Report for B Group - 3rd April

Cobham - Walton on Thames - Bushy Park

a ride by Robert T.

Steph writes:

Being first to leave Cobham we were about to pedal off at 10.40 when Vic White cycled up hoping for a chat with folk before the ride.

Team Steph heading out

He has enough lung capacity to chat as he cycles and so accompanied us up Plough Lane.  The route was perfect for those who'd had a cycling Easter at Eastbourne and we were soon happily through Ripley and on the scenic loop through to Lock Lane.  However all was not well.  A collision held us up a bit but no damage done and we had the pleasure of accompanying Vic home with an added tour of his garden.

We then picked up the route in Weybridge and arrived at the same time as everyone else.  
An enjoyable afternoon and tea at the Pheasantry.   Thanks Robert for the route and Ray and Pam and Bob for backmarking/advising on routes etc.  A great day out.

~ Steph


Robert writes:

A total of 31 enthusiastic riders were at Cobham for the B ride (excluding Vic who joined Steph's group at the start).

We divided into 3 groups led by Stepanie, myself and Fixie Dave. My group of 11 included Francis as back marker, Diane, Michael, Chris, Sabina, Bernard, Tim C, Ann, Anne and Alan I. We headed for Ripley then turned north to reach the Wey Navigation Canal.

The first part of canal path was good as we passed under the 1751 Murray’s bridge to New Haw locks. After that to Cox’s lock, the path was muddy with most of us opting to walk partway.

After each group had its own problem, ours being Sabina’s flat tyre (easily fixed at lunchtime), we all ended up at The Ashley Park in Walton for lunch at about 1pm. However, the Pub coped with the large number very well. They had given us the party area and, without pre-orders, managed to serve us all within 20 minutes. Several of us took advantage of the daytime mains, including a good value 3-course meal.

After lunch we crossed the Walton Bridge and followed Thames Side before circling round to Bushy Park for a pleasant tea [exchanging pleasantries?] at the Pheasantry, in Bushy Park.

~ Robert


Dave C writes:

Our group of ten cyclists was the last to Leave Cobham at 11:10am. But not the last to arrive at our lunch destination, in Walton-on-Thames. Amusingly all the groups arrived at the same time, but not all from the same direction.

Taking part were Christina, Mags, Paula, Ian W, Peter B, John A, Stephen H, Geoff G, Tony Hr, Dave C (aka Fixie)    

Thank you Geoff for coming forward to take your place at the back.

I blame our group ride leader for avoiding the River Wey (mea culpa) . I was concerned that somebody might fall by the Weyside.  

Sadly Mags needed to leave our group before lunch, due to the bolt holding the Saddle onto the Saddle stem breaking. A temporary/ad-hoc fix got Mags to the nearest Station.

The group photo of saddle repair specialists

Thank you Robert for an interesting route.

~ Dave

A Group Ride Report - 3 April

 20 riders set off from Cobham for lunch in Capel and tea in Ashtead.

First off was Dave V’s group and here is his report:

My group comprised no fewer than 4 Daves (W, F, J and me) thankfully balanced by Gill and Andy and Jennie as back marker (thanks Jennie). We left promptly, mindful that the headwind outbound would likely get stronger. In the event it was only troublesome on the open stretch to West Horsley, after which the hills provided shelter, and a different sort of challenge.

We were swiftly through the Amlets Lane roadworks, but at Ewhurst the rain started, and continued all the way to Capel, where blue skies prevailed just as we entered the Crown. The staff had expected three separate groups, but we all arrived at much the same time. Nevertheless the welcome was warm and the food good, and we were all sitting together.

Dave W left us after lunch. On the wind assisted return there was some talk of avoiding the Box Hill zig-zags but after a quick debate at Ryka’s we all decided to ride up. On the way we were able to help a Brompton-riding tourist who was struggling with a wonky saddle. Andy, probably alone amongst us, was carrying the necessary box-spanner to make the repair.

