Vic by Vic

Wheeeeeee!
Farewell to 2012

These watery photos were taken by Vic and show what he gets up to when not under our weather eye.

A Group - 2 January, 2013

Cobham - Woodmansterne - Tattenham Corner

 Outside the forbidding gates of the mysterious Old Rectory in Mugswell

A rousing clarion call to the New Year from a shrivelled pea roused a reluctant legion of eleven to abandon empty cups for the first MWW ride of 2013. With the inertia of gravity once overcome, the pace quickened as we headed East via Stoke d’Abernon and the Yehudi Menuhin School to Leatherhead. Here our statutory lady (the enigmatic J) discretely left the gentlemen to their own devices. Once past the Leisure Centre, we pulled back the joystick and our angle of inclination held steadily positive.

We passed Headley Court, where construction work seems well advanced, and Headley Forge, to crest Hurst Road and level out at Walton-on-the-Hill. After a short stretch of A217 we took Chipstead Lane to explore the scenic ups and downs of Mugswell, stopping in Rectory Road at the forbidding wrought iron gate of the Old Rectory for a surreptitious photograph. We speculated what shady potentate might darkly shelter behind the portcullised gates. Answers under plain cover please.

A chorus of groans greeted the long downhill from the High Road down Hazelwood Lane to Outwood Lane, to be replaced with cheers as we welcomed Chipstead Way, knowing that our lunchtime venue of the Woodman in Woodmansterne was now just a stone’s throw away at the end of the road. Some thought that it really was the end of the road. A special mention must go to Pete, who stoically faced all these ups and downs with a single speed gear.

After lunch at the Woodman

Revived by a reasonable lunch washed down with a pint, we sped downhill down Rectory Lane into incipient drizzle, before another gentle climb up How Lane to Chipstead. A cautious descent of Castle Road (two single chevrons and now one-way only), led us to Waterhouse Lane. At Kingswood a straw poll, influenced by steady drizzle, revealed a strong consensus in favour of a shortened route to Tattenham Corner. We were warmly welcomed at the Silver Spoon by one of those seemingly ubiquitous, smiling Slavonic young women, with apologies for the absence of carrot cake and fudge cake (for which our Treasurer has such a soft spot), though the toasted tea-cake was delicious and calorific.

With the drizzle eased and dusk approaching, home was downhill for nearly everybody, with 40 – 50 miles to start off the New Year’s mileage total.

Jeff

 Apologies for the tardy appearance of this ride report. The sluggard has been sharply reprimanded.

East Riders - 2 January, 2013

I led C group today. We went on the old A3 road to Blackhills - the iron gates still open; so continued to Claygate. Took a left passing Squires at Long Ditton and went round to Ye Old Swan at Thames Ditton. Had a nice lunch, 3 having hot curry.

It was a bit chilly out today and seemed to get chillier after lunch with the drizzly rain. I decided to stop at Ewell Court shops for afternoon tea. A new cafe but no cakes! Don't think we will be going back there. Roads were noticeably quiet today due to school holidays.

Lynda

Easy Riders - 2nd January, 2013

Not quite the official Easy Riders' route from Cobham to Thames Ditton

B Group - 2nd January, 2013

I was feeling a little unsure of myself when I left Cobham with the B group!  It was the first time I was leading a ride without having previously ridden over the route AND I had forgotten to phone the Jovial Sailor prior to Wednesday!   Fortunately Tom got the pub's number from his phone so I was able to ask/forwarn the pub before we left the British Legion.

There I was on Saturday night, four maps on the floor, plotting a reasonable ride to Ripley.

Lucky me, the ride went well, I had great back up from Frank C around the route and Irene did a grand job as back marker.  Eighteen cyclists left Cobham - past Effingham Station to the junction where we turned right, then  into 'Dog Alley'!   Out on to the Guildford Road, Epsom Road and into Blakes Lane where our cycling skills were challenged!! (Lot's of pot holes and water).   Then a left, right and left into Ripley Road, Gambles Lane and Grove Heath Road which took us almost into the pub! 
 
I had planned a few more miles but it wasn't necessary for once in Ripley Rd I realised that we could go direct to the pub to arrive at 12.45 as planned.   It wasn't far to lunch when Tammy punctured but she had plenty of help and was back on the road before one could wink their eye!!!!!
Fifteen of us sat down to eat and the service was great!   Seems that there were no other bookings for Wednesday so we were served very quickly.  (I believe the staff were pleased to see us!)
 
