A Group - 9 November 2016

 Hersham - Leatherhead - Box Hill

One imponderable that a leader must be prepared for is rain. On the morning of the AGM, rain duly came with no escape, so it was a watery splash to Hersham. After half a mug of scalding coffee, I joined the assembly in the Village Hall for a smartly conducted AGM, dispatched within barely more than an hour, with no more than a minor spasm of identity crisis. Had members kept quiet, it would have been less.

More time was taken to assemble the skittish riders than to conduct the meeting, but we made a start, heading East with a chuff wind via West End, the Portsmouth Road, Fairmile Lane to Stoke d'Abernon, then a smart scoot along Cobham Road and Woodlands Lane to Leatherhead and our ever-welcoming watering hole of Wetherspoons. Here we found two reprobate and barely sheep-faced truants (they know who they are) who had ducked the AGM for other illicit and unspecified activities. The Head will not be content and a penalty will be exacted. Their book is marked.

After a leisurely lunch to satisfy our modest appetites, if not to compete with La Gavroche, an amicable consensus agreed that we needed a modicum of climbing to earn some tea and cake. We settled on Destination Bike atop Box Hill, pulled back the joy-stick and thrust up past Headley Court, to approach Box Hill from the rear.  Destination Bike was formerly Dauphin Sport. It now sports a tea and cake workshop, which serviced us most admirably. As a side-line it also has some pretty good bikes and accessories.

Our ways then parted, all downhill, as we chased the sinking sun.

Jeff

A Group 9th November

A cunning plan from Jeff today.  So cunning you could pin a tail on it and call it a weasel.  Not knowing when the AGM would finish, he took us to Wetherspoons in Leatherhead, confident that we would be fed and watered whenever we arrived.  Then, after a brief referendum, on to Destination Bike at Box Hill.  A new one for most of us; good tea and cakes and some very handsome bikes.

Lights on on the way home.

Mark

Notice for 2016 AGM

The AGM for CTC South West London will commence at 11:00 in the Hersham Amenity Hall on Wednesday 9th November.

Signing in sheets will circulate once you are sitting down. The Agenda, Minutes of the 2015 AGM, Treasurer's Report and our Annual Report will be available for you to read.

If you would like to commend someone for the Arthur Jessop trophy for Outstanding Achievement in the club please notify the secretary.

Please be considerate about where you park your bikes.

Click to preview the agenda

 














Click HERE to read the Annual Report which will be presented to the meeting.

Tim Court
Secretary

Box Hill Off-road Challenge

Mark Gladwin set us all a challenge after a ride in October to climb up the back of Box Hill from the Wyvale Garden Centre on the A25. I was the only one to attempt it on my Raleigh but failed to find the right route. Mark had explained that the entrance to the track was difficult to find and so the other day I took the track down from the Smith & Western pub car park and indeed descended to the lane where I had first made an attempt.

The start of the trail is above.

Mark had previously pointed out that you have to follow the tree line and above you can see two routes beyond the hedge in front. Years ago I had been up the track following the hedge in the middle of the picture. This was the route I described in my recent blog where I ended up carrying my Raleigh over gates and up and down loads of steps. The route however Mark planned was under the canopy of the upper tree-line. The descent down is in itself very tricky and challenging with some deep ruts. Having discovered the route I decided to try and climb up on my new Cube MTB with a low bottom gear. Even the first part is quite steep and very lung busting. I got as far as the first bend in picture below.

At this juncture there is a track to the left to a private dwelling. You must carry strait on up to the right and then you have to circumnavigate a fallen tree and the gradient gets steeper. To be honest I did not make it to the top one of the problems being that if you pull your foot out or have to stop the gradient is too steep to get started unless you have extreme skill and strength. You need to be physiqued-up with few clothes on and much less excess  fat than me to make it all the way up. You also need a dry day with much less Autumn leaves on the ground than yesterday. I visited the remnants of the Brocham Bonfire with the ashes still burning on Monday before making my attempt. I had far too many warm clothes on for the ascent. I will make it a New Years revolution to have another go in 2017.

A Group - After the AGM is over

A Group Ride - 9 November -  Hersham to Ditchwater.