Gill decided to turn for home direct from Box Hill, while the rest of us completed the route, with its final quirk, to Ashtead Park, where Dave F and Andy remained for tea.

Thanks to my group for unfailing cheerfulness, and to Clive for a route which linked together some of Surrey’s smoother-surfaced roads.

The second group was led by Brian:

My group of six (Frances, Ged, Neil C, Peter S, Richard) set off almost on time. It was hard work into the wind to West Horsley, so much so that the climb up The Drift which was sheltered by trees seemed easier than the open flat stretches. Hans' group overtook us at the top of the first Shere Road climb. 

Until Cranleigh it was dry but then some drizzle started and when it got worse I stopped by the pub in Ewhurst to put my jacket on. I was then told that I had missed the turning into Downhurst Road so we went back and did that - a first for everyone. The rain didn't last but roads everywhere were very wet from recent rain. From Ewhurst to lunch was much easier without the head wind and we arrived at the pub just before 1pm to find Dave Vine's group still queuing at the bar.

Lunch was good value and in spite of our concentrated arrival we were on the road in about an hour. It felt colder after lunch though finally there was some brightness by the time we reached Box Hill. Frances, Peter and Neil peeled off home at various points and Ged, Richard and I stopped for tea.

Thanks for a nice route which was appreciated by all and to Peter for back marking.

Last but not least the group led by Hans:

Seven riders took off from Cohan in my group looking forward to our ride in the wind and probable rain. Thankfully the weather, by all accounts was kinder than last week but there were still some very damp cyclist arriving at The Crown in Capel for lunch.

After a good lunch and some ingenious clothing layering (?) we managed a good speed to Box Hill and a fast descent to tea at Pleasure Pit Lane (where better?). A good ride, some tired legs but thankfully dryer than the morning.

Thanks to Dave V, Brian and Hans for sub-leading and here is the route.

Vélocio Saint-Etienne

 I've received the usual flyer for this year's Vélocio - any Wayfarers who may be passing will be welcome.

Mark

Invitation to a B Group ride - 3rd April

Fewer hills but still scenic! From Cobham, we'll go through Ripley then head north along the Wey Navigation Canal. (This was dry with a good surface a few days ago). Lunch will be at The Ashley Park in Walton. No need to pre- order, but check out the menu especially the daytime Mains and Lunch Bites, so that you're ready to order on arrival. After lunch we'll cross Walton Bridge and follow the Thames before circling round to Bushy Park for tea at The Pheasantry.

Route is:
2024/4/3 Cobham - Walton-On-Thames - Bushy Park (Robert T)

Menu link is: Ember Inns Menus 

Party area is reserved for ‘Robert’ to left of bar at back. Outside tables also available. Parking for our bikes is behind the pub, past the outdoor eating area, with access via the left side of the pub. 

Steph and Fixie Dave are co-leading.

To participate, please send me an email by Monday night. If you have a preference for earlier or later start, let me know.

Robert

Invitation to A Group Ride 3rd April

Next Wednesday's ride is from Cobham.

26 miles to lunch at the Crown Inn, Capel via Shere and Farley Green.

19 miles to tea at Ashtead Park Garden Centre via Newdigate and Box Hill.

All on road and a little up and down, but not too hilly at 2,900 feet.

The pub want us to pre-order so here is their menu.

If you would like to come along please let me know (clive.janes@gmail.com) by Monday evening and include your choice from the pub's menu.

Here is the route:

• Garmin
• RideWithGPS

Thanks

Clive

Report for B Group - 27th March

Effingham: Queen Stage - Cranleigh: Three Horseshoes - Dorking - Leatherhead

Christina writes:

Our 1st departure 10.50 am group included Carolyn, Tim Gibbons, Fixie Dave, Tony Hooker,  Chris Hyde and myself, Christina.

At the outset, Fixie Dave wanted the ride to be all on the road. Judging by the heavy rain the night before, and with the blessing of route designer Tim C, we were pleased to stick to the "alternative" route, especially when the heavens poured forth from 11.30am onwards up until our arrival at the "Three Horseshoes" Pub at 12.40pm, 10 minutes earlier than scheduled.

