A Group, 18 December

Leatherhead to Hook for Xmas Lunch

It's only five miles to lunch

 Christmas lunch at the Cap in Hand

In no particular order...

Leatherhead to Hook is just over 5 miles as the crow flies, which is not very much to work up an appetite or thirst, more a sedative to lull the brain and bones into a soporific state of fluffy inertia. We therefore shot the crow, turned our back on Hook and headed south, with a swoop down to Mickelham before a fairly steady upward angle of inclination, starting at Box Hill School. With a glimpse of the Broadwood Folly above Juniper Hall, former home of the Broadwood family, we started the climb of Little Switzerland, which is so much more attractive than the zig-zags, with an intimate and  changing spectacle of woodland, farms, fields and hillside, yet without the constant, irritable buzz of the impatient combustion engine.

 At the top we enjoyed the newly resurfaced section of the Cycleway Link that is Tumber Street and Slough Lane to emerge at Headley, with another long swoop behind Headley Court down Headley Lane to the City of London Freeman's School in Ashtead Park and the evocatively named Pleasure Pit Road. Past the RAC Club, we skirted Epsom town to Stamford Green. Surrounded now by suburbia, Manor Green Road took us to Hook Road. A final improvisation led us to the light-controlled pedestrian crossing that enabled us to cross the A243 without having to report anybody MIA and the final few hundred yards to the Cap in Hand, to arrive at 12.29 pm. for our well earned lunch.

Good food, good beer, even if a bit strong for me, and good company provided a fitting conclusion to the last Midweek Wayfarers' ride of 2013. Our warmest thanks go to the irrepressible Pam for organising our lunch and, as always, keeping us smiling with her infectious laugh.

Here's to a happy, healthy, accident-free and exciting year of new cycling adventures in 2014.

Jeff

A Group 11th December

A foggy day in London Town …

Bright sunshine as I left the house, but I was soon in the fog as I went down the hill.  Foggy in Ewell, foggy in Claygate.  Never mind, it would soon clear.

We were in no rush to leave our elevenses, but, in the end, seventeen of us set off North towards Hampton Court Bridge.  There was a slight issue in this, as the pub had agreed to squeeze in twelve of us, and didn't seem overjoyed when I rang to give them the good news.  Oh well.

Some sunshine in Bushey Park, and quite bright at Kingston Bridge, but foggy again by Ham Common  and it didn't really clear as we went over the top of Richmond Park and down again to Roehampton Gate.  Up again to the Telegraph, and it was noticeably brighter, so we trooped in for our lunch in good spirits.

Despite the slightly gloomy telephone call everything was fine -  a big table for us, and plenty of room in the dining area.  It looked as if their concern was around a couple of large parties that were following us, but we were gone long before them, so nothing to worry about really.  Good food, good value and a good choice of beers, so a happy crew was back on the road before two o'clock.

Some of the Wimbledon dwellers peeled off at this point, the rest of us swooped down Putney Hill in the sunshine, slipping back into the fog on the towpath.  There were some pretty spectacular sights as we rode along - fog on the river, but buildings in the sunshine above it, and some very Turner-esque lighting at times.

Leaving the river we climbed back into Richmond Park by Sheen Gate, very foggy indeed here, but as we climbed Sawyer's Hill we got above it again.  Excellent views once more, and the deer close at hand giving a genuinely rural feel.  Hazy sunshine as we went down Richmond Hill, becoming fog again as we got to the river.  But we were in for tea by three, and while most would not be home before dark we didn't do too badly for a short day out.

23.2 miles elevenses to tea; rolling average 10.5 mph.  Not far, and not fast, but about right for the conditions.

Mark

Wednesday's A Group Ride

Wednesday's ride will be a continuation of the A Group's popular series of Short 'n Easy winter rides.  Lunch at the Telegraph, Putney Hill [click for website]and tea at Richmond Bridge.  Early lunch, early finish and everyone home in the light.

