Dec 20th A Group

A Ride Dec 20th
Todays ride & destination was prebooked in advance, as the morning turned out to be very cold and foggy a warm lunch spot was anticipated at the ‘Cap in Hand’ at Hook. This found 22 of us on a brisk ride over Walton bridge & on to Sunbury, left on to Kempton Road (path really) & Kent,s Passage via quiet spacious back roads & into a mystical misty enshrouded Bushy Park , past the skating rink at Hampton Court & old worldly Thames Ditton & so to Hook and a super Xmas Dinner with the usual mix up over who had ordered what causing some entertainment. The short ride today & even shorter ride home for most of us was just right on such a cold day. 31 miles
From Pete Mitchell

A Ride Dec 6th

At Cobham we presented Hazel, Thelma and Joyce with a bottle of sparkling chardonnay each to enjoy at Christmas and took the opportunity to thank them for opening the RBL Club each first Wednesday and serving us refreshments and making us feel so at home. Long may this happy situation continue. Tom duly arrived with his stock and it was good to hear that his voice retains its qualities. We welcomed two newcomers, Brian Forster and Bernie O'Donovan, who we hope will wish to make their Wayfarers ride a regular event.


From Mike Morley in Sydney Australia:
Hi Brian et al, Fantastic hot weather here in Sydney, Fri 1 Dec. Regrettably we leave to Bangkok tonight, spend 4 days there and back home to cooler weather. Glad to hear Tom Fish OK, obviously there was some concern about him. Still on target to see you all on Wed 6 Dec [subject to Bangkok tummy]. I am on for the Xmas lunch at Greeno 13 Dec if available. Best regards, Mike M.

Dear Brian,
Brian Stead sends his warm greetings from Oz . I had to return by train last week before 11`s as my down tube snapped !! Best wishes, Brian N. Thanks, Brian via Brian, Brian.

Brian
As from 9th December, the Richmond Park cafe at Roehampton Gate will be closed indefinitely. Apparently the existing building will be flattened and a new one built. 3 months was mentioned. ' Oh ' yes, Wembley Stadium comes to mind. Presumably it will be open on Friday 8th. If any wish to be there at 11, it might be a good farewell gathering. Frank

Hello Brian,
From Cobham I led Christine, Gill, Judy, Liz, Toni, Bernard, new member Brian Forster, welcome, (Steve, Jack and I met Brian years ago on Sunday mornings at Alison's tea wagon at Headley), Cliff, upright Ed, John B, Les, Nev, Norman and Robin along Plough Lane (no longer awash as on Sunday), to be shortly passed by A group. We turned left at the now-expensive Black Swan (ask Norman) and carried straight on through Effingham and up Beech Avenue to have a brief pause at the crossroads before crossing Ranmore. A gentle descent to Dorking outskirts, turn left into Ashcombe Road then a few hundred yards of A24 before turning onto the cycle track, across the golf course to Brockham. Along Kiln Lane, admiring the views to north and south and soon we arrived at The Red Lion at Betchworth. We climbed over 500ft between Cobham and Betchworth (thanks Bernard). After enjoying lunch, we returned to Dorking alongside the A25, turned into Pixham Lane, then by (fairly) popular request a group of us scaled the south face of Boxhill via the Zig Zags, followed by a cup of National Trust tea, after which we went our separate ways. A good day out helped by the wonderful weather. After the next two Wednesdays the evenings will start to get lighter! Terry

Best weather so far this week. Sunshine all the way and just a spot of breeze. Roger led around twelve of us 'C' group from Cobham en route for the refurbished Black Swan (formerly but no longer Mucky Duck). Apart from me `n Im, there was Ron, Bill, Dave, John G., Alan,Fuzz,Dennis, Mike and Mary on tandem,Lynda,Liz, Bill `A` and another who name I did not catch (I cant remember him throwing it!). I know that`s more than twelve but Dennis and another took an alternative route probably up Plough Lane while we carried on up Downside Bridge Road and turned right at The Drift, at the end of which we did a left and right into East Horsley. Another right turn took us to Ockham, then past the disused Wisley airfield (stirring old memories), to the pub. They have done a complete makeover which is reflected in the prices but unfortunately the service was poor and some of the offerings when they arrived half an hour after we ordered them were a bit cold. None the less the staff were welcoming and there was nothing wrong with the beer. As the intention was to take tea at Claygate, I took the route back over the airfield, a rather lonely ride apart from a few friendly old ghosts, leaving at Wisley over the footbridge which crosses the A3 and a spot of offroad to Byfleet Village and home via Oyster Lane -------- Albert