We took the direct route to Cobham where six of us had tea in Sainsbury's.   I do enjoy these relaxed tea stops in good company and lots of chat!
 
More good wishes for a Happy New Year, and then the ride home - and I did not get wet, well, maybe a little damp - I hope others fared the same!
 
Pam :) :)

[essay to follow...]

Per Birotam ad Tabernam

SWLDA Photographic Competition

 

 

See reminder in Jan/Feb 2013 Sou'Wester. Entries in various categories to Colin Quemby by Thursday 31st January 2013. Photos to be taken by the entrant for the previous 12 months ending 30 Sept 2012.

Bikes for Snowy Roads

Maggie and I are in Zermatt at the moment, enjoying a family Winter holiday. It's a car-free town, which is nice, and quite a few people use bikes to get about, despite the snow and ice.

The pictures show a couple parked at the ski-lift this morning. The Cannondale is pretty typical of what people use - it's an old mountain bike with mudguards and snow tyres. The white bike has an electric motor in the front hub, which makes going up the numerous hills rather easier. There are quite a lot of these around, too. The black plastic tubes at the rear wheel of each bike are to hold your skis - you just stick them in.

The road outside our chalet is pretty steep - steep enough to ski down - but every morning you see plenty of bikes whizzing down to town or to the lifts. Easier than walking, really.

Happy New Year and an enjoyable 2013 season to all.

Mark

Subscriptions

Happy new year everyone! Here's looking forward to longer, and especially drier days in 2012.

And may I remind you that Wayfarers subscriptions are now due. I will bring the official collecting tin to Cobham on Jan 2nd and look forward to seeing you there. The subscription is £3 (£2 for the DA and £1 for Wayfarers), plus another £2 deposit for the Wayfarers' lunch on March 6, organised by Lynda in Prezzo, Cheam village.

So if you can bring £5, or £3 if you can't make the lunch, that would be great.

Simon

A ride 19th Dec

Eight of us including: Brian, Colin, David, Ged, John, Mark and Peter set off from Leatherhead in what seemed to be fairly dry conditions. Once we got on the cycle path to Dorking we were able to progress at quite a brisk pace. We made a slight detour leaving the cycle path just beyond the Denbies turn off to cross the railway passing through what appeared to be Denbies Vines. In a matter of a few yards we were on Calvert Road  and thereon to Ashcombe and Station roads to continue on the A25.

We met our first major climb on Coast Hill and before long were off the A25 to climb up to Abinger Common above Friday Street at which point passed by a Lutyen's designed house with it's ornamental chimneys. We tuned right (part of the 50k hilly course) to Holmbury St Mary and arrived for lunch at the Kings Head about 12:20 having escaped serious rain.

There were only two people in the bar when we arrived and that appeared the total number apart from us when we left, so we had immediate service from two charming ladies, with good liquid refreshments, but unfortunately a long wait for the food. In the event this was fortunate because we missed most of the heavy rain judging by the state of the roads when we left about 2:20.

After dropping down to the A25 at Abinger we decided en bloc to return homeward via White Down rather than Coombe Bottom, a shorter route to the Vineries at Bookham. Brian and Colin decided at this stage to  miss out the tea stop  which is something I very often do. I hope every one arrived home safely and thank you to all members for turning out on what could have been a better day weatherwise and thanks to Mark and David for acting as back markers.

Happy Xmas.

Ray

B Group 19th December

With Christmas lunch awaiting us at Wetherspoon's Kingston a reasonably direct route was required, so with Frank leading the second group (thanks) I led through Ashtead to the outskirts of Epsom. Horton Lane led to Chessington Road and briefly Hook, turning into Clayton Road meant peace and quiet to Long Ditton via the tunnel under the A3. Heading into Surbiton I turned into Seething Wells Road (because I like the name) then we soon arrived in Kingston, where Irene had organised the lunch (thanks).

Happy Christmas everyone - see you at Cobham.