As you will see from the map, there are a couple of miles of towpath.  Shouldn't be a problem for anyone as the surface is firm and dry -  the Moulton was fine on slicks.

Mark

A Group pictures 4th Dec.

Enjoying Scarlett Arms food before leaving for Denbies

A Group, 4th December

Cobham - Walliswood - Denbies      

Scarlett Arms

If this looks a bit blurred blame the Badger.

Welcome to Geoff  (please note spelling).

A Group 4th Dec

We made a fairly swift start from Cobham after Mark kindly confirmed to the Scarlett Arms on his Smart Phone that there were now about 18 of us instead of 12 that i had booked the previous day.

The ride went fairly smoothly throuhout aided by Mark again he kindly volunteered as backmarker. This was really necessary as we had another two recruits who did well to stay on the hills most of the time. The route can be seen on the profile by Mark.

It was a rather swift finish ending up at the Skarlett Arms Walliswood to arrive there at 12.30 as planned.

We were very well received and the food was good. We left by 2pm and were at Denbies for Tea in good time although i was unable to stop as my priority on this occasion required me home as soon as possible.

I trust and hope all others arrived home most of the way in light and safely.

Ray

PS. Sorry but I am unable to include photos since the format has changed such that it does not appear to allow as previously. I must be getting too old?

A Group 4th December

Ray took us over the hills to Walliswood today.  31.36 miles from elevenses at Cobham to tea at Denbies; lunch at the Scarlett Arms.  Moving average 13mph; maximum speed 38.5mph and 1,405 calories.

A good winter's run, and not too cold.

Mark

A Group - 27th November 2013

The Fox at Hanwell

Everybody made it!

A Group Ride Report: 27 November 2013

A Group Ride Report: 27 November 2013

Teddington to Fox@Hanwell & Richmond Park

Wow! Come 11 o'clock I did not know whether to be flattered or terrified. Having warned the not overlarge pub to expect maybe a dozen for lunch, I found myself with a veritable Peleton of 27. Is that an A-group record? It is certainly more than I have ridden with. An en route phone call to the pub seemed to cause a tad of consternation.... what would we find?

As promised, a flat and even paced ride it was. Split into 2 groups: Frank back marking for me on the front group and Jeff leading the second group. The arrangement worked very well, I stopped after every significant turn and Frank signalled forward as the following group were close enough to see the turn. A good model for future reference.

Out from Teddington through Bushy Park to Hampton, past the water treatment plant, left and along past Sunbury Walled garden (strange for a ride to be heading out past the regular 3's stop....) then right and up through Feltham and on to Osterly Park (another 3's stop!), through and on to the Grand Union Canal. The just a short length of towpath to the Fox - a veritable hidden gem if ever there was one. A country pub in town - almost a literal stones throw from the Uxbridge Road, but with the feel of a country village. Cracking beer and cracking food. I had had no need to be fearful, all the stops were well and truly pulled and a large area reserved for us, and (given the short notice for 27 folk arriving on a wet Wednesday) prompt and efficient service.

The promised lunchtime fun quiz was well received and hopefully scattered a few gems of local knowledge.

After lunch, a short ride down the towpath to Brentford, thence Syon Park, Isleworth and Richmond. Up the Hill to the Park and down to the cycling cafe at Roehampton gate for Tea.

Good to see some B regulars with us today and welcome to the new riders - with profuse apologies, your names have been confined to that mess of irrecoverable information that passes for my memory - but I hope you enjoyed the ride and that we will see you again.

I like the idea of sometimes designing rides that allow a cross over of the A & B groups and will plan for something similar on future rides.

Happy Riding

Paul Kelly

A Group 27th November

Paul had promised flat, and flat it was, with the bridge over the Grand Union Canal and Richmond Hill being the day's summits.

25.2 miles from elevenses at Teddington to tea at Richmond Park; lunch at the excellent Fox, Hanwell. A steady pace and no-one lost - a sociable and enjoyable ride for a Winter's day.

