A Group 7th August

A select group of only 9 today .... was this the holiday season or a reaction to me standing in for Tony as leader? It had to be a route I could lead without a recce so off to The Haven we went. Outward it was the usual route over Whitedown. Vic punctured at the foot of the hill, the road littered with chalk and flints. Then over Raikes Lane to Holmbury St Mary, Lower Breache Road, Ewhurst Green and south to Rudgwick. Having left Cobham just before 1115 we made the Blue Ship before 1pm in spite of the puncture stop. The return was through Slinfold to Warnham and Rusper with an early tea at Tanhurst Farm. Technically the leaders job was now over but for those that had the time and inclination ( 5 of the 9) I abandoned the routine dash up Henfold Lane for a more leisurely run through Parkgate and Bunce Common, then along Brockhamhurst Road to try out the newly resurfaced Roothill Lane. From there we took Tilehurst Lane and over the hill to Dorking where we went our separate ways. A modest 58 miles for me but more for all those based further north and east.

Easy Riders - 7th August (maps)

The group set off from Cobham but before reaching Blackhills separated into two groups, one destined to go shopping in Kingston while the other went directly to Woodies in New Malden. The happy shoppers turned up at Woodies a little later. Lunch was enjoyed out in the open around a table which was big enough to accomodate everyone. After lunch the group took off in the general direction of the Ewell Court Library.

B Group - 7th August (maps)

Ed's route with B Group. Actually myself and 4 others at the back took a different route due to losing sight of the main group. However we reunited at Mickleham and all rode together up Zig-Zag Hill and beyond.

I didn't crank up the GPS properly for the morning ride so the outward route to Irons Bottom has been reconstructed manually with assistance from Terry.

A Group 7th August

Brian, standing in for Tony, gave us a very good ad-hoc ride today.   South from Cobham to the Blue Ship at the Haven, then sunny lanes to Tanhouse Farm for tea, all of which made a pleasant change on a fine summer's day.

36.3 miles from elevenses to tea, a few hills and a moving average of 13.7 mph.

Very enjoyable.

Mark

B Ride Wednesday 7 August 2013

 Go (home) Aussies

The view from Box Hill

Riding the London-Surrey 100

The ride across London to the start was the beginning of the experience.  The nearer you got to the Olympic Park the more bikes there were, joining the column from every side street.  For the last couple of miles along the A11 there was a solid phalanx of bikes filling an entire carriageway, moving quickly, but considerately of each other.  Cars stayed well clear, which was interesting of itself.  At the park smiling and helpful games-makers directed the crowd to one of the two start areas, and then the rather regimented process necessary to deal with so many people began. There were more than 16,500 starters on this the inaugural year.

First you had to show your number to get into the start area.  Once there - there was plenty of space - you could wander around, go to the loo, watch others starting off, buy some food, check your bags for collection at the finish or just pass the time of day with other riders.  Then you were called to wait to be assembled into a 'wave', which was about a thousand riders at a time; then you entered the 'wave' pen, exactly on time; then the 'wave' moved to the start line and finally, exactly on time again, you set off along a two-mile run-in to the start itself.

I had been a bit worried about this bit - a large number of cyclists close together can be difficult, but it was absolutely fine.  A slow roll away, an easy turn onto the A12 (closed to traffic, of course), with the speed gradually building over the next couple of miles on the large road, allowing sub-groups of similar performance to naturally form.  Crossing the start line I was part of a peleton of fifty or so, which soon accelerated up to about thirty mph.  Hard to do by yourself, but easy enough as part of a peleton, and we kept this speed through Canary Wharf and on towards the Tower of London, where narrower roads brought the pace down.  Still over twenty mph, though, so we were flying along.  Having the entire road to yourself is plenty of space for a group of bicycles, so slower (and faster) riders were easily accommodated.

The run through London was splendid.  No traffic, no hold-ups, traffic lights didn't matter and helpful marshals signalled every turn and corner.  The London Eye, St James' and Harrods passed in a jiffy, and we were soon heading over Chiswick Bridge into Richmond Park.

