Report for Easy Riders - 8th September

Despite the soaring temperatures there was a good turnout for the Easy Riders last Wednesday, namely Helen Tovey, Karen Cochrane, Dawn Moriarty, Anne Connaughton, Sandy Bayliss, Bernard Power, Peter Tiller, Edward Cornes [a former B Group regular], Colin Lown, Sue Jong and myself. Peter Burge accompanied us in the morning and we were pleased to be joined by John Bellamy – sadly not on his bike – at elevenses.

From Kingston Market we crossed the bridge and headed north, keeping close to the Thames, via Richmond to Syon Park. Our route took us on to Osterley Lane  (a track on the east and north of Osterley Park), over the M4 to join the Grand Union Canal towpath on the approach to the Hanwell flight of locks. My guidebook informs me (does that sound a bit Portillo-esque?) that the ground here rises 53 feet over one-third of a mile – any steeper and it would be a staircase rather than a flight.

Conveniently, at the end of the flight and within a few yards of the canal, was our lunch stop, The Fox at Hanwell. The shaded garden was really welcome, the food good and the service quick. (It was convenient on two counts because a mile or so earlier I had a puncture and I was able to replace the tube without holding everybody up.)

After lunch we followed the towpath to Brentford, on to Kew Bridge (where Helen discovered she had a slow puncture – so not a good day on that score) and back along the Thames Path for drinks and ice creams at Canbury Gardens.

Frank C

A Group Ride Wed 15 September - Invitation

 

Wednesday’s ride from Walton Bridge will be to the Dog and Partridge at Yateley (www.dogandpartridgeyateley.co.uk) reputedly the last home of the Monster Raving Loony Party, which seems a fitting destination for these times.

Mostly on road, but with about 1 ½ miles which could best be described as across-country rather than off-road, but not technical, reccied by me on 25mm road tyres without difficulty. If the weather is wet before Wednesday there is an alternative, on-road, but not so memorable,

About 24 miles to lunch, around 2 hours. Return is 27 miles all on road via Crowthorne and a surprisingly low-traffic traverse of Bracknell. No big gradients. Tea at Squires, Upper Halliford, where refreshments can thankfully now be ordered app-free.

Simon and NeilC have kindly offered to co-lead. If you fancy this ride, please contact me d.vine207@btinternet.com by Monday evening.

Invitation to B group ride on Wednesday 15th September

Our ride on Wednesday will take us from Walton bridge to 'The Waterman's Arms' at Eton.

A relatively flat route through Virginia Water, Windsor Great Park to Eton and return to Shepperton via Datchet, Staines and along the river.

We will meet at the cafe by Walton bridge and finish at Shepperton Lock for tea.

For RwGPS users the route is Walton-Eton-Shepperton

For Komoot users the route is Walton-Eton-Shepperton

Please advise me by 6pm on Monday if you would like to take part.

E-mail : timgibbons1@virginmedia.com

Look forward to seeing you all on Wednesday.

Tim Gibbons
 

Report for B Group - 8th September

We were all greeted with a warm and sunny start to the day as we met at Effingham Vineries for the start of today’s ride.

I together with Christina, Dave, Grant, Ken, Martin, Paul, Stephen and Tim C left promptly at 10.45am for the start of our morning ride.

Our first ascent up Green Dene afforded us welcome shade between the trees from what was proving to be an increasingly hot and sunny day. Our descent to and through Shere and on to Little London, Brook and Farley Green proved to be a delightful route along quiet country lanes.

The climb up and into Winterfold Heath was a new venture for some of us and particularly the discovery of Jelley’s Hollow at the top of the hill. Apparently formed by meltwater during the last ice age the hollow takes its name from a Grade II listed manor house at the base of the gully. It's also been used as a film location for a Star Wars scene due to its unearthly appearance.

 

Encouraged by a past film location it seemed an appropriate setting for a photo opportunity. No difficulty in adopting an alien and unearthly appearance. To some it comes quite naturally!

We then cycled down to Cranleigh and along to Dunsfold to meet up with both A groups and John's B group at ‘The Sun Inn’ where we enjoyed a good lunch in comfortable surroundings. The pub was closed on the day of our recce so it was good to experience what it had to offer. Everyone seemed suitably satisfied.

 

 

Our afternoon trip took us up through Loxhill, Hascombe and a particularly scenic route along Bodkin Hill to Thorncombe Street. From there we continued to head north to Bramley and Wonersh where Stephen peeled off towards Guildford.
Past Chilworth we faced the final delight of the day with a climb up Halfpenny Lane where we re-grouped (feeling a little out of breath and shortchanged) to plan our entry point onto the bumpy off-road section leading to Newlands Corner.
From there we took the planned route along the A25 and A246 towards West Horsley. Paul, Martin and Christina headed for Leatherhead, Grant disappeared over the horizon, while the rest of us headed for Cobham.

A welcome tea break at Fego café finished what had been a successful day’s ride.

