B Group - 22nd May (maps)

For strategic reasons, and at a risk of being slightly annoying, the maps of today's route are being presented as a jigsaw puzzle:

A-Z Greater London. Copyright © 2005 Geographer's A-Z Map Company Limited
Created using Memory-Map digital mapping software,   www.memory-map.co.uk

A Group 22nd May

A brisk Spring canter from Frank today.  We went so far North that it became cold.  45.58 miles from elevenses at Elleray Hall to tea at Richmond Bridge, with lunch taken at Duran's Cafe, Maple Cross.

Rolling average a sporting 13.4mph, 1,264 feet of ascent and 2,042 calories. (Many expressed interest in this last.  You get a lot of food for your money at Duran's.)

A good fast road day.

Mark

Dieppe Raid on Facebook

If you're going to the Dieppe Raid this year, you might be interested to know there's a Facebook group for it run by Caroline Street, the organiser, with news updates etc, here.

Two at the Toe - A Tandem in Sicily

Last May, Maggie and I did a tour in Tuscany.  We had a good time, and ate and drank well, but the weather wasn't what we had hoped.  We like Italy though, and thought that we'd try something a bit further South for our Spring Tour this year.  Sicily is about as far South as you can get in Italy, more or less on the latitude of North Africa.  It was a good choice.  Those of you who have been watching the Giro will know that the weather on mainland Italy has been largely terrible, but in Sicily it was fine every day but one.  On that day the Scirocco blew, and it was hazy but warm.  There are worse things than a warm tailwind, as any cyclist will tell you.

The trip was organised by Skedaddle, based on Catania Airport, taking a loop around the Eastern part of Sicily.  Renato and Dario from Skedaddle Italia were excellent, and their support when we had a mechanical disaster was impeccable.  Coming fast down a long hill I missed the change for the next steep uphill and, putting the power on hard, completely destroyed the rear derailleur.  Bit of an issue.  The van was there in two minutes, the tandem was on the roof-rack two minutes later and we were on our way to the spotless high-tech bike shop in the ancient city of Modica two minutes after that.  Dario called ahead and the mechanic had stopped the job he was on and was waiting for the tandem when we arrived.  Half an hour's spanner work and some new parts and we were back on the road, the van having left us to go ahead and prepare the meal for the rest of the party.  We didn't even miss lunch.

We stayed in some good places; a converted railway station, a 'Feudo', which is a sort of chateau devoted to wine growing, an orange farm and some quirky but comfortable hotels.  Standards were high. Good food, good lunches served from the van en route, and some interesting riding - the ascent of Mount Etna being the highlight.  A bit like Ventoux, but an active volcano.  Hmm.  Lots of lava.

A great trip and some great cycling.  The guide book we bought at the airport advised against cycling in Sicily.  Terrible roads, and terrible drivers, it said.  It did admit that there was good cycling to be had, but that you needed local knowledge to find it.  We had that, and we had a terrific time.  Riding a bike in Italy during the Giro is a great experience, and if you wear a pink jersey, well ...

266.2 miles, 21,816 feet of ascent and a rolling average of 12.1mph.  We never locked our bikes all week and no-one had a puncture.

Mark

Easy Riders - 15th May

Lynda's ride from Chessington (Kings Centre) to Leatherhead for lunch and back to Ewell Bakery for Tea

A Group - 15 May

New Haw - Hurley - Upper Haliford

Spellin ain't wot it used to be

Risin' to the challenge after lunch

A Group 15th May 2013

An undulating ride with no significant hills from 11's at New Haw to lunch at Hurley and tea at Squires GC Upper Haliford. 51.4 miles from 11's to tea at a moving average of 14.1 MPH.

---

12 left New Haw day centre for lunch at the Rising Sun Hurley. A brisk pace into a headwind as we had a good ride ahead of use before and after lunch. Through Ottershaw and across Chobham Common and through Suningdale (where one of our number headed for home) to Ascot and past the race course. Through Winkfield, (with a brief stop to don rain gear) Hawthorne Hill, Littlefield Green to White Waltham.

Into Butchers Lane and Bottle Lane and a left turn onto NCN4 and a lovely stretch across hedge-less fields of Yellow Rapeseed and across the A4 to Burchetts Green and onto Honey Lane and a nice descent down to Hurley and Lunch. New Landlords at the Rising Sun and the service and food were top notch, Tony D said Buon appetito then Ne Voglio Ancora which he never had.

After lunch we took the Henley road, A4430, towards Pinkneys Green with a nasty little after lunch climb, short but after a relaxing lunch it got the blood pumping. Skirting Maidenhead to the South and onto the A308 Windsor road into Windsor. Down through Datchet and Old Windsor and Runnymede, Staines, Laleham and Shepperton (where Jeff took his leave) to tea at Squires garden centre Upper Haliford. Pots of tea and big lumps of cake later the remaining group went their separate ways home.

