Beez at Threez

B group enjoying 3s at Walton.

PS I will collate/publish 2011 mileages.

B Group - 28th December 2011

Walton to Thorpe village and back to the Walton Centre for tea
(about 18 miles)

It was a very short ride for the B group to-day...resulting in a short ride report!

I was surprised to count more than 20 riders before starting off on our epic ride!! Irene very kindly offered to lead the second group of a convenient split and it was very successful....many thanks Irene. Also my thanks to Terry for being our back marker to-day!

We left Walton on the tow-path heading for Weybridge and we followed the usual route through to Addlestone, along Green Lane, just touching the A320 before turning right into Holloway Hill. My plan was to take the next right turn but we were a little ahead of ourselves time wise so I continued along Holloway Hill keeping right at the fork and then turning into Lyne Lane, right into Almers Road, taking a left at the T and next right over the railway and M3. We took a right at the next T and on into Thorpe village where we had lunch at The Red Lion. A very nice pub, good food served by very pleasant bar persons!!

We were on our way back to Walton by 2pm via Chertsey park, Chertsey Bridge, Dockett Eddy Lane and Shepprton Church Road. The plan was to have tea at the Riverside Arts Centre but we found it closed (between Xmas and New Year) so....some one had the brilliant idea...have tea at the day centre! We were so lucky for one of the staff (I feel ashamed to say that I have forgotten her name), very kindly made pots of tea for at least a dozen of us. Bargain of the day at 50p a cup!!

So ended another super day....thanks to all for being one of to-days party!

Pam :-) :-)

B Ride, 21 December 2011

Twenty five Christmas feasters set off from Leatherhead's Fairfield Centre towards Stoke D'Abernon. After Blundel Lane, the Crown Estate led to a muddy New Road which eight declined preferring the main road. From Claygate, the bypass was crossed at Hinchley Wood. Then came Surbiton and finally Kingston and the King’s Tun (Empire Theatre as was) where Mary P was a final addition.

Irene

B Group - 21st December 2011 (Christmas dinner)

Irene led us from Leatherhead to Kingston for our most enjoyable and

very well attended Christmas dinner.

(click to see the bigger picture and click again to see the map at maximum magnification)

B Group - 14th December 2011

Harry's ride over Ranmore Common to Ripley

Ripley to Garsons Farm

The big climb up to Ranmore Common represented in GPS Visualizer using a Google Terrain map

Seven of us set out to ride up to Ranmore Common, Tim, Stephanie, Bernard, Mike, John and Peter. The sun was out, slanting across the fields and the wind, though cold, was light. We made a good pace, glimpsing views and secluded country houses through the leafless hedges.

The frenzied descent to the Epsom Road was followed by a long straight downhill run to Ripley and lunch at the Seven Stars on Newark Lane.

There must have been issues in the past with cyclists parking in the pub garden and a wooden rail of the sort horses are tied to in Western movies was provided outside. Nevertheless there was the obligatory fire and service was swift with the food of a good standard.

Bernard left us here to catch a train at West Byfleet and the rest of us set off for Ockham, Cobham and tea at Garson's Farm at West End, again at a brisk pace.

I really enjoyed leading this ride with good company and a good workout for the legs and lungs, arriving home accompanied by a few spots of rain and in the gathering gloom. Truly a classic winter ride.

Thanks to Tim for the route map and Stephanie for back marking.

- Harry C.

(Distance from Elevenses to Tea was just over 21 miles.)

B group 7 December

'Is it a bird, is it a plane ....what is it ?' One of our experienced veteran riders said 'I wouldn't ride THAT' - but eleven year old schoolgirls do !

Thoughtfully, and to avoid delay on the run, Liz had her puncture en route to Cobham where on a cool, sunny morning (contrasting with last December's snow and ice !)

I led a large group via Downside and Bookham Common to Bookham. After a short stretch of Lower Road we turned south, past the entry to Polesden Lacey, down Bagdon Hill to the A24. A wiggle through the tunnel, along the cycle track to Pixham Lane then across the golf course led to lunch at The Royal Oak, Brockham. The pub was nicely decorated and we had a couple of tables reserved, far outnumbering the other four customers. The food was delicious but the service was rather slow - but - there were twenty of us !

After lunch most followed me, despite the warning of an off-road, downhill stretch with loose gravel. Soon word came through that Robert was a puncturee but backmarker Pam (thanks) and Tim stopped to assist. The off-road ended at Four Wents Pond crossroads where we turned right and followed the usual route to Dorking and Leatherhead (Annie's). Only three of us stopped for refreshments but soon Pam, Tim and Robert joined us.

