A Group Staines Lunch

Thanks again to Ed for leading the ride the picture reflects many of the riders except Vic et al on another table. A wet wet day but my new coat was weatherproof!! Sorry I missed the rest of you at Molesey, couldn't find it! Hope Gill and Fuzz had a good ride.

Soon it will be New Year 2010 I wish everyone a healthy and happy year! Mike M.

Happy Christmas to one and all!

Thanks to Rob for leading the "A" group we made it to W'Spoon Epsom for some Yew ell Tide Beer. Jeff and I finished off at the Chequers in Walton le Hill by which time it was raining, hence the shower cap Jeff was wearing!

As for me on arriving home I placed another Christmas card on the mantelpiece and noticed the HO! Ho! Ho! theme especially from Irene next to one from Texas and a Robin from Ed.

The one in the middle puts me in a diddle, it came from down under and looks like a blunder, me and Barbara on Tandem no way, she's too old for that and prefers rolling in hay!! Ho Ho Ho!

HAVE A VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND A MERRY NEW YEAR go steady on drinking and gentle on beer! See you all in the NEW YEAR!

News from John Hammond

I have not been able to cycle this year (a very major loss) but have done almost all my own shopping on foot travelling out every day on crowded buses. I always get a seat!
We were the lucky generation with empty roads - few traffic lights in 1930's.
In Sept 1937 when i was 20 I entered a 100 in 7 - start was at 08:45 am, 29 miles away - we rode as a small group of 16 riders - had severe cramp near the end but got my hard riders badge with seconds to spare!
Rode home at about 8mph.

Just reminiscing. Enjoy.

John Hammond

Snow Tyres

Prompted by the current cold snap I have fitted a pair of snow tyres. Although rare in the UK, these are commonplace in the snowier parts of Europe where people use their bikes for utility purposes like shopping and going to work.

Snow tyres are made of a rubber that includes sharp granules in the moulding to give snow and ice grip; heavy duty versions include varying numbers of metal studs. The widest choice is in 26'' MTB fittings, but winter tyres in 700c touring sizes can also be had. Touring staples such as Continental Top Contact and Schwalbe Marathon are made in Winter variants, for example.

If you want to buy a pair - or just to take a look at what's available - www.chainreactioncycles.com have some and www.bike-components.de have a wide range.

In use they're a bit clunky but they certainly work. You can ride a bicycle on surfaces where it would be difficult to walk in normal shoes. I rode the Wandle Trail yesterday, long sections of which were sheet ice, with no problem. Staying clear of cars, which may be less well equipped, is probably wise, though ...

Mark

Some pictures Of Xmas Lunch and ride

Xmas Lunch 16th Dec 09

On a cold day we set off in two groups hopeful that the weather would remain kind to us. Brian Greenwood had kindly agreed to lead the second group to make the ride more controllable. From The Fairfield Day Centre Leatherhead the route taken was Randalls Road and River Lane over the River Mole at The Splash - not quite the weather for a splash but who knows if the weather hadn't shown signs of deteriating! Here after taking pictures we continued through Fetcham and across Lower Road and The Ridgeway to meet the A246 at Young Street (The Canadian built road during the 2nd world War). At this stage it was at higher ground snowing and Jake thought it wise to seek warmer climes. Many of us continued on across Norbury Park to eventually descend from the Woodchopping shop on a metalled but snow covered surface to West Humble. This was decision time as here some continued on up Little Switzerland (one time noted for it's Holly this time of the year) whilst others took the flatter route on the cycle path to Leatherhead.

The conditions worsened but rideable for the Little Switzerland group whilst climbing some 2.5 miles to Slough Lane where we had some backwheel slip on climbing sections but no real problems. The descent on main roads via the Headley Rehabilitation Centre was fast to Leatherhead and Weatherspoons.

It was nice to see those Xmas lunchers that had arrived earlier comfortably waiting at the laid tables stretched out to accomodate 28 of us of the 30 booked. One had to cancel and the other decided on the day to ride only. I hope the weather did not spoil the day and that the food and service made a memorable day.

Ray

Wallis & Grommit Alias Graham

Note Raasay Warden has changed his Tartan for an odd shirt making his hair look more appropriate for a woolly haired sheep or is it a Dog!!

