Report for A group - 29th January

Our first ride from Banstead turned out to be a good day. The Community Centre was excellent and the threat of afternoon rain, which had cast an ominous cloud over the leader's peace of mind for the previous two days, had finally been revoked. In fact we gathered at Banstead in what may have been the first Wednesday sunshine of 2025.

18 riders had booked a place split into three groups.

David J set off first:

Not much to report about  our groups' ride, although we started from a new venue, I had recced the route in the rain the previous Monday, by car I may add.
Brian's ingenious rote was easy to follow on the Garmin, we all kept a  reasonable pace up and over the climbs, particularly on the outward part, arriving at the pub in good time.
Lunch was the usual fayre at a Weatherspoons, so it didn't take long before we were back on our bikes and on our way home. the return trip had a 'kick up' for the last 5 miles or so but even these sections were negotiated without any incidents. Some dropped off and didn't stay for afternoon tea, but three did, many thanks to Dave V for back marking and I think all of us enjoyed the ride.
From a personal view I was pleased that we had good dry day with not too much sun coming through the clouds that make seeing/riding in bright low winter sun so difficult. 

I set off next with Frances, Ged, Dave W, Clive and Richard. We caught David's group at the first Coulsden lights but didn't all get through and so we only had a glimpse of them on Farthing Down and didn't catch them again until Bletchingley. Andy's group overtook us after Outwood and all three groups arrived in Horley within about 5 minutes. Dave and Ged left for home and our remaining group of four enjoyed the detour along Crutchfield Lane.

At the top of Longbottom Lane we came across Terry struggling to remove his tyre to repair a puncture. We stayed to assist and were passed by David's group. Richard and I stopped for tea joining Simon and Daves V&F at Ashtead Park. 

My thanks to Clive for back marking and to David and Andy for sub leading.

Andy C led the third group:

My group consisted of Peter (backmarker), Patrick, Steve & both Neils.

The weather was calm with watery sunshine & mildish with the possible threat of rain moving up from the south coast later in the day/evening. Off last, we left Banstead through Woodmansterne to Coulsdon then up Farthing Downs where I glimpsed Brian's group in the distance. We were to stop at the WC though.

I have fond memories of stopping for tea at the "Welcome Tea Rooms" on my early rides with the C&M (joined 1982). We would sit outside in the summer enjoying the view & the cakes too. Mark wrote an interesting article in 2023 https://midweekwayfarers.blogspot.com/2023/08/the-welcome-tea-rooms.html

On nearing Outwood Windmill, all the groups merged but comfortable in my pace, I took off arriving at Horley at 12.30pm.

Jack Fairman was a racing driver (1913 - 2002) & this Wetherspoons is a Wikipedia of information about him.

The return took us up Lodgebottom Road (more commonly known as Little Switzerland) towards Headley. At the top, Terry had puntured returning from the B group lunch at the Stepping Stones & was attempting to remove his rear tyre. Under the assumption he would contact his wife to collect him & his
bike, we pressed on to tea at three (pm) - Ashtead GC where four stopped.

My thanks to Brian for the route, Peter for his work on the back &
everyone else for their company.

Report for B Group - 29th January

Reports for the first rides out from Banstead, with many thanks to Tim G and Paul for sub-leading and for writing the reports that follow.

John A

Lost without trace; Eaten alive?

The expedition met at the Banstead Community Centre.  There was little indication of the dangers ahead; six experienced explorers eager to take advantage of a break in the hurricane force winds and the icy grip of winter and see for ourselves the havoc wrought on the green and fertile land by global warming.

I was probably overdressed for hill climbing, one layer too many.  This protected me from the worst effects of descending but left me overheating on the flat.  We set out westward from the Banstead Heights and rode safely and pleasantly through the seldom-visited gin-and-tonic belt of Toryland.  It was only after we had passed the end of the old railway at Tadworth and ventured out into the hinterland of Walton that, being in the lead, I began to notice as my temperature rose and my goggles steamed up the creatures scuttling into the sodden bushes.  It started with a wren, then a robin, then a squirrel and then what looked like a large rat.  Were there alligators lurking in these great puddles?  Was that an anaconda I saw slithering into the hedgerow?  By the top of Pebblehill Road we had lost Steph and Diane.  Vanished.  Disappeared.  

The four of us who were left brushed off the loss, as we knew our friends would have wanted, and soldiered on.  We survived the crazily driven truck and the mechanical failure of our primitive equipment and turned eastward, a direction less often taken.  The floods were blocking the crumbling, pot-holed roads of Surrey, but fortunately not our route, expertly planned by John, who was bravely bringing up the rear.  We all know it is the last in line that the predator targets but he put on a brave face, chatting about his lecture on the railway stations around Sutton.

Up Trumpets Hill the foliage was closing in on us; who knows what hungry, slimy creatures were lurking.  Down on the wide, open plain the mill pond to the South of Flanchford Road had become a small inland sea.  Were those the snouts of hippopotami I could see out of the corner of my eye?  There were clearly some dangerous creatures about because more than one van driver was careering down the road in terror, unable to slow down or give way.

