Last call for 2022 mileages

If you wish to be considered for a prize in the 2022 mileages competition please send me your scores this evening or asap. This is to give me time to get the engraving done before the prize giving.

If you miss this deadline but would still like your mileages to be recorded in the league table please advise your score to me at any time during the year.

To verify that I have received and entered your score in the league table please click on the 'Mileage' button at the top of the Wayfarers Blog, or go direct to the spreadsheet here.

Thank you

Tim C

 

Hilly 50k - Saturday 22 April or in Your Own Time - Don't Miss It!

This year’s Hilly 50k will be on Saturday 22 April 2023 from Ryka’s, Dorking. Sign on from 9.30am. Finish at the top of Box Hill.

The route, and all the hills you love are unchanged. For full details see our Hilly 50 web page.

If 22^nd April is not suitable, you are welcome to do the ride alone or with friends at any time of your choosing.

If you've not yet experienced this memorable ride, this is definitely the year for it! And check out the video by Charlotte Barnes who rode the 2010 Hilly 50 on fixed wheel.

This year we hope to increase the number of women riders from last year’s total of only one.

If you are not familiar with the route, or nervous of the hills I plan to organise a sensibly paced group ride, including a welcome (for me at least) mid-ride coffee stop at Heartworks. Please let me know if you are interested (d.vine207@btinternet.com).

As in previous years we ask riders to support St Raphael’s Hospice, a cause close to the heart of our late organiser, Mike Morley. Donations of £10 (or more if you prefer) via our JustGiving page to this most deserving cause.

 

 

Invitation to A ride 8th Feb

Wednesday's ride from Elleray Hall, Teddington is to The Pineapple at Dorney and tea at Walton Bridge.  The route takes us out through Bushy Park heading via Shepperton, Virginia Water, Cranbourne, Fifield to Dorney.  All on hard surface.  It is approx 24 miles to lunch so a prompt start time will be necessary.  The return route is shorter - 17 miles and is through Eton, Old Windsor , Egham, Staines to Walton Bridge.    Bring front and rear lights please in case of any delays. 

If you wish to join the ride, please email me by 17.00 on Monday evening with your lunch choice. I have to pre book lunch and advise the pub as early as possible on Monday evening. 

Please go online to www.thepineappledorney.co.uk to see their extensive menu.

Groups, timings, etc will be emailed out on Tuesday, together with the GPS route.

There is a garden at the pub for bikes. 

I look forward to seeing you on Wednesday.

~ Frances 

Report for A Group Feb 1st

For the first time in some weeks the weather was good for the time of year though the westerly breeze made it feel cooler especially riding to Cobham. We had 19 riders in total split into three groups for out ride to the Royal Oak near Pirbright. 

Neil Warland was away first:

Well, with this ride things are looking up - daylight hours are improved, no rain, some sunshine, even some warmth from the sun for a few minutes. 
We set off first, our group of six having a healthy number of Daves, and sensibly avoided Plough lane. I had ridden Plough lane a week ago and I think the marine section precipitated the disintegration of the bottom bracket last Saturday. The first 10 miles out were similar to Ged's recent route. From Sutton Green the route cleverly linked great rural sections. In Stoughton (the edge of Guildford urban sprawl) we stopped at the building with castle crenellations. The plaque gives its history back to 1661, the West Surrey Regiment distinguished themselves in action at Tangiers, and later this building was built as its barracks and training base. The motif on the top of the plaque is a surprise - the 'Paschal Lamb'. There are a few possible explanations why, but what is certain is it has been the regiment's motif since the 1680s.    

I had prepped the group to look out for snowdrops, which Geoff had seen on the recce, even so when I shouted out 'STOPPING' in Wood Street village - with the suddenness of it - a few thought it was a serious mech failure. It was a wonderful carpet of white flowers and a welcome sign of early spring. 

 

 At the start of Cobbett Hill the ponds and ditches are shamefully spoiled with rubbish, I led the climb away fast, we noted the Cobbett Hill Earth Station site on the right, which is sometimes called an earth satellite teleport. Then right for a fast section to lunch at the Kings Head. All ok there. 

A few minutes into our return we felt the warmth of the sun, but only a few minutes. The return went nicely and we finished with another fast section along the Thames to the Walton Bridge cafe. It would have been faster but an annoying car driver over took then brake checked at each speed ramp. 
The benefit of the extra daylight was we all stopped for tea/coffee/cakes, the best way to finish. 
Thanks Dave B for backmarking, Dave V. (congrats), Hans, Janice, Ged for company.   

