Ride report for B Group - 5th February

First of all we must say thank you to Arywn, for a well designed route.

A good turnout for this Wednesday's ride, 23 cyclists took part, which necessitated the need for 3 groups.

Special thank you to Tim G who agreed to sub-lead at short notice, without a Recce. Not exactly a new experience for Tim, since he seems to do more leading/sub-leading than all of us.

Thanks to Ray Y for reccing the route with me, and leading the 3rd group.

 

My middle group consisted of 8 cyclists = Fixed leader Dave, Julie,  Linda,  Carolyn,  Brenda,  Christina,  Karl,  Terry. 

We departed from Cobham at 10.40am, then after about 8 or 9 miles a deflation problem occurred, which proved to be a bit of a challenge M'm. 

So it was decided that rather than all the group supervising the rectification of the problem, five of the group would go onwards. 

The Lunch stop at Heather Farm was a good choice.    

Today's ride was blessed with Winter Sunshine, which is good for lifting the spirits 😃🌞

Thank you to all the Cyclists 🚴 who took part in this ride. 👏

Pleased to see Ray W joining the ride at Lunch.

I was concerned about a report that I had read somewhere 🤔  That Martians had landed on Horsell Common

Thought that best not to mention this before I advertised our ride.

But thankfully there wasn't any reported signing among the Cyclists 🙏

 

Perhaps the prospect of clear skies and winter sunshine encouraged more members to join us for today’s ride. My group of seven cyclists eagerly departed from Cobham and followed the planned route along familiar country lanes towards Send and Woking. 

The off-road section alongside the Hoe stream was a pleasant diversion until we hit upon a  muddy swamp at the far end. We were subsequently eager to find a few puddles to ride through to wash our tyres. 

 

We then followed a less familiar route around the west of Woking to our lunchtime destination at Heather Farm Cafe. I don’t remember being there before but it seemed very popular and the service was prompt and efficient. We were later joined by the other groups, some of which sat outside in the bright sunshine. 

 

Perhaps the venue is also popular as its location is close to Horsell Common, made famous by H.G.Wells in his novel ‘War of the Worlds’. This is where the Martians first landed in their tripod space craft and proceeded to attack Woking and later London. No sign of any aliens today - just a few suspect cyclists looking somewhat bog-eyed and otherworldly. 

 

Suitably refreshed we embarked upon our afternoon ride via Chertsey, Shepperton and Hampton to Bushy Park for tea at the Pheasantry. Fortunately there were no issues during our ride today and the group was dutifully diligent and compliant. No dissension in the ranks !

 

Many thanks to Arwyn for planning the route, John A for back marking and everyone involved in making today’s ride a success. A good day had by all !

 

TimG. 

Ray’s Report:

My group left closer to 11.00 than the intended time of 10.50 due to all chatting in the sunshine and dreaming of the summer days to come. The group consisted of Pam, Gill Finlay, Mick, Grant, Martin and Jane. Once under way, we followed the road through Downside, Ockham before turning right into Ryder Farm Estate which was new to me. The road there could badly do with rebuilding due to the concrete having broken up but can still be ridden without danger. This led to the junction with Hungry Hill Lane and Tithe Barn Lane. At the end of Tithe Barn Lane, we came across the second group who had stopped to mend Carolyn’s puncture. We decided not to stop as there were more than enough helpers. Little did we know that this puncture would cause them so much distress! On to the New Inn where we joined Send Road to Old Woking. At Woking Sports Centre we joined the cycle path that took us down to Mayford roundabout and then turned right into Hook Hill Lane. This deceptive hill had us all breathing heavily at the top where we stopped for a photo and a chance to recover.

The Horsells taking a breath at the top of Hook Hill Lane

We then deviated, unintentionally, from Arwyn’s route and took a wrong turn, cycling along Pond Road that turned into a short piece of off-road section at the end. A quick look at the map and we realised that we could go along Golf Club Lane and then turn Left to get back on the correct route. After passing through St John’s, at the end of the first section of Robin Hood Road, we deviated from the course and cycled 50 metres along the payment to avoid the one-way section of the road and joined up with the route 100 metres further on. It was then a matter of negotiating Horsell Birch Roundabout, turning left into Horsell Common Road and then into the lunch stop, Heather Farm Café.

Despite the crowds at the café, the service was fast, efficient and friendly. An excellent decision to use it. We sat in the sun thinking that it was summer already before some clouds came and spoiled the effect.

Lunch outside in the sun, unheard of in February

 

After lunch it was decided that I would lead to Shepperton where I would hand over the lead to Mick who would then ride onto Bushy Park for tea.

We left the café and turned left along Chobham Road before turning left into Philpot Lane. It was then a standard ride home for some of us, cycling along Old Chertsey Road, Stonehill Lane where Pam left us for home. On to Chertsey, where for once we were held up at the level crossing before proceeding along Station Road and Victory Road. At the roundabout a quick look at the flooded park path meant that we had to use the road to get to Chertsey Bridge. The Thames here was still high and running fast and made using the underpass too risky, so once again we used the road, then on to Shepperton.

It was a great day out with perfect weather for the time of year, great company and various chit chats along the way to keep us entertained. A special thank you to Mick for his back marking and leading the group on from Shepperton, and to Arwyn for providing the course.

Ray