A Gravelly Group Ride to Ickenham - 10 Oct

Heathrow is a big barrier to us riding northwards towards Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire, and the roads around it are busy. My aim for this ride was to explore any off-road routes to Ickenham. To my surprise I found there were many tracks and paths, mostly cyclable, rarely signposted, and not always marked on maps. As with many cycle paths they don’t always (ever?) link up. Also there are barriers to discourage misuse by motorbikes, which are ok for a conventional bike but cause delays for a big group, and can be a struggle for anything unusual, even wide handlebars. However once on the paths they feel quite remote and are certainly preferable to heavy fast moving traffic.

Fourteen of us set off from Addlestone on a bright sunny day, with a tailwind, almost perfect conditions for cycling. Parts of my route to Staines was borrowed from a recent Dave Bartholomew ride, and also from last week’s B ride. Past Staines we were on the old railway track alongside the M25, mostly nicely surfaced thanks to Thames Water. Near Poyle we diverted into the Heathrow Biodiversity Area with a reasonable gravel surface, and open views of planes taking off overhead.

At the appropriately named Mad Bridge we crossed into another ecology site near Harmondsworth, this one managed by BA, eventually emerging at Thorney. Thereafter the route got more fragmented, bit still rideable thanks to Affinity Water, taking us to Yiewsley, and a mixture of on- and off-road skirting Brunel University and Uxbridge and Hillingdon Athletics Stadium to cross the A40 and join the Celandine Trail, this bit nicely surfaced, to Ickenham.

We had passed through 9 barriers (must be a record). Unfortunately we suffered two punctures and one bent derailleur hanger, all of which delayed us, so it was a hungry peloton which wheeled into the Coach and Horses at 2pm.

The sun was warm in the garden, and food served quickly, which helped us get back on the road just after 3.The route back was intended to be quick, using the excellent A40 cycle track, a bit of Grand Union towpath, and back roads to Osterley Park and Richmond Bridge by 4.30; the only hazard being the unusually high tide flooding the riverside. 

Twelve stayed to soak up more sun outside for tea.

Thanks to Ged for back marking, all the corner markers on a twisty route, and Simon for photos.

Only 33.5 miles, though the gravel made it feel like more, 11.1 mph moving, and a massive 940ft of climbing.

QUIZ: How are your group cycling skills?

Just for fun - we are pleased to announce an ANONYMOUS quiz about how you ride in groups.   You get to give a score for yourself, and also for the others in your group,   We don't ask for any names and don't store any info about you personally.  We will attempt to summarise the results in a future Sou'Wester.  It should take about ten minutes to answer the questions, and another two hours to discuss the results with your friends, should you choose.


If you'd like to do the quiz, click here.  Please don't enter any names in the comments either!

Easy Riders - 3 October 2018

Rather belatedly here are a couple of pictures from last Wednesday's ride (Cobham - Leatherhead - Horton Park).   Thanks to all for your company, but special thanks to John Bellamy for his help.

A Ride from Addlestone

On Wednesday we will be heading north from Addlestone to the Coach & Horses at Ickenham (www.classicinns.co.uk/thecoachandhorsesickenham). There are several stretches off-road, some on tarmac, some on gravel, in fact a wide selection of different types of gravel. Nothing technical; I rode the recce on 25mm tyres. No hills. Tea at Richmond Bridge Tide Tables.

KPRC Kingston to Worthing Sunday 7 Oct 2019

Not relevant I know you might say but but I just wanted to do a bit of cross fertilization with our racing off-shoot. I have to say that Francis is so quick and fit. She was off number 1 and me No. 2 at 2 minute intervals we were doing the last KPRC time trial of the season and Francis had been given a 1hr. 05min. H/C and me 60 min. My aim was to win the KPRC H/C Trophy which I failed to do. Much to my surprise I caught Francis after some 7 miles coming back along the A25 from the Pebble Hill roundabout towards Dorking. The route is mainly down the A24 culminating in climbing the Washington Hill over the South Downs  and then shooting down from Findon to the last roundabout  on entering Worthing on the A27 where Angie was marshaling before the finish. We all then decamped to Macaris Coffee shop on the sea front for breakfast where it was revealed that I had been beaten by Francis on handicap by 3 seconds. She got 7 H/C points, I got 6.
It may not be a surprise to let you know but I had trouble with my left shoe "Look" cleat which kept slipping out costing me at least 3 secs. I think my name should be changed from MMHM (Moaning Mad Hatter Morley) to MFFC (Miss Fit Feet and Cleat). Clearly I am still suffering from the Brain injury and that Saga with Slater + Gordon still goes on!