Geoff G was away next:

Second group away from Cobham and just about on time to have the pedals turning, no Plough Lane as we were all aware of, usual route out to Ockham and then to the muddy Guileshill Lane (never my route of choice at the best of times) so before committing to it I gave the option of Ockham Road North, as some did not like that option it was to the lane we headed, turned out not so bad after all.

The rest of the journey out went well, a hiccup at one roundabout near Jacobs Well, some said they didn't notice which was good. The headwind was starting to get very boring and by the time we reached the pub I think we were pleased to stop. The first group were well settled when we arrived.

The food and drink orders quickly taken and a table for six found in a select corner and not to long before all the food arrived, good service by the staff. Fed and watered and ten minutes after the first group left we were on our way, I did notice that Brian's group were mounting up just as we left, thought we might have a jockeying for second place as the afternoon went on.

A nice steady ride back with the only traffic to contend with at Chobham as Brian and I had on the recce.We were soon onto Stonehill Road and and nearly back to Addlestone and the final leg to Walton.

Very surprised to have Brian's group on our tail at Walton saying they were not going to overtake us at the last minute to tea, Brian you should have given them time to digest there meal and not be so competitive.

A good day out from the start cakes and tea provided by Dave Ferret at Cobham, to Brian for a great route and to my group for good company, thanks to Dave Ellis for his first back making day. 

Finally my group of Sue C, Gill, Pete B, Dave F, Richard and Simon set off. The wind was in complete contrast to the recce when Geoff and I had a slight tailwind and flew to Pirbright. Nevertheless the zig-zag nature of the route meant it wan't continuous helped also by hedges and woodland. I thought we made good time under the circumstances and were happy to have the tailwind after lunch.

Lunch was very efficiently served leading to us being ready to leave soon after Geoff. We spotted them in the distance and at Addlestone where they were stopped at the roadworks where the lights then held us to open a gap. So we closely followed them into Walton after an uneventful and very pleasant ride.

My thanks to Simon for back marking, Dave F for birthday cakes Geoff and Neil for sub leading and Neil for the photos for which I am very grateful as I completely forgot to take any.

Invitation to B Group ride on 8th Feb.

Wednesday's ride from the Elleray Hall, Teddington is to Battersea Power Station, Lunch is at The Nine Elms Tavern with Tea at L’assaggino, Park Road, Kingston.  All on hard surface, with a mixture of Parks and urban roads.

If you wish to join the ride, please email me by 18.00 on Monday evening.

Groups, timings, etc will be emailed out on Tuesday, together with the GPS route.

There are railings etc to secure our bikes close to the pub, but it being London a strong lock is advisable. 

I look forward to seeing you on Wednesday.

Thanks

Jennie J

Progress re the source of or reason for the naming of Engine River, which joins the Thames near Walton Bridge.

Below is an extract from a very helpful and detailed reply from Jane Lewis ("JL") on behalf of the Public Services and Engagement Manager at the Surrey History centre, Woking.

Is there an Elmbridge, Hampton or Kingston area member who visits Working, who could stop by the Surrey archive and look at the items below and several others as identified by JL, who estimates this will take an hour?  Volunteers should e-mail me their details on chris.mhyde@zen.co.uk so I can pass over JL's complete response.

Obviously I'll publish if I get to an answer/explanation via other ongoing research.  

 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This sounds like a fascinating piece of research and we have quite a few resources which might help you investigate this further. 

Dial Stone, which was for many years the journal of the Walton and Weybridge Historical Society, published an article on Engine River by H W Landsdell in March 1971 (SHC Ref J/178/38 Dial Stone No 37).  There is another article in the following publication (Dial Stone 38 - although this one is anonymous); in Dial Stone 35 (also anonymous) and in January 2015 another reference to the river along with Oatlands underground passages and relics of the old 'Duke's Head' Walton (Dial Stone 227). 

2022 Photo Competition - Last Orders please

If you haven't yet submitted your best photos from last year for the photo competition please send them in via my Dropbox asap, as described in the instructions posted in early January.

If you are really bamboozled by the Dropbox method please email them to me. But please don't send by WhatsApp unless you're really desperate.

Remember that this is your big chance to have your best photos exhibited at the Annual Prizegiving with the possibility of a shiny trophy in recognition of your talent.

Many thanks

Tim

Brian Starey's funeral

 Brian Starey's funeral will be at 2pm on Wednesday 8 March at Randalls Park Cemetery, Leatherhead. 