The fine weather brought a large turnout to Cobham, where, in 'A' group were, Brian, Bob, Vic, Pam, Bernie, Pete B, Pete M, John S, John M, Frank C, Frank H, Graham, Ray, Toni, John B, Steve, Julian, Nigel, Grant, Ed S and Ed C. (was that all?). An early puncture for Grant saw our number reduced by 1, although when we passed B group in Plough Lane, we made up a combined peleton of not far off 40.
At modest pace, partly due to the stiff headwind, we passed through Ripley, then down Papercourt Lane, where there was quite a bit of surface water still lying on the fields, not to mention the roads. Then it was through Send and on to Old Woking and Mayford, then up Prey Heath Road past Worplesdon Railway Station. After crossing Fox Corner, and Bullswater Common, we arrived at our lunch destination, the Cricketers at Pirbright, to find ourselves beaten to it by a short head by West Surrey CTC. So some went to the White Hart just down the road for lunch, with a detachment heading off to Wetherspoons at Woking. While the rest of us were enjoying our lunch in the Cricketers' snooker room, a large black cloud unkindly disgorged its contents on Pam just as she was mending a puncture (ably assisted by Brian).
After lunch, at brisker pace we headed back via Worplesdon and Jacobs Well, where Bernie picked up our third puncture of the day, whereupon a small committee headed by Ed S soon fixed the problem and had us on our way again up the cycle path on the A3. I had originally intended to head for our tea stop at Ockham Bites via the lanes, but to save time we continued there up the A3, to be rejoined by Grant and also Jen.
By the time Brian and I got back to Banstead, it was well after dark, and we covered 54 miles altogether. Rob

This Sunday, please support the SWLDA AGM at Breech Lane 12.30pm and/or follow-up Cyclist's/Rambler's Carol Service at 2pm at nearby St Peters Church Walton-on-the-Hill. See you there.
Brian

A Ride Nov 22nd

Report by Ed Sharp leader, Pete M, Pete B, Bob, Brian, Ray, Steve, Jen met at The Star. Destination Lingfield The Star Pub. Morning: Weak winter sun and falling leaves. Route: Outwood Mill Newchapel & Lingfield.
Afternoon: Rain in the air and looming darkness so made for home via Blindley Heath, Bletchingley, Merstham, Banstead.

'A' group at Cranleigh

Did not check on the name of this pub we dined at,but good value.

A Group Oct 18th

A Group October 18th
A mild autumn ride in Kent is rather nice,Wednesday was no exception with a hint of colour in the trees promised things to come in the next month. Ed, Pete B, Stephen, Tony, Frank H. Mike M & myself set off from Caterham down into the valley & a leisurely ride past the convent, climbing to the top of Titsey Hill stopping briefley at the junction of next Sundays Bec Hill Climb (87 riders £1000 first prize!) Ed. Sharp plummeted down towards Westerham – a mistake as we were turning left to Tatsfield (will they never learn not to second guess the leader) however we had a nice rest and chat awaiting his return! On to The Crown at Knockholt for lunch where Jen met us just in time for drinks on Mike Morley a birthday treat. Afterwards the sun came out Ed punctured & the lanes & day became very pleasant , a steep drop at Cudham down and up to Downe? being overtaken by a group of 40+ riders one of them dressed in pink said to me Good Afternoon Mr Oxx !! (he needs new glasses) Tea was taken at Coombe Wood in The Pond Tea Room afterwards we all took a walk around the pretty gardens glowing in the evening sun.
From Pete Mitchell

Pam's Pics A Group

Pictures by Pam on Vic's Ride

A Group August 23rd

The doom and gloom weather forcast failed to deter 12 A group riders from following south from Dorking, Newdigate, Capel, Oakwood Hill to Lunch at ‘The Chequers’ RowHook. Tony's intepretation of the Italian way to say ‘Sausage & Mash’ proved interesting over lunch! Nigel had a toothless chainring problem en route. Pam & Irene were refered to as ‘Gert & Daisy’ to much amusement from members of a certain age. Grant has recovered very well after riding 195miles on Sunday in a 12hour time trial. John at tea at Dorking Leasure Centre was working out the best route to get to the Albert Hall to perform at 6pm. Graham vanished temporarily after lunch but reappeared at tea. A notable feature of the day was to hear Frank Cubis complaining about the steep hill just before Dorking! (he still left us all behind). The day ended without any serious rain with 56 miles covered.

From Pete Mitchell

A Group Aug 2nd

I've been waiting for an improvement in the weather and it came in the form of a strong westerly wind. Arriving at Cobham to find neither of the named A/B leaders, I was made leader after a usual show of no hands. Nine (Graham, Don, Frank C, John M, John S, Scottish John, Pete B, Toni, Vic) set off with Frank P in brief attendance. We passed and heckled the larger BGs well before Bookham Common. In Effingham the closed Beech Avenue looked most inviting but joy was shortlived with the early sighting of a tar layer or two. So it was High Barn Road and its 1 in 7 where Frank C stopped (to check his gearing perhaps but I didn't ask). Resurfaced only last week, Whitedown was descended gingerly with the odd foot dangling free of the pedal. Holmbury came next and Ewhurst was reached using Lower Breache Road.
Lunch was at that favourite of mine, the Little Park Thatch, where some it must be said disgraced themselves by failing to clear their plates. I'm thinking on founding a league for cruel sports and 'Tanhurst' and 'Horse Block' did cross my mind. But we agreed on the Walliswood, Weare Street and Henfold route to Denbies. There are several cases of overtaking the leader and, worse, pedalling download. "Bring back the birch" did I hear somebody say.