The dogs on the Coach Road seemed tame enough but as we turned North and to the safety of the Stepping Stones, John became separated.  We waited for him outside Denbies but from across the Great Divide, still on Pixham Lane, he generously gestured to us to go on without him.  It was the last we saw of him.

The three of us victualed and re-provisioned at the Stepping Stones and then Maggie, noting our decision to go home through Little Switzerland and knowing there were yetis and snow leopards in the Misty Mountains, nobly left our company to brave the unknown alone.  "I may be some time" she said as she stepped out of the warmth.

Thus of the six doughty souls who had set out that sunny morning only Mick and Paul made it to the Old Moat.  As to the four?  Tragic beyond comprehension but their names will be remembered in the annals of the Royal Geographic Society and their pictures will be recorded in cigarette cards and collected for years to come.  Theirs was the better part.

~ Paul


[In contrast] My [Tim’s] group increased in number as Keith joined us at the start in Banstead and Terry later along the morning route. Both stayed for lunch.

The pub was excellent, tables reserved and the service prompt and efficient. The afternoon ride was similarly uncomplicated and five of us completed the ride to the Old Moat for tea.

A good ride out in what proved to be good weather for a day in January.

~ Tim G

Paul and Mick at The Stepping Stones

Tim's team +1 in Brockham

Norwesters 29/1/25

11's for us was the Ferry cafe at Shepperton Lock. It was nice to see a good turnout sat around their biggest table, it was nice to see Liz back on her bike, although still suffering with her hand she came as far as Lalham, then turned for home.. We split into 2 groups as the numbers were up to 13. We headed for Chertsey bridge and the path under the bridge heading for Lalham, but under the bridge was flooded, so a dash across the road did the job.

 

11's at the Ferry Cafe

Lalham came and went and we were soon cycling under Staines bridge heading for Wraysbury, and left at Wraysbury and into the edge of Datchet, here we turned right into Ditton road and onto the cycle path along side the M4 for half a mile before crossing the M4 on the foot bridge. The plan was to cycle through Ditton park, but within 25 metres we could see the path was under water as far as we could see, so a detour along Ditton park road bought us to the London road and across that into Kedermister Park and the cycle path to the Langley road,

 

Staines Swan Upper

 But before we could make it to the road, the puncture fairy raised it's ugly head and poor Jane was the victim, her groups stayed and undid the fairies work and I took my group the half mile to our lunch stop, the Red Lion The second groups soon arrived and we all settled in for lunch. The service wasn't fast as there was another large group settled in just before us..Plenty of chit-chat and a nice lunch saw us ready for the road again. Heading West to Market lane and we were soon past Richings park golf club, the site of many great Christmas dinners with another cycling club

 

Ready to depart from lunch

We were soon into Colnbrook, where the dreaded puncture fairy struck Jane's bike again!! The groups split into 2 again, with Ray's group repairing the puncture and my group heading off to the cycle path around the west side of Heathrow and into Ashford, where Pam left us for home, with Ray agreeing to meet us at the tea stop, Down through Charlton village and onto Haliford, where Dawn headed for Walton bridge where her van was parked and Carolyn and Christina headed for Hampton Court bridge, leaving just Gill and I going onto Squires for tea and cake, very soon Ray and Geoff joined us. Geoff headed off first, he had the furthest trip home, Ray went left out of Squires and Gill and I turned right, very shortly Gill turned right again, leaving me to cycle the 4.5 miles home. A really nice day on the bike with a lovely group. A special thanks to Ray and Geoff for all the assistance, Roll on Spring. 

 Tony..

Invitation to our 2025 Annual Lunch

CTC SWL Annual Lunch and Prizegiving

5th March 2025 at 12:30 for lunch at 1 p.m.

We are delighted to tell you that Jennie has booked the Ristorante Sorrento (379 Ewell Road, Tolworth, KT6 7DE) for our annual lunch.

This has proved to be a most popular venue for the occasion since our first visit in 2018 and we are pleased to be able to hold the event there again.

The set price for our three-course lunch will be £23.45. This includes a 10% service charge, but does not include any drinks, coffee or tea. This is our menu:

click on the menu to enlarge

Please book by placing your order, and pay in advance by Sunday 16th February.

We expect the occasion will be attended by over 60 members, as it has been in recent years.

Please send an email message to Tim Court with your order for (i) a starter and (ii) a main meal. The waiters will take your orders for dessert after the main course on the day.

The preferred method of payment (£23.45) is a direct transfer via your online banking facility, but we can also accept cash or a cheque. For online payment please ask Tim C for our bank details if you don’t already have them. For a cash or cheque payment please check with Tim or your section representative. For anyone who has yet to pay their 2025 club subscription please consider adding your £2 when you pay for your lunch.

Any food allergies, dietary disorders or Vegan requirements must be notified to Tim when you advise your order so that these details can be noted and passed to the restaurant staff.

All ride leaders please note that your teams should be delivered to the restaurant by 12.30 p.m. so that everyone will have time to buy drinks, chat, and browse the photography exhibition, and settle down ready to confirm orders with the waiting staff.

