A group ride 22 August

We had a good paced ride with a few ups and downs from Caterham to the lunch stop at Edenbridge.  Most notably, the descent into Westerham was long and fast and we were in Kent by about 11.45 as the peloton were in fine fettle.

Lunch was at The Old Eden and whilst the food was good we were astonished to find that as a party of more than six we were charged a 'discretionary" 17.5% service charge. This was reduced to 12.5% as a gesture of goodwill but nevertheless means that we are unlikely to use this as a lunch stop again.

After lunch, the good pace continued with notably fewer hills bar perhaps the climb up to Outwood.













We then turned into Lonesome Lane despite the 'road closed' signs as I'd had no problem using it on my reccie. Unfortunately, one of the workmen objected strongly to our passing through on the grounds of health and safety and the large deep hole that had been dug. We got through but I probably won't go that way again for a while!

It didn't take long until we reached The Reading Room cafe in Brockham where we had a very hospitable welcome and some excellent and much appreciated cakes.

In total the ride was 48 miles with an elevation gain of 2,615ft. The video can be viewed on:

https://www.relive.cc/view/1790079336

Thanks to Geoff for back marking and to the corner markers who kept the ride flowing.

Janice

A Group 22nd August

Janice gave us an excellent ride today, in full accord with the Kelly Doctrine:  'A few hills before lunch, and few hills after'.  Good food, good company and a temperature of 19º, which some felt was getting a little cool ...

27 miles to lunch at Edenbridge and 21 more to tea at Brockham,  at a cracking pace.

A grand day out.

Mark

Some C Group summer season photos...

Tea and ice creams at Pistachio's near Kingston Bridge 27th  June.  Liz (far left) lead us here from Walton via lunch at the Goat at Shepperton.  It was a wonderful sunny hot day, but we were warned not to sit under the inviting shade of the trees due to the risks of oak processionary moth! 

Getting ready to leave after lunch... David Ward (below) lead a delightfully low traffic/traffic free route round Fetcham and Bookham in July.

Waiting to take the group photo!

We were delighted to welcome Bernard (far left), returning after a long break following surgery to repair his Achilles tendon. John B (second right) lead us from Cobham to the Bell at Fetcham.  This was the second time this season we enjoyed the shady benefits of their lovely terrace for lunch, and was well worth the return.  

A group 22 Aug - Warning and details

The warning - Caterham is a fair trek for most and usually there is little to eat of any substance so I recommend that you bring your own more substantial snack as it will be 27 miles and 1731ft elevation to lunch where we'll arrive 1.15ish (assuming a good pace and no punctures). Also, we'll need to leave by 11 sharp.

The ride - from Caterham we'll be heading the long way round to Edenbridge taking some little used pretty and quiet country roads. There are a few hills but no substantial climbs as I've cut out Toys and Ide Hills. Lunch will be at The Old Eden which has a selection of sandwiches and hot meals. As I have to phone through the order it would be helpful if you could please google the menu so you have an idea what you'd like to order. I will however bring a printed menu on the day.

After lunch we'll be heading for an easier 21 miles and 930ft elevation to The Reading Rooms cafe in Brockham. The cafe closes at 4.30 but the owner is happy if we're there whilst she tidies and closes up around us.

Unfortunately I've yet to work out how to publish the gpx file for the final route but if you'd like an idea of what we'll be doing here's the Garmin reference for my final reccie. It has 2 or 3 wrong turnings (corrected by turning round within 10 metres or so) and ends by turning right into Betchworth where I was hoping the garden centre has a cafe. It doesn't! The ride will instead ignore the final right turn and continue onto Brockham.

connect.garmin.com/modern/course/20343842

Looking forward to seeing you on Wednesday.

Janice

Around the World in 774 Days

Rummaging in a second-hand bookshop recently, I was able to make an addition to my little library of Victorian and Edwardian cycling books.  I bought, at very modest cost, an original copy of 'Round the World On A Wheel', by J Foster Fraser.