Report for B Group - 1st Feb.

With my being unavailable to ride for the whole day I was grateful that three bright-eyed and bushy-tailed young men stepped forward to lead. With the incentive of Dave Ferrett providing substantial Elevenses refreshments we had 30 riders sign up for the ride. With around ten in each team it seemed appropriate to admit Francis, Alan and Stephen to the fraternity of the Musketeers as Athos, Aramis and Porthos. On reaching base-camp at the foot of Green Dene, D'Artagnan chickened out and fled across the lowland pastures of Surrey, pursued by a lusty tail wind, for another cup of coffee in Cobham before retreating to sanctuary in New Malden.

~ Tim

 

Francis D'Silva writes for Team Athos:

After coffee and wonderful cakes (Dave Ferrett's birthday treat), Team Athos (Francis leading Terry, Ken, Paul D, Tim G, Diane, Jane, Mick, Arwyn and Mark) left the RBL on time. Cloudy skies gave way to sunshine and blue skies, probably why over 30 riders signed up today, a chance to get out and about after weeks of wet and freezing weather!

The team dealt admirably with the slow grind up Green Dene and were soon rewarded with an exhilarating ride down Staple Lane.

Team 'Athos'

Lunch of sandwiches and superb Thai dishes more than satisfied our hunger pangs and soon we were off for the short distance to tea at Garsons Farm with a few exiting for home along the way. A most enjoyable ride, lovely company and good weather. Many thanks to Tim C for the route and Tim G for his usual excellent back-marking.

~ Francis

________________________________

Alan writes for Team Aramis:

On a bright, but cold morning, the “Aramis” band of 11 riders completed a beautiful route between Cobham and Hersham with a stop at West Horsley for lunch.

On a varied route via Bookham Common, Effingham, West Horsley and Ockham, the route offered the chance to enjoy a mix of relaxed riding on quiet country lanes, through peaceful wooded areas and past picturesque village greens – with the opportunity to take on more hilly terrain between Effingham and West Horsley.

Lunch was at The Barley Mow, a country pub offering log fires and authentic Thai Food.
The afternoon ride looped back through Cobham before climbing up to the Fairmile and onto Garsons Farm for Tea.

We started the ride in good spirits after enjoying morning tea and birthday cake courtesy of Dave Ferrett; and rode a steady pace through Downside and onto Bookham Common. A strong headwind slowed us slightly through Effingham, but we began the climb towards Green Dene in bright sunshine and under clear blue skies. Ideal conditions for our climb up to Staple Lane and the potential views across Surrey.

Team ‘Aramis’ on Staple Lane, enjoying the view

Evoking the Musketeer spirit - all for one and one for all - we rode to the top of Green Dene as a group, then turned onto Staple Lane to take a well-earned break, enjoy the clear the blue skies and extensive views across Surrey. We had a quick “photoshoot” to capture the moment, followed by a fast decent down Staple Lane before turning left off from the main road for a relaxed ride through West Horsley to the Barley Mow Pub for lunch.

We set a brisk pace for our afternoon ride - as the temperature dropped and the effects of a warm and relaxing lunch took hold - through Ockham and back to Cobham. We then completed the short climb up towards Fairmile before heading to West End and onto Garsons Farm for Tea.

Steph and Mags made for home. The remainder of the group had tea at Garsons Farm before riding together as a group back home via Esher and Chessington.

Thanks to Dave, Mags, Chris, Julie, Maggie, Steph, Anne, Bob, and Tony for a great ride (and to Paul for back marking and Tim for planning the route). A welcome chance to build up New Year fitness and test the legs on some Surrey Hills plus a timely reminder of the good rides to come once the weather warms and the days lengthen.

Our band of 11 riders briefly became 10 after Tim broke away at Green Dene to attend an appointment. We were joined by Tony at West Horsley in time for lunch.

~ Alan

________________________________

Stephen writes for Team Porthos:

Fortified by some excellent cakes, courtesy of Dave Ferrett, the team set forth from Cobham in dry and sunny conditions.  Sadly, their leader - Porthos (Monsieur du Vallon), alias ‘Stephen’ - failed to appear in the 18th century French fashion for which he is known to literature, and stuck to 21st century lycra.

The route itself was lovely, the sun shone and the roads were (almost) entirely dry, so only the cold winds reminded us that it was still 1st of February.  The highlight of the ride - in both senses - was the climb up Greene Dene, which despite some initial trepidation proved no obstacle, and the wonderful views on the descent.

