A Group, 28 December

Walton on Thames - Woking - Stoke d'AbernonWelcome to David Frank

A Group 28th Dec

We left Walton-on-Thames day centre (some 15 of us).. for Woking with the intention of doing this part of the ride mainly off road.This was along side the Thames as far as the outskirts of Weybridge and then on to the Wey Navigation Canal and stopping at New Haw where the above photo was taken.Here we discovered that we had lost four riders.We continued on to the junction with the Basinstoke Canal which took us to the outskirts of Woking then a short way by road to Weatherspoons for Lunch.Here the four missing riders were already seated they having found the roads more to their taste.

After a quickly served lunch we got away early 1.15 and set off again via Old Woking,Send,Send Marsh,by passing Ripley by back lanes to Downside Medicine Garden the intended tea stop.This unfortunately was closed so after some discussion it was agreed that Squires at Stoke D'Abernon would be our best bet.

Tea was taken their and with the late sun shining we departed for our separate ways.My total mileage was a mere 35.

Ray

A Ride - Ace of Spades Lunch

The "A" group enjoying a splendid Wetherspoons lunch served so efficiently and prompt we were away by 1:45pm on our way to Nonsuch. Thanks to Graham for his exquisite and intricate route finding!

A Group, 21 December

Leatherhead - Hook - Nonsuch Park

Recent rains meant the Woodstock Lane underpass had to be on my path to Leatherhead. It was passable (just) but the rich aroma and a “Stool Bus” in operation ruled it of contention for the ride. Twenty journeyed south to Mickleham and roadworks, and up Little Switzerland, the day's only real exercise. A northerly plunge back into suburbia came next (Hurst Lane, Woodcote and Stamford Green). Mike M delivered Jake and Gary's Xmas card then we “offroaded” on the cyclepath outside Horton Park. A Collier Close alleyway gave us an opportunity to sample the steep but mercifully short Filby Road.

At the bottom of Garrison Lane, the choc-a-bloc A243 was somehow negotiated for more quiet roads which run out on Somerset Avenue. All that remained was a short A243 dash to the Cap in Hand. By chance the Powneys had beaten us to it; seemingly crowded as we arrived, we soon changed that! Prior commitments left only eight wanting more. Our tour of surburbia continued with Tolworth Hospital (back of) and Elgar Avenue. Across the A3 we sampled Malden Manor and the more salubrious Cuddington. A long detour (down to Dewsbury Gardens and back up to Sparrow Farm Lane) got us into Nonsuch Park for alfresco tea and cakes at the cafe. A very roundabout but modest 40+ miles door to door.

Graham

A Group 21st December

A serpentine route from Graham today, with the obvious skilfully avoided. 23 miles from elevenses at Leatherhead to lunch at Hook and tea at Nonsuch Park. Rolling average 10 mph, 1,061 feet of ascent and 1,030 calories.

Home in the light on the shortest day of the year.

Mark

"A" Group Xmas Lunch 14 Dec

As Mark has said Paul led us all a song and dance and roundabout route to lunch and for me a hell of a climb over Box Hill above on my "Fixie" it's taking some getting used to!

Thanks to Pam for organising our lunch. There is an old saying there's no such thing as a free lunch but in my case I did get a free soup! If anyone missed out I.O.U. £2! Don't all shout at once!

A Group, 14 December Xmas Lunch

Dorking to Leatherhead

I'm sure that some of you have some much better snaps. Let's see them!

A Group 14th December

Paul tucked a sporting ride into the short time available between elevenses and our Christmas Lunch. 16.3 miles, rolling average 11.7 mph and 1090 feet of ascent. Only 731 calories, though, which didn't make much of a dent in what came after ...

Mark

A Group - 7 December 2011

Eighteen of us set off from Cobham on a blustery but sunny day. Regrouping became compulsory when we turned into Plough Lane and found the road blocked by someone reversing a trailer ( + boat) into the yard behind the pub. Then through Ockham to Hungry Hill Lane where we turned into Tythebarns Lane and directly into the headwind.