In July of 1896, Fraser, then 28 years old, set off with two friends to ride around the world on their Rover Safety Bicycles.  It was a good time to do it, as there were no cars and a Briton abroad was worthy of guarded respect.  They clearly had the means to fund the trip; there was no sponsorship and they could afford good accommodation when it was available.  They also endured some pretty terrible accommodation, as might be expected.

There's not much about the bikes - they look, from the very few pictures, to be absolutely standard Rovers of the day; here's a contemporary advertisement from the CTC Road Book:

The absence of cars meant, in general, an absence of metalled roads, and some of the riding sounds truly awful, but there were also long periods of good riding where they averaged around 100 miles per day.

The bikes were periodically serviced using parts that were sent out to pre-arranged points on the trip.  It is not clear how this was done, or who did it.  Except for punctures they seem to have had few problems, though the spares used were extensive, and may have included a replacement bike.  None of this appeared to concern the adventurers.  As the picture below shows, the bikes show considerable similarity to today's 'Gravel Bikes', apart from the complete absence of gears or brakes.

To summarise the trip, I cannot do better than the author himself:

'We took this trip around the world on bicycles because we were more or less conceited, liked to be talked about, and see our names in the newspapers.  We didn't go into training.  We took things easy.  We jogged through Europe, had sundry experiences in Asia, and survived the criticisms of our country from the Americans.  For two years we bicycled strange lands, and came home a great disappointment to our friends.  We were not haggard or worn, or tottering in our gait.  We had never been scalped, or had hooks through our spines; never been tortured, or had our eyes gouged; never been rescued after living for a fortnight on our shoes.  And we had never killed a man.  It was evident that we were not real travellers.'

Fraser was knighted in 1917, I do not know why, but I surmise that it may have been connected with his travels in Russia in the two preceding years.

If you're interested, Kindle or facsimile copies of the book are available from Amazon.  I found it a good read.

Mark

Wayfarers Picnic Wed 29 Aug - advance warning

We will be holding the Wayfarers Picnic again at the end of August - here's a quick reminder of what happens:

• There will be A, B and Easy Riders rides as normal, all leaving from elevenses at Leatherhead
• Each group will do their own thing and (hopefully) converge on Brockham Cricket Pavilion for a picnic lunch, before departing on their afternoon rides
• Tea, coffee, and squash will be provided, but you have to bring your own picnic (or buy something at Leatherhead)
• Transport is available from elevenses for your hampers, champers, or Sainsburys Meal Deals.
• The weather is almost certain to be glorious, but bring some waterproofs just in case.
• All welcome: you can drive to lunch if you like.

A group 15th August to Paley Street

18 riders were sufficiently intrigued by Geoff's write-up of his advance ride of my route, (thank you for your feedback and kind words Geoff!!) to accompany me on the ride proper today. They may well have been having second thoughts when, within a few minutes of leaving 11's we turned off the main road and headed up through Woodlands mobile home park, and via some off road tracks and meadow through the back of St George's College, headed on to Mead Lane into Chertsey. Crossing the bridge and turning sharp left to follow the river road towards Staines, our progress was halted by an untimely puncture suffered by Ken. After some problems and a number of different inner tubes, the problem was fixed and off we headed following the NC4 cycle route, hugging the river all the way to Staines. From here we followed well known roads through Wraysbury and Sunnymeads on to Datchet , where we picked up the main road into Windsor....but not for long.! A detour along the edge of Datchet golf course took us on to the path across the river and then right through the middle of Eton College grounds. Onwards through Eton, we once again picked up the NC4, which popped us out into Eton Dorney rowing centre, and from there across the river again into Bray and then on to Ockwells Park, White Waltham and finally arriving at The Bridge House in Paley Street.

The benefits of pre-ordering food was very quickly evident as everyone's lunch was pretty much produced on demand as we ordered drinks and paid up...a system that some other lunch venues might want to think about considering some of the very lengthy waits (and wrong or disappearing orders we have had recently).

A swift ride back via Nuptown, Warfield and Winkfield Row enabled us to cut across the centre of Ascot race course and then head down towards Blacknest Gate and a trip around the edge of Virginia Water. Exiting the park, we soon ticked off Virginia Water village and then via Lyne Crossing into Chertsey, on to Shepperton and finally tea at the Riverhouse Barn in Walton, where 14 of the original 19 took advantage of the tea and cakes on offer.