Pam

 

Colin

Gill

Liz

(Thanks to Bernard Prado for the above four photos)

The lunch break at the Barley Mow was welcome and a chance to catch up generally and to get to know better some of the newer members.

Team Porthos feasting at The Barley Mow

The pub proved surprisingly resilient in feeding almost 30 cyclists, and we were on our way in good time.  Some peeled off for home but a hard core made it to Garsons for Tea.

Thanks Tim for designing the excellent course -  and to all in the group for their enjoyable company.

~ Stephen

Wikipedia writes:

The Three Musketeers

Athos – Comte de la Fère: he has never recovered from his marriage to Milady and seeks solace in wine. He becomes a father figure to d'Artagnan.

Aramis – René d'Herblay, a handsome young man who hesitates between his religious calling and his fondness for women and scheming.

Porthos – Monsieur du Vallon: a dandy, fond of fashionable clothes and keen to make a fortune for himself. The least cerebral of the quartet, he compensates with his homeric strength of body and character.

and

D'Artagnan – Charles de Batz de Castelmore D'Artagnan: a young, foolhardy, brave and clever man seeking to become a musketeer in France.

News from the Dieppe Cycling Club: Michel Lefebvre has died

Michel (pictured left), who will be known to most Dieppe Raid participants as the President of the Club des Cyclotouristes Dieppois, leading the presentation after the Sunday rides, died last week according to a post on the Dieppe Raid Facebook page, which has more information.    Our sympathies go to his club mates and his family.

Invitation to A group ride from Cobham Feb 1st.

Unusually I'm giving the Surrey Hills a miss this week and we're off to the Royal Oak at (or more accurately near) Pirbright. The route is rather indirect in order to add enough miles while avoiding the A3 path. So outward via Ripley, Old Woking, Jacobs Well and Wood St village - shortly after which the observant may see some snowdrops. Return via Fox Corner, Knaphill and Chobham to Walton for tea.  

19 miles to lunch with a further 16 to tea. All on road.

Email me by 6pm Monday please. No need to pre-order. Note the the sandwiches are the four "lunch club" items on the menu.

Invitation to a B Group ride on 1st February

Wednesday's morning ride from Cobham will be short at 14 miles but will take us up a big hill, Green Dene so that we can plummet down Staple Lane on our way to lunch at The Barley Mow in West Horsley. The only off-road will be on the trails through Bookham Common. We anticipate stopping for Tea at Garsons Farm.

For anyone who doesn't want to ride up Green Dene the route lends itself to alteration to avoid the climbing.

This is our route:

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/41676726

We've been to The Barley Mow a couple of times before. Its big attraction is a good menu of Thai food at most reasonable prices. They don't require us to pre-order but you may wish to peruse the menu and decide what you'd like, taking the 'hotness' advice into account.

(click on each menu to enlarge)

Three groups will ride, leaving at 10:40 (Francis), 10:50 (Alan C), 11:00 (Stephen)

After planning the route I was advised of a hospital appointment on Wednesday but this has been converted into a phone appointment so I will probably come as far as the pub then catch a train home.

Please send me an email or a private WhatsApp message to confirm that you'd like to come and mention any preferences you may have for start time.

Tim

Report for Easy Riders - 25th January

Outsiders might have thought only those with a masochistic streak would opt for a day’s cycling on such a cold and miserable day, but, perhaps encouraged by what ultimately turned out to be an over-optimistic weather forecast, ten Easy Riders took to the road.

Those who made it to elevenses might have lost feeling in their extremities but, even after a restorative hot drink, proved that their senses were operating normally by ruling out any thought of extending the ride beyond Walton in favour of a bolt for lunch at The Angel at Thames Ditton (taking the most direct route via Molesey).

The pub lived up to its reputation by providing good value food and efficient service. Unfortunately, the cosiest spot nearest the bar was already occupied by the time of our arrival. While in no hurry to leave, we were back in the saddle again early enough to stay ahead of the advancing rain belt.

Hopefully, the start of a new month next week will bring more inviting conditions with it.

~ Frank C

One misty, moisty morning when cloudy was the weather......

....there I met some old  (don't blame me it's in the poem) men and women all clad in, no not leather but lycra. Yes, it was B group leaving Walton Day Centre. 