Thank you

Tim C

Invitation to A ride 29th January

Those who read the rides list will realise that we start from Banstead Community Centre this week for the first time. This is in The Horseshoe, off Bolters Lane - SM7 2BQ, see map on B Group invitation.

We will (almost?) all have climbed one hill to get there and just to keep you fit we'll descend to Coulsdon in order to climb Farthing Down. We continue via Bletchingley and Outwood to the Jack Fairman (again) for lunch. The return brings us back to Leigh with a slight twist on the usual route and then to avoid too much duplication of Janice's return route two weeks ago we will come back from Pixham over Little Switzerland to Ashtead Park for tea. 39 miles and about 2000ft of ascent. All on road or tarmac cycle path.

Please email me by 5pm on Monday if you wish to join me.

Invitation for the B Ride on Wednesday 29th January

We quite often finish in Banstead, especially if we have ventured south eastwards during the day but this will be our first ever morning meeting for Elevenses in Banstead. We shall meet at the day centre, which is in the Horseshoe, near to the library, at the west end of the High Street, SM7 2BQ.

Banstead Centre location

There are only a couple of actual bike racks but there is plenty of space all the way round the building. We shall ride some suburban roads before making our way towards Tadworth and then do a loop through the Surrey lanes and back to Westhumble for lunch.

This is our route:

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/49323930

Please let me know by Monday evening if you wish to join one of the groups, letting me know any preferences for groups or partners.

John

Wednesday 22nd January ride report

A warm welcome from The Ferry at Shepperton Lock enabled us all the set off feeling warm and re-fuelled. Great to see Tim and Pat on their bikes, and Paul and Maggie who had cycled from Banstead and were ready for another 20 miles before lunch. Not to mention Pam on her new bike. Julie's Pippins set off first. The Coxes orange pippins set off towards Windsor- passing all the reservoirs around Heathrow. Steph had planned wonderful views of Windsor Castle en route. We stopped for lunch at the friendly Crown pub in Harmondsworth, while Bernard and Sabina set off to St Marys Churchyard to find the tomb of Richard Cox. In 1830 Mr Cox developed the Coxes orange pippin apple - our namesake. The Heathrow area was mostly orchards before the airport was built in 1945. Sabina won said apple as her prize. Tea at the Pheasantry was very welcome to warm us all up on a very cold day. Thanks to my little apples for their jolly company- Sabina, Bernard, Davey, Mick, Geoff - and to Tim for backmarking.

The second group, named Black Eagles after the famous brewery in Bermondsey where Richard Cox toiled away brewing the dark porter ales, til retirement took him back to Colnebrook and gardening. We wheeled along merrily til a very bunged up front mudguard stopped the leader just as we reached the newish bit of Thames path near Runnymede. Various tools were used to poke out a decent amount of compacted mud,two of the party taking advantage of toilet facilities in a nearby establishment. We continued on briskly stopping for photos in front of Windsor castle gates. This proved not a simple task as the willing photographer (a passing member of the public) had to wait everytime a van emerged as the bollards we were resting on submerged beneath the pavement,to slide up again once the van was out. This was repeated a couple of times to the amusement of the armed police officers but eventually we set off again with a photo that didn't have a large white van in it. Swiftly through Datchet,Horton and Colnbrook (where the importance of the London to Bath coach and horses trade hits home with large numbers of old dwellings with large coach entrances onto the street. Not to speak of the horrors of the Ostrich Inn, now a very fine dining establishment. We then had a brief separation of the ways at the final junction as Ray abandoned the rear and made a solo dash for the pub (arriving before us) having the Nor'westers secret knowledge of the hidden ways of Harmondsworth. The Five Bells was a different pub from our Saturday reccy with the big stove lit and tables laid, the food was hot and did the job. Soon we left to head in a straight line to a right turn for the pleasures of the Mogden sewage works and onwards to tea. We left Ray, Pam and Gill pondering their return route and absorbing a bit more heat from the wonderful stove.

Ride Report - 'A' Group Weds 22 January 2025

 

You know you get those days when everything that can go wrong does go wrong? 

The Riverhouse Barn, is a mere 500 metres from home for me, so naturally I set off in the opposite direction, feeling duty bound to do a warm-up loop of ten miles or so just to ensure I was suffering like the rest of my victims before we set off from elevenses.   I had just got going when my front light began, inexplicably, falling off its handlebar mount.   After a few times I realised that I was clipping it in correctly, but that the clip thingy was faulty, so I had to turn around, go home and find a replacement.

By now I had realised that it was going to be far to cold on the ride to stop and take many photographs - not only would my fingers would be too cold, but also my camera lens would be steamed up!   This was potentially serious because if I could not pad out my ride report with pictures, I might actually have to resort to writing something!

