1 February, 2012

The unpretentious Church of St Mary the Virgin, Pixham, designed by Edwin Lutyens, 1903.

Isle of Wight Randonnee

This takes place on Sunday the 6th of May and is free to enter. 100km or 55km options. Train/ferry combined cost is around £35 return from Victoria. Register on the day at at any checkpoint.  http://www.cycleisland.co.uk

Probably best to go on the Saturday and stay in B&B or drive to Portsmouth and catch the ferry as foot passengers.

Tony..

B Group - 1st February

On a sunny morning but with temperatures barely above freezing for my inaugural ride, 22 Wayfarers set off from Cobham to Westhumble via Plough Lane, Effingham, Ranmore Common before descending to the Stepping Stones Pub.

The dinning room blazing fire was welcoming and lunch was served surprisingly promptly considering the size of the group.

In the afternoon, we cycled to Horton Golf Club where 14 of us had tea.

A round trip of about 40 miles which was sufficient considering the cold weather.

Only one puncture to record (Judy), promptly repaired by Frank C. Both managed to catch us up for tea. 

- Frank H.
 

Lunch by the fire in the Stepping Stones pub

The short wait for our food to arrive

All wrapped up after refuelling, ready for take off

Frank's route from Cobham to Westhumble for lunch and to the Horton Park Golf Club for tea

(22.3 miles)

A Group 1st February

Bright sunshine but a chilly Easterly wind for Ray's ride today. 25.4 miles at a spanking 16.3 mph; maximum speed 39.4 mph; minimum temperature 0.9ºC.

Home in the light.

Mark

Easy Riders - 1st February

Easy Riders' route from Cobham to Stoneleigh

Easy Riders - Leader needed tomorrow 1 Feb from Cobham

Lynda has let us know that she will not be coming to Cobham tomorrow. As she was down to lead, we shall need to fall back on Plan B. So will the ladies and gentlemen of the Easy Riders please be prepared to start the day with an impromptu huddle to decide who will lead and where? I'm sure that you will do much better at reaching agreement than the so called leaders of Europe!

Looking at the weather forecast, don't forget to bring your ear muffs and flask of medicinal brandy to keep out the cold!

Jeff

A Group, 25 January

Redhill - Three Bridges - Dorking

A round dozen riders set off for today’s ‘A’ ride from Redhill. Our destination was to be Three Bridges, in Crawley, a fair trek for January for some of our more North and Westerly based members.

Our route took us due South through Earlswood, past East Surrey Hospital, and along Mason’s Bridge Road, past the Dog and Duck pub and into Smallfield. We carried on South along Effingham Lane, through Crawley Down, before encountering our only real hill of the day as we entered Turners Hill. After that it was due west down the hill along Turners Hill Road. On the outskirts of Crawley, at Worth, we stopped for the day’s cultural item, at the atmospheric church of St Nicholas, complete with its interior Saxon arches and 13^th Century font. In the graveyard was seen the tomb of Robert Whitehead, designer of the first self propelled naval torpedo.

Away from the ethereal atmosphere of St Nicholas, we made a literal and metaphorical descent to the more earthly surroundings of the Snooty Fox, directly opposite Three Bridges station. Initial hopes of a group beer discount were dashed on discovering the choice of beer on offer was restricted. It’s a hard life as a Midweek Wayfarer!!

Resisting the temptation after lunch to jump on the train, we proceeded at good pace with a following wind along the Balcombe Road via Horley, Hookwood, Leigh and Brockham to Denbies for tea. My mileage today was an estimated (due to a malfunctioning Cateye) 56, though others will have done quite a few more. Unlike our less fortunate ‘B’ group brethren of late, today’s puncture count was nil.

Rob

Easy Riders - 25th January

Roger's route from Molesey to Chessington via Shepperton

Fifteen of us departed from the Day Centre in Molesey. Apart from Cliff's puncture near the Hampton Water Works a good ride was had by all and a very satisfactory lunch was enjoyed by all at the Thames Court pub at Shepperton Lock. Afternoon tea was taken at the Kings Centre in Chessington where we polished off all their rock cakes with a cup of tea.


