovely ride today. It felt very easy and breezy, despite the calm weather and complete cloud cover. All the ducklings - Brenda, Dawn, Mags, Grant and Francis - appreciated the ride to lunch on a ride to lunch that show cased the beauty autumn’s rich colours. There was some huff and puffing up the hills - and indeed we were literally in the clouds for a good few miles - but we loved the wheeeeeeeee of the downhill sections.

The ducklings were pretty well behaved on the whole. I was also pleased that they did well on the bike agility sections, thoughtfully supplied by traffic maintenance road crew along the way. It is always good to keep those fine bike skills sharp.

Chief drake Francis kept us in good spirits, herding and chivvying us on our journey: he knew the greedy swans were on our tails..

As sub leader, I offer a special thanks to Julie for the simple elegance of the route to lunch, requiring as it did only about 5 turns all the way to the pub!

Lunch was well organised and quick in the lovely setting of the Anchor, and then we were off again for a different type of afternoon ride- across some gorgeous off-road sections, along the canal for a short burst and eventually through Brooklands. Lovely.

The ducklings fledged and took their own paths as we went along. Only our back marker, Francis, relieved of his duties, went in for a cuppa at Garsons Farm - surrounded by swans…

Overall, a grand day out - and back by nightfall.

From Tim G - The Swans

A day of overcast and grey skies and no sign of a sunny spell proved quite acceptable for cycling in November. Our group of five eager and diligent cyclists headed south via Downside and Effingham Junction to commence the accent of Chalk Lane at East Horsley.

We gently climbed up and through autumn countryside shrouded in an increasing cover of cloud and mist. After a brief break we descended Staple Lane then progressed north to Chandon and Ripley carefully negotiating the roadworks at Burnt Common.

Lunch at ‘The Anchor’ was a success and everyone seemed to be happily fed and watered. Our afternoon ride included a brief off-road section crossing the Wey Navigation that many did not recall covering before.

Tea at Garson’s Farm provided a welcome break despite the horrors of seemingly endless ghastly Xmas decorations (baa humbug !).

As our daylight hours increasingly diminish we all needed our lights to get us home safely. Thanks to everyone who contributed to making today’s ride a success. A good day had by all.

From Julie - The Moorhens

It was great to see a good turnout at Cobham for a ride full of autumnal colour. A long straight section to East Horsley led to a climb up Green Dene which looked magical in the mist among the trees. Then through Clandon and Ripley to Pyrford Lock for lunch at the Anchor.

The afternoon ride took us off road and along the Wey for a while which was very pretty. Tea and cake at Garsons farm ended our day. Thanks to my fellow moorhens, Diane, Davey, Gill F, Gill H, Ray - and to Mick for back marking.