Eventually I got to elevenses and, despite the gloom and chill, 16 or so of us set off towards lunch at Farnborough.  Half were fortunate to be in the hands of a very competent leader, Neil C, who had very kindly volunteered to sub-lead.   The rest had to put up with me!    Through the gloom I couldn't make out most of the places we passed through on the outbound ride - possibly Fairoaks, Bisley, and Frimley Green.   I dimly made out Neil's group at one point, huddled around a bike.  A fire might have kept them warm better but I suppose they didn't have any matches!  We carried on past them, arriving punctually at our intended lunch stop, the Tilly Shilling, only to be confronted by a welcoming sign - 'no food'!   Well, two things had already gone wrong, so there was bound to be a third!

Call me a belt and braces man, but I had seen this one coming, so, as you would expect, I had identifed not just one, but three alternative lunch stops, all further on along on our return route!    I told my group it was fifteen minute's ride to the furthest of these, at Pirbright, carelessly neglecting to mention the intervening hill!   Despite the disruption we got there, shaken but not stirred, not too long after 1.00 pm.

It was the first time I had ever lunched in a yurt, but given the Mongolian weather, it seemed strangely appropriate!    A limited choice of sophisticated fare was an offer and it was even possible to order a draft beer!   The verdict was good, but capacity is limited, especially in winter.

On the rest of the ride back I think I noticed Hook Heath, Sheerwater and Brooklands through the gloom as we went past, but Squires at Hersham was barely visible by the time we arrived at about 3.40 pm.

Thanks to all for your company, and for putting up with it all, including the dastardly weather!    Many thanks again to Neil C for sub-leading and to Simon L for back-marking my group.

Photo Competition - Help!

Please note that we have received very few entries for the 2024 competition so far, not enough to justify running the competition, and certainly not enough to mount an exhibition for the Annual Lunch on March 5th.

So to give us time to sort all your photos into categories, apply your captions to them, subject them to the scrutiny of the judges, order and mount the prints, please send us your masterpieces by the end of January.

To see how to do it please see the invitation and instructions which we posted on 4th January.

Many thanks

Tim

B riders 22nd Jan - Shepoerton Lock to Bushy Park via Harmondsworth

This ride will start in the cosy warmth of the Ferry Coffee Shop at Shepperton Lock. please wrap up warm and bring spare layers and snacks. We are riding 20 miles on a flat route to Harmondsworth. We will be riding through Egham and Datchett but also the lesser known Horton and Colnebrook that survive amidst the sprawl of the Heathrow area. We will cycle part of the route that the London to Bath coaches took in Georgian times. We will pass their infamous coaching inns (look out for The Ostrich). There are two choices at Harmondsworth, a hot meal at The Crown (no sandwiches) or the usual jackets and baguettes menu at The Five Bells. They are across the road from each other so please just decide for yourself when we arrive. If you have time to spare, the grave of Richard Cox (Coxes apples) is in the graveyard, a glimpse of Betjeman's Cathedral of Middlesex can be seen through the railings (aka The Great Tithe Barn). A monument to Barnes Wallis is just down the road. We then have a comfortable 10 mile ride to The Pheasantry at Bushy Park for tea. Please text 07909774234 for a place on the ride.

Do Join Me for Next Week's 'A' Group Ride from Walton-on-Thames

Do join me at the Riverhouse Barn on Wednesday 22 Jan for a ride of almost exactly 20 miles westwards to lunch at The Tilly Shilling, Farnborough, Hants (Wetherspoons) and almost exactly 20 miles back by a different way to tea at Squires, Hersham.   Three and a half hours riding time there and back.

There will be one or two few noticeable climbs but, overall, it will be a lot less hilly than a typical 'A' group ride.   Almost all is on road, but there are a couple of surfaced paths as well (no mud).

The route will include many familiar stretches together with a few bits which may be less familiar, but is easily rideable from .gpx, so any volunteers to sub-lead please make yourselves known!

All are welcome - if you'd like to join the ride please e-mail me at cycledave23@gmail.com not later than 6.00 pm on Monday 20 Jan.

A group ride report - 15 January 2025

After a week or two of icy weather and the over indulgence of Christmas and New Year, it seems that A group riders were raring to go for this first ride of the year in mild weather despite the mist (MET office) and fog (BBC) forecasts. In the event it was neither foggy nor misty but it was drizzly low cloud all day long.

Maybe also it was the promise of a shorter, flatter ride that prompted 27 to sign up. At this point I need to apologise as it turned out to be shorter only for those living towards Dorking. Indeed, Strava tells me that Dave V put in a very commendable 72 miles as well as leading a group. Well done Dave! As for flatter, the computer said it was a mere 1,000 or so feet. However, the reality on the road was just a tad more than 2,000 feet so thank you for not reporting me under theTrade Descriptions Act, nor complaining (within my earshot).

As I had to be in London early evening I had elected to lead the first group comprising Dave B, Hans, Neil W, Patrick, Andy H, Andy C, Clive and me. We left the warmth and hospitality of Dorking St Martins and my group were ready and waiting only for me to find that my combination lock would not release. 10 minutes of struggling, re-entering the combination, trying different combinations even though i knew the first to be correct, pushing, pulling and wriggling the lock were to no avail. By now Dave and Frances' groups had politely waited a short while but had since departed. I suggested that my group go ahead without me and whilst that was being debated Neil W gallantly worked on the lock further until miraculously (and with no small amount of brute force) it released. It seems that the locking mechanism had seized up as it's not a lock that I use very often. With the lock ceremoniously dumped in the bin we were at last able to set off.