Mark

A Group Wednesday 27 November

This weeks ride will be one of the flattest on record. Note, Mr Tollerman, starting and finishing at the same elevation does not qualify as "pancake flat". This one is a flat 19 miles to lunch with a very minor tester on the 10 miles to tea.

One of the easier A rides of the year with a guaranteed hone run in the light. (With a very modest element of good condition canal tow path)

Teddington start, Fox @ Hanwell for lunch via a route of major Scientific, Military, Historical, Social, Engineering and Medical significance. There might even be a lunchtime quiz with a free pint on offer to anyone recognising those items... Now there is a tempter....

Paul K

A Group 20 november

A Group 20 November: Ride Leader

Following Mr Tollerman's plea for a leader, I did a bit of ferreting on RidewithGPS, and lo and behold found the ride that Tony had planned:

Here it is:
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/3688825

Takes us Ascot way to the Duke of Edinburgh and back to the walled garden

I'm happy to load into my Garmin and "Lead As I Follow", as it were - wrong turnings and confusion guaranteed - if the group will bear with me...

Would be good if other Garmined folk also load the route and we can have a Leaders' Committee Meeting at any points of confusion.

On the other hand, if someone has a better idea....

Paul Kelly

PS It will mean you have to tolerate my leading two weeks on the trot! Can you cope?

A ride 13/11/13

As usual the AGM left little time for the ride. Tentatively I'd three pubs in mind and finally settled on one I hadn't tried before. From Hersham day centre we headed north towards the station and followed that renowned roughstuffer, Frank C, over the track between Esher Rugby Club and the sewage works. To avoid the gas repairs beside Thames Ditton railway station we sneaked along the path to Giggs Hill (what hill?) Green and The Angel. Several zigzags took us through "Queen Of The Suburbs" bits of Surbiton then down Kingsdowne Road into Berrylands. After the Hogsmill river crossing, right and left (just before Woodies) turns meant New Malden town centre was close. After more gas repairs and at around one fifteen, eighteen bikes were chained to railings whilst their owners disappeared into The Watchman aka Wetherspoons.

Given the time of year and our location, it was no surprise when only eight needed further refreshment. From the High Street, we cut through the Norbiton estate, round the back of the station to join the Olympic road race course just before Kingston Gate. Soon we were descending out of Ham Gate and heading across Teddington Lock. Tea was at The Pheasantry in Bushy Park. This has trebled in size since my last visit; no doubt fully financed by eye-watering profits from its drinks and cakes. Plenty of autumnal colour in the parks; bright and warm at least until the sun began to set.

A Group 6th November

A fairly dire weather forecast had me expecting a low turnout of hardened venturers, determined to ignore whatever the rain gods had in store for us. In the event, we mustered a creditable 13 riders, and after an initial period of light rain, the day cleared up, culminating after lunch in a brief view of the sun, together with unmistakeable patches of blue sky, as a warm front made its presence felt.

We went South from Cobham to Effingham before navigating through Bookham High Street, and then Chapel Lane to pass by Polesden Lacey, before somewhat gingerly descending Bagden Hill, wet leaves and all. Past Westhumble Station (& Pilgrim Cycles), it was a brisk ascent of Box Hill, where we stopped to inspect a better than expected view.

Having descended Pebble Hill, and crossed the A25, Toni had our first and only puncture –rear wheel naturally. An advance party continued through Betchworth and Leigh to our lunch stop at the Three Horseshoes, Irons Bottom, a well known Wayfarers watering hole, and the rear detachment arrived soon after.

With the nights drawing in, and cafes having an increasing tendency to shut up shop early, we took a direct route up Reigate Hill to our tea stop at Banstead, the leader taking full advantage of choice of tea stop, having a full 3 minute ride to get back home.

Mileage from elevenses to tea was 34, about all we could manage in the gathering gloom.

