'A' Group Ride - 5 November 2014

A good turnout of 19 riders assembled at Cobham, though we didn't finish with quite that number. The first stirrings of Winter were evident in the early morning temperatures though a few of our number were still in shorts, boldly defying whatever the weather could throw at us.

Today we travelled South from Cobham past Effingham Junction, into Effingham and then Bookham, before passing Polesden Lacey. The descent of Bagden Hill preceded our arrival at Denbies where for once we avoided the magnetic pull of the tearoom, instead following the Denbies train's scenic route up to Ranmore, giving a panoramic view of the extensive wine estate. After a short delay while Jeff fixed a rebellious chain, we looped back past Denbies and then climbed Box Hill, before lunching at the Tree, Headley, where we took full advantage of the Senior Citizens' cut price lunch menu. There we were joined by Mark and Pete Betts plus crutches - we hope Pete is soon back on two wheels.

A heavy shower started during lunch, but tactfully moved on before our departure, as we smugly rode on in the dry. The way after lunch was via Walton and Chipstead. Our tea stop in Banstead was at the Boutique Cakery, where not only was a good cake selection on offer, but also a cake making course, involving the use of a variety of exciting cake making aids. After some discussion, we reluctantly decided against a group enrolment, and went our separate ways home.

Thanks are due to Neil for a grand job as back marker.

Rob

'A' Group Ride - 5 November 2014

Next Wednesday's ride will see the blue touch paper lit at Cobham, as we take in Effingham Junction, Bookham, Polesden Lacey to Denbies. Despite the Wayfarers having a virtual season ticket to Denbies, I can't recall ever having ridden through the estate. So that's the plan this time, as we explode up the hill to Ranmore (carbon Fawkes recommended), possibly drafting behind the Denbies train with a bit of luck. Given a bit of sun, there's a good view of the wine estate and the Mole gap from the top.
We then loop around Dorking, climb Box Hill and lunch at the Tree, Headley.
After lunch, we take in Headley Heath & Epsom Downs, and will probably take tea at Banstead. A reasonable 33 miles approx. from elevenses to tea, now that the clocks have gone back.

Rob

'A' Group Ride - 13 August 2014

10 riders assembled at Redhill for our ride to Cowden, in Kent. Lunch was scheduled to be at the Fountain Inn, a CTC friendly pub. The route out was to take us through Outwood, Lingfield and Dormansland,and was flattish (with the exception of a bit of a drag out of Dormansland), so we were able to take it steadily, whilst enjoying the warm August sun, and some scenic countryside, notably along Smithers Lane, just short of Cowden. There is a large hammer pond in Smithers Lane, (as Mark reminded us), originally constructed to provide power for the adjacent blast furnace. This was apparently owned by a Parliamentarian family during the English Civil War, and believed to have been used to manufacture ordnance during the conflict.

Back to cycling! Lunch had been pre-ordered, and arrived promptly, and minus the usual missing or wrong meal.

Things were slightly more energetic after lunch, as we meandered back past Haxted (where an errant wasp stung the leader as a reminder to maintain a decent pace). Tilburstow Hill we took in our stride, before climbing Flower Lane to reach Marden Park, and a Wayfarers' favourite path down to Woldingham School, and thence to tea at Woldingham Garden Centre. Our tea break coincided with a short sharp shower, mercifully giving way to warm sunshine and blue skies as we departed.

Rob



 

'A' Group Ride - 13 August

Next Wednesday's ride from Redhill is to Cowden for lunch, at the Fountain Inn, a CTC friendly pub, I'm pleased to say. 18 miles to lunch, & about 37 between elevenses and tea, which is planned to be at Woldingham Garden Centre. Flattish mostly to lunch, a few hills thereafter, including our old friend Tilburstow.

The pub has asked us to pre-order lunch, so I'll bring along a menu to Redhill, so folks can choose from the mouth watering fare on offer.

Rob

'A' Group Ride - 11 June 2014

As a late sub leader, today's route was something of a mixture of 'ones I'd prepared earlier'. A round dozen hardy folk reported willing and able on a glorious early Summer day.

Escaping from the environs of Weybridge via the A245, Pete B had our first puncture of the day just out of West Byfleet, which meant a pleasant snooze in the sun for the rest of us while repairs were carried out.

We then had to negotiate the closure of Newark Lane near the Priory, where work was being done on the bridges over the Wey Navigation. We were pleasantly surprised by the lack of hassle here, with the construction team being helpfulness personified.

On our merry way through Send, the A3 cycle path and Merrow, our first climb of the day took us up Troods Lane to Newlands Corner, an ascent much preferable to the A25. After that, it was a breeze through Albury and Chilworth to the Grantley Arms at Wonersh, where a soporific lunch was enjoyed on the pub patio.