Feeling my lack of miles and time on the bike we pushed forward and met Dave's group on the short sharp hill just after Henfold Lakes. Simon had needed to stop with a chain problem and so we were able to overtake. Further hills were traversed on the flat route and eventually we reached Rusper which more or less signalled the end of them. Somewhere around the outskirts of Horley we saw and passed Frances' group. Wetherspoons was busy and staff were thin on the ground but fortunately for us we were mostly served quickly.

After lunch the terrain was flat so we made good progress around the housing estates on the outskirts of Horley and then onto some less familiar lanes (the potholes were as familiar as ever though). Neil W had the misfortune of a puncture on Tilehurst Lane and whilst stopped we noticed there was a large patch broken glass. There was more at the end of the lane too which seemed a little suspicious. By Denbies and on familiar terrain I had to leave the group to press on home in order to be in time for my London train. My bike was as dirty as I've ever seen it by the time I got home!

Thanks to my group for their cheerful good company and in particular Dave B for ably backmarking and Neil W for releasing my bike in Dorking.It was great to be out cycling in the fresh air! Many thanks also to Dave V and Frances for sub leading and Dave for also helping with editing of the route.

Now to Dave's report.

Ride Report Dorking Horley 15 Jan

An enthusiastic bunch at Dorking enabled our “last” group to leave right on time.

Spirits among our group remained high judging by the chatter behind, even though we saw not a glimmer of sun all day.

We arrived at Jack Fairmain’s after 1 ¾ hours, earlier than I expected. Lunch in contrast was unexpectedly protracted, 1hour+ is a long time in ‘spoons, which was clearly understaffed even for January.

The afternoon started with a leisurely tour of Horley’s new housing estates, before some pleasantly quiet lanes back to Dorking which enabled a more purposeful pace.

Janice’s take on a classic route gave us just the right amount of post-Xmas exercise, and gave us a couple of surprise loops, not to mention the odd hill.

My group (Sue’s F& C, Diane, Paula, Gina & Gill, Simon and back marker Dave F) split on the run in to Leatherhead as riders headed directly home. Gina notably elected for climbing Box Hill, shrouded in thick cloud.

Arriving at Charlie & Ginger around 3.30, four of us stopped for tea where we met up with the survivors of the earlier groups.

Thanks to my group for your unfailing good humour, and especially to Dave F for high-visibility back marking.

Frances’ report follows. 

There was a very keen group of cyclists when I arrived at Dorking and a 2025 buzz that the weather was a little warmer.

My group was a little smaller and after we saw that the first group were trying to unlock Janice's bike (cooking oil added!) we were the first group to set out.

We made a good pace out of Dorking, heading in Newdigate, Rusper direction and despite warnings there was no fog, just a little dampness in the air.

I did not realise that Steve W had in fact caught up with the group (after I not noticing he was late to the party) which was good news and our able back marker , Peter  kept a watchful eye on us all.  The initial first group passed us later but we had them in sight through Charlwood and arrived pretty much to Horley at a similar timeframe.  Whilst there were some undulations getting there everyone was in good spirits and food arrived promptly.  

The return was debated by us all out of Horley - over the railway bridge , under the tunnel (which was closed) an executive order was given to drag bikes over the bridge.  Then we were on our way and the route via some housing estate, through a new road back via Doversgreen, Leigh and up the Punchbowl was very good with long stretches.

The greyness descended more as we headed back to Leatherhead , we also tailed the earlier group on the pathway.  By the time we got to Leatherhead several of our group decided to head home, whilst some decided to stop for tea.

Great turnout in January on a lovely route. Thanks all.

Finally, Dave and Jennie I hope you’re feeling much better. 

 

B Group Ride Report - Wednesday 15th January '25

Perhaps the recent cold weather had deterred many from signing up to today’s ride but nevertheless there were twelve cyclists who decided to brave the misty weather and join us for 11’s at Dorking Christian Centre. Compared to the recent cold snap the outside temperature felt somewhat tropical. 

After a last minute reshuffle John A led the first group out promptly with a couple of additional riders and I led the second with slightly depleted numbers. 

We all ascended up to Cotmandene (too misty to witness the washing lines in action) and along to North Holmwood. Heading south via Blackbrook, Henfold, Newdigate to the Jordans we then headed back and happened upon a field of alpacas happily grazing and minding their own business and oblivious of our interest or attention. 

Continuing along quiet country lanes we cycled via Parkgate, Leigh, Brockham, Pixham to Westhumble where we joined our fellow cyclists already installed for lunch at the Stepping Stones’ pub. Peter B (the birthday boy) let slip that today was occasion for celebration and was appropriately photographed with his daughter Victoria who was also able to join us. Belated happy birthday Peter !

Suitability fed and watered some headed home while others followed the shorter ride via Leatherhead and Ashtead for tea at the ‘Old Moat’ garden centre at Horton. 

