End to End - Last Day

We're here - the finish much like the start, blue skies and sparkling sea. With me is Annette Dentith, my travelling companion for more than nine hundred miles. Couldn't ask for better.

Today's total was 102.33 miles and 5629 feet of ascent. It's good to be here, it's a long way. But it has been a great ride, and I'm sorry it's over.

Mark

Effingham bridge

After a period of total closure this bridge is now passable on foot (Saturday May 29th) Forest Road Effingham
Not a recent picture!

Update from Pam

I am home from my three week trip to Scotland. The first eleven days, John and I, (my pal who lives in Fairlie on the Ayrshire west coast), cycled to Raasay to visit Graham and Irene where we stayed for three nights! It was good to see the island that one hears so much about and we were very well looked after. After reading about Mark's incredibly challenging ride, it makes our ride a little punitive!!!! Although it did not feel like that at the time for the northerly head wind going to Raasay was bitterly cold - and then a strong southerly for our return!! But we did manage to dodge the snow and only got wet once and that was on Arran on our last day. During my last week we cycled Bute, Great Cumbrae Island, all of 10 miles around the coastal road (but it does have a good hill with wonderful views), and various other destinations to visit friends. Bye the way, in the photo outside Raasay Youth Hostel I am holding John's bike that has a little electric motor to assist one up the hills etc. etc.!! I shall be out on Wednesday, leading B group to The Plough at Horsell! Hope they won't mind! Cheers Pam :)

End to End - Day 8

A bright start again, through Fort William and Fort Augustus to coffee at the Thistlestop Cafe, which seems near nowhere in particular, lunch at the Loch Ness Inn, alongside, uh, Loch Ness. Up a big hill and jackets on - it chucked it down. Steady rain all the way through Dingwall to Evanton and the Novat Arms Hotel.

Due to an error on the route sheet today' short run turned out to be 90.97 miles and 4258 feet of ascent. Well, I'm doing it for the ride!

Mark

End to End - Day 7

Bright enough at the start of the day, over the Campsie Fells to Callander, where we were served scones by a nice Polish lady. Then on to Crianlarich for lunch, raining by then, Tyndrum, Bridge of Orchy then up on to Rannoch Moor, where it was rather brighter. On to Glencoe, appropriately misty and rainy, Ballachulish and in to our Hotel in Onich, where I have a splendid view over the loch.

An easy day tomorrow, apparently - only 85 miles.

Today was 106.51 with 5722 feet of ascent.

Mark

End to End - Day 6

Quickly into Scotland this morning, in bright sunshine, but the variability of Scottish weather soon made itself apparent.

Coffee and Paradise Cake (lots of cherries) in Lockerbie, food for lunch bought in sunny Moffat and eaten on the doorstep of an abandoned pub in windy Tweedsmuir, rain at Biggar, strong winds and heavy showers at Braehead, hail at Shotts and down to our hotel at Cumbernauld in bright evening sunshine.

109.42 miles and 6308 feet of ascent.

Mark

A Ride 26 May 2010

Claygate - Fifield - Horton Garden Centre

A drop in temperature led to no drop in attendance at Claygate DC. A comforting cup of tea was needed to compensate for a cape lost en route - and it did not rain all day!

Ed led the As : (Brian, Ed, Graham, Jeff, John S, Julian, Richard, Rob and Simon) on a 26 mile canter to Fifield. Vic led a ride here last September and we had resolved to return - a good decision. The route was via Esher, Chertsey, the tow path to Staines, Priest Hill and Bishopsgate through WP, where a brief conflab confirmed that, despite the time, the extra miles were justified. We arrived at The Fifield to find that we had been beaten to the bar by the Uxbridge Loiterers - a chummy CTC group who had lost their link to our website. We advised them accordingly. As for the pub, the landlord was most welcoming and attentive, the food and beer excellent. Even John had no complaints, than which there is no greater praise!

A Puff for the Uxbridge Loiterers

With our restart a little later than usual, the leader's baton was passed to Richard. He knew the way from Bray, but not the way to Bray. Without a map, we consulted the moss on weathered trees, the sun and one or two wanderers beside Bray Lake and Monkey Island to find our way to the Fat Duck. From then on it was plain sailing through Dorney, Eton Wick and Datchet for tea at Horton GC, engagingly served by a painted young lady from Eastern Europe wearing half a pair of slacks. The bottom really does seem to have fallen out of the market. We then ran the gauntlet of West London early evening traffic until the parting of the ways near Hampton. I did retrace my morning's route, to inspect the gutters up Reigate Road past Nescot, but the missing cape had really flown the coop and nestles now I know not where. I do so hope that it has found a worthy home.

