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!

Models by Bill Squirrell

A model of Honfleur made by Bill Squirrell

Walton Day Centre Open

Amanda, the Day Centre Manager at Walton, has confirmed that they are up and running, open for business and expecting us on Wednesday, 23 December. So put on your snow tyres, snow shoes, snow hat and make it to 11's tomorrow.

I've got to collect a turkey first so don't leave me behind!

Jeff

2010 Dieppe Raid

Date to be 13th June 2010 - announcement click here.


x

Message from Pam

Hi to all Wayfarers, from Sicily!

Greetings from the highest city in Italy, in the clouds at Etna! Very wet and blowing a gale....! We are on a rest day - thank goodness!!!
All's well with every one, Looking forward to seeing you all in November...!

Byeeeee :) :)l

At the AGM

Pictures from Francoise

Wayfarers AGM

Friday Lunch 2 October.

Ken Preece, Brian Starey, Pat & Bill Mathews enjoying lunch at the Queen Adelaide Carvery Stoneleigh/Ewell Bypass. Using our Diamond Card we got a full Buffet meal with all the trimmings (Beef, Turkey or Ham) for £4.95, as much veg as you like plus either a starter or a pudding £1 (price 2.95). Pat chose a really generous size prawn cocktail starter and Bill the soup, whereas the rest had apple pie and custard/ice cream for pudding (Bill wanted the same pudding until he realised he had to pay full price). We were all completely full. Pat's knee continues to be a real problem and she cannot bike or barley walk at the moment, Brian was in good spirits and Ken continues to make excellent progress. He has finished his Radio Therapy and now awaits the fitting of a special bone mounted hearing aid and a prosthetic ear. His inner ear and hence balancing mechanism, remarkably is not affected and he has been for a short bike ride on Nonsuch park. We hope to see you at Cobham soon Ken if you can make it car assisted.

Beginners BBQ Saturday 26 September

Original post moved here:

http://cyclingswlondon.blogspot.com/2009/10/beginners-bbq-saturday-26-september.html

to the DA blog - as the Beginners are not the Wayfarers!

Pics from Bernard

Wednesday, 16 September, 2009

Mystery Riders at Trafalgar Square

What has caught their attention?

As Frank says: "The changing of the Wally" on the fourth plinth

Mystery Ride Wednesday 16th September

The A & B rides combined at North Cheam for the annual mystery ride and as I, Frank, was leading it wasn’t too much of a surprise that we headed for the Metropolis. The only mystery was how 21 left North Cheam and 21 arrived at The Pommelers Rest, Wetherspoons at Tower Bridge. They consisted of Judy, Stephanie, Tony, Toni D, Grant, Graham H, Rob, Godfrey, Jeff, Norman, Mark G, David, Bob, Harold, Mick A, Eddy, Lawrence and Paul. Ron & Doreen met us at lunch.

The route can be seen on Mark’s very good map details below. We left North Cheam at 09-40hrs unfortunately a few minutes before Mike M arrived who missed the ride.

The route was via Worcester Park, Motspur Park, West Barnes, the A3 service road, Richmond Park, past the Priory Hospital, Barnes, where the level crossing was closed (naturally), Castelnau, Hammersmith Bridge past the Thames Studio for a comfort stop, Barons Court, past Olympia then Edwards Sq, South Kensington into Hyde Park for 11’s by the Serpentine. This was a bit pricey for some but not for our Runs Secretary, Jeff, who had a free plate of beans on toast with the compliments of the management.

From here we went across Hyde Park Corner, Constitution Hill, The Mall through Admiralty Arch into Trafalgar Sq to see the changing of the Wally on the fourth plinth at mid day. Then Whitehall, Westminster Bridge along the South Bank past the London Eye to Blackfriars past the replica of Sir Francis Drake’s Golden Hinde, just touching Tooley Street then back onto the Embankment to Tower Bridge.

After lunch it was a very cycle friendly route with no traffic to cross the Thames at Lambeth Bridge, then along Millbank and Chelsea Embankment and Chelsea Harbour to Putney Bridge, Lower Richmond Road and back to the café in the Park by Roehampton Gate. From there all dispersed their separate ways. A mere 33 miles, dry if a little windy and hey it could it could have been yesterday.

Frank C

Wayfarers and friends in Brittany.

The group leaving the St Malo-Dinard ferry

Wed Sept 16th

Having been invited to join Frank and Francoise in the seaside area of St Cast le Guildo, west of St Malo, 20 riders selected for their ability to socialise and ride as a group at a steady pace enjoyed their Wednesday in France.