At the Send roundabout we took the redundant lane of the old A3 down to Woodhill and then Potters Lane rejoining the A247 at Cartbridge. At Mayford, Hook Hill Lane was closed so we carried on to Saunders Lane, then right into Blackhorse Road. A right turn at Knaphill Lights and then a short run via Barrs Lane to the Grove at Castle Green.

We were very efficently served with generous portions and ready to leave by 1:45. A gentle climb from Chobham up Staple Hill brought us to Longcross and now the wind was behind us all the way to Walton - down Trumpsgreen Road, a detour through Lyne village and over Chertsey Bridge. In heavy traffic at Walton we were persuaded by Vic to walk down the steps and follow the river round to the Arts Centre. It was only 2:45 and fifteen stopped for tea. Unfortunately cake supplies were low and we wiped out them out of flapjack as well.

Brian

A Group, 7 December

Cobham - Chobham - Walton on Thames

A Group 7th December

Winter sun and a chilly wind for Brian's ride today. 29.66 miles from elevenses at Cobham via lunch at Chobham to tea at the River Gallery, Walton on Thames. Rolling average 11.2mph, 1,329 calories and less hilly than the telemetry makes it look.

Mark

A Group, 30 November

Some 17 of us left Weybridge on a bright sunny morning headed for Osterley Park. It was my first ride leadership, standing in for Ed.

Crossing the river at Walton Bridge, and the M3 on the Charlton Road footbridge we passed through Charlton and Ashford Common to the futuristic BP campus – acres of car parks but not a cycle stand in sight – no secret about what they’re selling. We skirted Hanworth Park followed by the delights of Hanworth Road, busy with traffic forced off the M25 which was completely closed that day by a crash. Welcome relief came with crossing Hounslow Heath before immersing ourselves in Hounslow West and Heston, and finally to Osterley Park. Lunch was taken at the NT café where we ate well and speedily. Emerging from lunch to a change in the weather we rode in the rain chasing blue sky to the north, picking up the Grand Union Canal and heading homeward towards Brentford past the “unique” triple Windmill Bridge and Hanwell Locks. Unfortunately, because of the rain the path was as muddy as it had been dry when I did the last recce on Sunday, so our bikes all received an unwelcome coating of mud. We completed the ride via Syon Park and the Thames Path to Twickenham, whence by road to Bushey Park in good time for tea.

Thanks to all for their support on this my first ride as leader, and especially to Simon for his able back-marking (the red jacket was brilliant), and to Mark and Ray for the photos.

Dave

A Group Pics

'A' Group some more pictures: at the National Trust for lunch and the Canal on the way back.

A Group 30th November

An entertaining ride from Dave today. Elegantly by road and park, canal and river to lunch at Osterley and tea at the Pheasantry, Bushey Park.

27.69 miles from elevenses to tea; 1,241 calories, modest ascent and 11.7 degrees at noon, on this the last day of November.

Mark

A Group-23-11-2011

My first ride as leader was, at first, rather daunting with 26 taking my rear wheel! I had told the pub that around 15 would be  dinning!   I found out later that 4 were B group riders who had gone the wrong way and a few others  dropped off early leaving a manageable group for lunch. We Left Ellery road into Middle lane and then right into Park road and into Bushy park, a right turn took us up Cobblers walk and out into Hampton High street.  

Through  Hanworth,  Bedfont , Stanwell and Stanwell moor  and over  the M25 to Poyle  and Colnbrook which has some lovely old buildings notably the Ostrich Inn, not a pub for lunch stops as in  1624 the Landlord murdered 13 patrons!  On past Queen Mother Reservoir  to Horton and Wraysbury at which point I punctured! Fortunately Vic, prompted by Graham, gave a brief tour of the Windmill which kept the throng amused.  

Then off through Staines and back roads to Lunch at the Kings Fairway Ashford. With one main and a second main for a £1 we filled our bellies well.  The only downside was only 1 person was on bar duty which slowed things a trifle.

Leaving Ashford we passed Queen Mary Reservoir  then through Upper Haliford,  Lower Sunbury and on to Five on the Bridge for  tea  which we were beaten to by some of the B group.  After sufficient rehydration the few that remained headed home. Thank you  Graham for being unofficial TEC.