More arduous terrain awaited post lunch, as we made our way via Shamley Green, Farley Green and Shere, to Combe Bottom, which we climbed at a pace appropriate to the temperature. Lower Road took us into Leatherhead, for tea at Annies, which, having undergone a refit, is currently without wc. Shortly before tea, Brian collected puncture no. 2 of the day, though the rearguard were not unduly delayed in arriving at Annies.

Thanks to Simon for keeping an eye on the rear, and assisting with puncture repairs.

Rob

A Group, 21 May

New Haw - Englefield Green - Walton-on-Thames

Happy persons

Where's John?

Here he is, with our leader in the background!

A group 21st May: New Haw - Englefield Green - Walton

Our brave group of cyclists struggled through lashing rain, over hill and dale to reach our destination of Winchester ... but I digress, that was two years ago, when an uncertain weather forecast turned out worse than expected.   This time it was the same, only different.   Regular readers of this organ will know that I called off the planned Winchester ride after seeing a sea of blues, reds and yellows on the forecast between Farnham and Winchester: and spent Wednesday regretting it.  If there's one thing better than carrying an umbrella at preventing rain, it's calling off a ride due to expected rain.

In the event, the weather was fine with a helpful easterly breeze - rats!  Instead of Winchester we pursued a less ambitious objective of Englefield Green.  About eight miles as the crow flies, so the morning was an exercise in not getting there, as we wound our way around a maze of green and twisty little lanes, all different.   Our group of eighteen followed the B group westwards along the canal to the throbbing centre of Woking - not that you would have known it - and escaped through Horsell to the countryside around Chobham, following a succession of lanes - Carthouse Lane, Scotts Grove Road, Beldam Bridge Road; a near miss with West End and then more wooded lanes with dappled sunshine (grrr!) towards, but not actually to Windlesham and Updown Hill.  A little tour of the lesser known hills of North Surrey followed, with Chickabiddy Hill, Oystershell Hill on Chobham common, and Flutters Hill - all in the 50-60 metre height range.

Lunch was beckoning so we turned north across the M3 and towards Virginia Water and Gallowhill, a proper hill, before arriving at the Happy Man, a tiny pub in Englefield Green.   The beer garden was bedecked with racks full of real ales for the forthcoming beer festival - starting the next day (just like the rain!) but a selection of four real ales was available along with a good selection of wholesome and very reasonably priced, if not gourmet, food.    As we sat outside in the beer garden I anxiously scanned the clouds, unusually almost hoping for a few drops of rain, but none came.   Meals arrived quickly and we departed via Tite Hill for Egham, Lyne, Addlestone, Weybridge and to the riverside café at Walton Bridge, where tea, ice cream and a limited selection of cakes was consumed.   About 31 miles from elevenses.

A Group 21st May

Simon's stand-by ride today, the main event being postponed for better weather.  30.8 miles from elevenses at New Haw to tea at Walton Bridge; lunch at the Happy Person (née Man) at Englefield Green.  Rolling average 13.2 mph and, surprisingly, over 900 feet of climbing.

A decent ride at a decent pace.

Mark

A group: 4 June: Leader needed

A calendar clash means that I am not available to lead the A ride from Cobham on 4 June.

Is anyone able to stand in?

Paul Kelly

Tomorrow's ride to Winchester is OFF

There looks to be a good chance of rain between here and Winchester tomorrow afternoon, so I have reluctantly decided to postpone the planned ride to Winchester for the A group.  Having taken that decision, I've every hope that the sun will shine all day!  Unlike George Osborne, I have a plan B which involves a meander round the lanes and getting to tea at a normal time, so you will be back for your evening's activities whatever they entail.

A group ride to Winchester on May 21st (weather permitting)

I'm due to lead on Wednesday week, and if the sun shines I plan to do a one-way ride to Winchester, returning by train.   It's about 51 miles from New Haw: gentle in the morning with a few lumps just before lunch to create an appetite, and a couple of hills in the afternoon.   The idea is to stop for lunch at the Bat & Ball, one of Paul's finds just south of Farnham, and then tea will be somewhere after Alton, leaving 12 or so miles to take us into Winchester where there are many attractions, including pubs, and frequent trains homewards towards Woking, Walton, Surbiton & Clapham Junction.   So it will be a late finish if we stop for a pint in Winchester.

Some will remember that I did a similar ride two years ago and the weather was wet.   I have improved the route (quite different in the morning, a bit different in the afternoon) but I have an alternative ride in case of wet weather.