Team Christina (Tim G partially eclipsed)

At the high point in Raikes Lane

I had forewarned our group about the undulating nature of the ride before and after the lunch. Everyone just got on with the ride. Hopefully the ride prepared them for more challenging rides in the near future, be it the Easter Tour in Eastbourne, Skiing, the Hilly 50 or the cycling holiday in Majorca.

Thanks to Tim C for the excellent route, my group for your cheerful dispositions and Tim G for back marking.

~ Christina

Christina studying the terrain during the recce

______________________________________________

Stephen writes:

The second group - Stephen, Terry, Robert, Francis, Ian and Keith - set forth from the Queen Stage in good weather, and hoping that the forecast of heavy rain ahead was wrong.  Green Dene successfully conquered, all was going well.  But as we approached Albury, the forecast proved all too accurate, and the rain came down.  A democratic vote was taken to stick to roads rather than the tracks up and over Blackheath.   By the time we reached the turn at Chilworth rain and cold were taking their toll and two of the group - having already ridden many miles even before the start - decided enough was enough and headed for home.  The remaining intrepid group of 4 carried on and made it successfully to the welcome shelter, warmth and food of the Three Horseshoes at Cranleigh.

At The Three Horseshoes

Encouragingly, the rain then abated and the afternoon ride to Dorking even included some sunshine - very welcome, especially as the post-lunch hills took their toll.  Having sweated up to Sutton Abinger we enjoyed the long sweep downhill to the Guildford Road, eschewing the additional climb at Raikes Lane.  Then the familiar - particularly to Terry - route into Dorking, ending at the quirky Old Clunker café.

At The Old Clunker

Thanks to Tim for a good route;  to all the members of the group for their fellowship and good humour; and to the weather gods for saving us from more rain in the afternoon.

~ Stephen

______________________________________________

Tim writes:

With a forecast for cool rainy weather I had some anxiety that a few might decide to stay at home. But we arrived at The Queen Stage after a bit of a battle with a full-frontal southerly wind to find that several of us were there already. And everyone else turned up too. The staff had been warned that a lycra-clad horde would be invading their establishment and they catered for our A and B teams very well. And the croissants were warm.

After the ride up Green Dene and down towards Shere we were expecting some serious rain. So, in conversations with Christina and Stephen, our two subleaders, it was agreed that each would take a decision about whether or not to take their teams up unto Blackheath. For some pig-headed reason I wanted to do this part of the ride, as planned. So in Albury we turned left into Blackheath Lane which, despite the seriously grotty weather, proved to be a delight to ride, having been freshly tarmacked. And with its being no more than three metres wide and not actually going anywhere, it was entirely devoid of traffic.

The team didn't appreciate the route ...

 

... as much as I'd imagined they would!

 

"Are we there yet?"

However the fun came to an end and we had to haul our bikes up about 100 metres in a steep and very mucky gully, eventually arriving up on the heath and looking for our track. We found it and had a rough but easy-to-navigate path, eventually arriving at the much photographed 'This Way'/'That Way'/'Somewhere Else' sign post. At this point we turned south for a lovely ride, despite the heavy rain, through to Shamley Green. We kept off the main roads wherever possible but in view of our continuing failure to appreciate the weather we decided to skip the scenic detour through Smithwood Common, and arrived at The Three Horseshoes only 5 minutes after our preordained time.

We’d pre-ordered lunch so didn’t have to wait at all for it to be delivered, thanks especially to the chef, Stuart. We were very reluctant to leave this warm and friendly pub. It was cold outside so we put all our layers back on and headed off towards Ewhurst, rejoicing in the effort the sun was now making to shine its happy rays upon us.