Luckily the day passed without any issues or incidents and hopefully everyone returned home safely before it got too dark. Many thanks to John A who dutifully led the first group and to everyone who contributed to making today’s ride a success. There are a selection of photos posted on the B group WhatsApp site taken during the day.

A good day had by all !

TimG 

Wendy Salmon - Celebration of Life Service

There will be a service to celebrate Wendy's life on Tuesday 4th February at 11:45am, at Hampton Methodist Church, Percy Road, Hampton.   I don't have any other details at the moment, but if you have questions, contact me (simon.lambourn at gmail.com) and I'll try to get more information.

Ride Leader Course

 

Last October  we ran our first Ride Leader course using an external professional coach, Jen Buckley. Many thanks to the brave guinea pigs who volunteered, took part and provided extensive feedback to shape  future courses. I think it is fair to say that it was an interesting learning experience for all of us and 6 of  the participants have now led successful rides, thus increasing the number of members available to lead which is greatly appreciated.

I am hoping to run another course in the next few months and we have 4 places available. The course content has been tweaked slightly following feedback from the first group of participants and I am sure you will find it both useful and enjoyable. The format for the course will remain the same - 1 hour theory delivered via Zoom in the evening and a 2 hour practical session on local roads. As before, the cost will be between £10-14 depending on the number of participants but we do need a minimum of 6 riders.

Please email me to secure a place on the course sue.foster39@gmail.com

Sue F

B Group Ride - Wednesday 15th January '25

Our ride from Dorking will take us south towards Rusper via Henfold and Newdigate then back to Westhumble via Parkgate and Brockham.

Lunch is at 'The Stepping Stones', Westhumble.

The shorter afternoon ride will take us to 'The Old Moat' g/c at Horton for tea.

Please reply by Monday evening to be included on the ride list.

Email - timgibbons1@virginmedia.com

WhatsApp - 07756961505

Look forward to seeing you all on Wednesday.

TimG.

A group ride from Dorking 15 January

 A shorter flatter ride to a Wetherspoons pub seems to me to be the order of the day. This means there’s no need to worry if fitness is not what it was a few months ago (I for one haven’t been outdoors on my bike since before Christmas) nor about pre-ordering lunch and last minute changes due to inclement weather. 

We’ll be heading off for lunch at Wetherspoons in Horley and returning to Leatherhead for tea. This will be a round trip of just under 40 miles.

If you’d like to join me and my sub leaders Dave V and Frances please email me (janice.dawes@gmail.com) by 6pm on Monday so that I can sort out groups and times.

B group ride report 8th January 2025 Cobham to Seven Stars at Ripley

Ride Leader Paula: 

My first ride lead and the first ride of the year in sub-zero temperatures and a forecast of 90% rain and snow. What was I thinking? 

 As it happens I had 2 willing (and very lovely) helpers, only a hardy band of subscribers and a forecast that remarkably improved as the day approached. 

 

So the Brave Hearts and the Die Hards (great group names if only I had thought of them sooner) aka Gill's Group and Paula's group set off from Cobham after a lengthy discussion about the route (or technically you could say risk assessment) and some welcome coffee and cake to celebrate Gill and Dave V's recent birthdays (thankyou both). Lovely also to see Ian and Ken at coffee. 

 

Gill's group were off first...

From Gill:

A cold but enjoyable ride through Surrey countryside today.  The ice was nowhere near as bad as expected, but we were cautious and avoided the Greene Dene ascent and Staple Lane descent.  As it turned out Greene Dene was closed to traffic, possibly due to flooding, so staying on the main road to East Clandon had been a good decision. Our merry band had stuck together well, but part way along the call came to ‘go faster’ as the chill air was getting to us and lunch beckoned because we were cruelly paused outside the pub with the extra loop of 9 miles still to go. I offered an early lunch, but in my hardy group there were no takers! We also had the new bridge at Wisley to look forward to!

When we did eventually get inside, the Seven Stars pub was very welcoming, we were served at table, all the fires were lit and we had an extra fan heater by us.  Food was good. 

Back on the road it was a short hop to tea for those partaking, at Stoke d’Abernon.

Thanks Mick for marvellous back marking and my whole group for your lovely company.

Well done Paula for your first lead, it was brilliant!

From Paula:

 

My group, Sue F (mentor), Tim G (back marker), Julie, Fixie Dave, or should if be faffing Dave :) (Maddie had a nose bleed and met us at lunch, Terry sensibly didn't brave the cold and Paul and Geoff didn't make it either) pedalled non-eventfully to Effingham, managed to survive the travellers' dogs at Calvert Road, to brave the main A246 (thereby avoiding the potentially slippery Green Dene and Staple Lane - to Julie's delight!) joining the planned route at East Clandon. From then on it was plain sailing (operative word) on lanes and small roads to pass the Seven Stars in preparation for the stupid loop which brought us past Wisley and floating over the A3 on the new super smooth cycle path back to Ripley for a warm up and nice lunch served by 'beautiful people' at the Seven Stars. Here we are in the warm:

 

We decided on Barbara's at Stoke D'Abernon for tea by which time things had warmed up a bit (the rain held off but Maddie was prepared!) and we wondered what all the fuss had been about!  All in all a good day out with no shipwrecks and nobody drowned!