A Group, 7th May

Cobham - Alperton - Richmond Park

 Frank, the Marco Polo of N.W. London, straddling the River Brent

Now to find our way back from the Wacky Warehouse

A Group, 30 April

 At the Royal Oak, Staffhurst Wood

 In the fields

 In the car park

Maps for Tony's London Ride with A and B Groups

Tony Hopkins led an excellent ride today and for all of us who were mere passengers we cruised through the centre of London and out the other side with very little stress at all. The London rides are probably among the most demanding for leaders and Tony pulled this one off with great panache. Dave Vine too did an excellent job of leading and looking out for our secondary group and kindly led many of us as far as Wimbledon after Tea which saved us all a lot of navigational bother.

The maps, all on an old version of the Geographers' A-Z, are in a different place this time. They are at:

http://tinyurl.com/TonysLondonRide

A Group Audax Ride - Reminder

Don't forget - next week's A Group ride from Leatherhead on the 26th February gives those who want to the option of trying an Audax ride.  We'll start from Leatherhead pretty sharp at 1100 or so, ride to the BP Garage at Dorking where the Audaxers can buy something to get a receipt to start their timing.  Then we'll ride the route until we get to the top of Box Hill.   Audaxers will return to the BP garage to get their finish receipts and the rest of us will ride direct to Annie's, where we will all meet for tea.

Audax Brevet cards can be got here for £3.00 (£3.50 Paypal), the route and route sheet are below.

If anyone would like to know more, please ask.

Mark

A Group, 19th February

Wood End

MWW Roundheads taking their leave of the DoE
 led by a relaxed Cromwellian Paul

A Group 19 Feb 2014

A Group 19 Feb 2014
Weybridge - Woodside (Ascot) - Walton

Sadly, not the bright clear skies that I managed on my recce ride, but at least the rain held off, and the slight drizzle came over lunch.

The morning saw our group of 20 make our way on road along the Wey toward Addlestone then by Green Lane to Holloway Hill, through Chobham Common, then North through Windlesham to Ascot, then further North to Woodside a steady pace, gently rolling up hill ride with no real hills but enough rolls to know the legs had been working by lunchtime.

I'm not sure there is enough at Woodside to warrant its own place name, but there is a pub. Well, 3 actually! Of which the Duke of Edinburgh is by far the best. Good beer, good well priced food and excellent service - two long tables of 10 reserved for us in the restaurant area and first orders delivered seconds after we sat down. What might well be a group record - we arrived at almost exactly 1pm and left at exactly 2pm!

After lunch, a mainly downhill roll via Virginia Water to rejoin the outward route at the bottom of Holloway Hill, then on the Riverhouse Barn at Walton for tea. Some of the after lunch roads were not as cycle friendly as during the recce ride - memo to self to avoid these in future. Another memo to self, is that when Garmin routes join back on themselves at a point where direction changes confusion reigns. Thanks to Vic for advising a way out of that predicament!

32 miles lunch to tea. 57 door to door

Oh, and the Quiz question: The Royal connection is Oatlands Palace. Built by Henry VIII, with foundations partly of stone from Merton Abbey, transported via Wandle and Thames, and demolished after being sold following the execution of Charles I - the bricks being used to line the locks of the newly constructed Wey Navigation. Strange to think that the building materials were more valuable than the buildings!

Paul Kelly

A Group, 12th February

Hammersmith
The Plough and Harrow

Pack up your troubles in your old kit bag and smile, smile, smile.

Some had already headed for the station. Waterloo? The harrowing bit was the ride home in gale force winds which buffetted you all over the road. Wimbledon Common was particularly lethal. I was very relieved to get home intact.

A group Wednesday 19th

A Right Royal Ride!

A Ride 19 Feb. Weybridge start.

Jeff was scheduled to lead this ride, but he manfully stood in for my ride when I had man flu, so I will be leading.I have planned a westerly route that takes us South of the Thames floods, but North of the floods around Cobham, Wisley etc. Hopefully, snorkels will not be needed.

I guess most will be heading to Weybridge by some combination of Richmond and Bushy Parks or past Hampton Court. From there, a Royal theme continues with a route out through (Royal) Ascot to lunch at the Duke of Edinburgh and back via Windsor Great Park to tea at the Riverhouse Barn @Walton

17  rolling miles to lunch and 15 gentle miles to tea.

This ride’s quiz question: On the way into Weybridge, the road passes through a park/sports grounds. What is the Royal connection linking those sports grounds and a regular waterside Weyfarers’ ride?

Paul K

Advice Needed

A group 19 Feb From Weybridge

ADVICE NEEDED

Ha! Jeff clearly knew what he was doing and I have drawn the soggy straw on this one and will be leading.

My planned route takes us into the Mountains of Ascot and Windsor GP, but we need to get past Addlestone.

Does anyone know the flood conditions heading west on the usual route from Weybridge? ie Weybrigge road  to Green Lane?

Paul Kelly