The alert among you will have twigged that, once a year an 11am start from elevenses has a rather different meaning from the 51 other Wednesdays in the year. The 9th November is that day in the year of our Lord 2016 for our Annual General Meeting which starts at 11am.  For a leader, this poses a conundrum, to which there is no satisfactory answer: 'How long does a meeting last?' If the meeting starts at 11am and we  plan to arrive for lunch at 1pm, how long do we have in the saddle (not long) and where do we sup? 

1. We might line up a string of pubs and stop at the nearest at 1pm - not popular with the other landlords.

2.  We might choose the nearest to Hersham and ride in circles until 1pm. Not popular with riders.

3.  We might take sandwiches. Has been known.

4. We might say: "Who the heck needs lunch?"

5. We might put our finger in the air and say that one hour is more than enough for a meeting, which gives us one hour (plus or minus a minute or two) for a ride.

I have invoked the leader's prerogative, with no referendum and no right of appeal to the Supreme Court, and invoked article 5. As the bell strikes twelve, we shall rise, brexit  and head for the familiar, welcoming and capacious  refuge of Bretherspoons in Leatherhead, a distance just short of 10 miles. Exciting? No. Dull as ......? Mmm. Pragmatic? Yes. We may hold a referendum on options for tea, if the snowploughs are not active.

Jeff

Down tube shiters revived.

A new slant on using down tube shifters.

http://www.kellybike.com/product/takeoff/

Tony..

Easy Riders - 2nd November

We had a good ride from Cobham, taking the back roads to Claygate via Blackhills, turning left towards Long Ditton through the tunnel, passing Squires. We turned right at the traffic lights towards Kingston. They are working on a new dual cycleway here. I estimate another month for finishing. Through the market place, over Kingston bridge and left, then right into Bushy Park. Teddington High Street and left to Twickenham. Along the river for lunch at the Barmy Arms. We sat at a couple of round tables and had a nice lunch.

After lunch, we made our way back to Teddington and over the blue bridge towards Kingston. Turned up left by the new flats to Richmond Road. We tried the new coffee shop, Lopez, just after Evans on the left. A bit expensive, 2.80 for latte, until I asked for 'cyclists discount', which made it 2.20, which was more reasonable.  A couple of us went downstairs to look at the Cycle Showroom.  A snow bike with huge tyres, and a variety of cycles with good named brands.
 
We went back via Berrylands to Cheam. I clocked a total of 45 miles.


~Lynda

Chilly Chiltern Tour

Wednesday the 2nd and Thursday the 3rd November.

Wanting one more over nighter before the cold weather really took hold I planned a couple of days cycling in the Chilterns and spending one night at Jordans YHA. With the good company of Terry, Ed, Pam, Irene and Maureen. We met for 11's at Squires Upper Haliford on Wednesday the 2nd. Luckily we had picked to 2 bright but very cold days. Setting off towards Staines and on through Datchet to lunch at the Pineapple Dorney. As usual massive sandwiches and soup was fuel against the cold. Off then up to Burnham and Dropmore, past the Jolly Woodman, and then  past Odds Farm and onto Beaconsfield for afternoon tea at the Old Tea house,  a very quaint little tea shop. As it's nearly dark now by 5.00pm I shortened the route but took us through Seer Green to checkout a pub for our evening meal. After deciding not to use the Jolly Cricketers, at £16.95 for fish and chips, we booked a table at the Three Horses Shoes just a stones throw away.With lights on we cycled the last few miles to the hostel. By now the temperature had dropped to around 3 degrees. Settled in and looking forward to dinner off we set again in the pitch black of country lanes and the 1.5 mile trip to the pub. With no panniers now the hill up to Seer Green still warmed us up. 

The food and service was very good and we event managed to persuade the staff to sell us some milk for next days breakfast. A cold cycle back to the Hostel and bed by 10.00pm! Most had a good nights sleep and breakfast consumed and panniers packed we departed the Hostel at around 9.20am. We headed North and through Chalfont St Giles and then down to Maple Cross before climbing up again to Hornhill and Chalfont Common descending down to Chalfont St Peter for 11's at the Breadhouse, another great little Cafe. With a few more descents and climbs we soon passed through Gerrards  Cross and heading down to Fulmer (the ford was dry!), past Pinewood studios and through Iver, Colnbrook, Wraysbury to lunch at the Bells pub in Staines. Again great food and good service. At this point Pam and Irene headed for home while Terry, Ed, Maureen and myself headed towards Walton, Terry left us for home at Shepperton. At Hampton I said my farewells to Ed and Maureen and was home just before dark. A really lovely 2 days cycling with really nice folk.