Terry

B Group - 7th December 2011

Terry's ride through Surrey from Cobham to Brockham then on to Annies in Leatherhead for Tea
(about 24 miles from elevenses to tea)

The Lodge Farm Discombolulation in which Pam, Robert and Tim arrive at what looks on the Ordnance Survey maps like a feasible crossing of the railway but only to find that it is permanently locked. The correct route is indicated as a mere bridleway but in my opinion deserves to be reclassified as a Cycling Super Highway and amended on the OS map accordingly. The moral of the story is to pay more attention to Terry when he is describing the route ahead!

'B' Group.....Wednesday 30th November 2011

To-days ride was led by Irene.
On yet another fine November morning, nineteen cyclists left Weybridge on their way to Addlestone. Into Green Lane, left and right, next right into Hardwick Lane making our way to Stroude Road where we passed Great Fosters Hotel, originally a 16th century mansion that was once actually in Windsor Great Park! Into Egham, up the hill, right into Middle Hill arriving at Englefield Green, apparently heading for Windsor Park but we turned into Wick Lane where thirteen of us had lunch at The Sun public house, six chose to go to Saville Gardens for refreshment! The Sun is a very nice pub but it took over an hour before all the group received their food!! Hence, the folks who went into Saville Gardens finished their lunch long before The Sun group - so - led by Gill, they went on their way to 3s's! (Or home)!
It must have been 2.30 when we cycled away from the pub! Irene was hoping to have tea in Walton but as it was so late, she settled for tea at The Bakers in Shepperton.
We had that wonderful free wheel ride down Tite Hill into Egham, through Thorpe, around Penton Park and over Chertsey Bridge to Shepperton. Only four folks stopped for tea. After sharing Bernard's rather large piece of bread pudding, Pam and Irene returned to Staines and Robin and Bernard cycled to Feltham station.

PS....I was in such a hurry when I wrote this report that I forgot to thank Irene for leading us to-day on a very interesting and pleasant ride - Thank you Irene :)

B Group - 23rd November 2011

Around 26 set off from Elleray Hall, 4 almost immediately getting dropped as other groups left at the same time. However the 4 made it to the lunch stop at the Thames Court pub at Shepperton Lock via Bushy and Sunbury, the remainder heading towards Twickenham and the Crane River park. This is really a " green corridor" heading upstream to Feltham and is a pleasant 3 mile ride on good surfaces past the shot tower ( relic of an explosive past) and an island nature reserve. It is quite testing for such a large group with two low bridges to negotiate.


Tim has kindly shown the rest of the route via Feltham Airparc ( former airfield) and Littleton to the river Thames arriving at the lunch stop just past my ETA of 1230 in order to ensure we left well before it gets dark. The catering was prompt and polite and reckoned to be good quality and we left by 1.45 for a spin across the river to tea at Squires in Long Ditton. 6 stopped for tea, the remainder peeling off to beat the gathering darkness.
 
Thanks to Gill , Stephanie and Terry for back marking and the rest for being pleasant and informative company. The weather was kind with hazy sunshine and little wind and the temperature was even measured at 13c at 1.30 pm.

Harry Cole

Harry's ride from Teddington to Shepperton and back to Squires for afternoon tea
(from Elevenses to Afternoon tea: 21.2 miles)

(Please note that I won't be around next week on the 30th so if anyone can collect the route data for the B team's ride, on anything capable of recording GPS data, I would be happy to put the route onto an OS map for the blog when I return. - Tim)

B Group - 16th November

John's hilly B Group ride
(I make it 27 miles from Elevenses to Afternoon tea at Squires)

This profile shows the ascent towards Polesden Lacey, the descent towards West Humble then the usual route up to Ranmore Common

GPS Visualizer view of the hilly part of John's ride

B Group - 9th November

B Group ride led by Gill

27.7 miles from Shepperton Greeno to the Riverside Barn Arts Centre in Walton

Despite the dull start, there was a big turnout at Shepperton and as leader of B Group, I set off with 21 riders. Our destination was the Fox and Castle pub at Old Windsor by way of the Thames towpath from Laleham to Lammas Park in Staines, Wraysbury and Datchet.

Depending on the time we reached Datchet, I had choices to make about the best route which would allow us to arrive at the pub at 1.00 p.m. Fortunately, with a good pace being maintained, I was able to stick to my original plan and we headed on to Eton where we were able to see well-dressed scholars in their tails walking around the school buildings. Crossing the river into Windsor, we encountered our first and only hill of the day as we climbed up to the entrance to the Castle. After this it was downhill to the road parallel to the Long Walk, on to a cycle path crossing the Long Walk and leading us straight to the big roundabout at Old Windsor. By using the path we were able to miss the queue of traffic at the roadworks and after crossing at the lights we were soon into the back streets which led us to the Fox and Castle pretty much spot on 1.00 p.m.