All geared up for departure after lunch

We negotiated some serious undulations until Holmbury St Mary then cruised down to Sutton Abinger. We’d discussed the pros and cons of riding along Raikes Lane in order to avoid a mile of the busy A25 and once we arrived at the top of the ramp beyond The Volunteer and recovered our breath we felt pleased with our choice of this more direct route.

Tim, Paul, Anne and Steph

Tim, Paul, Anne and Mick

In the late afternoon, although The Old Clunker was the appointed Tea stop, Dorking seemed like a long way from home so we carried on to Leatherhead where, on Paul’s recommendation, we stopped for tea at Lucio’s Coffee and Deli to enjoy friendly service and tasty refreshments. But, riding up the Mole Gap, Paul had the misfortune to find a bee buzzing about inside his glasses and in the panic to get rid of it he took a nasty fall. We hope that he is not feeling too bruised or suffering any other injury after this.

Thanks to Steph, Paul, Mick and Anne for their good company and for enduring the rigours of the morning route and its foul weather with true British gritty fortitude. Thank you to Christina and Stephen for leading your teams on this challenging day and Mick for helping to lead our team when the rain played havoc with my phone.

~ Tim

Blackheath route detail on OS Explorer

A group ride from Effingham Queen Stage to Godalming, 27th March 2024.

As indicated in the ride invitation, our route included a few odd hills - in fact these totalled 686m of ascent, with my Garmin course indicating six Cat <4 climbs*. Not all were familiar. This wasn't enough ascent for one group, as you will see from Janice's report below!). Numbers leaving the Queen Stage were down - maybe the forecast of Spring 'showers' deterred some, but we still managed three groups.

Peter Suchy, Dave Ferrett and Sue Chasty were waiting patiently for the Queen Stage to open when I arrived just before 10am, and they were eventually joined by Dave Vine to make-up the first group to depart at 10.30am.

Leading my group of five found us overlapping with Peter's group in Thorncombe Street -  the drizzle at Chilworth having turned to heavy rain by then. Luckily, alertness in the peloton prevented me following Peter who had missed the right fork along Thorncombe St. towards Hascombe. (An easy mistake to make as demonstrated by those taking the more natural left fork/straight-on along Thorncombe St towards Palmers Cross, and beyond!).

Next up was Mare Lane. This was missed on last week's recce: the gradient towards the top must have been 20%, and with very narrow tracks walking-up was the preferred option.  

The Mare Lane walk-up.

We approached Godalming by the less familiar southernly direction via Hydestile, Enton and Tuesley, reaching The Jack Philips not long before 1.00pm. Dave and Jennie departed for Easter Tour duties, with Dave Ward soon after. That made a comfortable combined easy-paced group of seven to tea at Gails, Cobham.

Departing the 'Spoons' - warm and dry!

Janice had a lot of explaining to do in her report.

As she says, the forecast had shown heavy rain around 12 - 1 and strong winds but by the time Patrick, Steve D, Andy, Neil C and I met in the Queens Stage for our 10.50 departure the forecast was showing the rain was coming at 11.
We felt the first spots on our descent of Combe Lane so after that it was jackets on where they stayed all day.

The ride was going well until Thorncombe Street which seemed to go on forever. By now the rain was torrential, the potholes and gravel frequent, the Garmin touch screen was getting confused by rain drops and kept ‘greying out’ and my hands were freezing in my completely sodden Sealskinz waterproof gloves. But up and up we went on the never ending Thorncombe Street. Andy realised that Steve and Neil were no longer behind but Patrick and I thought there was only about a minute’s gap. Andy elected to wait for them just before the descent but Patrick and I foolishly continued on a lengthy downhill stretch. At the bottom we stopped and waited, the rain still torrential. After a few minutes we realised there must be more to it than then just falling behind. So back up the hill this time to where Andy was waiting. After waiting some more and being cold and soaked through I sent a what’s app message and phoned Steve. No reply so what a dilemma.

In the end, Andy said that we’d passed a turn to Godalming which could have been taken by them and Neil had earlier said that if he dropped back we should go ahead as he had the route on his Garmin. So wetter and colder than ever we decided to press on.