A Riders to Lambs Green

On a sunny and crisp morning 19 sunny and crisp riders set out to Lambs Green, the journey would take us over familiar roads. the route took us up Beech Avenue then left over Ranmore Common to sweep down into Dorking. Mid Holmwood, Henfold, Newdigate then onto Rusper another sweep down to Lambs Green and The Lamb Inn.

We arrived at 12.50 and by the time we got inside it was 1.00 (see Ged) Drinks and food were ordered and names taken against orders. The food was promptly served. A very comfortable country pub with wood burning stoves, well worth a visit.

Lunch over we set out at approx. 2.00 the route took us on Wimland Road and back to Rusper, Capel, Newdigate and on to the tea stop at Wyvale Garden Centre.

My thanks go out to all those that road with me, thanks to Mike R for being a pressed Volunteer back marker, and to the corner markers that allowed the ride to travel so smoothly.

(Don't forget your lights (S), make sure those lights that need to be charged have been now that the days are shorter.

Geoff

An Old Road West

As some of you will know,  for the last few months I've been pottering around the hills and dales of Surrey and Kent pursuing the Pilgrims Way, and have, at least to my satisfaction, partly resolved this old track.  Looking to the West, I've found the Pilgrims Way rather harder to follow, if we take this as a sill road running along the base of the Downs.  There are bits of track, and there are footpaths, but there are also a railway and modern roads along what could have been the route, so it's much less satisfying than the route into Kent.

However, I have found something else.  From Epsom Downs to Farnham I've been able to piece together a track that is more-or-less continuous, and is a decent ride in the dry.  It runs along the chalk Downs, near the top.  For much of it it's just below the top, on the sunny side, which makes sense.  I've read a bit around it without finding anything definitive, some of what I've found is frankly, pretty soft.  But it looks as if it was Saxon, or at least was used by the Saxons, with the direction of trade being from Farnham, where flocks were assembled, to the markets of London, specifically Smithfield.  The railway would have taken the trade from about 1850, and my guess is that what we can see now mostly remains from that time.

Starting from Epsom Downs, you first pick up the track at the back of the car-park at the Epsom Downs Golf Club.  It heads South-West, past the Derby Arms pub, down into Langley bottom and then up on to the bridle-way that the Ordnance Survey labels as Stane Street, a Roman Road.  Nothing to say that the Saxons wouldn't have used what the Romans left, of course.  Some of this is decent riding, some a bit mucky, but you can get along well enough just now - Summer is better.

This brings you to Burford Bridge.  Now a Bur, or Burh, is a Saxon fortified town or village, and everyone knows what a ford is.  To go West, you need to cross the Mole here, and go up the hill on the other side back to the top of the Downs.  There are several convincing tracks that would line up and allow you to do this; I took the easiest, which is to go up through Denbies and pick up the Ranmore Common road at the top.  From there, there's a footpath in the right place to be the old track, but the road is easier until you get to White Down Lane.  A few hundred yards up the lane you turn on to a track, the Drove Road, that eventually, with a few wiggles, takes you past Newlands Corner and on to Guildford, just by the Castle.

Guildford is a Saxon borough, and again, we all know what a ford is - this time it would have been over the Wey.  We're luckier, there's a bridge now, leading straight to The Mount, back up to the track at the top until we get to the Hogs Back.  Here, I think, progress has messed things up a bit, and a sensible route for cyclists involves going a short distance down the hill to pick up NCN 22 through Puttenham and Seale to the Saxon town of Farnham - at the Shepherd and Flock roundabout, where there is an old pub.  What's in a name?  But Farnham did have a strong wool trade until the fashion for worsted gave the Cotswolds pre-eminence.  You'd have to do something with the sheep, and selling them for eating by the hungry citizens of the Great Metropolis would be a sensible option.

So there's the ride - just over 28 miles from Epsom Downs to Farnham; trains back from Aldershot via Guildford, or just ride back to Guildford, which has connections to Epsom and London or Dorking and Redhill.

As ever, I've a gpx for those that want it, but if you're going to go, go soon, or wait until Spring.  Some parts of the route will become very muddy once the rain starts.