25 miles from 11's to lunch, and then 21 miles on to tea, on a warm, pleasant and occasionally sunny day...actually far more conducive to cycling than some of the recent temperatures. Thanks to all who came along, especially those who marked corners and to Mike Barrett for back-marking...sorry we lost you right at the end Mike !!

B Group - 15th August - Some more photos

Maps, the OS version:

It was 'All Go' this afternoon at the Great Cockcrow Railway in Lyne:

~ Tim

'B' Group - 15 August

Twelve of us set off from Weybridge and took a standard sort of route to Windlesham, then climbed through the deserted back roads of Lightwater to emerge halfway up Red Road.   From there it was a pleasant downhill run through the quiet and winding outskirts of Camberley, followed by another climb on a busy road before we reached our lunch stop.   After our meal at Wetherspoons we set off through another maze of mainly quiet backroads, crossing the M3 on a footbridge, to reach the Deepcut area.  It was then a straightforward ride to our tea stop at Great Cockcrow Railway, and onwards to Walton Bridge.  Many thanks to Tim for back-marking and to the many corner markers.

A Group Wednesday ride, Roads and Trails

I am unable to attend on Wednesday so asked Dave if I could have a copy of the route (why!!) Anyway off I set nice road then I followed the first turn off, interesting track so phoned Dave, I'm in the right place?

Lots of nice roads to follow and then lots of interesting trails, good work Dave yet again you found some interesting ways to travel over

                                         There is something missing from this picture


If you have as good weather as I had today you are in for a treat.
Good riding for tomorrow.

Geoff

A group ride, Weds 15th August

This weeks ride will make one of our occasional excursions west, aiming for lunch at the Bridge House in Paley Street....the link to their web-site is below. They have asked us to pre-order lunch and I will be taking orders at 11's in Weybridge on Wednesday morning.

https://www.bridgehousepaleystreet.co.uk

The ride will be 25 flat miles to lunch, taking in some tow-path, cycle track and a bit of golf course, all very easily manageable on a road bike, and then after lunch 23 fast miles back to tea at either Shepperton or Walton, depending on the time and the weather.

'B' Group Ride - 15 August 2018

The lunch stop for the 'B' Group ride from Weybridge will be at The Claude Duvall (Wetherspoons) at Camberley.    Tea will be at Great Cockcrow Railway, Lyne (if this is unfamiliar territory don't worry as I will continue the ride after tea to Walton Bridge).   There are a few hills and stiff climbs to address as well as two footbridges, one of which is rideable, the other of which requires bikes to be carried or wheeled).   The round trip from elevenses to Walton Bridge is about 35 miles.

A Group 8th August

Sandwiched between the heatwave and today's rain we had the perfect day yesterday to explore some lovely lanes in a part of Surrey and West Sussex we rarely visit. Seventeen of us gathered to turn out of the Yvonne Arnaud when latecomers Neil and Alan made a last minute dash to appear from our left along the A281. It was good to see Dave Ferrett join us having taken his first few rides with the Bs. Once clear of the main road after Shalford we made a tour of the worst surfaced roads in Surrey taking in Unstead Lane, Tuesley Lane and then Water Lane at Enton. After Wormley conditions improved and from Brook we climbed to via Boundless Farm and the old A3 bridleway to the top of Gibbet Hill. The old Sailor's Stone is always a good resting place for its views of the old A3 alignment and the Devil's Punchbowl.

From here a long descent through Hindhead and Bramshott to Hammer Vale and then a short sharp climb to Linchmere. Then it really was almost all downhill to a very good lunch at the Red Lion in Fernhurst.

 Some early concerns about timing were misplaced in spite of the pub only have one bar staff old enough to serve alcohol to nineteen thirsty cyclists! After a little consultation on Alistair's gears and the statutory gathering outside the pub we were on our way home. Our path past the cable laying on the (closed) lane from the pub was eased by the workmen with a smile. From Lickfold back the increasing breeze was at our backs and so we made light work of the run through Chiddingfold and Hambledon back to tea. A few had already headed for home

but thirteen ( I think) stopped to enjoy the Boat House at Farncombe. Many thanks to Simon for back marking and I'm told providing motivational assistance to those at the back of the peleton. Also to Janice for the photos and the Relive file attached below and all those corner markers who gave us a free flowing ride.

https://www.relive.cc/view/1758736826

B Group - 8th August

After the searing heat of the previous two days the weather was dry, warm and very pleasant.