It feels like the weather gods have been all over the place this week: minus 4 degrees early on Monday morning, glorious sunshine and almost 10 degrees warmer on Tuesday and then the ice- cold drizzle served up on Wednesday. Finding many icy patches on the roads south of Cobham on Monday, I decided that we would have to disappoint the lovely hosts at The Drift golf club and opt for an urban route closer to home. A few understandably ( and probably very sensibly!) dropped out but we set off in two groups of 10 or so riders after a warming coffee at Walton. Not a bad number at all on such a miserable day.

Our route took us to Hampton Court and along the towpath where we could double up and chat for a few kilometres before hitting Kingston and then into Richmond Park. A quick loop up to Richmond Gate, a nod to the ballet school and off towards Teddington Lock.  A slight navigational error (probably due to my brain being totally focussed on the approaching warm sanctuary of The Pheasantry) caused my group to suffer the traffic in Teddington  town centre but we were soon in Bushy Park. By this stage I can truly say  that I have never been so cold on a ride. I gather that the cafe is closing for refurbishment at the end of this month so it my sincere hope that they install some efficient heating to thaw out frozen cyclists! Well done to those who took in a tea stop at Horton Café.

Thanks to Gill H  - whose report is below –for sub-leading  and all those who braved the elements yesterday!

With all the freezing weather we’ve had recently it was nice to at last be able to get out on a Weds ride together. Our group of 10 set off at 11 with 15ish flatish miles ahead of us til lunch, with a bit of rerouting around Richmond Park to avoid a potentially icy hill.  Gill F unfortunately had a mechanical issue in RP, but made it to lunch. Hope you get it properly sorted soon Gill.

Despite the actual lack of ice it was still bitterly cold in the dampness and the difficulty was generating enough heat to keep the cold out! Sight of the Pheasantry for lunch was never more welcome.

Thanks to Dave and Tim for backmarking and Sue for sorting out a good route in the uncertain weather conditions.

 

 

Through the gloom…

 Fourteen hardy souls braved the gloom & damp to join the ride to Rayners Lane. A cold outing warmed up a little by climbing over Horsenden Hill and up to Harrow on the Hill. A successful visit to The Village Inn at Rayners Lane for Haggis and more and a swift return to Richmond via Osterley Park meant that most riders avoided the late afternoon rain. 

My thanks to Dave B and Dave W for their help on the recce and on the day.

First Aid Training

Would you be able to help if someone needed basic emergency treatment while out on one of our rides?  

At the last Committee Meeting we discussed this and so we are intending to arrange a first aid training course run by St John’s Ambulance who are aware that we are a cycling club, so we can all be more confident if one of those very rare emergencies does ever happen.  

Let us know if this would be of interest to you. The course would be held locally and the likely cost will be around £30.00 per person and it will be 3½ hours in duration.

Please reply by email to Jennie Jackson if this is of interest to you and you would like to attend the course.

Yours

Jennie

Cycling in Andalucia

Please see this message from Sandy, something to dream about? 

"My son and his wife are living in Spain and have started a business doing cycling tours in Andalucía.  The first one is a 5 night tour of Andalucía, Sea and Mountains.

https://baylissmultisport.com/training-camps/tour-of-andalucia-october-10th-15th-2023/

Regards

Sandy Bayliss

NEW ROUTE FOR B GROUP RIDE ON WEDNESDAY 25TH JAN

 After finding quite a lot of ice on the roads south of Cobham on a  car recce  this morning and the impending weather forecast for Wednesday, I have sadly decided to change the route for this week's ride. The golf club fortunately hadn't ordered any food and have said that they would be delighted to accommodate us another time. 

Our revised ride will be 15 miles from Walton, along the river to Kingston, into Richmond Park looping back over the Thames to Teddington and into Bushy park for lunch at The Pheasantry. This is the route. 

Sorry to have to make this change at the last minute and hope to see you on Wednesday at Walton Day Centre. Please  email me if you would like to  come on the ride and I will sort out groups and timings tomorrow.

Best wishes

Sue

A Group contact for Walton ride

 hansformella@gmail.com

Don’t forget, Walton or Bushy Park.

A Group ride to Harrow- Rayners Lane from Walton

 Hi, our ride next Wednesday is a mostly urban outing to lunch at The Village Inn (Wetherspoons, with Haggis on the menu). Because we will becoming back on ourselves (most of us) and the heavy traffic from Shepperton due to roadworks on the original route, I’m giving you the option of meeting the ride at the Pheasantry cafe in Bushy Park. 

Please let me know by Monday, 6pm if you want to join the ride and if you will be riding from Walton or Bushy Park.