Mark

B Group - 2nd November

19 riders made their way across Bookham Common on a Brilliant Autumn Day, climbing up to Polsden Lacy and racing down to West Humble. 

We stopped on the top of Box Hill to take in the wonderful view and for Tim's photo call and continued to the Dukes Head Pub in Tadworth minus two riders (gone to do their Christmas shopping?). The service and lunch was up to the usual standard.

Refreshed we continued across Epsom Downs, Epsom Common and Chessington to arrive at Squires Garden Centre in Long Ditton for tea. Our numbers depleted by now to about 10, but with one new addition for tea a lone "A" rider (Peter Brown) who was on his own ride.

I would like to thank John Austin for back marking again, the other markers and the good weather.

~ Tony

B Group hanging out at Box Hill

Cobham - Tadworth (15.8 mi) - Long Ditton (10.7 mi)

Wednesday's B Group ride

Lunch will be at the Dukes Head in Tadworth.

Tea will be at Squires in Long Ditton.

Approx. 30 miles

Regards

Tony

Wednesday's A Group ride

We shall be riding over well ridden roads from Cobham to Lambs Green via Dorking, Newdigate, about 20 miles to lunch.  Tea will be at Wyevale Garden Centre on the Reigate Road not far from Pixham Lane. Approximately 38 miles total.

Don't Forget Your Lights now that the clocks have gone back.

~ Geoff

Letter from America

They say in the USA anyone can run for president:  Mike Barrett sent this picture from his current trip, where he has been dodging Hurricane Matthew in the southern states.

Vote Barrett!

SWLEOC

Hi folks,

I've not been around much since  February when I snapped  my ACL skiing.

But I have not been idle.

We had already booked a September Skedaddle tour in Provence  - including a climb up Mt Ventoux. So I turned down my consultant's offer of a private op "in a couple of weeks" and opted to keep our holiday plans for France and a Spring driving tour in Scotland.

Hence, my Spring and Summer was spent first of all rehabbing from the injury, then pre-habbing for the operation. Three or four days a week in the gym mobilising the joint then building up the muscle to do the job of the missing ACL. Then lots of cycling specific gym work before getting out on the road again -and oh! that was just soooooo nice!

Skipping the middle bit of the Summer...

Vicky and I, with Graham and Gill Holder, did the Skedaddle trip.  But Ventoux lived up to its name and 2km from the top we were turned around as wind was gusting at 120kph at the summit. Shame but we will try again next year. Skedaddle, by the way were fantastic. Our second tour with them - flawless service each time. We recommend them.

Which neatly brings me to the purpose of this Blog Post.

I had my NHS op a week ago at SWLEOC (South West London Elective Orthopaedic Center) @ Epsom Hospital. An NHS centre of excellence dealing only in Elective Surgery, an alternative name for them might be "New Hips and Knees R US".

Now, given that most of us Wayfarers are of an age when new hips and knees are a distinct possibility I thought my views on their service might be helpful.

One every measure. From first referral. Through consultant appointment (my choice of consultant who specialises in ACLs). To pre visits to SWLEOC. To the operation itself.

On every possible measure I rate the service I received 10/10 - there was nothing I could have asked to be better.

The warmth and friendliness of every staff member I interacted with was real and touching. Every Medic who dealt with me, simply oozed competence and empathy.

Would that every part of the  NHS were the same, but without reservation of any form, I am happy to recommend SWLEOC.

Happy Cycling, and see some of you at the Xmas Lunch.

Paul Kelly

A Group ride to Rickmansworth

Barnes Wallace memorial

Taking the opportunity to see Harmondsworth before it's covered in concrete, thirteen A Group riders set off from Teddington for Rickmansworth. Good weather, reasonable roads and excellent group riding (being chivvied along by the back marker) meant that we made very good time to lunch at Batchworth Heath.

 A good lunch, served in reasonably good time despite it being a very busy pub helped maintain a fast pace back to Richmond. On route we crossed Church Fields into Hanwell and down the tow path on the Grand Union to Brentford where Neil nearly lost his life as my back tube exploded. A quick repair and on our way to tea in a very sunny Richmond.

Thanks to Steve for back marking, Neil and others for marking the corners and to the whole group for sticking together so well. 48 miles from start to finish.