Ride to the Tourmalet

Earlier this year Jennie and I made a decision to cycle up the Col de Tourmalet, so last week we found ourselves driving for nearly four hours from our flat in Marseillan to Lourdes, where we were to stay in the area.

The previous week we had climbed as a practice, one of the highest cols in our area, the Col de Vent, about 11K long and rising to 703 metres. This achieved, in a temperature of 32 degrees,  we then put the bikes on the back of our car and headed off to the Hautes-Pyrenees.

Driving from the Mediterranean to the mountains our biggest worry was the weather as we knew that the authorities do close the cols if it becomes too bad.

Our chosen route was to take the route via Campan, and on leaving the village we soon spotted a sign saying ‘Tourmalet’ 22 K away and here the road climbed at a steady 3 to 5%.Passing through Saint-Marie de Campan the road surface improved to a smoother surface but from here on the percentage immediately rose. 8,9 and 10% for mile after mile, around hairpin bends, through the tunnels, we climbed, only three other cyclists, not many cars but quite a few motor cycles for the best part of 8 miles.

We could see up ahead buildings and arrived in the ski village of La Mongie in mid- afternoon, here we decided to take a coffee break to warm us up.
Whist we took a breather over coffee unfortunately the weather took a turn for the worse, the winds became stronger and the temperature which had been mid-teens when we started plummeted.

We were just 4K from the summit, had the largest percentages behind us but after chatting to a couple of motor cyclists who had just come over the top took the hard decision to turn around and descend from there rather than the top.

The choice we agonised over proved to be correct as on the long, steep descent we became very, very cold and were shivering when passing back through Campan.

Coming down we realized just what we had achieved and ended the day more than happy with our day’s work.

We took a few photos of the adventure.

Jennie and David Jackson

Oh Deer

B Group - 3rd October

With Pam's big 80 birthday the day before, it was always going to be a memorable day!  Despite having got off a plane from Cyprus at 10.30 the night before, Pam was in good form and very kindly treated us to elevenses.  Brian Bent had made a superb card which was signed by one and all, with a rousing chorus of 'Happy Birthday' being sung at its presentation.

Anticipating that it might not be a prompt start, our ride to lunch was of a moderate distance with lunch at The Surrey pub at St John's, Woking.  A group of 24 (or was it 25?) set off along Plough Lane and across the Wisley airstrip.  A new anti-motorbike gateway was being installed on the far side with its design taking into consideration the passage of horses - and bikes, the man hastily assured us!  Up and over the A3 to Wisley, we made our way to Pyrford Common, on to the Old Woking Road and then into a series of suburban roads on the edge of Woking.  Corner markers were invaluable in keeping the group moving.  Cycle path 221 took us through the park on White Rose Lane and into another park on the other side of the A247, following a stream.  After this little interlude, it was back to the streets and across to St John's Hill Road, over the Basingstoke Canal and up Hermitage Road to the pub by 12.45 p.m.

The menu at the Surrey pub is huge and several took advantage of a 2 course meal for Seniors for £4.49 (or 3 for £5.49)!  A room had been reserved for us and although there was only one poor girl at the start taking our orders, help did arrive and we were well looked after, with everyone enjoying their meals.  After the usual photo-call (with birthday girl to the fore!) we set off at 2.15 for the return journey.  A couple of people took the canal route while I led the rest to find Littlewick Road, go across Horsell Common, up Philpot Lane towards Fairoaks Airport and on to Stonehill Road - a familiar road back to Addlestone.  The path across Chertsey Meads had us heading in the direction of Shepperton Lock, where 15 of us gathered around one large table to enjoy a merry tea party before heading homewards.

Thanks to the many who marked corners.  I couldn't have done the ride without your help.  Thanks, too, to back-markers Tim, and Liz who had done the recce with me.  A great day, thanks to all who came and to Pam for letting us share in celebrating her birthday.

Gill Finlay

A Group 3 October - Cobham-Alfold-Effingham

Another lovely autumn ride.   There was a good turnout at Cobham where we sang Happy Birthday to Pam, who very kindly provided cake and refreshments for everyone.  Brian Bent had made a special card for her including two of his watercolour paintings.

