B Group Dec 31st

It was to be a 'scenic river ride' for B Group this week, from Molesey to the Town Wharf at Old Isleworth. What a pity it was such a grey and damp day!

It had been a bit tricky finding the Molesey Centre for Retired People which turned out to be in School Road, not Hansler Grove as indicated by the Post Code, even some of the locals were unaware of its existence. Still a goodly crowd turned up at the right place and added some interest to those people waiting for their New Year Lunch of fish and chips.

After a false start occasioned by this change of location to School Road (which turned out to be a cul-de-sac!), B Group eventually set off in the right direction to join the towpath at Molesey Boat Club. There were ten of us - Stephanie, Liz, Pam, Brian, Norman, Bernard, Cliff, Les, John and me, Gill. (It was good to see Les out with us again and John had joined us by accident as he had missed the departure of A Group.) The route to Old Isleworth was along the towpath to Kingston, roads through Teddington to Twickenham, back to the river along Warren Footpath, past Marble Hill House, to Richmond and finally a mixture of paths and roads to our destination. We had noticed that it was high tide and this was borne out by water lapping over the path in one place! Speaking for myself, this was the first time that the tide had been anything other than low when visiting this pub, with mud flats and stepping stones across to the island usually being visible. It made a nice change!

The staff at the Town Wharf looked after us very well - a table was laid in readiness for us, prices for food and drink were extremely reasonable and we were served in good time. However, while we were having lunch the rain started again in earnest but did ease off later. We retraced our outward route back to Richmond (no problems with the tide this time), crossed the Bridge and climbed up Richmond Hill into the Park. Taking the road past Pembroke Lodge, the party split with four going direct to Kingston Gate while the leader and the remaining five left the Park at Ham Gate and returned to the river and towpath at Teddington Lock. Four of us had tea at the YMCA Hawker Centre (very reasonably priced!) and at Kingston everyone headed for home. Not the pleasantest of days for a ride but a good day out all the same. (Gill Finlay)

B Group Dec 23rd

B Group at The Bear Cobham

B group 23 December

From Walton I led Gill, Irene and black-eyed Pam to Weybridge via the riverside Walton Lane, where the frost- covered scenery was quite beautiful. Pam then advised on a route avoiding both Weybridge and Monument Hill, joining Oatlands Drive in time to see the Easy Riders pass by. For a while the roads were fairly busy, so we decided to turn into the slightly icy but not difficult Redhill Road, past the bus museum (nostalgia for Pam). The cycle track alongside the A3 was clear, as were Old Lane, Ockham Lane and Plough Lane. We had a slightly pricey but generous lunch at The Old Bear, Cobham, after which we went our separate ways. I rode thirty miles dtd, not a lot but quite sufficient for a mid-winter day.

Seasonal greetings to all Wayfarers.

Terry

B Group Dec 16th

Pictures from Steph

Picture from Bernard

Six hardy riders Gill,Liz,Steph, Bernard, Phill. & Robin set off from Leatherhead.



We rode past the duck pond through Fetcham, left at Effingham.

Straight on into Critten lane and over the mountain in a blizzard.

Down onto the A25 to shere and the White Horse for lunch.

Bernard repaired a puncture before setting off returning via Combe

Lane down through East Horsley to Cobham for mince pies and teas.



Great fun in the snow see Bernards photo.-Robin

B Group Dec 9th

We set off in the direction of Box Hill to Headley via Juniper Bottom then diverted along Dorking Road to Walton Heath, where we cut through to Kingswood (very posh). Eventually arriving at our lunch destination, The Ramblers Rest, a little up-market but very nice.
Those present included David, Eddie, Norman, Mick, Steph, Ray, Cliff, John, Frank, Franciose, Sue, Bernard and Louisa (the birthday girl).
After lunch we proceeded up Holly Lane through Banstead then on to Cheam where we stopped for tea at Cannons (Nuffield Gym).

I clocked up a total of 33 miles.