Tony..

A Group 23rd November

Tony's first lead today, and a good lead it was. Cleverly amongst the reservoirs and waterways of Middlesex, finding some picturesque spots and a good lunch. 31.4 miles elevenses to tea; rolling average 11.9mph and 1,405 calories.

Mark

A Group 16th November

A proper November day today, with a damp chill in the air, but Pete B led us at a brisk pace that kept the cold at bay. Circuitously from elevenses at Claygate to lunch at Wetherspoons, Woking, then back by canal and river to tea at the Walled Garden, Sunbury.

31.2 miles at a moving average of 8.8mph and 1,397 calories, which should have just about covered my bumper slice of cake at tea.

Mark

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With Summer (both proper and Indian) well behind us, some 18 A's, led by Pete B (with Graham Hill kindly offering to cover the rear), set off from Claygate on a chilly and misty morning. Following the B's for a while before taking Stokesheath Road and Sandy Lane through Fairmile to Knipp Hill and Water Lane. Across the Tilt to Downside where the leader delayed the pack for a while with a puncture. Down Pointers Lane to negotiate Junction 10 of the M25 and follow the A3 to the Wisley footbridge.

Past Pyrford Lock and Newark Priory to take Papercourt Lane towards Send and then through Cartbridge to Old Woking. Here a diversion on a, new to most, signposted route through Woking Park took us into the town, albeit on the wrong side of the railway, which required carrying bikes through the pedestrian underpass before lunch was taken at the H G Wells. Here we were joined by 2 more who had missed the start. Then, with no sign of the temperatures improving, it was along the Basingstoke Canal, which was looking most Autumnal, to New Haw. Up through Woodham and Row Town to Addlestone and over the railway to the backroads of Weybridge.

Crossing Walton Bridge it was clear that preparations are now well underway for its replacement. Then, turning right into Penny Lane, a never seen before view of the Shepperton Marina before rejoining Fordbridge Road to the Walled Garden in Lower Sunbury for teas and large slices of cake followed by returns home under still leaden skies.

PeteB

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A Group, 9 November

Shepperton - Wood Street Village - Cobham

A Group 9th November

Unseasonably mild again today, and Rob led us at a Summer's pace. 35.18 miles from elevenses at Shepperton to tea at Cobham; lunch at the Royal Oak, Wood Street. 1,576 calories; home by moonlight.

Mark

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Today’s ‘A’ ride was officially declared Hill free – and not just because Graham was otherwise engaged. Meandering between the Thames and Wey valleys, a substantial number of calories was saved by not exercising the digit in frequent gear changes.

Thus it was that a goodly number of riders set out across Walton Bridge, from the surrounds of which woodland had been cleared, prompting speculation about a new bridge?? We proceeded along a variety of streets which all seemed to be named ‘Oatlands’, before crossing into St George’s Ave and into Brooklands. After Byfleet, a stretch of off road took us along a short length of the Wey Navigation, after which we picked up the B382 to bring us to Old Woking. Out into the country at last, we passed Worplesdon Station and Fox Corner en route to the Royal Oak in Wood Street village.

Shortly before our arrival, Geoffrey had the misfortune to snap his chain, but matters were soon rectified with the assistance of Dave and a powerlink. The landlord at the pub had regrettably recently been taken ill, understandably creating some confusion behind the bar, resulting in a bit of a wait for the food. Nevertheless, we were soon on our way, passing through North Guildford, before picking up the A3 cycle path and Tithebarns Lane before arriving at Sainsburys at Cobham for tea, with the added bonus of an unimpeded view of the A3 in all its glory.

The cycling gods clearly had it in for Geoffrey today as on departure from tea, a flat front tyre was discovered. Despite being a not particularly long ride, it was lights on all round for the last leg home. I covered 61 miles overall.

Rob

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A Group 2 November

Mark's Autumbulation
Cobham - Betchworth - Leatherhead

Birthday cake and tea at Cobham, thanks to Mike Morley