Here we were given a warm welcome, food and service were good and despite the large numbers (19 of us at this stage) we were on the road again at 2.10 p.m. By now the sun was out and it was a lovely, bright afternoon. Our route was a familiar one - Runnymede, across the Meads to Egham, Thorpe, Pentonhook, Ferry Lane (a bit muddy on the new footpath at the end) Chertsey, Shepperton and Walton. Tea was at the Riverhouse Barn but with the shorter days now, most people opted to keep going to try and get home in the light. Four of us, however, did partake of tea and had a very interesting conversation about the sayings on the rims of £2 coins! Thank you, Alan! Most enlightening! Thanks, also, to Irene and Pam for being back-markers and for 'challenging me with options' for the route chosen when out doing the recce last Sunday. 

Gill Finlay

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Wayfarers B Group - 2nd November 2011

Cobham - Merrow for lunch - Leatherhead for tea

A large group of 20 plus riders set off from Cobham towards Ockham, then via Guileshill Lane, through a farm track to bring us out at Tithebarns Lane.

We continued southerly to West Clandon and on to the A25 for a short stretch before arriving at our lunch destination, the Horse and Groom in Merrow. Nice pub and grub although the staff found our presence in number a little overwhelming.

A steady climb (not ideal directly after lunch) found the group on the North Downs Way and eventually on Combe Lane heading towards Effingham via Dirtham Lane.

Proceeding through Great Bookham and Fetcham we arrived at Annie's in Leatherhead for tea and cakes where we were joined by several of the A group.

My thanks to the ever dependable Terry as ' sheep dog' and Tim who has kindly downloaded the route map.

Mileage from Cobham to Leatherhead: 22.25 miles

- Liz

WEDNESDAY 19th OCTOBER 'B' Group

Irene led 14 riders to Mayford via Ottershaw, past Fairoakes airport into Chobham, past the Grove public house, into Barrs Lane then a right up Anchor Hill, Knaphill. A left at the traffic lights led us to Blackhorse Road, left again at Saunders Lane, and so to Mayford.

Another day when the weather remained kind to us - at least until tea! Some what cooler than of late but only to be expected.

It seems that B group have not been to the Mayford Arms before, so it was good to hear that they were all delighted at the good value and the pleasant service from the staff.

Our route to 3s's was along New Lane, past Sutton Green golf course to Jacobs Well, onto the cycle path alongside the A3 and then we threadled our way to Hungry Hill and so into Cobham for tea at Sainsburys. Only four of us stopped to quench our thirsts (and a chat) for the skies had suddenly become very heavy with dark clouds! It did rain whilst we were inside but Irene and I reached home - still dry - but not with out the occasional threat of a soaking!

I do hope our new member Malcolm enjoyed his morning (he left us after lunch), for I'm sure his intention was to join the A group but before he had time to eat his bread pudding the A group had left!!

Irene tells me that I must say that she was grateful to me for being 'tail end Charlie' and to thank all who were on her ride. It was a very nice day........thank you Irene:)

OH!...and thank you Tim for blogging the days course.

I clocked 43 miles, door to door!

From Pam on behalf of Irene!!

B Group - October 12th 2011

13 set off under cloudy skies but with a following wind, from Hersham, though some were intending to return home as the ride was to Wimbledon Common via Surbiton and New Malden.

After the long, but relatively easy, climb up Copse Hill we were down to 11. Five decided to lunch in a pub by the Common and the rest went onto the Windmill Cafe. The sun made an unscheduled appearance and it was pleasant sitting outside the cafe.

Later, those in the pub decided to go home and the remainder continued across Wimbledon, Putney and Barnes Commons to the Thames Path at Mortlake. Rowers were out in force on the River which was very high and almost covered the path by Richmond half-tide lock after we crossed over at Kew. Four finished up at Pembroke Lodge cafe, passing on the way up Richmond Hill the shop specialising in electric bikes. Food for thought for those of us with waning energy.

Tim Court kindly provides the memory-map of the route, which was 23 miles from Hersham to Richmond Park. Most of us will therefore have done rather more for the whole day.