After cycling for what seemed like forever we found ourselves in Bramley, going up Snowdenham Lane at which point all 3 of us said ‘haven’t we already been up here’? And yes we had, I’d somehow managed to lead us around circles.

By then my brain was too tired and cold to function but Andy switched into gear and produced a map (what a great invention, I must get one)! So with a right, left, right we were at last on our way to Godalming. We passed a sign saying 2 miles to go but I’m sure it was much more than that, although maybe that’s just how it felt.

At last we arrived in Godalming, Steve and Neil and both other groups were happily tucking into lunch. A jacket potato and hot chocolate restored my spirits.


The ride back to Cobham was mercifully uneventful.

Thanks to Ged for the route and my group for their unfailing politeness in being led a merry dance (or ride) around the many hills of Surrey without complaint.

Janice's group - back together again! 

(This photo courtesy of Andy - and his self-timer!).

Thanks to Janice and Peter for sub-leading, Dave Ward and Dave Vine for back marking - and for the rest of you remaining cheerful despite the near winterly conditions at times. 

*Cavert Road, Green Dene, Sampleoak Lane, Mare Lane, Tuesley Lane, Littleton Lane.

Invitation to a B Group ride - 27th March

Christina, Stephen and I cordially invite you to a ride through the hills to The Three Horseshoes in Cranleigh. We will meet for Elevenses at The Queen Stage in Effingham. Please be there in good time to enjoy your refreshments.

This is our route, with just over 16 miles to lunch:

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45903812

If you have the technology please load this into your phone or Garmin in order to assist your leader should any confusion about the route arise. This is a good practice on any ride.

For anyone who might have heard a horror story from Christina or myself, about a 5 mile slog through mud on the Down's Link Path, this section has been completely eliminated from the ride. There will however be other scenic woodland paths.

The highest mountain to be scaled will be our old favourite, Green Dene, although there will be other hills through the rest of the day. Some very minor roads too with a get-off-and-walk section to get us up onto Blackheath.

At The Three Horseshoes we will wheel our bikes down a narrow alley at the side of the pub, pass some wheelie bins, and park around the back.

13 miles after lunch will bring us to The Old Clunker Café in Dorking.

Our host Pete has asked if we could pre-order our food. Please study these menus and let me know by email what you'd like to order when you confirm your intention to join us. I need to know by Monday evening.

 

Looking forward to seeing you,

Tim C

A group ride from Effingham, Queen Stage, to Godalming, 27th March 2024.

You are invited onto the A group ride from Effingham, Queen Stage, to Wetherspoons, Jack Phillips, at Godalming, and finishing in Cobham. 22.5 miles to lunch, 16.5 miles to tea. All on road - and hilly only in a few odd places.

Please respond by the usual deadline of 6pm on Monday 25th March to:

gedlawrenson150@gmail.com.

Groups and timings published on Tues. morning.

Thanks

Magical History Tour; SWLCTC London Ride, 20 March

Ride day dawned in Wallington with a cool drizzle, but in the event the weather not only improved but served us splendidly, even if it meant those of us who had left home early were a little over-dressed.  

The congregation for elevenses at Pembroke Lodge was impressive and heart warming; As, Bs, Norwesters, Easy Riders, forty five in all.  We had mixed the groups as much as we could so we all got a chance to meet people we don't normally ride with, and under the guidance of six fully certificated leaders we left at ten minute intervals on this year's Magical History Tour ("Step right this way").

Elevenses

Last year it was Brunel and the Pilgrim Fathers, Judge Jeffreys, and Edward III.  This year it was mathematicians, Cavaliers, brutalist Hungarians, famous athletes, greedy developers, the Great Stink, the Dambusters, the Suffragettes, and West London football clubs of either code.  

Rumour spread around school that Hammersmith Bridge was opened especially for our ride.

Tim's class reached Holland Park

Clive's class is photobombed by Paul's outside the house that was firebombed.

