C Group Dec20th

Subject: C group ride 20.12.06

Foggy, cold and pretty dismal. On the towpath from Weybridge to Walton the visibility was not more than twenty yards and my fingers were just short of frostbite! I was surprised to find such a good turnout at the day centre, many of whom had had a much longer journey,including yourself Brian, to make elevenses. Ron and Dennis were there but did not come on the ride which was led by Harold along with his namesake ( a newcomer) Harold S. followed by Bill, Fuzz, the other Bill (I must get his surname [Parkhouse] although he assures me the male line of his family back to his grandad were all called Albert but preferred to be called Bill). I think I`ll stick to the name I have! Sorry to digress but that makes six of us setting off into the gloom for The Wheatsheaf pub at Stanwell Moor. We turned left after crossing Walton bridge then through Shepperton and left again at the lights to Laleham where another left down Ferry Lane took us onto the towpath to Staines. A bit of a diversion here took us into the main carpark and what is now the pedestrianised main street where the entire population of Surrey seemed to be doing its Christmas shopping. We pressed on north to the Crooked Billet roundabout, then along Stanwell Moor Road to the traffic lights where we went right towards our pint and lunch. At this point we had lost Bill No.2 somehow. By the way the prices are pretty reasonable atThe Wheatsheaf for your diary.
Tea was to be at Walton but before we turned off for Laleham, Fuzz left us for home and I having had enough of the cold did the same at Chertsey bridge which we reached via the towpath and Laleham Thameside after bidding each other all the usual compliments of the season which I am happy to extend to your good self. ------------------ Albert

August 23rd C Group

Albert comes up trumps again - thanks for your report, Albert.

Our new man was Bill Parkhouse, who had previously rung me. Thanks for taking care of him. Shall we try Molesey again, post-refurbishment?

Brian


Having arrived at Molesey via the towpath from Weybridge at 10.30 I was informed by some chaps who were enjoying a snack on the front steps, that the place was closed for refurbishment and that another cyclist had already been and gone. The latter returned and introduced himself as Bill although he said his real name was Albert. I said we had one of each. He had arrived by van from London and I was about to lead him to a spot of lunch when we came across the rest of C group on the pavement some 100 yards away. There was John who was to lead us to The Old Plough at Stoke d'Abernon, Beryl with her new bike, Lynda, Helga, Carol, Bill H, Roger, Tom, Fuzz, Harold, Dave, Ron, Mark, me and the new Bill who left the ride when he remembered leaving his waterproofs in his van. We all had elevenses at a cafe near the main road, then pressed off to Summer Lane and the level crossing which came down suddenly leaving Harold, Fuzz and myself stranded. The others figured we had taken another route so did not wait. Fuzz peeled off and Harold led me on a route, which brought us out to the Hampton Court Road not too far from the Scilly Isles. We made our way over Arbrook Common arriving in Stoke Road via Fairmile Lane and had just started a pint when the rest of the group turned up. We had lunch under cover outside before departing for tea at Claygate. Sorry being unable to provide more gen on the ride. Hope Roger got home ok with his broken spoke. Pity the day centre did not inform their intentions when advised of our intending arrival -------------------------- Albert

Ron called on Derek after last week's ride - Derek is suffering from back strain after a domestic over-lift and using a stick at present. He hopes to try his bike again and be with us soon. Hub

C Group Aug 2nd

Thank goodness the heatwave seems to have abated somewhat. Roger led around nine of us from Cobham RBL en route for The Bull at West Clandon. Instead of going up Plough Lane we went towards Downham Common and turned right just past the Common for a bit of a diversion through a series of pleasant quiet roads which eventually just gave us the last steep bit of Plough Lane to climb. We crossed the road at Martyrs Green at the spot where The Mucky Duck is undergoing a pretty extensive refurbishment, into the Clandon Road.
Apart from Roger and myself there was Bill, Mark, Harold (fixed wheel again), John G, Beryl, Dennis and Dave. We had lunch outside (cheap and cheerful). Bags of downhill on the direct route to our tea at Cobham day centre. The only slight hold-up was on the return trip when Roger got his chain stuck between the large sprocket and the spokes. After what seemed quite a long struggle with what implements we either had with us or could find in the vicinity, it was finally freed by Dennis with a ring spanner. Ron, who had not joined us on the ride had tea with us at the day centre.---------------Albert