Well done on your first ride lead Paula and as Dave F commented, excellent ride leading skills in re-planning the route according to weather conditions. 

 

A Group Ride from Cobham to Guildford and Leatherhead. 8th January 2025.

 Nineteen signed-up for the first ride of 2025. With the threat of icy conditions this was soon whittled-down to eleven in two rearranged groups starting from Cobham. (Brian's valuable pre-elevenses recce confirmed Plough Lane and the alternative, Chilbrook Lane, to be treacherous - so it was decided to follow a more direct route to Guildford, eschewing minor roads that may have been icy). Hans led one group, I led the other.

So instead of a route through Ockham, Ripley, Send, Mayford and Worplesdon into Guildford, the two groups blasted along the A246 Epsom Road as a direct route. Except it wasn't. Short of a challenge we climbed Shere Road towards Newlands, anticipating a descent of Trodds Lane to Merrow only to find  'Road Ahead Closed'. Apparently it was closed to provide a better crossing for golf buggies: it didn't deter us as we circumvented the barriers and made a fast but chilly descent.

Trodds Lane closed - but not for us.

 Once in Guildford Hans led the way to Wetherspoons Rodboro Building which we reached at noon. (This was a rare trip to this 'Spoons, as blog records show only two previous visits by the A Group in 2008 and 2010). It has an interesting history, originally built as a factory manufacturing Dennis motor vehicles, with Wetherspoons converting the building to a pub in 1998.

A chilly start after lunch. (photo Dave V.)

We picked-up the planned route after lunch. Apart from a major flood at the bottom of Green Dene - necessitating a U-turn to Chalk Lane, the afternoon's ride was trouble-free, with evidence of flooding, but scant sign of ice. Four stayed to tea at Charlie and Gingers.

Many thanks to Hans for leading one group with off-the-cuff routing, and to Dave Vine for back-marking my group. Kudos to the other eight - who were determined to mark the start of 2025 with a Wayfarers ride:- Dave W, Clive, Simon L, Patrick, Dave B, Neil C, Daniel, and Simon W. Thanks also to Dave V - and Gill, for the birthday cakes at Cobham. 

Wendy Salmon has died

I received news that Wendy passed away this weekend, after having been ill with cancer for a while.

Wendy with Irene and Brian Bent in 2014 (middle row, far right)

Wendy and her husband David rode with the Easy Riders in the early 2010's.  David passed away in 2014 and Wendy stopped riding with us some time after that, but she was a regular member of Teddington Choral Society (of which I'm also a member) for over 50 years, singing right up to our Christmas concert last December despite her illness.  She will be much missed in the choir, and I'm sure there are some Wayfarers who have fond memories of her company on rides.

I have asked for details of her funeral and will pass them on when I have them.

Invitation to enter the 2024 Photo Competition

Attendance for all groups was high in 2024 and many have been off on other adventures too. So we hope that you have been busy with your cameras and phones and are keen to review your photos and send the best ones in for the competition.

Please submit your photos before the end of January using this method:

Visit this website: '2024 Competition Dropbox' and follow instructions to select and deliver your photos. This is what you should see:

N.B. When using this website to post photos to the Dropbox it is not necessary to sign up to, or log into Dropbox even if you are invited to do so.

Click on 'Add files' to select the source of your photos then select your photos (or folders), or if you already have your file list open just drag and drop photos from the list into the white box.
 
Once you have selected one or several photos fill in your name and email address then click 'Upload'.

Send an email to me, Tim, to provide this important information about each photo:

•           the photo filename (e.g. P1040276.jpg)
•           a caption which we will inscribe on your photo
•           the competition category (see below)

The rules and categories are simple. The full 'Competition Rules' document is available under the 'Information Hub' heading on our website.

Competition Period: Photos taken during the 2024 calendar year.

Your photos must all illustrate a connection to cycling by depicting a bicycle or cyclist for example, or some obvious cycling association.

You may submit two photos in each category:

  6.1. Male      one or more male cyclists
  6.2. Female    one or more female cyclists
  6.3. Action    cyclist(s) in action
  6.4. Scenery   scenery or landscape
  6.5. Building  buildings, architecture
  6.6. Humorous  funny or amusing
  6.7. Group     any mix of male and female cyclists

Note that the award for a winning photograph in each category will be given to the photographer who took the picture, not to the model(s).

This method for submitting photos should work with any device (PC, Apple, iPad, iPhone, Tablet or Android phone) but if it doesn't work for you, please let me know so that we can address the problem. It does depend on you being able to locate the folder in your phone, tablet or PC where you store your photos. It does not require you to install the DropBox software.

This is the best way of sending photos. Please note that some methods of transmitting photos, such as WhatsApp, shrink the photo before sending, diminishing the quality of the original photo as it is in your camera or phone.