So all the good girls and boys who paid attention know that Bertrand Russell discovered Euclid at the age of eleven and equated it in later life to falling in love.  They know that the Earl of Holland lost his head to the Roundheads and thereby reluctantly passed on his 500 acre estate that stretched from Holland Park to the Fulham Road.  They know that in retaliation for Emo Goldfinger building an ugly house near his own, Ian Fleming used the architect's name for one of his most memorable villains.  They thereby learnt never to upset a poet, a songwriter or an author.  They learnt that there was once a cinder track and a velodrome at Paddington Rec and they learnt that there is injustice in the world, for although Bradley Wiggins and Roger Bannister are celebrated there with plaques, there is no such recognition for Ged Lawrenson, who played football on that very site.

Tim's class search Paddington Rec in vain for a plaque with Ged's name on it.

Teachers and pupils alike experienced a feeling of satisfaction eating in a pub which had been rebuilt brick for brick by those who destroyed it for illicit profit and, especially considering their nonchalance when informed that forty cyclists would be descending upon them, the staff served up decent food at decent prices and, for all but a handful, pretty promptly.

The early arrivals at The Carlton enjoy a break from lessons; John's class, generally photo-shy, can be seen on the right earnestly discussing what they have learnt

Ged's class

Sue's class at lunch

The head girl, with friend 

Clive's class, the last to leave lunch (not quite the first to arrive)

We visited the blue plaque marking the dwelling place of a man credited with saving tens of thousands of lives (Joseph Bazalgette) and, round the corner, a man of great courage who in the service of his country destroyed the lives of tens of thousands (Guy Gibson) and in between we missed Crocker's Folly, now a Lebanese restaurant but built as a grand hotel by Frank Crocker in the erroneous belief that he had a cast-iron tip-off about where the site of the terminus of the Great Central Railway was to be built.  Those of us in the last two groups had Helen to point out our omission and tell that tale.

Tim shows off his London residence to his class 

Paul's class at the grave of a Tory MP

We toured South Kensington, where we don't often ride, and visited the grave of a woman who started off as a radical, who became a terrorist and who wound up as a Conservative Member of Parliament (Emmeline Pankhurst).  We crossed the Stamford Bridge and which of us knew beforehand that that famous champion of feminism and sobriety, Oliver Reed, played rugby for Rosslyn Park?

The Remnants of John's class at the end of the school day

By the time most of us had rolled up at l'assaggino in time for tea or coffee and elegant pastries we were brim full of information and ready for any exam.

Thanks to everyone who helped, especially the leaders John A, Sue F, Ged, Tim G and Clive, and the back markers and direction-prompters.  And thanks to everyone who turned up and enjoyed the ride.  Feedback at parents' evening was very encouraging.  School may be running a similar event next year.

2024 London Ride 20 March. Order of play

 2024 London Ride

Departing from the coffee shop outside Pembroke Lodge in Richmond Park

Team Wandle departs 10.40

leader John Austin

Peter Betts

Simon Lambourn

Neil Warland

Steph Wyatt

Lillian Chelli

Team Fleet departs 10.50

leader Sue Foster

Ray Youlden

Gill Finlay

Patrick Watmough

Geoff Gregory

Dave Vine

Team Ravensbourne departs 11.00

leader Ged Lawrenson

Steve Duffin

Mike Reynell

Chris Hyde

Paula Buckton

Bernard & Sabina

Team Lea departs 11.10

leader Tim Gibbons

Tony Hopkins

Dave Ferrett

Liz Bernard

Brian Greenwood

Christina Berkley

Bernard Power

Gill Holder

Team Tyburn departs 11,20

leader Clive Janes

Tony Hooker

Richard Bailey

Keith Rook

Daniel Arthur

Helen Tovey

Tim Court

Team Falconbrook departs 11.30

leader Paul James

David Ward

Jane Fox

Dave Bartholomew

Ian Williamson

Stephen Hickey

John Connaughton

Any problems?  Organise a one-for one swap telling the respective team leaders