 

 

B Group - 26th October

It is rarely a big surprise to set off from the Elleray Hall with a large group but for this ride I was obliged to ask everyone to pre-order their lunches so I knew the night before that we would have at least 20. And by the time we set out we had added another 7.

Our first great pleasure was to ride through the park by the Crane with its rich autumn colours and the leaves crunching under our wheels.

We wrapped around the Rugby stadium in Twickenham and found the narrow path which runs alongside the stream by the Mogden Sewage Works where small autumn leaves were snowing down around us.
 
From Isleworth we were in Osterley Park for a pit stop and out the other side on Osterley Lane to cross the M4. Then a brief meander via North Hyde Lane to pick up the Grand Union Canal path which we were to follow westward for several miles, through Hayes and West Drayton, past the junction with the Slough Arm and the Packet Boat Marina.
 
In Yiewsley one or two people apparently noticed our lunch venue on the other side of the canal and commented that Tim had missed the turn over the bridge which would have brought us out at the Waters Edge Restaurant. But at a risk of arriving a bit late we carried on up the canal to the Cowley Lock, crossed the canal and turned back down Old Mill Lane to Little Britain Lake, deviating onto a minor path with water on either side to enjoy 5 minutes of tranquillity before turning into Packet Boat Lane to reach the bar.
 
The Waters Edge staff had arranged and dressed our tables as if for a celebration and having pre-ordered our lunches they were being delivered as we sat down. Everything went well except that Peter Carpenter had punctured some way back on the canal path so Bob Panel rode back to meet him and brought him across to the bar which overlooks the Packet Boat Dock.
 
Having enjoyed our lunch we retraced our route along the Lane and across a small foot bridge to reach Ford Lane and Iver Lane. We followed Old Slade Lane beyond Richings Park, crossed the M4, and took the small path by the Colne Brook and crossed the busy bypass to reach Colnbrook. We picked up another narrow track, the Colne Valley Way through to Horton. Brian had advised me about these routes from Old Slade through to Horton. I had been fretting about finding a safe and sensible route which didn’t involve the major roads and an unpleasant roundabout we had encountered during the recce.
 

Seen on the recce

On the recce David and I tested the route which links Park Lane in Horton to Douglas Lane in Wraysbury but rejected it on account of mud which prevented our wheels from turning and having to lift our bikes over two high styles on either side of the Sunnymeads – Wraysbury stretch of the railway and over another fence at the top of Douglas Lane. But at the Horton end there are beautiful vistas of the gravel pit lakes complete with ducks, swans and herons.
 
After Wraysbury we skirted around Staines and arrived for Tea in Shepperton at the Café Mocha D just after 4 o’clock. With longer hours of daylight it would have been preferable to follow the river around rather than endure all the traffic. But it was the last ride before the clocks go back and we felt good to have squeezed in a pleasant ride on a dry and quite warm day.
 
Thanks to David Cox who was brave enough to be back-marker for our big group and to numerous people who marked corners and made it possible to get the whole circus around the course. We were pleased to welcome Bob Panel on his second ride with B Group and were pleased too to have Ray Dare as our guest from A Group.

~ Tim

Top of the range bikeway

This is about as smart as Brisbane bikeways get. 2 lanes, pedestians segregated, signposts, maps and even street lights. Its not all like this and a shared 1.5-2m track is more common.

NW Brisbane is very hilly but intersected by creeks which are green spaces because they may flood. Many have bikeways and Kedron Brook is one of the longest. It's only is about 1km from my son's house and heading east for 10km it meets the Morton Bay bikeway which runs another 15km out to the coast with a further 15km or so possible on quiet suburban roads.

A Group ride, Wednesday 26th.

We are heading north this week from Teddington towards Rickmansworth via Ickenham & Harefield. 28 miles to lunch at Batchworth and a swift ride home through Ruislip, Greenford and Kew via Church Fields and The Grand Union (a good path). Tea will be in Richmond Park or by the Bridge depending on time. A mostly urban ride, a little over 48 miles in total.

B Group - Pre-order your lunch for Wednesday 26th

We will ride along the Grand Union Canal path to the Watersedge Bar for lunch. The proprietors have advised me that things will be easier for them and quicker for us if we can pre-order our food. So please look at this menu and let me know what you'd like to order before Wednesday. My new email address is timcourt50@gmail.com.