Our thanks to a.m. leader Ed and p.m. leader Richard, despite a little magnetic interference.

Mileage shed to shed was nearly 72 miles.

Jeff

B Group May 26th

It is sometimes tough on a B group ride!

En route with B Group

Pictures from Heather

B ride 26th May 2010

Cedars of Lebanon, Norbury Park in 2006

From Claygate I led Heather, Liz, Mel (John G's daughter), Pat, Chas (tec, thanks),Cliff, Eddie, Harold, Johns various, Les, Mike M, Ray H, Roger and Toni south along the track (New Road) to join the B280 to Oxshott. Just over a mile of the A244 was enough - we turned right into quieter Oaklawn Road leading to River Lane and Norbury Park. Fortunately the track up to the sawmill was quite dry, after a breather we made a slight diversion to inspect the Cedars of Lebanon sculptures, then freewheeled carefully (sleeping policemen !) to the A24, admiring the wonderful view to the east. Preferring the Old London Road through Mickleham to the cycletrack, we did have to use the track from Ryka's to Pixham Lane, then to Brockham via Betchworth Golf Course. Service at The Royal Oak was quite slow, unlike when I checked it out last week. From Brockham Green we took the short track leading to Mill Hill then via Betchworth, Wonham Lane (lots of deer and lllllamas), Trumpets Hill Road (where unfortunately Harold's gear cable broke), Leigh and Blackbrook (anybody want to buy a pub ?) to Inholms Lane. After a discussion, only Heather, Mel, Chas, Johns G and M and Terry opted for tea at Courtyard Cafe, Dorking, after which we headed for Leatherhead and home. A pleasant ride, dry, warm enough with the occasional sun and plenty of colourful flowers to see.

Terry

End to End - Day 5

The summit of Shap Fell - half way. With me is Annette Dentith, of the Mid Devon CC, roadracer and triathlete. We had just stormed up Shap with Adam and Gary of the Clic Sargent charity ride who are part of our group. I wasn't first to the top (I wasn't even second...)

As you'll see from the jackets, the first rain of the trip. Quite a change, but a good run, nevertheless. Rush hour at Preston this morning was a bit fraught, lunch at Kendal very pleasant (haggis on offer, but not yet), and the Angus Hotel in Carlisle for supper.

Scotland tomorrow!

101.82 miles and 4738 ft of ascent.

Mark

Easy Riders

We were well advertised but only a few turned up on the first really hot day this year but Monday the 24th this week was a real scorcher and being Woking Cycle Week the Council gave us a champagne breakfast at The Parkview day centre at Sheerwater and yours truly the honour of cutting the tape to open the newly erected bike racks. The local paper took a few shots and Radio Wey asked me for an interview when I bashed the gong for a few of cycling likes and dislikes. There was Bill and Margaret, Peter and me with our tandem trikes plus Bill H.,and a couple more. -----------------Albert

End to End - Day 4

Grey cloud today, and much cooler. No bad thing, as it kept the speed up and we had a long way to go.
A couple of sharp hills to start the run, crossing Wenmore Edgebefore descending to the Cheshire Plain. Coffee at Shrewsbury, with a Butter Bun - a sort of sugary pastry, fried, I think. Very good energy source.

Then on to Worleston, lunch in the garden of the Royal Oak, crossing the Manchester Ship Canal at Warburton, passing near Warrington and Wigan before finally arriving at our night's stop, the Premier Inn at Chorley. Our bikes are in the Laundry Room - perhaps someone will wash them.

116.08 miles and 5151 feet of ascent.

Mark

End to End - Day 3

Easier going today, and the miles passed quickly. Over the Clifton Bridge in Bristol, then the Severn Bridge, briefly into Wales and then we tipped our hat to Bernard and Luisa at Tintern Abbey. Very good cakes.

Through Monmouth to Buckholt, lunch in the sun, then Hereford, Leominster and finally Ludlow, the Wheatsheaf Inn.

96.1 miles and about 5000 ft of ascent.

Mark

End to End - Day 2

A day of two halves. It started with a stiff climb up on to Dartmoor, then fast cruising over the moors, and down to Chagford for coffee and cake - Hummingbird Cake, a first for me.

Rolling country (read 'still fairly big hills'), then gradually down out of Devon into Somerset. Fewer and smaller hills until we reached the Somerset levels, which are flat.