July 5th C Group

In view of the weather forecast; thunderstorms etc. (which in the event did not materialize during our ride), it was good to see quite a fair turnout. With John G. in the lead there were nine of us starting out from Cobham; Bill, Beryl, Roger, Fuzz, Dennis, Mark, one more plus me. Our lunch venue was the Anchor at Pyrford Lock. The route was up Plough Lane crossing the road at The Mucky Duck passing Wisley airfield on the Ockham Road, over the A3 and down into Ripley, crossing the High Street into Newark lane. At Pyrford Village on Church Hill we turned right into Warren Lane to Pyrford Lane then right to Lock Lane and our lunch in the open in the cool area near the canal. Must confess I legged it for home via West Byfleet as the intention was to return to Cobham for tea and one session of the hairy Byfleet Road for me was enough for the day. I feel sure we all enjoyed the ride. Thanks, John.
See you next week at Claygate--------------- Albert

C Group—24 May

From 'C' group at Hersham, indomitable Albert reports squally showers and a fair bit of sun. According to my list, which I have just re-checked, Tom was to lead us, but everyone was adamant it was Ron who did the honours and thirteen of us left en route for the Old Plough at Stoke D`Abernon. We were Lynda, Beryl, Bill, Roger, Mark, Phil, Dennis and Fuzz plus one who was new to me named Tony. (Two short I know, but there we go again!). There was a fair old bit of mud on the way but we emerged on the Stoke Road from Fairmile Lane close to our destination. Six of us had lunch at the pub, but afterwards I made a beeline down the Stoke Road to Cobham and home. I'll miss you all next week as I have visitors but look forward getting out to Cobham in a couple of weeks.

Regards, Albert

C Group from Dawn

Hi Brian,
took these photos yesterday. It was funny that the guys lifted their bikes over the style - someone then opened the gate! Best wishes, Dawn.

April 19th Rides

C Group - April 19th

Not much sun but otherwise good weather as Ron led us out of Leatherhead en route for The Anchor at Bookham (one of my favourite watering holes). A good turnout with Bill, Roger, Harold, John C, Dennis, Lynda, Beryl, Carol, Fuzz. That makes eleven with Ron and me. Being Ron, whose knowledge of the offroad is extensive, not to say unrivalled, I was pretty soon lost on some tracks of Bookham Common which were unfamiliar. Upon returning to the tarmac, Ron declared his intention to make another detour to include a bit more of offroad. He gave us an alternative route whereby we could remain on the road, so off went three of us; me John and Harold. I got as far as Fetcham before backtracking a bit and getting on Lower Road and finally getting my pint. Earlier Harold had gone with Lynda to the bike shop in Leatherhead to get her bike fixed (freewheel packed up). We did not travel far as the bird flies, but not being a bird it took me one hour and 50 mins ride time. I rode back to Leatherhead with John and Harold since Harold and I had left our cars there.
If you read this Ron, thanks for a good ride Albert

12 April 2006 C ride

In the best weather we have enjoyed recently, Lynda led around 17 of us from Hersham en route for The Toby Carvery at Ewell. There was Carol, Christine and Anita with Lynda followed by Mark, Bill, Roger, Dave, Ron, Harold, Fuzz, me and quite a few more (I guess you can fill them in Lynda?). We took the right exit at the roundabout at the bottom of Lammas Lane up the Westend Road, then left through the golf course to Claygate. After Claygate to Hook and then the many residential roads of Cheam where I would be lost without a leader who seems to know it like the back of her hand. Harold had already set me up a pint when I arrived at the bar (thanks mate!). The food was good but I`m glad I had a sandwich instead of the enormous helpings served up at the carvery.
Most of the others went on to Epsom for tea but Harold and I returned by the same route to Hersham having had tea at Claygate. By the time I arrived home I had clocked over 30 miles.

Have a Happy Easter-- Albert

C Group Ride

C Group The weather was really miserable, drizzle on and off all day, but that did not deter John C's small party. There were nine of us in all, John C, another John, Beryl, Bill Hammond (our calligraphist), Ron, Roger, Denis, and yours truly Mike. John led us to Ripley via Bookham, Effingham and the lanes. Four sandwich eaters made for the day-centre in Ripley; this was not the sort of day for sitting in a drafty bus shelter. Five of us quickly made our way to the comfort of the Jovial Sailor where we enjoyed some good food and drink plus some warmth. After lunch we collected the four from the day-centre and made our way homeward. I had decided to leave the group at the Black Swan crossroads. As we were saying our farewells another group of cyclists emerged from the Black Swan. "Did you know" they said, "that this place is going up market?" I think we did. They were from West Surrey DA - a pleasant bunch, and they had read all about us in the recent edtion of Cycle. John C's party headed off for the day-centre in Cobham for tea and I hurried home to Effingham for a hot shower.

I shall be leading (from Cobham) to Claygate and the Foley Arms next week, it may have to be a circuitous route as spies tell me that Blundells Lane (the road I would normally take to get from Cobham to Oxshott) is closed for several weeks for roadworks. If anyone has any news on this I should be pleased to hear it.