Liz

B Group Dec 2nd

Seventeen of us left Cobham for a bracing and sunny morning ride through quiet relaxing country lanes, wooded paths, canal paths, wartime airstrips, fords and floods to lunch at Castle Green near Chobham. About half way through our meal we noticed it had started to rain, and by the time we re-started after lunch it was bucketing down. The rain made it very difficult to see anything at all thru' the lenses of my wrap-around cycling spectacles, and unlike my everyday spectacles I am unable to peer over the top to see where I am going. This is my excuse for losing my way just after lunch causing us to have to turn round and retrace our steps. We cycled along Gracious Pond River and Foxhills Road to Addlestone and then Weybridge where the party unanimously decided to omit tea and get home into the dry as soon as possible.
Frank H cleverly avoided the afternoon soaking by arranging for Francoise to have a puncture in the morning while we were crossing the airport at Wisley. Not wanting to delay the rest of us, they told us to go on, and, after replacing the tube, they decided to make for home, which they reached at lunchtime completely dry.

John Gould

B Group 18 Nov

Our Leader Brian just passed Polsden Lacey. An excellent well thought out route some parts of which many of us had not ridden before!

Same spot with the second group ascending. We split into two groups due to numbers.

B Group Nov 18th

The very blustery conditions didn’t seem to have deterred riders and 17 of us set off from Claygate through Oxshott and then via River Lane to Fetcham. The climb through Bookham to Chapel Lane was taken at a gentle pace and the descent of Blagden Hill treated with due caution given the conditions. Then via Pixham and Brockham to the Plough at Leigh. The relaxed pace of the day seemed to have extended to the food preparation and a lengthy wait ensued so we didn’t head for home until after 2.30. Avoiding Brockham via Tilehurst Lane and Punchbowl Hill we headed for Annie’s at Leatherhead where we found the A group just leaving. By now it was about 3.35 and few stayed for tea. The group was Irene ( who left us at Fetcham), Liz, Harold, Bernard, Mike M, Stephanie, Les, Cliff, Robin, Terry, Mark, Ian, Norman, Roger, Ed, Mick and myself. Thanks to Terry for backmarking and to Norman for splitting the group along the A244.
From Brian

B Group Nov 18th

Our esteemed leader Brian Greenwood

Bernard trying to hold Liz down

B Group Ride 18th November

Brian led us 29.49 miles from elevenses at Claygate to lunch at Leigh and on to Annie's for tea - a respectable run for the latter half of November. Moving average speed 8.31 mph, 1254.7 feet of ascent and 1402 calories. The highest speed attained was 26.6 mph at Roothill Lane on the homeward leg.

Mark

Free Wheeling Contest

Pictures from Bernard

Pictures from Francoise

Free-wheel competition November 11 2009

From Dorking I led A and B groups through the golf course to Brockham, past the burnt-out fire to Strood green and Leigh to Norwood Hill. (It would appear The Fox Revived may soon be back in business). With Ed and Norman organising departures (thanks), I freewheeled away first. The weather was fine but the road was dampish so the first corner had to be treated with a certain amount of respect, otherwise it was an uneventful run. Liz was next down and kept an eye on the ladies' efforts (thanks). Aerodynamic Mark beat me by a couple of metres (or yards, if you prefer), then soon Francoise beat Liz by a similar margin. After everyone had wiggled their way down we carried on to Charlwood for lunch at pre-warned The Greyhound. Ed's unique carvings (thanks) were presented to Francoise and Mark, Liz and Terry won inner tubes, then we set off for 3s, to be at Annie's (I warned them we were coming, they had various cakes in stock but no muffins). Delayed slightly by sheep being unloaded at Russ Hill, we pressed on through very slight drizzle to Parkgate, Newdigate and Dorking to Leatherhead, where, upon leaving to go our separate ways, the sky brightened up a little.

Terry

Free Wheel Competition

Free Wheel Course

Free Wheel Telemetry

The Free Wheel Competition, led by Terry, made good use of a dreich November day. Elevenses to tea: 27.1 miles, moving average 11.8 mph and 1137 ft of ascent. As the main purpose of the day was descent details of the Free Wheel course and telemetry are also included this week.