Here some of the gritty reality of cycling interrupted the dream.  The familiar sinking feeling told me that I had a puncture.  It took a few minutes to fix, during which time about a thousand bikes passed.  A kind lady walking her dog offered to help, but puncture-fixing is a solitary pleasure, so I thanked her and got on with it.

A couple of miles down the road I saw Graham Hill and gave him a wave, then Kingston, Walton, Byfleet and out into the country, heading for Newlands Corner.  This is the first of the hills of the route, and I had wondered how it would work out.  Not bad, was the answer.  There were some slow riders, and even some walking, but the bike-jams of the London to Brighton didn't materialise, mainly because, once again, the full width of a road is a lot of space for a group of bicycles.  I did see Boris as I was riding up, progressing steadily on his flat-bar commuter bike.  Even at this point it was obvious that he wasn't going to make a great time, but equally obviously he was cycling well within himself and would be sure to finish without difficulty.

At the top I made the mistake of going in to one of the service 'hubs' to buy a replacement inner tube.  I had patches, and would have done better going without, as it was packed with cyclists refuelling.  Queues for everything and it took an age.  Large numbers of people are always a problem.

Back on the road and fast riding again; Abinger Hammer, Holmbury St Mary and then Leith Hill, the second of the challenges.  Pretty slow going here, as the road is in any case narrow and numbers of walking cyclists made it more so.  But no real problems, and over the top and on to Dorking.

Dorking was terrific.  There were barriers down the High Street, and large crowds banging them and shouting encouragement at the cyclists.  This is what it must be like for Mark Cavendish.  Excellent.  Then Box Hill, Leatherhead, Cobham (where I saw Colin, doing duty as a marshal) and we were on the home straight.  The pace began to rise again.

At Wimbledon I saw Dave, Graham and Gill; Putney High Street was quite an experience at 34 mph with crowds roaring the bikes on; over the bridge, the Embankment and then it really was head down for the finish line.  Parliament Square, Admiralty Arch and there it was.

There seemed to be two approaches to the Mall.  Some slowed down, waved to friends and family; others got their heads down and went as fast as they could.  I went for the latter, and was very pleased with myself crossing the line.

A medal and a handshake, I didn't bother with the 'goody bag', a left turn by Buckingham Palace and that was that - all over.

All in all, a great day out.  Impeccable organisation, pleasant and supportive staff and fellow riders, and perfect weather for cycling.  Car free riding is great, they should do it every Sunday.  My time was 5:55, just inside the six hours I had estimated.  End to end average 16.7mph; moving average 17.8mph with 45mph being exceeded several times.  So quite a quick ride, with the peleton speeding up the flat and the downhills, but the crowd slowing the uphills.  And a great experience.

If you fancy it next year, the ballot opens on Monday.

Mark

B Ride 31 July 2013

Where we had lunch:

 

The point of this photo is that the colour of the garnish is an exact match for Tony Hooker's socks.

Prudential Ride London 100

I'm riding the 100 miler on Sunday, as is Ken Williams.  My number is 20087, I don't know Ken's, but we're both starting about half past seven.  I'm rather vague on timings, as closed roads will certainly make it quicker, but 20,000 odd other cyclists may not ...  But, all being well, I expect to be at Kingston Bridge at about 0900 on the way out and 1330 on the way back; Newlands Corner about 1030; Leith Hill about 1115; Box Hill before 1200 and finish about 1400 on the Mall.  All this may be totally wrong, of course.

So if you're out for a ride, (or if you're trapped in your house by the road closures), be sure to give me and Ken a wave.  We're easy to spot -  a black bike and a white Ride London jersey.  Just like all the others ...

Thanks in advance to the marshals - these things won't work without you.

Looking forward to the ride - there's plenty of info on http://www.prudentialridelondon.co.uk


Mark

Easy Riders - 31st July

This was the first time that I was to lead the Easy Riders and I was a little wary when I arrived at Walton Centre.  However, Fuzz soon had me sitting in the group and by the time we set off I had just about got the names sorted out.  There were 12 riders, including two new people, Katie and Sharon, whom I hope we shall see again.