B Group - 15th May (+ Map)

The hardest part about yesterday's ride was battling the headwinds to get to New Haw!  Well, apart from a few hills, that is!  Luckily, by going northwards on the ride we avoided the worst of the wind and even had some tailwinds in the afternoon.  The weather was with us, too.  Apart from a few spots of rain now and then, and some heavier drops as we arrived at the pub for lunch, the cloudy skies of the morning gradually brightened to sunshine after lunch.

Our destination was the Rose and Crown at Woodside.  A group of about 16+ set off but we lost a few on the way and ended up with 14 at lunchtime.  The Row Town hill was the first challenge and right at the start of the ride!  Sorry folks!  Thereafter it was undulating as we made our way to Virginia Water via Ottershaw, Accommodation Road, Trumps Green Road - where John Scott punctured and some overshot the turn into Wellington Avenue but were brought back into the fold by temporary backmarker, Carolyn - and so to Virginia Water.  We left the park at Blacknest Gate, on to Mill Lane and northwards on the Sunninghill Road, skirting Windsor Great Park.  With several hills on this stretch, it was a relief to cut across to Woodside and to the pub.  The puncture party of John, Robin and Pam amazingly arrived just behind us!

The Rose and Crown gave us a very warm welcome.  It is run by the Fielder family, with husband and wife responsible for the food.  The menu comprises sandwiches and light bites, as well as meals, and everyone seemed happy with what they had ordered.  As we departed, our hosts kindly took the obligatory group photograph and we were asked to come again next week!

Our return route was via Windsor Great Park to Bishopsgate, down Tite Hill to Egham, past Great Fosters to Thorpe Green, through parks in Chertsey and back to my place in Sunbury for Afternoon Tea - with the second puncture party of Tim and Pam, following on.  It may not have been a brilliantly sunny day but with everywhere looking so fresh and green, it was a pleasure to be out.  Thanks to Pam for being backmarker and to Carolyn for being assistant backmarker.

- Gill




























From the New Haw DC to The Rose and Crown in Woodside for lunch was13.7 miles, and the afternoon leg back to Sunbury for a very enjoyable Afternoon Tea with Gill was 16 miles.

B Ride Wednesday15 May 2013

Virginia Water, Cold and Windy

 

The pub

 

The party

 



SWLDA Committee Meeting Monday May 13

 

 

 

This should really go on the SWLDA blog but as no one reads it (much) I put it on the most popular blog spot! Purpose to let all budding committee members know what they are missing - home made cake & the pleasures of Morley's Log Cabin! Our meeting on Monday 13 May was short of some members due to other commitments! You will recall from AGM that Pete Barnard has declared that he wishes to step down at the next AGM. He has done sterling service over a number of years and it is only fair that we find a replacement! So come on gang lets have a volunteer! In my opinion it is good to rotate these jobs every 3 years and bring some new ideas and vitality to our member group! We also need to find a new Social Secretary currently vacant! Don't be shy give it a try your member group needs you!

New Haw from N Cheam?

Is anyone planning to lead from N Cheam to New Haw tomorrow? I seem to remember there was an issue last year with the lack of route knowledge on the day. If you want to come and need a few tips please email me before 6 this evening.  briangreenwood@yahoo.co.uk

A group ride on Wednesday the 15th May

The A group ride on the 15^th May from New Haw day centre will be a little bit longer than of late. 27 miles to lunch at Hurley (on Thames) and 23 miles to tea at Squires GC Upper Haliford.

Capel Sunday Teas 2013

For those with a sweet tooth, the ladies of Capel will be tempting the dissolute to destruction with their irresistible display of cakes for every taste, on the Sunday dates set out in their programme for 2013. You can print off the programme from Google Drive should you wish. Fortunately I am impervious to such temptation.

Jeff

The Squirrells in Bushey Park on Chestnut Sunday

Racing doesn't get tougher than this !

Easy Riders - 8th May

Lynda's route from Hersham to The Swan for lunch and then to Ewell Court Library for Tea

A Ride, 8 May 2013

  Dorking - Horley - Box Hill

A baker's dozen of A's, led by Pete B, left Dorking under uncertain skies. Early morning light rain had passed but the clouds were skitting by driven by a brisk South Westerly. Over Flint Hill and Holms Lane to take the appallingly surfaced Henfold Lane to Newdigate. Then the slightly better surfaced unmade road through Cudworth and down Partridge Lane to Oritons and a set of nicely resurfaced lanes leading back to Charlwood. Time was still in hand, so up to Norwood Hill and through Hookwood to reach the Jack Fairman in Horley. Suitably refreshed, it was up Lonesome Lane with a following wind and across to Brockham to pick up the Coach Road through the golf course to Pixham Lane and along to Burford Bridge. Set free, those remaining stretched their legs with a climb of the Zig Zag before a welcome cup of tea under warm sunshine at the summit followed by a brisk ride home with the still helpful wind at our backs.=

Pete

B Group 8 May

With the roads having dried out after overnight rain, I led ten along Pixham Lane and over the golf course to Brockham. Here we turned into the wind which was against us all morning through Parkgate, Newdigate and Rusper to lunch at The Holmbush Inn at Faygate.