Rob

A Group 6th November

A damp but mild November day for Rob's ride from Cobham to Banstead, lunch at Iron's Bottom.  33.7 miles from elevenses to tea, rolling average 12.8mph, and a sensible early finish now that the nights are drawing in.

Five weeks to the solstice …

Mark

ps - NB steps in the altitude graph as the GPS reset with pressure changes.  Front coming from the South.

A Group leader needed Nov 20

With Tony out of action we need an A Group leader for Weybridge on November 20th. Any volunteers?  I'm en route to sunnier climes so cant step in.

A Group, Wednesday 30th October

Royal Oak Sunningdale

Host of motley MWW acorns falling out of the Royal Oak after lunch

A group 30 October: Addlestone - Sunningdale - Shepperton

It was one of those gorgeous Autumn mornings. Not the mild, misty-moisty mellow fruitfulness kind, but the crisp, clear, cool kind, with a nip in the crystal clear air, hinting of colder days to come and perfect for cycling. A good crowd at Addlestone but people were still queueing for coffee at 11am so 19 riders, including new joiner Ben (welcome Ben!) set off a bit late, heading west towards St Peter's Hospital, and onto Stonehill Road. There was no sign of wind in the trees, but it was definitely against us as we pedalled towards Chobham.

When I recce'd the route last week there was definitely more autumn colour in the trees - now it seemed to be mainly on the ground, so perhaps the remaining leaves were shocked into stillness by the recent storm. But I digress, as in fact we were. A long loop south-westwards added a few miles as we headed through Chobham and Pennypot, through West End and Donkey Town. Turning North on a mile or so of off-road which started with mud and a wide ditch across the road, before improving to a sandy-stony heathland track next to the MOD grenade and mortar firing range. No casualties thankfully, to riders or tyres, so we continued North, sidestepping Lightwater and Windlesham en route to South Ascot, with an unexpected little hill before lunch at the Royal Oak in Sunningdale. (Our usual haunt, the Nag's Head just round the corner, is 'temporarily closed'). A good selection of food and beer was offered but it took a while to take all our orders and to serve the food, so we were about an hour and a half at the pub.

Ray and Vic (plus later Mark) decided to make their own way home and a smaller group did a circuit of Windsor Great Park, where we were stopped by one of the park wardens and asked to cycle in groups of no more than 6 - as larger groups can be intimidating to walkers. Seems fair enough. We reassembled at the exit gate to descend Tite Hill into Egham, through Staines and onto Shepperton Bakery for tea, a bit later than planned, so my apologies to those who had to use lights to get home. Thanks and apologies are due to Mike Barrett as back marker, who we lost at traffic lights on almost the final turn in Staines.

A Group, 23rd October

Dorking - Warnham - West Horsley

 After lunch at Greets in bright October sunshine.

Apologies to John B, who really was there to the left of the picture, but suffered an unkind cut.

A Group 23 October

The early rain seemed to have kept all our regulars with SW postcodes at home today so we started with just 8. We set off up Punchbowl Lane in the hope of a dry run but just after Roothill Lane the drizzle started. A short stop to don waterproofs as it came down heavier but not for long. At his point Toni realised that his bag with waterproof, money etc was still at Dorking. Jeff produced a spare waterproof and he was persuaded to continue. A call from Terry later confirmed that the bag was safely at St Martins. So then south to Parkgate, Partridge Lane and down the newly resurfaced Orltons Lane to Lambs Green. From here we cut west through Wimland  and Green Lane and over the level crossing to Warnham. Table service and excellent food was provided at Greets though good food doesnt come quickly and it was 2.30 before we set off again. We returned through Rowhook and Forest Green to Holmbury St Mary where we parted company with Toni ( and Colin) at Raikes Lane so he could return to Dorking. The remaining six headed for Shere and Combe Bottom before tea at West Horsley. The weather improved and we were rewarded with a lovely afternoon.