105.9 miles and 7706 feet of ascent.

Mark

End to End - Day 1

We couldn't have asked for a better start. Breakfast in the dining room of the Lands End Hotel, watching the sea sparkle around the Longships Lighthouse; the obligatory group photo, then off in the warm sunshine. Ten of us on the road, and John and Phil in the van.I was lucky enough to tag on to a quick peleton of three who towed me through spectacular Cornish countryside to lunch at the Blue Anchor in Fraddon.

Lunch taken, the peleton split into the fast and nearly-as-fast, and we powered over Bodmin Moor to the Cornish Arms in Gunnislake.

89.98 miles, 7680 feet of ascent, and we beat the van...

Mark

B Group May 19th

Pictures from Heather Bates

Spring it seems has finally arrived - what a glorious day for cycling. Setting off from Shepperton to Laleham we followed the tow path to Staines before passing Thorpe Lea and Englefield Green. A slight deviation of the route planned (the team were feeling a little peckish at this stage) sent us via Virginia Waters, the Totem Pole and Cascade to the Wheatsheaf for Lunch. Bob Starey, Phil and Phil headed off for Windsor while the rest of us John, Mick, Eddie, Terry, John Gould, Les, Cliff, Judy, Dawn, Charles, Heather, Christine, John Scott, John Mason, Stephanie and Pete Mitchell enjoyed a leisurely lunch in the sun. We continued through Virginia Water via Lyne to Chertsey before tea at Shepperton Lock, then set off on our separate ways home. My thanks to the ever dependable Terry, as back marker ( what would we do without him ?) Total milage 52. Hope you all had a good days cycling.
Liz Scrivens
P.S. Gill, hope your arm is healing OK, we really miss you.

Easy riders May 19th

.A really warm day with plenty of sunshine and a fair crop of bare knees at Shepperton. I was down to lead our ride but did not feel my eyesight was quite up to it, so Roger and Chris kept on my tail with an early warning when I took a wrong turn. We made for The Bell at Staines with around eight others including Fuzz, Beryl and Bill H, The pub is always a good choice even though the beer has gone through the three quid barrier. The rest were going for tea back at Shepperton but I made for home down Chertsey Road (called Staines Lane in the other direction). Hope to see some of you on Monday for the Parkview day centre lark at 10.45------------Albert

A Group 19 May

Shepperton - Hyde - Richmond Bridge

A Group May 19th

A Team 19th May
At Shepperton Day Centre I advertised a brisk-ish ride in a northerly direction heading towards the Chilton Hills.
9 hardy souls took up the challenge, they were Tony, Simon, Ray, Mark, Mike, Peter, Ed, Jeff and John. We were away by 11-15. Heading through Laleham, Ashford, Stanwell Moor to cross the M25 to Colnbrook. Now heading dead North through Shreding Green, it was along here that a motorist driving in the opposite direction was obviously very impressed with our line out of 10 riding fairly quickly, giving us a few toots on the horn and a friendly thumbs up sign. (makes a change) then through Iver Heath, past Pinewood Film Studios to cross the Alder Bourne river via the ford that was featured in the film Genevieve were Kay Kendall pushed Kenneth More’s vintage car that had stalled, ( a long way from the Brighton Road). After this the previous very flat route ended and the hills began with the climb up to Gerrards Cross then down to Chalfont St.Peter then up Chalfont heights and finally down to The Oaks pub in Hyde just short of Harefield. The 22 miles were at an average of just over 13mph. Such was the quality and quantity of the meals it was very difficult to drag the team away and back on the bikes. Alas, about 2 miles from lunch whilst climbing up to Harefield Ray punctured, we had some problem getting back on the road and lost about an hour, however off we went via South Harefield and Swakeley’s where we had to negotiate a little bit of traffic as a car was on its roof, then past RAF Northolt, Yeading, Dormer’s Wells, Osterley, Syon, Old Isleworth and along the Thames for tea at the café under Richmond Bridge, I am very proud to say there were still 10 of us at tea. After tea folk made their own way back. My total mileage was 64 miles but probably others could have done more, it was a pleasure to lead such a group of confident and fit riders.
Frank

A Group 19th May

Frank led us to Ultima Thule today, far to the North of the Thames, to Harefield, where a pleasant Irish couple served us a good lunch, then back to Richmond for tea. 41.08 miles at a moving speed of 13.1 mph; 1161 feet of ascent (such was the shortage of hills that we had to do one of them twice); 1953 calories at a sporting 78 watts.

Mark