We made a prompt getaway and shortly passed a sign "Cyclists: pass horses wide and slow".   Within a minute or so we were tested on this when encountering four horses on Ockham Lane.   I hope we did OK.  It seemed that the weather had put a tiger in our tank with what seemed a fairly pacey ride via West Horsley, Albury Heath, Farley Heath and Cranleigh on our way to lunch at The Three Compasses, Alfold Crossways, so we were there a little before 1pm and we were able to sit outside again, a treat at this time of year.   Mike Morley had gone his own way but joined us a little later. Good food, good beer and good service meant we were fed promptly, but it seemed a leisurely lunch in the warm sunshine.

A quick look at the new bridge over the Wey and Arun Canal, a change of back marker, and we sped off eastwards along Baynards Road, where we ricocheted off West Sussex at Cox Green and turned north towards Ewhurst Green and Holmbury St Mary.

Now there was a choice: behind the Volunteer pub there is a bridleway which leads down to the main A25, connecting with its twin on the other side to take you back up again to join the NCN22 track (which Ken tells me is called Albury Rough?).  This then rejoins the road route on White Down Lane, unfortunately near the bottom.   Four took the road route and the rest risked the off-road route, with some nice views, a few tree roots, brambles and rather feeble nettles to make it interesting.  I think they enjoyed it.   Then we needed a rocket to get us up White Down before stopping at Effingham Vineries for tea.   The road riders were there in time but the off-road crew were just after closing time at 4pm - and Sue discovered a puncture just as we arrived, caused by a big piece of glass.   Once that was dealt with, some of us went on to Carolina's at Bookham for tea and cake.

Just under 42 miles in total, with 2750 feet of ascent.  Many thanks for Mike Barrett and Geoff for back marking, and to all the corner markers.

Only two hills...

Post script:

I just had a call from Phil, the landlord of The Three Compasses: "We get all sorts of groups in here, and I just wanted to say your group was an absolute delight".   

A Group 3 October

You only need one ingredient for a good ride: good weather.  I'm hoping to bring you sunshine, crystal clear views, and vibrant Autumn colours that will put a smile on your face, a spring in your step, a twinkle in your eye, fire in your belly, a tiger in your tank, and a rocket -- well perhaps I should stop there.

The ride's not bad either.  Lunch at The Three Compasses, Alfold: a similar direction to Hans' recent Chichester ride, but mostly different roads.  And in a feeble attempt to keep up with the Gladwyns, there's even an off-road option (note, it's optional) towards the end of the ride.  About 40 miles, with tea at Effingham Vineries.

Notice for B Group ride - 3rd October

The B ride from Cobham will be going to St Johns, Woking, with lunch at The Surrey pub in Hermitage Road. There is an extensive menu which you might like to peruse on-line before the day.  The website is www.greeneking-pubs.co.uk/pubs/surrey/surrey .  

Amongst the offerings are 2 mains for £9.99 under Pub Classics.  There is also a Seniors Menu (small size servings) with 2 courses for £4.49 (or 3 for an extra £1). Tea will either be in Walton or Shepperton depending on what the group wishes to do.

~ Gill

The Seniors' menu, for anyone who might qualify

Graham Holder in major accident + update

We have received some very bad news from Godfrey Potter:

"Just to let you know that I was with Graham on a motorcycle trip in northern Spain recently and on Monday 24th September he was involved in an accident, he was hospitalized but had to have his left leg amputated.
 
He is in Zaragoza hospital at present, his wife, Gillian has flown out and is with him. He is improving slowly - hopefully.
 
He was completely innocent of any wrongdoing, I saw the whole incident.
 
Godfrey

Though we know little more than this about how Graham is now, Godfrey forwarded this update yesterday:

"We hope that Graham is in good hands, by what I have heard so far the medical staff at the hospital do seem to be pretty good.

I heard from Gillian yesterday she said that there was some, albeit slow, improvement.
 
Any news I get, I will keep in touch with you / the Wayfarers.
 
Godfrey


All our warmest thoughts and very best wishes go to Graham and Gill as they progress along their path to recovery after Graham's life-changing accident.

~ Tim

Godfrey sent this update yesterday morning (1st Oct):
"Hi Simon,

The last news I had about Graham's condition, yesterday evening, was that he had regained consciousness briefly & said a few words, recognising Gillian, but is still critical. Apparently there needs to be more surgery done as soon as Graham is stable.
 
Thanks again for your concern.
 
Godfrey

Paul and Vicky Kelly, very good friends of Graham and Gill, are in close contact with Gill and thinking about how they will be able to support them when Graham is fit enough to return home.