We headed off along the towpath towards Walton Bridge, where we cycled across on the NEW cycle path - are we the first?  On the other side, a loop through River Ash Estate brought us out onto Fordbridge Road and we were soon passing through Lower Sunbury.  We turned off the Lower Sunbury Road on to a couple of paths which led us towards Hampton station and then via Ormond Avenue to the High Street.  Shortly after turning left, we took Dukes Head Passage into Bushy Park.  We cycled across to Chestnut Avenue, then picked up Cobblers Walk which brought us out to Park Road in Hampton Wick.  The last lap was along Lower Teddington Road/Broom Road to the pub, Tide End Cottage.

After lunch, the sun came out and we had a lovely sunny ride beside the river from Teddington Lock back to Kingston.  In the Market Place, there was a general consensus amongst those left that people would head home from here.  Sorry Norman, your recommendation for a tea-place in Kingston will have to wait for another time.  Thanks to everyone and special thanks to Ron for being back-marker and to Mark for showing me a useful short-cut.

Gill Finlay

'A' Ride 31st July

It was quite a surprise for me at Dorking Christian Centre that there would be 12 of us prepared to rough it on my ride. They included Mark, Brian, Dave, Simon, Peter, Vic, John, Paul, Jed, Colin and Daniel.

The weather looked promising for rough stuff in the Surrey hills and we set off at about 11:30 with plenty of time to do the course I had previously blogged.

We managed to climb Bagden Hill and thereon to Polesden Lacey comfortably (Daniel registered 20% gradient on Bagden Hill). The less comfortable climb over the rough Yewtree Lane up to Ranmore Road reduced our speed whilst for some of us I feel sure allowed to enjoy the scenery in the Yewtree Farm area, etc. It is believed that this path was an old drover's road some 500 years ago and appears to be about 1.5 mls long.

Unfortunately Paul had a puncture which on Ranmore Road he efficiently got us going again with a new tube. It was plain sailing down to East Horsley then along the A246 to West Horsley then continuing at a good rate to Ockham. At the Black Swan we had a leisurely lunch before we continued on to arrive about 3pm at Bike Beans for Tea.

Vic left us at Downside as Bike Beans at Ashstead would have been a long route home for him.

The rest of the off road to tea was flat - Bookham Common and River Lane Fetcham.

It was quiet on the rest of the roads: Randall's Road, Kingston Road and Lower Ashstead to Ashstead possibly because the schools are on holiday.

There were 10 of us at tea and trust we all had a comfortable journey home.

Ray

B Ride 31st July

Looking at the maps (thank you to Tim C for putting them on the blog) it is true to say that we did meander through Surrey but starting at Dorking, lunching in Cobham and taking tea in Long Ditton meant we could string together some well-known stretches with, for some, some completely unknown elements.

The B’s are always up for a challenge and we got the major climb of the day out of the way as soon as possible by going up on to Ranmore Common via Ranmore Road. There were 18 of us and everyone made it. Then it was along the top and down Crocknorth Road followed by the up and over Chalk Lane.

Down into Horsely and along the tarmac path next to the railway before turning right on to Silkmore Lane. Its bridleway section was a bit rough. However it ended at the next bridleway at Jury Farm which is paved. After a brief consultation two thirds of the way along the majority of us turned right through Shepardsgrove Copse to Ripley Lane where we reformed.

All very familiar as we made our way through Church End, Ockham (where the Hautboy is being converted into apartments), past the Black Swan (no sign of the A’s), on to Cobham Tilt and The Running Mare. No dramas with lunch meant we could enjoy the pleasant sunshine outside.

Tea at Squires in Long Ditton looks like a short run but we extended it by going in the direction of Fairmile and Oxshott and then dipping back down towards Stoke D’Abernon. Not far out of Oxshott is another tarmac bridleway which ends up back in Oxshott on Wrens Hill.

Back on the familiar roads again we took the recently resurfaced New Road bridleway to Claygate, under the A309 and into Woodstock Lane for tea. There were 12 of us at the end. I made it 30 miles from elevenses to tea.

A very pleasant day out with the B’s!