Thanks to everyone for their company and to Tim C for planning an adventurous route and operating as back marker.

A good day had by all !

Tim G

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The first group of eight set off as scheduled and headed along a very interesting route that had many sections that riders were pleased to report as being new to them, always an additional bonus.

After a splendid lunch, served very promptly, we headed for more hills and more new roads. As the afternoon progressed, our group began to splinter with one heading off towards Guildford, another two for Dorking, another for Leatherhead, two for Epsom and only two actually aiming for our official end at Cobham.

Thank you to all for their company and to Colin for his back marking.

~ John A

A round up of photos with John's group, from Pete, Tony and Steph:

At Jelley's Hollow, looking for Pete

Looking for a shorter route to lunch

Pete and Steph enjoying their confusion

Paula and Terry zooming up Halfpenny Lane

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During the recce with Tim and John, and three of Tim's cycling mates we rode through Blackheath in the afternoon. However I had planned for an alternative, though less scenic route using main roads to Chilworth to reduce the amount of climbing by about 150 feet. Yesterday John's team rode through Blackheath while Tim decided to take his team around the other route which proved to be a good option, easier and without too much traffic.

It was a pleasure to plan a ride which took us beyond our customary orbit and on several roads which I don't think I have ever visited before. A delightful part of the country and, as Grant said, "this is what they call 'England'". Ken didn't think he'd been up Halfpenny Lane before so that must have been a treat for him!

On our recce on a cool and indifferent Monday we knew the pub would be closed so we ate our sandwiches at one of the tables on the green and the pub looked rather glum. But Brian and I had been reassured by Elle throughout the planning that they were very much up to the task of serving a good lunch to both groups. And so it turned out, with all of us dining under the marquee. The food was good and the staff were terrific.

At lunch Stephen Morris told us that this would probably be his last ride with us because he and his wife are moving to Wiltshire. He has already identified local cycling groups which he'd be able to join. We wish them well.

Thanks to John and Tim for leading while I took a back seat in Tim's group.

~ Tim

A ride 8th September

 

We've had to wait a long time for one of the best days of this summer. Nineteen signed up to enjoy it and the challenge was to get everyone to lunch before the Bs. An unusual challenge but for the first time in at least 10 years ( unless I am corrected) the A and B group leaders had chosen the same pub: the lovely Sun Inn at Dunsfold. Having only discovered this on the recce where we found Tim Court's name in the bookings list the challenge was to make it work rather than replan.

All credit to the landlady, Elle, at the Sun and her staff. Tim and I had been sent a slimmed down menu last week and with orders submitted the staff did a great job on the day.

Janice and I led a group of ten which we split into two groups of five. Our outward route took us over Whitedown to Holmbury St Mary, Lyefield Lane, Ellen's Green and Alfold. The two groups were some way apart until my group stopped for Hans to examine his tyre and Janice passed us. On the return we were within a few hundred yards of each other all the way. This all worked well with the traffic though for much of the outward ride there was very little and we could enjoy relaxed cycling at a good speed in beautiful countryside. On the return we stopped at the fountain in Hascombe where only those named Neil tested the water. Janice's group stopped for ice creams at Newlands on the return and in the end the lure proved too much for even the initial abstainers in my group. 

My thanks to Janice for leading, Dave B for back marking and Dave F and Simon for leading the second group. Their reports follow.

Simon led the outward leg: Brian's route today had everything:  beautiful lanes, very little traffic, a few meaty hills, great company, well-organised stops, and the magic ingredient - sunshine.   The A and B groups were together at Effingham (11s) and again at The Sun, Dunsfold, which was great, and both venues coped with the large numbers very well.   I led the second A group in the morning: nobody seemed in a great hurry, and there was time to chat and enjoy the views during the ride.

Dave F assumed the helm after lunch for the longish grind up to Hascombe leaving Simon free to finish  collecting subs from the large gathering at the pub. However Simon soon rejoined the tail. From Hascombe we began a brisker roller coaster descent along the very scenic lanes which tracked the watercourse to Bramley via Thorncombe. After a short section on slightly busier roads to Chilworth it was time to turn off and don the crampons for the ascent of Halfpenny lane, where Steve W was crowned king of the mountain. After the coronation, a few elected to leave the ride whilst the remainder followed the partially unsurfaced track from the White Lane car park to Newlands corner. Thereafter it was traditional and more frequently travelled downhill fare to Ripley for tea. The glorious sunny day deserved Brian’s excellent and  frequently shady lane route.

Invitation to A Group ride 8th September

 Our ride on Wednesday from Effingham Vineries will be to the Sun Inn at Dunsfold returning to Ripley. 22 miles to lunch and 18 miles to Ripley. Mostly rural lanes, at least until we get back to Newlkands Corner. It should be suitable for all A ( and aspiring A) riders. Some hills and the price of avoiding Guildford is Halfpenny Lane and the offroad section along the downs from White Lane to Newlands Corner.