There will be more off road paths after lunch but the ride will be a lot less daft than the one we did in May 2014. Of the weather it's hard to call but it looks like cool (12° - 15°C), without rain, varying between "mostly cloudy" and "partly sunny".

Tea will probably be in Shepperton.

Please be ready to depart from the Elleray Hall at 11:00 

~ Tim

B Group ride from Addlestone. 19th October.

18 of us left Addlestone for a 15 mile ride to West End nr Bisley to have lunch at the Hare & Hounds. The pub is tucked away down a side road and easily over looked and I only found it after zooming in on google maps, looked at their website and gave them a call. I hadn’t found it when I was doing the recce – I had another pub in mind. Tim’s photos give a good idea of what it is like. The staff were very welcoming and the food and beer excellent. It deserves a return visit.

Getting there was straight forward enough. We carried our bikes over the rail bridge behind Chertsey and continued off-road along Ferry Lane. After Laleham Reach we took the obvious route through Thorpe to Virginia Water, Longcross, Valley End and the minor roads into West End.

I had been tempted to use Blind Lane (more off-road and in very good condition except the recce showed that at the very end a fencing contractor had turned it into 30 metres of quagmire). I gave it a miss this time.

After lunch we continued westwards down Brentmoor Road and turned into Priest Lane (I missed the turn initially) – more unpaved road. If we have a continuous spell of rain this will be impassable but for us it was OK on the day.

Thanks to Bob’s local knowledge we were able to ignore the road closed signs approaching Bisley. We made our way down to the canal via Knaphill and along to West Byfleet where a number peeled off. The rest of us stopped for at tea at the Bourne Valley GC. – 11 miles from lunch.

My thanks to Tim for the photos, maps and being TEC and to all who marked the corners.

Peter T

A Group ride from Addlestone. 19th October.

Our Autumn ride took us north to Burnham Beeches in South Bucks. with lunch at the White Horse, Hedgerely - a real ale pub 'discovered' by Paul Kelly way back in 2012. (Hope the op went ok Paul - hope to see you back soon).

Fourteen of us left Addlestone, and after an inauspicious start, (turning right on a no right turn outside the Day Centre) we made speedy progress, that is until I shortly made the second wrong turn, on the way to Egham. Instead of using Hardwick Lane on the way to Lyne, we added an extra 3 miles to lunch by using the B386 Longcross Road and having to double-back alongside the M3 past Longcross Film Studios. (The first of 3 Film Studios we passed - Pinewood and Shepperton being the others). Did anyone notice this strange dog-leg route? It took me a while to realise this wayward navigation - and of course I blame my new Garmin!


Once through Egham we attacked Tite Hill - the only serious climb of the day, and used our newly discovered freewheel skills descending Crimp Hill to Old Windsor. Avoiding Slough was achieved by transgressing Ditton Park, and via back lanes through Middle Green, George Green and Stoke Green on the way to Farnham Royal, with more quiet roads to Burnham Beeches and Egypt Woods. Leaves were still turning. The extra 3 or so miles added 15mins to our 1 o'clock schedule, but with good food and beer at the White Horse we were away before 2.30pm.

The pace was maintained after lunch with a swift 21 miles to Squires at Upper Halliford via Fulmer, Langley, Colnbrook, Wraysbury, Staines, and Shepperton.

Half of the Group made it to tea at Squires, and the eventual mileage from Elevenses was just shy of 50 miles - not bad for an Autumn ride before the clocks change.


Double thanks to Geoff for excellent back-marking and pub photo, and for corner markers making it a nice pacey ride.

B Group - 19th October (maps and photos)

Men at work

Bantam 44 on the lookout

Le Tour de Pub

Part of the route in London

Now here is a grand challenge: a team of scientists have worked out the shortest route to visit all the pubs in the UK.   There are 24,727 of them, including those on various islands, and the total distance travelled is about 45,500 km.   Now THAT would be an unforgettable cycling tour!  This link gives you the details, along with step by step (or should that be stagger by stagger) instructions if you need them.

A Group 19th October

Off to Burnham Beeches with Ged today, to see the Autumn colours.  A bit early, as it turned out, but very pretty and an enjoyable ride, with a good lunch at the ever-reliable White Horse.  Back to Squires for tea, parting in an early dusk.