Peter T

B Group - 31st July (maps)

Peter Tiller's meandering route from Dorking to the Running Mare for Lunch and then to Squires in Long Ditton for Tea

Dorking Christian Centre to lunch at The Running Mare in Lower Cobham Tilt (17.7 miles)

from The Running Mare to Squires in Long Ditton (8.15 miles)

Detail of the afternoon ride on OS 1:25,000 showing the excursion down Bridle Lane

Detail of the three off-road paths around West Horsley on OS 1:25,000

A Group 31st July

A bit of a change from Ray today - the A Group off road!  Most came prepared, as there was a collection of sturdy bikes at elevenses, and everyone seemed to enjoy the novelty.

25.1 miles from elevenses in Dorking to tea at Bike Beans, Ashstead; with lunch at the Black Swan, Ockham.  A bit slower than usual, due to the surface of the tracks, but fast enough for most.

A good day out.

Mark

SCC Leatherhead Ashtead cycle path consultation

SCC have secured £600,000 to improve cycling between Leatherhead and Ashtead. The proposals are online for comment and I would encourage those of you who use the route regularly to do so. The plan is to put a path along the A24 but there are some "uncertainties" about the two most difficult areas... crossing the Leatherhead bypass ( where a Toucan crossing is proposed but not certain) and the stretch past the Shell garage to Woodfield Lane in Ashtead where the plan does not match the words that go with it.

There is a countercurrent of thinking in Ashtead suggesting improvements to the Ottways Lane/Linden Pit Path route that most of us use from time to time but the difficulties of traffic segregation and parking in Ottways Lane make this difficult to meet the criteria. However I'm sure we will all continue to use this if they dont get the A24 proposal right.

The details and questionnaire can be found at:

www.surrey.gov.uk/leatherheadashteadcycling

Have a look and have your say. Otherwise don't moan afterwards!

A ride 31st July

For those with access to blogs, this is about the 'A' group ride I am taking on 31st July from Dorking. The route will be via Blagdon Hill To Polesden Lacey then off road climbing to Ranmore Common then descending down to East Horsley along the A246 to West Horsley and via Lanes to the Black Swan for lunch at Ockham. Tea at Ashstead (Bike Beans) going via Downside, Fetcham, Leatherhead, and Lower Ashstead.
Those wishing not to do rough stuff to Ranmore Common should be able to rejoin by road.

Ray

Easy Riders - 24th July (maps)

Lynda's ride from Shepperton Greeno to the Swan in Thames Ditton for lunch and then to tea at Ewell Court.

 

A Group 24 July

Ride Report
Shepperton to Hedgerley

First the accident:

Shortly after turning left off Staines Road into Windsor road, I hear an insistent beep...beep...beep from behind the group. Eventually, I pull over to let the impatient twot past. Nice lady informs me that guy riding near the back has "...collapsed...". Use of horn had been to attract our attention.

Ride back, to find numerous vehicles stopped, a bloodied Peter in the recovery position with 2 members of the public (passing drivers) tending to him, one turns out to be a local GP. Looks to have nasty head injury with copious quantities of blood. One driver has already phoned 999 and ambulance is on its way. Mini bus driver produces bumper medical kit, which GP puts to good use. Other driver is directing traffic around the incident. All passing drivers negotiate the incident with due care and no complaint. Mini bus driver produces box of choc-ices and hands them round. Lady whose house we are outside, offers to take Pete's bike in for safe keeping and drive it round to his house later in the day. Shop keepers etc come out offering assistance.

Ambulance arrives, by which time Peter is compos mentis enough to walk into the ambulance, carted off to hospital. 

Cause? Front quick release was not done up tight enough. When wheel hit road hump it twisted out of the fork, jammed against the brake, stopped instantly and ejected Peter over the bars, ejector seat like, and he landed on the road head first. Bike is classic steel frame/fork, predating lawyers lips.

Be careful out there folks, and don't forget those pre ride safety checks we all know about but rarely do.....

Response of all the drivers helping or passing with care was exemplary.

Now the ride itself....