Having enjoyed a quickly served lunch we went back up the hill we had just descended in the morning, but now with the wind behind us. Shortly we turned into Wimlands Lane, leading to Green Lane, one of the Friday Streets and Rusper Road to Capel. With the need to work up appetites and to have one hill in the afternoon I chose to take the longer route to Dorking, so we crossed the A24, shortly joined the A29 heading north briefly before turning into Broomehall Road. During the climb to Coldharbour we had plenty of time to note the bluebells outnumbering the dandelions. A cautious descent of Logmore Lane (one eye on the road, one on the views) brought us to Westcott. Crossing the A25 into Westcott Street led to Springfield Road and the recently opened (but not yet finally surfaced) cycle and pedestrian track which joined the existing track past Milton Court farm. The (recently converted) pavement alongside the A25 from Milton Court Lane to Vincent Lane junction proved very useful for a short traffic free run into Dorking and 3s at The Courtyard Café.

Thanks to tec Tim.

Terry   

B Ride Wednesday 8 May 2013

Terry, our leader, was fortunate enough to meet a former girl-friend

 

Our lunch pub

"... we happy few ..."

 

 Wonderful bluebells

 

B Group - 8th May (Map)

Terry's clockwise route from Dorking to Faygate for lunch (14.3 miles) and back to Dorking for Tea (16.6 miles)

The route on OS Landranger 1:50,000

Today's route displayed on a Google Hybrid map with GPS Visualizer

Sou'Wester Shirts

CLUB SHIRTS  Last order this year

If you want a club shirt NOW is the time to contact CLIFF on 0208 337 3152, He aims to place an order in about 7 to 10 days time. Payment is required with order by CHEQUE.Delivery should be in time for the Dieppe Raid but we cannot lose any time with our order DON'T DELAY ORDER TODAY.

Cliff

Isle of Wight Randonnée

May Bank Holiday, so off to the Isle of Wight to ride the Randonnée.  This year was the best for a while, with blue skies and warm sunshine all the way, and almost no wind.  We had a grand ride - our fastest ever.  (Not by much, but you take what you can get, at our age.)

There have been some changes to the event, reflecting the growing popularity of cycling.  The ride has previously alternated direction around the Island, which gives quite a different experience.  From this year the direction is fixed as clockwise in order to avoid bike jams on the Chain Ferry, where you see Maggie above.  Entry has also changed.  Previously you could just turn up and sign on on the line.  Growing numbers have meant that it is now online entry only, with numbers capped at 2000.  It was fully subscribed weeks before the start, so if you fancy a ride next year be sure to get in early.

67.9 miles, 4,389 feet of ascent and a rolling average of 11.9mph, all on the magnificent Flying Gate - Prince of Tandems.

Our thanks to the IoW Wayfarers for another great event, and for the Mums and PTAs at the schools around the Island for the cakes.

Mark

B Ride 1 May 2013

We cycled quite a long way by the Basingstoke canal

 

 

Where are we?

Lunch at the ...

Here we are!

B Ride 24 April 2013

A pleasant lunch at the Waterman's Arms at Eton in the sunshine

 

 

Windsor castle from Eton Bridge

BARN DANCE 19/07/13

FRIENDS AND FAMILY ARE INVITED TO AN EARLY WAKE/BARN DANCE AT 7.30pm ON 19/07/2013, (SO I CAN ATTEND), TO MARK 3 SCORE YEARS AND 10 AT:

CHRISTCHURCH HALL (NEXT TO CHURCH)
Christchurch Road, Epsom, Surrey KT19 8NE

IT WILL BE AN AMERICAN SUPPER SO FOLK ARE INVITED PLEASE TO BRING A SMALL PORTION OF FOOD FOR THE BUFFET TABLE, AND THEIR OWN DRINK, ALTHOUGH TEA AND COFFEE WILL BE PROVIDED IN THE INTERVAL.

PRE RECORDED MUSIC AND A CALLER WILL BE IN ATTENDANCE TO GUIDE US THROUGH THE DANCES.
AT 10.30pm THOSE THAT WISH CAN RETIRE TO THE PUB ACROSS THE COMMON.