Terry

PS Did you notice the 'Nipper Alley' nameplate on JDW's wall ? Nipper was the dog shown in HMV advertising, and was buried locally - see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/nipper

Easy Riders - 19 Dec

I led 10 riders for our Christmas meal today at The Grumpy Mole in Cheam (alias The Bell). From Leatherhead Day Centre, we went back over the bridge and through the back roads of Epsom into Ewell Village and through Nonsuch Park. From the exit, we took a right up to Nonsuch High School and the pub is opposite. We locked our bikes in the back garden and were escorted to a very nice table, set in an alcove with white table linen. We all chose various dishes; from bar snacks of bagettes and sandwiches to home made pie and veg and filled jacket potato with home made coleslaw. We all agreed it was very nice food and a bit special! (and I was very impressed with the toilets). It certainly is very different now to the 7 years when I worked there.

Lynda.

Happy Christmas, everyone. See you all in the New Year!

B Riders' Christmas Lunch

B Group - 19th December

Terry led B Group to lunch, from Leatherhead to Kingston, over a fairly no-nonsense route which involved no rain, puddles or mud. (12.5 miles)

Per Birotam ad Tabernam

A Group 19th December

A nicely judged ride from Ray today.  Briskly over to the Kings Arms at Holmbury St Mary, rain while we ate, still raining when we left so a direct route to tea at the Vineries.

19.56 miles from elevenses to tea, rolling average 10mph.

From our next ride the days will be getting longer...

Mark

A Group Xmas Lunch

 

 

 

As has been said already "Thanks to Pam" for an excellent time! Here are a few photos of the merry makers. A great time was had by all! Thanks to all our Rides Leaders in 2012 please carry on with the good work in 2013 in all the sections!

Christmas Lunch Wed December 19th

Irene tells me those going direct to Kingston Wetherspoon's should arrive for a 1pm meal - the rest will leave Leatherhead very soon after 11am.

JDW is in Clarence (one-way) Street, opposite Wilkinson's and a cinema. There are plenty of railings to which bikes can be locked.

Terry

Easyriders Wednesday 12th December

Caught the tale end of Linda leading out from North Cheam just as they approached the footpath to Berrylands.  Wondered why they were walking and soon discovered that three of them had gone down on an icy patch.  We proceeded with caution to Kingston where Sandy decided her knee would be better off at home in a hot bath.  Lingering over coffee we eventually braved the cold to ride across the Fairfield, up Elm Rd into the park, out by the Ham Gate across the front of Ham House, caution again on the tow path to Richmond, then across the bridge and quickly to the warmth of The London Apprentice.  Brian and Ron ate out.  The rest of us thawed out.  We then returned by similar route but took Teddington side of the Thames.  Prettiest sight was the frozen cobwebs as we crossed the bridge at Teddington Lock.  Thanks to all for the company.

Easy Riders - 12th December

 

 

  

The map shows Stephanie's route from Kingston to Isleworth but differs from the official return journey after lunch.

B Group - 12th December

Frank led a team of hardy B Group riders from The Dorking Christian Centre to the Edward Rayne in Raynes Park where we all thawed out.

Per Birotam ad Tabernam
(Thanks to Jeff for his advice about Latin grammar) 

Wayfarers at Table

Many thanks to Pam for organising an excellent lunch - Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all!

New Shoes?

240 titanium studs ....

Mark

Photo - Hickey's Almshouses

Hickey's Almshouses: Sheen Road
http://www.flickr.com/photos/47071837@N02/6820649873/

Christmas Lunch Wed Dec 12

For those going direct to The Cap in Hand tomorrow, lunch is booked for about 1pm.

See you there or at Dorking.

Terry

Contact List

I've now emailed an updated version of the Wayfarers contact list to all those with known emails.    Several people have already provided corrections, which will be included in the next version in 2013, and at least one person received a completely gobbledegook version??!!! Some email addresses were rejected as invalid so if you didn't receive one, or if you got the scrambled version, please contact me on simon.lambourn@gmail.com and I'll send you a copy.

Simon

From the Archive

Going Back a Bit More in Time

Our grateful thanks to Pete Barnard for sharing these memories of  cycling times past.

How many of these children (and Mums and Dads) can you recognise?

 

Marden park 1956

 Family Section Martyrs Green 1958

Picture taken by Ernie Barnard

Has anybody else got some photographs to rekindle memories of their early (or later) days of happy cycling that they would like to share with us all? Have a look in those dusty old albums. Maybe we could put some in the Sou'Wester. On the blog you can see them much better but they fall off the bottom of the page too quickly!

Jeff

News update

Seems like only yesterday

Mark Roy asks how many of you can recognise yourselves in this cutting. Don't know the date.