Plan had been for a modestly paced ride out to Burnham  Beeches, a stroll in the woods and a visit to the White Horse at Hedgerley. The above detailed delays made rather a mess of that schedule, so it was hammer down, and a fast paced ride out over flat roads then a leisurely pootle through the Beeches with a brief photo stop. I swear there is not a more beautiful place in the world than The Beeches on a day like yesterday: dappled sunshine playing on the road and, apart from a group of wheezing old gits on bikes, total silence.

The two great things about the White Horse are its great selection of real ales, all gravity fed direct from the cask with no bar, but service trough a hatch into the "cellar", plus it serves good wholesome, home made and well priced grub. Only down side is the distance.....

While there, we chatted to a group of Uxbridge CTC midweek riders.

Back to the Walled Garden at Sunbury for Tea - again hammer down because of timings, but being a small group of 6 we were able to keep a tight formation and benefit from drafting.

73 miles door to door for me.

Paul Kelly

Royal Baby Celebrations in Brookham

24 July 2013 - As seen in Brookham:

B Group - 24th July

Yesterday's ride was a conglomeration of ideas which was helped by talking to Gill and riding with Irene t'other Saturday!   After going over the route last week I realised the mileage was more than B group normally do but hoped that all would be up for it and it was great - 23 of us left Shepperton just after 11am - well done all - thank you! 

We took off through the High St., left at the lights to Laleham and there we picked up the tow-path to Llamas Park.  Onwards to Wraysbury, left to Horton, where we passed A group, obviously with a problem but all appeared to be under control so we kept going.  Did not wish to complicate matters, albeit we were all concerned.

After passing through Datchet we took the left towards Eton but turned right 'en-route' to the Jubilee River at a cycle sign depicting route 61. The Jubilee river was built to alleviate the flood risk to Maidenhead, Bray and Windsor but it has proved to be a failure after its opening in 2002, and it cost millions!!  (Google Jubilee river if interested)! 

I took advantage of a convenient drive to gather the troops and it was here that Irene told us that Bob Mc's chain had broken.   His mate John, Bob S and Pete B stayed with him and they cycled to Windsor for their lunch as they did not know our route, but Irene was told to carry on! Irene also said that John B and Ken W had left us earlier.

The surface of the Jubilee is hard and no problem to cycle.   The dust had lain after the previous days/nights rain- and no large puddles/pools of water!   Some people were a little flummoxed by the metal up/down steps, necessary to prevent access to certain vehicles! Sorry about that!   Five miles on we  joined the A4 and it was a short ride to The Thames Hotel on the Cookham road. 

What incredible service and the staff were so pleasant.  23 meals to prepare and I'm sure nobody waited longer than 20mins or so....apart from Vic as unfortunately they got his order wrong!!   The beer was very good too!!

Our return was via Bray, a short stretch along the M4 (alongside it-actually!!), on to Dorney, right towards the river at Eton Wick, and here we used the tow path towards Windsor.  We left the tow path to pick up route 4 along Vansittart Road and into Windsor Great Park at Cambourne Gate.  Past the long walk to exit at Bishopsgate, down Tite Hill, through Egham and Thorpe to Chertsey Bridge to reach Shepperton Lock at 4.50 for tea.   WOW..we made it before 5pm!!

Whilst cycling through Thorpe I had a hunch that we would not make the lock before closing time so I asked Vic if he would go on ahead to let the ladies know we were on our way-cheers Vic.   Luckily, the ladies had told us last week that they would not mind serving a group so near their closing time of 5pm.

What a day - it was great!    My thanks to Irene and Gill for back marking, Carolyn for middle marking, Vic for rushing off to the lock and every body who was out and hopefully enjoyed the day, also, my thanks to Tim for maps and blogging this report.

- Cheers, Pam :)

Maps for Pam's very enjoyable ride to Maidenhead, 18.2 miles to Lunch and 22 miles to Tea:

The first and last bits

The bit in the middle

Maidenhead - Dorney - Eton Wick on OS 1:25,000

Pete Betts

I've just spoken to Pete, who is home safe, and fairly well.  Cuts, grazes and loss of skin, but he'll mend soon enough.

He expresses his thanks to the Great British Public, who really stepped up to help him in his hour of need.  A lot of people did just what was necessary, at exactly the right time.

Get well soon, Pete.

Mark