It is Autumn now, though - lights on on the way home.

Mark

B Group, 19th October from Addlestone

We're off to West End (not THE West End) to have lunch at the Hare & Hounds and then to tea at Bourne Valley.

Not 100% asphalt. A few modest Ups. 15miles to lunch.

Peter T

A Group, 19th October from Addlestone

It's the fall - so a visit to Burnham Beeches is Wednesday's A Group ride. Lunch at the White Horse, Hedgerley, and tea at Sunbury.
http://www.thegoodpubguide.co.uk/pub/view/White-Horse-SL2-3UY
(A CTC Cyclist's Welcome pub, with a good range of beers)
We'll give the Pilgrims Way a miss this week - 100% asphalt guaranteed, and only a few climbs. 25miles to lunch so prompt start please.

Cast your mind back over the last 200 years ...

https://goo.gl/photos/CgurJrBzVUCaSwRB7

Many thanks to David Aylett for this

B group October 12th

Looking outside on Wednesday I noticed the wind was northish and looking at my OS I noticed Root Hill ran northish - not a good omen for the free wheel competition.

Rain encountered by some had stopped by the time we left Dorking and we had an uneventful ride to Root Hill. Here with Simon as lookout at the bend (thanks) and Tony pushing off (thanks) I had a straightforward run - the tractor with smelly load waited for me to pass but I understand others met him en route.

The road was in fairly good condition and traffic was minimal so nobody reported problems. Steph won the Ladies' award and Mike closely challenged Mark for the Gents' award. As usual, Ed had made the beautiful awards, see photos. Thanks Ed. Presentations took place on Brockham Green, bonfire erection well in hand in the background.

The Bs then retired across the road to The Royal Oak, just after a group of walkers. This caused a slight delay with our meals but that wasn't a problem - they were good when they came.

After lunch we had the obligatory off-road - the bridleway to Mill Hill leading to Kiln Lane. We soon headed south through Betchworth to Dawesgreen, noting Flanchford Road is still closed due to bridge replacement taking longer than predicted. In Leigh we turned right into Clayhill Road, then headed north at Shellwood Cross to Strood Green and Brockham again. A quiet ride along Coach Road and Pixham Lane led to Denbies (grapes ripening nicely) where we beat the As to t'n'c.

Thanks to Tim for backmarking and people various for corner marking.

Terry 

B Group - 12th October, Freewheel Competition (photos and map)

B Group star with her trophy

A Group 12 October: Dorking - Newdigate - Denbies

Freewheel Competition trophy, hand made by Ed

Map of the river Mole seen at the Surrey Oaks

A short burst of rain around 9.30 may have deterred some people but despite the uncertain forecast, that was the only rain of the day.   Everyone was trying to appear relaxed about the Freewheel Competition but I could spot telltale signs of meticulous preparation, not least the consumption of bread pudding and cheese scones at Dorking.   Around 15 in the A group reached Root Hill via a slightly roundabout route which included a practice freewheel down Inholms Lane.   After all the preparations we were so quick on the practice that we arrived around 10 minutes early at the competition start line.   Conditions were marred by a north-westerly breeze with a whiff of manure, and more importantly Farmer McSpreader driving his tractor up and down the hill during the competition.    Despite this, a good time was had by all.  Congratulations to the winners and thanks to Terry and Tony Hooker for organising.

Lunch was at The Surrey Oaks at Newdigate: a nice pub with a good choice of ales and a rather eclectic menu, where all found something good to eat.   Then it was swiftly over to Capel and Beare Green: gently uphill all the way so that by the time we began the assault on Leith Hill we were already at 110 metres.    Anstie Lane is one of our less-used ways up to Coldharbour, last visited by me on Mark's Octopus ride, with good views from the top.  I decided to visit the remaining tentacle of the Octopus by coming down Logmore Lane, which was closed on the day

Looking south from the top of Anstie Lane

 of the Octopus ride itself.   It is by now traditional to include a bit of the Pilgrim's Way in our rides and Logmore Lane could perhaps qualify, as it is certainly a holy road.  We descended with care and and then, after getting a bit lost in the metropolis of Westcott, we eventually found the cycle track into Dorking and back to Denbies to join the B's for tea and cake.

A good day out and quite a bit of sunshine in the afternoon.   Thank you to Colin for back marking and to all for your company.