We're looking forward to seeing your photos. Note that this year Andy and I will be collaborating to organise the competition.

~ Tim and Andy

January, 2025

B Group ride Wed 8th January

This Wednesday's ride will be a sedate 24 miles from Cobham to lunch at the Seven Stars in Ripley via one gentle hill, a lovely decent down a staple lane, and a bit of a pointless loop to make up the miles, taking in an excursion over the new bridge over the A3 at Wisley. 

Cobham Ripley 8th Jan ridewithgps.com

Lunch orders not required but you can look at the menu here. https://thesevenstarsripley.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/FINAL-LUNCH-MENU-2024.pdf

After lunch there are some options. Those who wish can make their own way home or there are two tea stop options. Cobham is one option for those heading east or you can join me in a short 10 miles to tea at Garsons Garden Centre in West End. 

Ripley West end 8th Jan ridewithgps.com

Let me know by 6pm on Monday if you would like to be included. 

Paula

pibpaula@blueyonder.co.uk

Invitation to A Group ride from Cobham to Guildford and Leatherhead, 8th January 2025

 You are invited to the first A Group ride of 2025 - from Cobham to Guildford and Leatherhead. Lunch is at the Wetherspoons Rodboro Building, and tea in Leatherhead. 18miles to lunch, 15 to tea. All road.

Please respond to me by 6.0pm on Monday 6th January: gedlawrenson150@gmail.com.

Groups, timings and routes emailed on Tuesday morning.

Happy New Year!

Cheers

Ged

Subs 2025

Happy New Year!

A quick reminder to all those who have not yet renewed that our subs for 2025 are now due.  Your prompt payment would be much appreciated so that the committee can confirm our finances and update our records ready for the coming year. 

The amount is £2 and if you need our bank details please email me, or pay cash to your group rep.

Thank you

Gill H

Membership Sec

gillholder9@gmail.com

Richmond Park Cyclists

For anyone who wants to keep abreast of this marvellous organisation's activities on behalf of all cyclists they have a free monthly bulletin, delivered by email. Visit this link to sign up:

https://www.richmondparkcyclists.org/get-involved/

On the website there is a link to back issues of the bulletin. 

Regarding social media they have a presence on Facebook and also post to Bluesky (@richmondpkcyclists.bsky.social.) as well as X (aka Twitter). 

~ Tim 

How far did you ride in 2024?

Your 2024 mileage totals please

Please forgive the cutting and pasting from last last year's request 😕:

This is a request to submit your mileage totals for the last twelve months (1st Jan. 2024 to 31st Dec. 2024) for consideration towards the annual awards for the greatest distances cycled. Your scores will be entered into the Big Spreadsheet where, since the dawn of the 21st century, the precious records of your accomplishments in the club have been maturing.

There are two shiny trophies, one for the woman who has cycled more miles than any other woman and one for the man with the highest mileage amongst the men. Having two separate prizes for persons of each gender might sound a little quaint. But that is our tradition and while the prize money attached to these two awards remains identical for both winners nothing is likely to change.

And we have a special award, the Mark Roy Trophy, for the person recording the largest increase in mileage over the previous year. So anyone who has posted their mileage for both 2024 and 2023 is eligible. 

To summarise the rules, your miles must have been clocked up whilst riding your bicycle, tricycle, tandem or eBike on or off road. Mileages achieved on turbo trainers, Watt bikes or any other static contraption don't count. We know that this is something of a blow to members who have been riding through virtual alpine landscapes with Zwift or Rouvy but we are only considering miles actually, rather than virtually, travelled.

For the competition, contenders for the prizes must be regular riders in the club though we are happy to collect mileage data for everyone who is a paid up member of CTC South West London. And we wish to continue recording mileages for our several members who ride eBikes.

If you are curious at all about how many miles you ride in the course of a year please start recording your distances for 2025 in a diary or spreadsheet.

Just one word of warning; several riders who use a GPS enabled device such as a Garmin, or smartphones running apps like Strava or RideWithGPS have experienced rides when their devices stop communicating with the satellites, sometimes for quite a while, and this can lead to totally unreliable data. So please verify the accuracy of your data. The evidence of this known problem is a long straight bee-line between two points on your ride where you know the road really had many twists and turns.

Fixie Dave's Garmin nodded off for a while with this result!

In my opinion this is not a problem which is specific to Strava or other phone app but is to do with the phone and its own software, memory resources perhaps. This erroneous data can also accumulate if you have hopped on a train with your bike but forgotten to stop recording 😏. Fancy doing that!

Please write to me with your total mileage:

Tim Court (Associate Bean Counter*)

We hope to be able to present the prizes in our traditional awards ceremony at the Annual Lunch, this year on Wednesday 5th March.

A very Happy New Year to you all and if you haven't been collecting your mileage scores please start now, from January 1st 2025.

The Bean Counters need your numbers!

~ Tim C

*Nota Bene: The Bean Counting team has now now doubled its number of staff and we are pleased to advise you that Mick Arber of B Group has flown through his apprenticeship and is now embarking on his new career in our Bean Counting Department.