Mark

Harolds Farewell Nov 4th

Pictures From Mike Ponting

This week's ride was intended to be a bit different, with an invite from Harold and Veena Fifield to call in and give our farewells before their move to Scotland. A joint A&B ride back to Kingston was seen a good idea. When 40+ forty plusses streamed out from Cobham British Legion, led by Pete B, we were not so sure. However, with Norman Goody ensuring a suitable safety break in the middle of the group and Graham Hill acting as tail end charlie, all went well and we didnt lose anyone that didnt want to get lost. The route chosen was intended to minimize traffic, so it was over the Tilt and along Water Lane to stretch legs up Knipp Hill. Sandy Lane followed by a dash along the, now busy, Copsem Lane took us to Littleworth Common and so into Hinchley Wood and Seething Wells. Taking the Old Portsmouth Road into Kingston Market Place we just had to negotiate the traffic leaving Bentalls Car Park to get on to Lower Ham Road along by the river and so to Harold's place where a feast of sarnies and samosas awaited. Joined shortly afterward by the C group, it fell to Lynda Barrow and Terry Lowe to offer our tokens of appreciation and we wished our hosts all the best for the future. Suitably refreshed, about a dozen decided to continue for the afternoon and so Kingston back roads towards Tolworth and Ditton Hill took us through Claygate and Oxshott before going down Blundell Lane to Stoke D'Abernon and into Leatherhead for either a late lunch or early tea depending on your point of view.

B Group Pictures

Pictures from Bernard

B group 28.10.09.

From Shepperton in very pleasant cycling conditions I led 11 (7 more than last week, including rarely seen Gillian and even more rarely seen Bruce McNeil - last time 14 years ago). Crossing the Thames at Walton bridge we rode alongside it to Weybridge then to Addlestone and Ottershaw. Stonehill Road led almost to Chobham, but we chose Old Chertsey Road and Philpot Road. As we briefly joined Station Road John Mason punctured but since we were almost at lunch break (The Plough, Horsell) some of us carried on, others waited with John - they soon rejoined us. After a pleasant, quickly served lunch John found he had another flat ! Soon we were under way and enjoyed a few delightful miles of Basingstoke Canal towpath, leaving it at Sheerwater. A reasonably quiet ride through Pyrford and Ripley led to Cobham where most stopped for refreshments at Cafe Aromas, after which we went our separate ways. Thanks to Brian Greenwood for maintaining two groups and Bernard for backmarking.

Terry

A + B 21 October

Royal Oak - Wood Street

A and B at the Royal Oak

(A few words from Vic to follow)

B group 14.10.09.

After the AGM at Hersham, PC-less Liz led a sizeable bunch to The Cricketers at Stoke d'Abernon. I left Hersham later and joined everyone for lunch (how many more times this year will we be able to eat outside ?). After a pleasant break some went home but the majority headed south to Effingham Junction and East Horsley. After joining the A246 I was politely told by a frustrated motorist that we were breaking the law riding in convoy. Equally politely I told him we were not. Soon we turned into Chalk Lane, then Honeysuckle Bottom, passing Bob Symes' 10 1/4" gauge (GWR) model railway - but no trains running today. Soon we arrived at the saw mills, but Liz opted to about-turn rather than accept the challenge of an off-road steep uphill track. Not wishing to deprive us of a climb, she then chose to go UP Crocknorth Road to Ranmore, eventually passing Ranmore church and DOWN Ranmore Common Road to Westhumble. We used the cycle track to Leatherhead, past the recently ram-raided Cycleworks to Annie's where there was a goodly selection of muffins (flavours various), after which we went our separate ways.

Terry

B Group Ride 14th October

An entertaining ride that Liz neatly fitted in to the time available after the AGM. Taken Hersham to tea; 24.58 miles, 1228.7 ft of ascent, moving average speed 9.14 mph, steepest climb Crocknorth Road at 14.3%, highest speed on Ranmore Common Road at 33.4 mph and 1168 calories.

B Group Oct 7th

WAYFARERS GROUP B 7th October 09.
Sixteen rode off from Cobham.
Jill, Judy, Liz, Pam, Irene, Ian, Phillip, Norman, Bernard, Bob S, Mike, Frank, Pete, Eddie, Roger and Robin.

We went through Pointers Green, Martyrs Green, and Ripley, then NW to Woking, left along the canal to find Weatherspoons in the centre of Woking for lunch, which was all the more enjoyable having the company of several whom are usually A group riders. Unfortunately because of the weather forecast the ride was kept short.
Sure enough as we resumed riding so did the rain fall. Heading back to the canal, and on the tow path to Weybridge, through back streets to Walton bridge and along by the Thames to Hampton Bridge where five stopped for tea. A pity the day finished with an early wet ride homeward.

From Robin Johnson