15 of us left Guildford, climbing up to the top of the Mount, via an easier route thanks to Vic, to the top of Down Lane. We passed through Compton, to the side of Godalming, then along to Busbridge, Hascombe and Loxhill.  Then left and onto Cranleigh where we arrived outside the pub, the Richard Onslow at 12.50pm. We had pre-ordered food so it arrived soon after we sat down outside in the courtyard.

To our surprise whilst we were there, who should arrive but Steph, who having been delayed in getting to ‘elevenses’ had cycled on her own to catch up with us, thus we were sixteen!

Some decided to make their own way back from lunch whilst those remaining followed the Downs Link track to Ellen’s Green. Then familiar lanes, using Weare Street on to Capel, Newdigate and onto Brockham.

Ten of us had tea and lovely cake at the newly opened Reading Room in Brockham, somewhere that can be recommended.

Well done to everyone that joined us, as it was a challenging ride.

Thanks to those that marked corners that enabled the ride to flow, and also to David J for back marking.

Thank you for your company, a great day!

See you all on my next ride.

Jennie

 

Morning ride

Afternoon ride

HQ Kudos

Those familiar with Sou'westers on Facebook (see link on Wayfarers blog) may have noticed that our CE, Cycling UK, Paul Tuohy, commented on the post of last week's A group ride to Walliswood. If you didn't spot this, you may be pleased to know that Paul send his regards to all. (And he also liked Geoff's photo!)

A Group 8th August

Summer's back - normal summer, that is, not the furnace heat of the last couple of weeks.  I think it's fair to say that most Wayfarers are glad of it.  

Which made Brian's ride to the South of Guildford a real pleasure.  Rolling hills to lunch at Fernhurst, a good lunch, and easier terrain to tea at the Boathouse, Farncombe, where it's good to see that the established standards of service are being maintained.  ;-)

A great day out in the sunshine.

Mark

Easy riders 8 August

Easy riders will set out from Walton DC tomorrow.  We're following a route I planned for the spring ride that was cancelled due to snow.  Clement weather, we hope, is more likely this time!


We will head along river towpaths to Staines, then follow a quiet cycle routes via Ashford station  to the Kings Head, Feltham Rd for lunch.  This pub was recently refurbished, has a  pleasant garden and food and ale were good early this year.


After lunch we'll head back to find the river at Sunbury and follow through to Hampton, perhaps Bushy Park or Hampton Court for tea.  Pistachio's excellent ice creams near Kingston Bridge is another option!

B Group - 8th August

Wednesday’s ride will take us from Guildford to lunch at the Richard Onslow pub in Cranleigh.  After lunch, we go along well known lanes for afternoon tea at the Reading Room in Brockham.

There is quite a bit of climbing, particularly in the morning, and three sections of tracks.

About 17 miles to do before lunch, 19 miles to get to tea, so please be ready to leave promptly at 11.00.

The pub would like us to pre-order the food; if you could make sure you see me at ‘elevenses’ then we can organize that. Details of their menu can be found on the website:

www.therichardonslow.co.uk

Look forward to seeing you all.

Jennie

A ride 8th August

We are off to the Red Lion at Fernhurst. A prompt departure please!

Outward is quite lumpy with the usual ups and downs over Munstead to bypass Godalming then to Wormley, Brook and a long steady climb to Hindhead. From there we loop west of Haslemere before lunch. The return has no big hills and tea is planned for the Boat House at Farncombe. About 21 miles each way and another 4 back to Guildford after tea.

Ray Dare

Ged just to let you know I spoke to Beryl this afternoon and told her that you had organised 1st Aug ride based on one of Ray's previously. She was very pleased to hear that his memory lives on.
Beryl also told me that the family through e-bay are gradually getting rid of the bikes but for very little money. She will be pleased when the bike shed has been cleared out!
On Tuesday she will go down to Southampton for a week to stay with family. We wish her well!