Choo-Choo

Train

Alberts Story

Pictures from Albert

I hope you get a full report of Stephanie`s ride as I was with Peter 0n my tandem trike quite unable to follow the others and opted for our own route to The Tide End Cottage near Teddington Lock. At Elleray Hall there was a good turnout with Mark, Lynda, John C., Fuzz, Roger, Les, Dennis, Ron, Johnno, Lisa, Chris, Peter and myself plus of course Stephanie who led the ride. My only contribution is a few photos of those of us who arrived at this delightful watering hole----------------Albert

Easy Riders

A surprising number for a windy day. Began at the Elleray Centre by buying 3 ladies their teas (they gave me the money) as they were getting a little tired of waiting for the queue to go down. Then a lovely day in the sunshine, through Bushy Park, in and out of gates. Thanks Ron for being back marker and for enlightening me, the gates in an out of the water garden are not intended to make it difficult for us to get in but to stop deer from getting in. Along the R Crane in sunshine, back roads to the long footpath at the side of Strawberry Hill railway and down to Tides End Cottage. Service good considering numbers but delayed our afternoon start so a short run along the north bank of the Thames to Kingston and back into Bushy Park to join As and Bs at tea in the new cafe. Good to see Albert and Peter who joined us for lunch. Mick, Roy, Fuzz, Frank and John C, who left us after lunch, and Roger, Chris, Jono, Les, Eddy, Lynda and Liz who stayed for tea. From Stephanie

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.

Harolds final farewell

Harold has donated one of his older treasured mountain bikes to Barbara. Little did I know that it was all in bits but I will put it together and hope that Barbara will give it a go. Needed one soft and comfortable saddle for a lady! Anyone got a spare? I picked the bike up on Monday afternoon believing that Harold was off to Scotland on Wednesday 18 Nov but he was leaving for LHR at 4pm and so for me it was a final farewell. I wished him well for the future and he insisted that he may even be back next year to ride that 10 mile TT with KPRC. That's the spirit never give up!

B Group Nov 18th

Our esteemed leader Brian Greenwood

Bernard trying to hold Liz down

Sicily Part 2

The two weeks following Bernard's report were as interesting as the first week, the long hills continued. The highest town we stayed at was Troina 1121m. The lowest being Catania at 7m! Our journey continued North and East stopping at Hotel Mariano in Castellana Sicula, where we had a memorable six course Sicilian meal! 

The chef had asked his daughter, who spoke English, to come to the hotel to ask us what we would like to eat! We visited Mount Etna from Nicolosi, putting our bikes on the bus to the foot of the cable car station, (apart from Mike who cycled). After the cable car a jeep took us to approx 3000m where we walked around the crater with steam emerging! It was great riding down the mountain, especially as we had not ridden up!! Yes, we did have mixed weather but no problem if one had water proofs to wear! Who didn't take waterproofs? 

Ian and I were delighted to find that our efforts to book accommodation on the web were successful. There were no organisers on the trip, every body was free to do as they wished. Another pleasing fact was that the CTC Poly bags we put the bikes in, were accepted by Easyjet and B.A. - and to my knowledge, none of the bikes were damaged!
 
Pam

Sicily Finale mjm

I think it was Toni de'Italia that said there was something "fishy" about travelling on the last day (2nd Nov) and indeed we found it at the market in Catania.

The Duomo Catania was quite impressive both inside and out!

Alas time to go home as we made our way to the airport and there ahead was Mt. Etna, the clearest view yet, a far cry from the day we made the ascent but for those who took the Jeep ride they were rewarded by the snow scene near the summit as Pam reported and yes it was me that came unprepared with no waterproof top and thanks to the kind lady who came to my rescue!

Sicily 4 mjm

Typical long climbs quite severe in places.

One of the many refueling stops often taken alfresco due to lack of cafe's open in Oct.

Typical ascent or decent with lots of agricuture

A typical view in this case from a B&B place we stayed at.

Sicily 3 mjm

Enjoying our time with the hosts at one of the many good B&B's booked by Pam & Ian

The Valley of the Temples, the contrast from the day before with torrential rain was incredible

A feature from the interesting museum. Robin could have spent a day there!

Some fascinating statues especially the one on the right.

P.S. Please look more closely at the Police Women that arrested me in the earlier pics. They have real guns and were not just people of beauty!