B Group 5th December

From Cobham a select B group of 7 followed Mark's route, some making a brief stop at East Clandon to admire the unique fence panels above. Look closely ! At the top of Staple Lane we found Simon carrying out roadside repairs - he soon joined us. We decided to miss Crocknorth and carried on to the A246, shortly turning into (now) No Dog Alley, which has recently been nicely resurfaced. Most of the speed humps can be avoided.

Choosing the Lower Road over the A246 gave us a relatively quiet ride to Fetcham, then through Leatherhead Leisure  Centre to the cycle track south, eventually finding the well-hidden William IV at Mickleham.

The A group were already seated, but not eating. The service was a little slow but the food was good -  who's in a rush anyway ?  We left a little after the As to make our separate ways. A nice winter's day run, I recorded 20.69 from Cobham to Mickleham.

Terry

PS At Cobham, Michael told me his partner, Hazel (the small lady who retired earlier this year) is progressing well, and Thelma, the other lady who retired, recently fell and broke a toe !

A Group 5th December

Short days, this time of the year, so a short ride seemed the best thing to ensure that everyone could get home in the light.  The problem is, how do you satisfy the hard men of the 'A' Group with a short ride? Put in a few hills, and ride up 'em fast, was my solution, and this did the trick nicely. The weather gods helped, too, with a good sprinkling of snow before we set off, just to make sure it wasn't too easy.

The snow also complicated things a little as the 'B' Group had, on this account, lost its leader. So we agreed that we would go on generally the same route, and meet at the same pub for lunch.

Off to the West from Cobham; nine of us heading along Plough Lane at a steady pace, taking the usual route though Martyrs Green to Hungry Hill and East Clandon. Some snow on the verges and in the fields as we rode up Staple Lane, and a bit of packed snow on the road surface towards the top. No real difficulty for anyone, and the sun was starting to come out. Just the thing for a December ride.

Re-grouping at the top, we found that Simon had chain problems - a link was coming apart. He kindly said that the rest of us should go ahead while he fixed it.

Down Green Dene, the road surface wet on this side, but no snow to speak of. We were quickly at the bottom of Crocknorth Lane, proceeding at a more measured pace to the top. A brisk roll over Ranmore Common, St Barnabas looking handsome in the winter sun, then down again to West Humble before heading along the Old London Road to Mickelham.

The William IV is a good pub here, and easy enough to find if you know where it is. The landlady had left the garden gate open for us, so that we could park our bikes safely. This gave us a few minutes healthy exercise carrying them up to the garden, as the pub is on a steep slope. All safely gathered in, and on to lunch.

The food is good here, as is the beer, but they were busy so service was rather slow. However, Simon turned up with his bike not fixed but rideable, and several members of the 'B' group arrived a little later. The pub is small, but we all managed to squeeze in. Jeff arrived while we were eating, a fasting day for him so speed of service wasn't an issue.

More fun getting the bikes back down the steps after lunch, then up Little Switzerland in the sunshine and past the former Headley Forge to Epsom. Tea at Wetherspoons by 1530; some deciding to head straight home.

27.38 miles elevenses to tea, rolling average 12.6 mph, 1,904 feet of ascent  and 1,227 calories.

A fine December day.

Mark

Shirts Galore

The makers advise that a special order for David Aylett for a short sleeved summer shirt has inadvertantly been labelled as 2XL. Anyone having a 2XL s/s that is an odd fit please contact Cliff!! Secondly, the delivery for Terry, Ian, John Bassett and Richard Delamere is expected early next week. Finally, as a result of frustrated orders, I have in stock a ladies S/S summer size XL, a ladies L/S winter size large, a ladies L/S summer size large, and a mens L/S summer also sized large. Ring 8337 3152 if interested.

Cliff W

Gatorskin or Gruyère?

Woodrot?

Just bought some new tyres and they both had holes like this. 'Phoned the shop to request replacements. Their stock of 700 x 23C was similarly affected. What do you suppose was the explanation?

Jeff

Thanks

I should like to thank those of you who have so kindly contacted me, or made enquiries through Pam, about my recovery from my recent op. It is very much appreciated. I am now pleased to report that life has just about returned to normal and I am back to driving, so I plan to make it (by car!) to Elevenses at Cobham on Wednesday. I look forward to catching up with everyone again soon.

Cheers,
Gill