Today headed for a 50 mile circuit via quiet lanes, a cafe stop and a stretch on a disused railway, led very consciensiously by Frank Humphreys with Francoise bringing up the rear to ensure no lost bodies. We ended up at Dinan old town for sightseeing and lunch with Frank and Francoise standing guard over the bikes while the group wandered around for a couple of hours, soaking up the atmosphere of old buildings and food, before heading back with the odd shower and a niggling strong side to headwind. A last minute coffee stop and back by 6pm. Ready for what has become a mystery evening meal, even though we have a written menu, eg: "filet de merlu grille", "pates tortis" or "kouigh amann". Mostly based on fish as this is a seaside area.

Tuesday afternoon we had our tea stop at the french home of Frank & Francoise which surprised several of the group with the quantity and variety of food and drink provided. Simon and Jen joined us for the day on their way back to St Malo and then home to Ewell.

BBQ with Charles

Barbeque at Charles' place.

From 12 there will be a BBQ, on Sunday the 27th September.

Please do come, perhaps bringing something to slap on the flames, and something to sip? There will be some burgers, sausages and salad stuff, too.

The gazebo will be up, and the object is to have a good time, celebrating life, cycling and whatever.


Charles Barraball

A Mystery Revealed

Here is the route of Frank's Mystery Tour of London - click on the picture to enlarge. An excellent day out, taking in most of the sights. '1' is Cheam and '2' is tea at Richmond Park - 32.87 miles, moving average 9.61 mph, not much altitude gain and rather fewer calories than I consumed at lunch. Hey ho - there's always next week ...

Birthday Rides 2011?

These are the photo's that go with the initial blog. Dont aske me what I did but photo's did not get printed but a hidden. If you can correct like Lisa used to then please do so! Meanwhile I apologies for using all your web space. Mike.

Birthday Rides 2011?

A new idea a new beginning, the breaking of a glimmer of an idea (not yet breaking news!) in fact the resurrection of an idea by Simmon Legg to bring 2012 Olympics to Surrey/London, lets say with the agreement of SWLondonDA but run by a small group of good volunteer organisers! This is early days and no formal offer has been made or agreed to. On the other hand, think about is there any support for the idea at all? Positive suggestions mainly please though negatives can also be constructive!

With the idea in mind and led by Bob Starey, Paul & I did a first reckey of what may well be one of the rides undertaken. Lea Valley to new Olympic Stadium partly via the Wandle, many parks, past the Cutty Sark at Greenwich and under the Thames foot tunnel to Canary Wharf on the way, returning via the Grand union to Camden Lock, thence to St Paul's, Millennium Bridge, the Beehive, South Bank. London Eye and Big Ben and back via Clapham common. What a wonderful route for those not familiar for the big smoke seen via greenways. Bob did an excellent job!

No Cycling but magnificent views enjoyed much better walking

Paul and Bob taking time out!
This message is just a teaser a tester and an even bigger idea! The Birthday Tea, hosted by Boris Johnston at the Beehive, now that would be a sensation and get CTC on the Map!!

Mont Ventoux

Maggie and I have had a very good week in Provence on a CTC holiday led by Chris Ellison. A number of people have spoken well of it, and we can certainly endorse their recommendation. The holiday is based at Buis les Baronnies which is in the middle of some very good cycling country - quiet roads, good climbs and good company.

Climbing Mont Ventoux was undoubtedly the highlight of the week - despite its fearsome reputation it's actually not too bad if you take it steadily, though the wind at the top really was something. One of the few places where the weight of a tandem is an advantage.

Stats for the week (all in statute measure - this was a CTC holiday) were 263.88 miles, 21,277.7 ft of ascent and a highest speed of 44.1 mph - faster than we've ever gone on the Holmwood course ...

Thanks from Bernard

To all those who contributed to my lovely bottle of malt whiskey very many thanks
Thanks a lot
Regards Bernard

Harold Fifield Leaving Town

After much head banging by various people Harold, Veena and Lynda have agreed that Harold's leaving do will be at lunchtime at Harolds House in Kingston on Wednesday 4th November. More details will follow and all are invited from all groups. It is confirmed that the normal 11's will take place on the first Wednesday of the month at Cobham RBL. Jeff in due course will post a rides list (currently tba for that date) and it will appear in the next issue of the Sou'Wester.