Harry Cole

B Ride 5th October 2011

Cobham – Abinger Common – Leatherhead

The ride was programmed to be 25 miles – 11 before lunch (with stops at the top of each hill) and 14 afterwards with lunch at The Abinger Hatch and so it was. Chinese whispers however were the downfall of one starter who returned to the RBL for a lost possession (not communicated to the leader!) and who then went towards Abinger Hammer. A gentle ride through Downside and across Bookham Common took us to Effingham and on to Hogden Lane for the first hill. Here Cliff found the going tough and Terry did an excellent job of sheparding. We proceeded on via Ranmore Common Road, over White Down and up on to Abinger Common for lunch. Terry arrived shortly afterwards and said that Cliff had decided to go home via Dorking and let the train take the strain (I spoke to Cliff later in the day at home - he had got back and was feeling OK). After lunch we continued south round the bottom of Leith Hill to Coldharbour. It was on this section one of our number complained his gears weren’t working properly. The piece of string which came out was about 2 foot long – no wonder his gears were temperamental! After Coldharbour it was down to Dorking, past Denbies to Annie’s in Leatherhead for tea. 23 started, there were 22 for lunch and 15 took tea. Like the numbers the weather declined during the day and by the end there was a distinct autumn chill in the air.

Peter T

B Group 5th October

Map of today's ride plotted by Tim. Click on the image to enlarge.

B Group - 5th October

Another way of seeing B Group's ride over White Down and Leith Hill with colour coding to illustrate the altitude along the route, using the "Google Terrain" option on the GPSVisualizer web site

B Group - September 28th 2011

The jpeg only shows the section from Elevenses in Weybridge to Afternoon tea at Shepperton Lock.

From North Cheam to Shepperton Lock was 62.6 Kms (about 39 miles)

Tim C

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On the warmest day in quite a while, Irene led a group of 19 from Weybridge via Staines and Moor Lane to lunch at the Royal Stag Datchet. The way back went via Old Windsor, Egham (Hummer Lane) and over Chertsey Bridge to Shepperton Lock for tea. About 40 miles door to door for the leader.

Irene

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B Group - September 21st 2011

A small group of eight set off from Fairoaks Airport for the B Group ride - Pam, Ed, Robin, John G., Peter (without the pump), Pete B., Bob and me, Gill - a very select bunch. By this time the drizzle had stopped and there were signs of improvement in the weather with even the odd tiny patch of blue showing.

The Duke of Edinburgh pub at Downside was our lunchtime destination, so our route was basically northwards. Starting off towards Chobham, we turned off on Mincing Lane to go to Burrowhill, did a loop through Valley End and came back to Chobham Road to head towards Sunningdale, on to Cheapside and finally to Downside - about an hour's ride from Fairoaks. Although there were several hills to climb along this route, the descents inbetween made it all worthwhile. We were given a warm welcome at the Duke of Edinburgh and a table had been reserved for us inside which we took despite the sun now being out - the garden benches were still pretty damp for comfortable sitting outside. Meals, if a little pricey, were promptly served and there was even time to continue chatting before the standard hour for lunch was up.

It was a different day after lunch - the clouds having been chased away by the wind which had come up, it was blue skies and sunshine all the way home. Leaving soon after 1.30 p.m. our return route was into Windsor Great Park to Bishopsgate, Englefield Green, down Tite Hill to Egham, across to Staines (both level crossings were open - is this a record, I wonder?) and then beside the river to Chertsey Bridge. Afternoon tea was at Shepperton Lock, so there was one more bit of river along Dockett Lane before reaching our destination. We had had a tailwind most of the way back and had made very good time, arriving at 3.00 p.m. With tables strategically placed in patches of sunshine, five of us enjoyed a very leisurely tea with no-one seeming to be in a rush to leave.

Thanks to Pam for being back marker.

Gill Finlay

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B Group Sept 7th

18 left the British Legion Hall at 11 a.m. and cycled over Wisley Airfield to Wisley and West Byfleet. Here we took the much improved and widened tarmac and gravel towpath of the Basingstoke Canal Westwards for nearly 4 miles, before turning North towards Goldsworth Park, where we semi-circumnavigated the lake. After 16 miles and nearly 2 hours since elevenses, we decided to stop slightly short of the original intended destination and took lunch at the Grove (formerly The Castle) just South of Chobham. The pub staff were very welcoming and served 17 of us very quickly despite not having being pre-warned of our arrival. The food was good too-Liz said her omelette was the best she has ever tasted.

We left for our afternoon ride at 2 p.m. taking the usual route via Gracious Pond Road, Home Wood Park and Bittams Lane to Addlestone, Weybridge and Walton. Here some went straight home, but 11 of us had tea at Walton Arts Centre.

John Gould