- Ron W

As seen on TV...

For anyone who may have missed it BBC2 are currently broadcasting a repeat of the six part series "On Hannibal's Trail" in which the three Wood brothers from Australia endeavour to follow Hannibal's legendary route from Cartagena in Spain and over the Alps into Italy. One of the most enjoyable aspects of this series is that the boys are doing proper cycle touring, camping as they go. Episode 2 will be tomorrow night (Friday 27th Jan) on BBC2 at 20:30. If you want to see the first episode via BBC iPlayer you will need to catch it before it expires at 8:59pm on Fri, 27.

Simon's Ride 18th January

Thanks to GPX data collected by Simon's phone I have been able to recreate the route and telemetry for the ride, as a number have requested. These have been added to the report.

I would caution that the telemetry data have been edited and may not be accurate - but the route is fine.

Mark

B Group ride January 25

Meath Green Lane teddies

After two interesting urbanish rides we were back in rural Surrey (and, briefly, West Sussex) today, with elevenses at Redhill. I led fourteen south on N21 to Salfords where we turned right into Honeycrock Lane, then shortly crossed the A23 into quiet Lodge Lane. Soon we joined Meath Green Lane and admired the teddies. A brief stretch of the A217 led to Povey Cross and the quieter Charlwood Road. With time in hand I decided to turn into Lowfield Heath Road and past the Gatwick Aviation Museum. (Years ago former MWW sec Steve Bott stopped to have a closer look and stepped about three paces onto the owner's verge to be greeted loudly with 'Oi, you...'). We kept moving. Soon we turned into Bonnetts Lane, then Charlwood Road led us to ..Charlwood where we all enjoyed delicious, generous lunches with very attentive service at The Half Moon/La Demie Lune.

A straightforward run in the afternoon via Russ Hill, right turn into Partridge Lane, left turn into Burntoak Lane took us past the moated Cudworth Manor. Rejoining the metalled road we headed for Parkgate, Brockham, across the golf course to Pixham Lane and tea at Annie's at Leatherhead. Fortunately the threatened drizzle didn't happen (at least, not to me), hopefully everyone arrived home dry and not needing lights for very long. Thanks to Liz for back-marking.

Terry

B Group - 25th January

Terry's route from Redhill to Leatherhead via Charlwood

(Satnav says 29.4 miles)

Maps showing the last stretch from Brockham to Leatherhead (left) and detail of the scenic route many of us took from Banstead to Redhill on the way to elevenses this morning (right)

A Group 25th January

Terra incognita from Rob today - Three Bridges. 35.18 miles elevenses to tea, lunch at the Snooty Fox. Rolling average 12.9 mph and 1,576 calories.

Mark

Easy Riders - January 18th 2012

10 of us left Teddington on a dull day, but a lot milder than previous days. We went over Hampton Court Bridge along the cycle path and left into Summer road and over the level crossing. A right turn into Speer Road and onto Weston Green rd continuing which follows on after crossing Hampton Court way. Wayfarer Derek R lives on this corner and Ron dropped off to have chat and catch up. We continued over Ember Lane and into Lower Green Rd, and along path to Molesey Road. Then via various quiet roads to the Swan at Walton - nice pub, good food and quick service. After lunch David and Wendy left us and the rest went along towpath to Hampton Court and Five on bridge. Fuzz went along main road through Sunbury and arrived just before us. Apparently the same Tea venue took place last week. I wasn't out and hadn't been there for some time.

John Conacher

B Ride - Wednesday 18th January 2012

On a dull day, today's B ride punctures were (in order of appearance ): Ed, Frank, John, Frank, Liz.

20 left Teddington and traversed Bushey Park to Hampton. At Lower Sunbury, we diverted into Loudwater Close in order to deliver an important envelope to one of our number. We then took the Halliford Road, but before reaching the Halliford Garden Centre the leader punctured. As it was getting late, Irene offered to lead the group the rest of the way to lunch (see satellite map for her route) while Ian stayed behind to help with replacing the inner tube. This having been accomplished, John and Ian's route was from Upper Halliford to Laleham Abbey, along the Thames to Chertsey Bridge, across Addlestone Moor and Victory Park into Central Addlestone, and over the railway bridge at Mill Pond Court.