B Group - map and photos for 1st August

~ Tim

B Ride 1st Aug: Cobham - Wood Street Village - Addlestone

Eighteen of us started out from Cobham and enjoyed a very varied take on what cycling in Surrey has to offer. We ranged over quiet country lanes, bridleways, canal towpaths towards Guildford. Then it was busy streets, urban cycle paths, through Surrey University, past the Royal Surrey County Hospital and through the Surrey Research Park and eventually over Broadstreet Common to reach Wood Street Village and The Royal Oak. It was a brilliant team effort with loads of corner marking. Tim did an excellent job of bringing up the rear. My special thanks to Pam and Graham who at coffee showed me how to get to an all important footbridge across the A3 – I have seen it many times as a car driver but never knew how to cycle to it (and why would I as it was approached via a cul-de-sac). We did 18 miles.

After lunch was simple in comparison – a straight 13 miles via Pirbright, Brookwood, Woking, West Byfleet and New Haw to the garden centre at Addlestone with few changes of direction where the remaining 10 of us sheltered from the sun under the umbrellas and took tea or iced coffee according to taste.

A great day out!

Peter T

A Group Ride 1st August. Cobham to Walliswood & Ashstead

It's challenging to find an original or different ride from Cobham, being that we meet there so often. Then I thought about a ride that dear Ray Dare led some time ago. (Ray was the consummate road cyclist, and time-trialist, but also liked off-road routes). I searched the blog whilst writing this up and discovered that on 31st July 2013 Ray led a ride over Ranmore Common, (the same as our ride today) and I think it's apt to quote his blog as I could have written the very same.

"The less comfortable climb over the rough Yewtree Lane up to Ranmore Road reduced our speed whilst for some of us I feel sure allowed to enjoy the scenery........It is believed that this path was an old drovers road some 500years ago and appears to be about 1.5mls long". How appropriate!

As well as me, Mark, Simon, Dave Vine, Brian, and John were on that ride, though there were far fewer than the 22 who left Cobham today. (Welcome Sarah, who was having a change from riding with Kingston Phoenix).

Having survived the rough stuff with our road bikes, we were advised by a National Trust Warden whilst stopped on Ranmore Road, that we really shouldn't have ridden this route, as the cycle path was further over to the West. Hardly: the off-roaders amongst us know this as mountain bike terrain, rougher than the track just traversed!

From here it was familiar roads through Sutton Abinger and Holmbury St. Mary - for some, re-visiting the Prudential Ride London (PRL) route that just 3 days earlier had been awash. Having crossed paths with a large peloton whilst entering Polesden Lacey, it was with great relief than we beat CTC West Surrey to lunch at the Scarlett Arms. Obviously unprepared for such a large influx, it took longer than expected for lunch to arrive, and unfortunately for Pete Betts, just as we were ready to leave.

Those practiced climbing Leith Hill on the PRL made short work of our return here, and we were through Coldharbour and Dorking in no time, ready for the climb up 'little Switzerland' and our tea stop at Coffee Active, Ashstead. Tina had agreed to stay open for us, and we arrived at 4.28pm - two minutes within my estimated time before we left Walliswood! Half the Group made it to tea.

The 40 miles from elevenses to tea, with such a large turnout, was made very manageable by most taking a shift corner-marking, as well as Geoff being the trusty back-maker. A lovely day.

Pru 100 Riders on 1st August 18

Ged a great ride but how can you be so cruel to an almost 77 year old who really needed a rest. That gravel track from Polsdon was for me horrendous, should have been on my Cube but that was clean and I had not got around to cleaning my Van Nic since Sunday!
Congratulations to all the Pru participants, nine members who rode were out today and the photo below is a memento! Well done all of you!

A Group 1st August

After a brief absence, Summer returned for Ged's ride today.  Some gravel, some hills and plenty of sunshine on our way to lunch at Walliswood; then some sunshine, some hills but no gravel on our way to tea in Ashtead.

A good ride at the peak of the season.

Mark