Report for B Group - 2nd April

Robert called me from Canada a couple of weeks ago to say that Margaret wasn't well enough to take their planned flight back to the UK in time for his lead from Cobham. We agreed that there was barely enough time to plan and recce a ride and decided to run the same ride as his popular one last year which had been attended by 31 riders. He confirmed that The Ashley Park would be a good choice for another visit.

Margaret is now well enough to fly again and they will return to the UK on the 14th.

~ Tim C

Steph writes:

What a glorious day and a lovely run through to Cobham on the first Wednesday after the clocks had sprung forward.  My group were waiting to depart, Bernard, Sabina, Christina, John Austin and Tim Gibbons, who kindly offered to backmark.  It was a beautiful route through to Ripley to join the Wey Navigation at Pyrford Lock.  Here there was much to see as waterfowl and barges moved along the water.  We stopped for a photo before coming off the canal at Weybridge and taking a direct route to Walton for lunch.  Here we lost John Austin as he had to return home and after lunch Christina made her own way back.

Team Steph on Dodds Bridge

The remaining four set off brightly to cross Walton Bridge and more riverside views as we turned right before Chertsey Bridge to cycle up Thameside.   We were soon heading for Ashford but it was as we veered eastwards that the wind began to strengthen and we faced a headwind for most of the return to Hampton.

At one point I spotted 3 cyclists ahead and spurred on by the thought that they must be Wayfarers and we could shelter in their wake and rest a bit from the wind we caught up with them.  Alas the tail end Charlie with a marmite top admitted that they were Uxbridge Loiterers and were misleading us in a northerly direction.  We turned sharply and returned to our easterly battle with the beasterly wind.  To our relief the surrounding architecture began to take on a more Hamptonish air and Green Lane lifted our spirits a little and very soon we were in the Pheasantry with electric Ray and others soon arriving looking also suitably wind bashed.

Another great day out.

~ Steph

A big thankyou to Julie who volunteered at very short notice to lead a group if we were still short of a sub-leader:

A lovely sunny Spring day was perfect for Robert’s pretty route through Ripley and along the river Wey. I was joined by Bob, Jane, Terry, and Peter - lovely lunch at the Ashley Park pub in Walton on Thames. During the afternoon ride we met a strong headwind - which didn’t deter us from a cup of tea in Bushy park. A lovely day despite the leader riding on only one gear all day!

~ Julie

Tim writes:

On a most beautiful day our small team (Pam, Liz, Grant, Anne, Patrick, Tony Hop. and myself) headed off down Plough Lane. Most of us haven't seen Patrick Ryan for years so were pleased that he could join us until we reached Ripley where he succumbed to an urge to visit Pinnocks. Tony rode a slightly different route from the rest of us but was there at the pub when we arrived

It was easy going to Pyrford Lock where we ducked through the car park and onto the Wey Navigation canal for a splendid ride all the way through to Weybridge. Apart from the hazard of tree roots protruding among the dappled shadows it was a blissful ride with the canalside trees, the reeds, the ducks and the geese looking their very best in the Spring sunshine.

At New Haw Lock

At Coxes Lock

4½ riders

The staff at The Ashley Park welcomed us and provided good food. We crossed Walton Bridge after lunch where Pam peeled off to head home. Due to my limited range at the moment I had planned a (6 miles) shorter afternoon route for our team so we rode through Shepperton and picked up the Halliford Road through to Hampton then Bushy Park. Having battled with forceful easterly headwind for most of the afternoon we were tiring fast we split and didn't call in at The Pheasantry.

Thanks to all for cheerful company and especially to Steph and Julie for sub-leading.

~ Tim C

Artwork under the M25 at the junction with the Basingstoke Canal

Your Suggestions Please – A New Club Event

Your ideas are needed to help shape an exciting new event, to attract new riders and raise the profile of the club. The aim is to create another annual event, similar but different to the long standing and much-loved Downhill competition, aka Freewheel Competition.

The Background

Several years ago the committee quietly formed a Marketing and Development subcommittee to look at ways to attract new members. The MaD subcommittee discovered that the Sou’Westers only serve one small segment of the market, which they describe as “cycling-mad people of a certain age”, and they have identified an opportunity to gain a foothold in a new market segment - younger adult riders. These riders are time-poor, affluent risk-takers, and they are primarily motivated by thrill-seeking and Instagrammable moments (in other words, taking selfies to put on social media).

The Plan

As a result, a new event is under development. In addition to the long-standing Downhill competition, there is a plan to hold a Slalom competition, where riders compete to be fastest down a course with various obstacles: gravel, sharp bends, wet drain covers, as well as the usual moving obstacles such as cars, pedestrians and tractors. To add a little spice to events, riders will be allowed to pedal but will not be allowed to use the brakes. The commissaires will disable the brakes at the pre-race inspection, possibly by removing brake pads.

The event will be held early in the season, balancing the late-season Downhill Competition – perhaps at the start of April. An attractive prize will be offered, such as a year’s entitlement to free hot beverages at our monthly elevenses at RBL Cobham.

We think this event could attract a lot of publicity for the club. It may even become as famous as the annual cheese-rolling competition in Gloucester, with lucrative worldwide TV rights. A subcommittee has been appointed to develop the idea, the Committee for Redevelopment And Sporting Heritage (CRASH), and they need your input.

Your Ideas Please

We need your suggestions about a suitable course. Routes so far considered include White Down (not enough hazards), Root Hill (too flat), and Bagden Hill, which has already proved how exciting it is on several occasions.  But an urban route might have more dynamic hazards, and also better access for ambulances. Do you have any suggestions that might help make this the standout event of the year?

Also, we need some volunteers to test-ride the course. If you, or someone you know, would be interested, then please do get in touch. You’d be foolish to miss this opportunity!