PS It's official - you wont be welcome at Hindhead next week without CRB clearance. Of course I might make the odd exception but don't tell anyone.
From Graham Hill

Silchester A/B ride 24th May 06

Here are some pictures to add to Julian's excellent report. Hope to add more later.
Ray

A Group—17th May

Here's a quick note of the A ride for the time being........

Nine of us from the A Group—Vic, Pete B, John B, John S, Nigel, Toni, Mike M, Julian and leader Ed—left Addlestone at a sprightly pace for Windsor and Eton. On the cycle track alongside Woburn Hill Mike M ran over a discarded mobile phone, which amazingly survived his monster tyres. From there until lunch he dealt with a series of business propositions of varying propriety as we made our way over Chertsey Bridge, along the towpath past Chertsey Lock (where Vic spotted a pair of Egyptian geese), Laleham and Penton Hook Lock, through Staines (where Ed told us a cautionary tale about winning the pools) over Runnymede to the A308, Burfield Road, Datchet, Windsor and across the river to the Waterman's Arms at Eton. Here the beer and food were good and the meal was enlivened by the mobile's owner arriving to reclaim it.

As we started off homewards through Eton, the rain set in as promised. On the way to Staines we enjoyed an extra stretch of (high quality) traffic-free route, courtesy of Thames Water and an enormous reservoir project which has closed part of the B376 near Sunnymeads until February 2007. At Staines Ed stopped for tea and most of the rest of us made for home, either by towpath or Laleham Road. Thanks to Ed for an enjoyable, scenic ride—rather more built-up than when Ed first rode it in the early fifties.

Julian

A Group April 12th

Vic, Frank C, Pete M, Recumbent Ed, Graham, Irene, Frank H, Bob, John, John S, Mike & Gino all followed first time leader Steve Cox who decided that we should all earn our lunch by Tackling Leith Hill when we came out from 11s at Dorking. It was a challenge but we manfully (and wonderfully) managed it except for Gino who felt that he needed to turn back. Another challenge was on the rather dangerous Tanhurst Lane descent to Forest Green before reaching Horsham's Wetherspoon public house in the centre of town. After a good lunch we returned via Rusper and Brockham to the Dorking Leisure Centre for a tea stop before heading for home.
60 miles - mild & comfortable weather.

A Group March 8th

A Ride March 8th
The weather forcast was grim! at first it seemed we might have got away with it, after 11s at Bocketts on our way towards Newdigate it became heavy rain until just before lunch at The Punch Bowl, Oakwood Hill. Good friendly service quick and efficient. Leaving- a pleasant tail wind took us to Abinger for tea & cakes, unfortunately the rain returned heavier than ever for the ride home. Julian, Brian, Ray, Jake, Irene, Graham, Pete B, Ed, Vic, Mike, Bob, Jen, all braved the elements. 58 Miles

1st February 2006 - "A" group

Wayfarers Wed. 1st February 2006 ‘A’ Ride Leader Ed. Sharp
Cobham Royal Britsh Legion
Weather – Dry Dull 2°C
Destination Godalming Jack Phillips Wetherspoon
Present: Jake, Irene, Pete, Bob, Brian, John Scott, John,Ray, Julian,Steve, Mike, Toni, Graham, Grant, Vic, Rob, Ed.
Route out: Ockham, Send, East Clandon, Merrow Downs, Chilworth, Shalford, Peasmarsh, Godalming. Left Toni, Mike and Brian at East Clandon. Bob Led from Peasmarsh desperate for a pint! Left Graham at CTC HQ joined us later at pub.

Route back: Guildford, Merrow, Clandon Park, E. Clandon, West Horsley Garden Centre for Tea.
Present at Tea: Ed, Pete, Vic, John, Rob, Ray, Steve who gave us a flap jack each as it was his birthday.
Back home 4.45 PM still 2°C! distance for me 55 Miles via N. Cheam
From Ed.

A Group Jan 11th

Jan 11th after a dampish start turned out to be a fine dry sunny day as 15 of us made our way to The Castle Grove Pub at Chobham for good food if slightly delayed service. The return route was taken via Horsell, Sheerwater and West Byfleet to open air tea at Wisley tea hut, afterwards following the cycle path to the M25 roundabout. 3sets of traffic lights and on to Poynters Road enlivened by Toni's demonstration on how to slide ungracefully sideways into a deep muddy puddle.
I have received 33 mileage totals for 2005 to be published on the DA Website in due course. So far no entries have been received for the DA Photographic Competition so it could be a Mitchell walkover.

Pete.