ALL PRESENTS GIFTS OR CARDS ARE STRICTLY FORBIDDEN (THEY CANNOT BE TAKEN TO NEXT LIFE, IF ANY)

JUST BRING YOURSELVES AND HAVE A SUPER FUN TIME.

Ian A.

Easy Riders, 1st May

A lovely, sunny day, although a cool breeze out of the sun.  I led Liz, Carolyn, Maureen, Sandy, Jane, Cliff, Norman, Ray (until he had bike trouble), Ron and Brian, who stayed to help.  We left Cobham, through Arbrook Common and took the back roads to Claygate.  Down to Long Ditton and into Hampton Court.  Through Bushey Park and had lunch at The Anglers at Teddington Lock.  (We found Fuzz already there). 

As it was a nice day, and things to do - some went home;  Brian, Ron and myself made our way to Kingston on the tow path.  There we went over Kingston Bridge and along the tow path back to Hampton Crt and made our way to the Kings Centre in Chessington, where we met up with Norman for tea and cake.

Lynda.

Easy Riders - 1st May (Map)

Lynda's route from Cobham to Teddington Lock for lunch

(Due to a technical issue the afternoon ride was not recorded)

B Group - 1st May (Map)

Peter's route from Cobham to Knaphill and Castle Green then to the Crockford Bridge Garden Centre for Tea in the sun.

A Group - Mayday, Mayday!

 Cobham - Ewhurst - Denbies

 Spring sunshine brings out a  flash mob at Cobham

Mark's sherpas (includingJohn) about to leave base camp at the Bull's Head, Ewhurst

A Group 1st May

A couple of days ago Ray called and asked if I would swap rides with him.  I was happy to do so, and, as things transpired, it was a lucky swap as today was undoubtedly the first proper Spring day - uninterrupted blue skies and some real warmth in the sun.  It was a Cobham start, so a dozen or so of us set off down Plough Lane heading for Hungry Hill.  Geoffrey questioned my choice of route, as he has been the unfortunate recipient of visits from the Puncture Fairy on this road.  It's pretty flinty, but she stayed away today and we were soon crossing the Guildford road heading up Staple Lane, of Olympics fame.

The general plan was to enjoy some of the best of the Surrey Hills while avoiding the steepest bits, so steadily up to the top of Combe Lane and then a swoop down to Shere.  Around the side of the village, with at least one of us going through the ford, then steadily up again through Farley Green and  Shophouse Lane to the top of the Greensand Ridge.  Going along Greensand Lane, with some splendid views to the South, Simon wondered whether this might not be the highest road in Surrey.  I've checked now, and find that the road around Leith Hill just pips it - 816 feet for the Greensand and 833 for Leith Hill.   But we went over this one later, anyway, so we didn't miss anything.

Past the top of Barhatch Lane, admiring the 21% sign, then across to Pitch Hill and down to the Bulls Head at Ewhurst, where they were expecting us.  There was a table laid inside, but the weather was so good that we made another in the garden from several benches so that we were able to enjoy our lunch al fresco.  Served quickly enough, we were on the road again before two, heading South until we crossed over to Weare Street by Honeywood Lane.  Weare Street was looking handsome, with sunshine, primroses and bluebells in the woods.  The only motor vehicle we saw was a Tesco van, stopped in the middle of the road to make its delivery.

At the top, a break with tradition as we turned left rather than right, going back to the A29 at Ockley for a brief sprint to Broomehall Road.  Normally busy, the A29 wasn't too bad this afternoon, and such traffic as there was was considerate.  But we were glad enough to be away from it and enjoyed another steady climb to the corner at Coldharbour church.  Here there was some division of the group, both deliberate and accidental.  Geoffrey set off for home, as he needed to be early. Mike likewise, as he is breaking in a new bike.  Hans was interrupted by a telephone call and then led astray by John, who conspired to avoid White Down, which the rest of us climbed. (This was a failure of the 'Easy Side' policy, as we went up the hard side.)

No trouble for anyone, and quite a difference from our  last couple of ascents - cold and rain with Ray and snowflakes on the Hilly 50.  Fast across Ranmore, faster yet down to Chapel Lane and a few minutes later we were at Denbies, where the discount vouchers continued to work.  Already at the table were Hans and John, looking slightly smug.  Be we had the moral (and actual) high ground, and the discount, too.

The telemetry shows 38.5 miles from elevenses to tea.  This is a couple of miles short, as I forgot to press the button coming out of the pub. True mileage is just over forty, with 3,088 feet of ascent, rolling average 12.7mph and a top speed just over 44mph.

A fine May day in the Surrey hills, in good company, enjoying some of the best cycling in the World.

Mark