We arrived at the Pelican by the river Wey at about 1:15 to find the rest of the party already eating at our reserved table. Ian and I were quickly served and the party was ready to leave at about 1:50 p.m. But as we were about to depart there was a sudden shower (the only one of the day), and there was a brief delay while over-trousers, capes, etc were put on. Our afternoon route was via Church Path in Weybridge to Walton Station and through the Weylands Industrial estate to Thames Ditton. Seven of us had tea at Long Ditton Garden Centre.

But first I accompanied Liz and Les to examine the cycle/walking tunnel under the old A3, which has been only barely passable for the last 7 weeks and totally impassable for about 2 weeks. The tunnel is now just about passable by bike, but is still very unpleasant with 2 or 3 inches of (smelly) water, and garbage and miscellanous obstacles at the Northern end. When I got home, I phoned my Elmbridge Councillor contact who explained that some work had been done (by the Environment Agency?), and that Surrey County Council had asked their contractor for an urgent quote to complete the rest of the clearance - but that this had not yet been forthcoming. The Councillor assured me that the matter was now being dealt with at top level, including the Chief Executive of Elmbridge Council. The Councillor believes that it is possible that the problem was originally caused by unauthorised connections to the sewage system and this is being investigated - but I am not allowed to quote the Councillor on this!

John Gould

Addendum:

John,

I regret to say that in fact I suffered three punctures yesterday: the second was a mile from the pub. We turned back and I had a third puncture not far from Shepperton. At this stage I had had enough and we took the train to Raynes Park and had a leisurely lunch in the Weatherspoons.

I have ordered a new tyre and several inner tubes.

Frank H

B Group - 18th January 2012

John Gould's ride with the B Team

The first and last bits                       The in-between bits

A Group 18 January

Teddington - Datchet - Shepperton

Tucking in at the Royal Stag Datchet

Ready to burn a few calories after lunch and birthday cakes

Totem Pole at Virginia Water

A Group, 18 January

Teddington - Datchet - Shepperton

A couple of months ago I finally succumbed to Jeff's combination of persuasion, flattery, and pleas to lead some rides. So today was my first outing as a leader, starting at Elleray Hall, Teddington with mild, moist weather but without the threatened rain. A group of 17 headed through a maze of back streets to Twickenham Green, and then followed the river Crane, first through Crane Park, under the A316 and up past the old gunpowder factory and lead shot tower, scene of gunpowder manufacture from the reign of Henry VIII until 1927, with regular explosions, one of which in 1758 was heard in Reading.
Emerging unscathed we then navigated Feltham, again largely on cycle paths to Bedfont and then to Stanwell, Stanwell Moor, and Horton. John Bassett left us to go ahead on a mysterious mission, which was later revealed as buying pastries to celebrate his 60th birthday a few days ago. Happy birthday John!
After a fulsome lunch (plus John's pastries) at the Royal Stag, we departed , somewhat heavier than when we arrived, towards Old Windsor and the rather steep Crimp Hill, where we were left standing by Frank (on fixie), Ray, Vic and a few others. Well, they have had more time to practise than some of us! Then it was through the Savill Gardens, past the totem pole and out the other side to Virginia Water, up to Lyne and then back to the Bakery at Shepperton, via Chertsey. All in about 33 miles from elevenses to tea, and slightly later arrival than planned at 15.20, due to a sightseeing stop at the Totem Pole. It wasn't dark when we left but apologies to those who arrived home in the dark. Must do better next time ...

Simon

A Group 18th January

Mileages - Jan1st - Dec 31st 2011

Dear All

A quick reminder that I am putting together the mileages for 2011, to add to our rolling mileage archive. If you would like yours to be included, please let me have it asap, or else for ever hold your peace.

Jeff