Please read the B blog for the menu and more information - by strange coincidence both Tim and I visited the Sun to recce it so unusually we are both going to the same destination. The landlady had been very helpful but we need to reciprocate so that this works. By leaving Effingham between 1030 ( maybe even 1020) and 11 the As should be there before the Bs. Also it would be very helpful if as many as possible could commit and let me know your menu choice by Sunday evening so that the landlady has a heads up for her food order. If not, please let me know by 6pm on Monday as usual.  Thanks.   Email: briangreenwood@yahoo.co.uk

Invitation to a B Group ride on 8th September

On Wednesday A Group and B Group will meet for Elevenses at The Effingham Vineries garden centre. By a strange coincidence Brian and I have both planned to lead our respective groups to The Sun Inn in Dunsfold for lunch. We have been assured by the management at the pub that they will be able to cope with our large numbers provided we order our food in advance from this menu:

(click to enlarge)

The B Group ride will be a challenging one with 19 miles and two big hills in the morning, one of them an old favourite and the other rather lovely one might be a revelation to some of us. During the recce we took 2 hours and 20 minutes to reach the pub so on the day it is likely that most of A Group will arrive before us but Elle, the manager, knows we are coming and will lay in sufficient provisions for both groups, subject to knowing well in advance what our menu choices will be.

The afternoon ride will be 21 miles with some hills and an off-road segment, with an option to avoid one hilly section if it is raining. Anyone who wishes to can leave the ride after 6 miles, at Bramley and Wonersh Station to ride a scenic route through Shalford to Guildford to catch a train home. We will stop for Tea in Cobham.

This is the route:

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/37429677

or (if you must):

https://www.komoot.com/tour/475922100?ref=wtd

(Please let me know if this Komoot link doesn't work for you.)

Please endeavour to advise me by email or private WhatsApp message of your menu choices by Sunday evening at the latest.

It should be a good one. Note that I intend for all (2 or 3) teams to leave the Vineries by 11:00.

Tim

 

Head for hills! Not on this ride - A Group Cobham to Holyport.

 Two groups of riders departed from Cobham on what promised to be a fast ride to lunch at Holyport. Fast and flat is what was promised and delivered, albeit on some busy roads but it isn’t often you get to ride a long, straight, flat road at a decent speed ie Drift Road. Lunch at the George on the Green was very good and with the weather looking less than welcoming both groups set off for the return journey via Old Windsor and Runnymede. No mishaps on the way, apart from a white van driver in Staines who took a dislike to my being in his way, the journey back to Hampton Court was no less swift. I recorded an average speed of 16.4 mph for my group and probably something similar for Mike’s peloton.

A special welcome to Abi and Richard for their second and first rides respectively.

My thanks to Mike for leading the second group, to Janice for patiently back-marking and to all for maintaining a good pace.

My thanks to Dave W for this extraordinary photo seen by some on the ride home. 

B Group report for 1st September

The sun may not have shown its face but 16 wayfarers turned up for an unusually early start from Cobham.  Thanks to all for rising a little earlier than normal.  My group set off promptly at 10 and enjoyed the variety of off road and on road and varying pace to match.  The route from the remains of the chapel in Westhumble up to the Vineries track was not known to many but is a useful cut through saving a bit of climbing.

Dave's Dragonflies at the gate to Ashleigh Grange

Sunflowers at Lunch

Lunch at The New Inn in Cartbridge had been pre-ordered and was served promptly with good portions.  Ann Bath joined us for the afternoon and we finished up at Waynflete Tower which was the gatehouse to Esher Palace and as grand as Hampton Court in its day.

~ Steph

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Nine happy Dragonflies gathered at Cobham today, ready for our 10.15 flight to the New Inn at Send. It was to have been seven of us, But we were pleased to have Pat join our group, and also a male defector from the Sunflower group. I believe that was because the name sunflower didn't sit easily on male shoulders.

Our group glided along the road quite well, But I kept hearing from the back of the group, a call to hurry up! Which I endeavoured to do. It became apparent that this call was "Car up" So my apologies if the initial pace was too quick.

All nine of us arrived at the New Inn, without any problems along the way, and in reasonable time at hopefully a reasonable pace. Our food was served quickly, and I found the food to be good!

Our route out (and back) was well designed, not on roads that we use regularly. The ride was somewhat undulating, but not too difficult or too hard on any of the cyclists, speaking from my perception. The undulations blended in with the temperature today, up and down. 

Having been watered and fed, the nine headed off along the roads once again. Pam was the first to reduce our group number at Newark. So after that I needed to keep looking around, to check that the other cyclists were still with me. Terry left us at the Black Swan. Ken left us ignominiously, somewhere between Newark and the Black Swan, the lure of Blackberrys proving too much.

Four of us made it into Garsons Farm, for afternoon sustenance. It did seem strange that there weren't any Sunflowers on display there?

~ Dave C