Dennis Broughton

Some of you may have heard already, but Ron and Doreen have reported the sad news of the death of Dennis Broughton. At present we have no details of what happened nor of the funeral arrangements. As soon as we have any further information I shall make sure that it is available on the Wayfarers' blog.

Jeff

B Ride 12 February

Teddington – Great Bookham – Esher

On the face of it Teddington – Great Bookham – Esher sounds rather pedestrian. The logic behind the route choice was to beat the wind and rain, get to lunch and be blown home! However the statistics tell a different story – Teddington 12, Great Bookham 9, Esher 5.

We were delayed by numerous stops along the way – mechanicals to start with and then as the “weather” came upon us, the need to don wet weather gear. There was a moment at Effingham Common when the horizontal rain stung like hail. Turning “the corner” at Effingham was a great relief. The only hazards between there and lunch were the large puddles and the occasional streams crossing the road.

The Anchor was warm and welcoming and, apart from one bowl of chips which arrived late, the food was served promptly. Incidentally a number of us would have helped out with chips but their owner saw to it that there was too much vinegar on them to our taste and ate the lot!

The journey back to Esher was wet. With the wind behind us somehow it was acceptable. There was raging torrent in Fetcham under the bridge to negotiate and that was it.

Sitting in !Giro the skies lifted and brightened and so did our spirits and sense of achievement.

Peter T

B Group - 12th February (map)

Peter's weather was abysmal today but he led us from Teddington with great gusto, directly into some ferocious South Westerly wind and rain, to deliver us not a moment too soon to The Anchor in Bookham (15.5 miles). Afterwards we were blown back to Esher for Tea with Peter navigating (8.1 miles).

A Group 12th February

A touch of the miraculous about Pete's ride today - dry roads and no rain until we were parking our bikes (under cover) at Wetherspoons, Hammersmith.  The torrential rain and high winds that then arrived led to a bit of fragmentation of the group after lunch, but, all in all, we did well.

16 miles elevenses to lunch at a rolling average of 11mph.  Hardy souls may have done a few more miles afterwards - Bob and I went home on the train.

Mark

State of the Roads

Maggie and I went out for a ride this afternoon, to take a look around.  We took the Land Rover rather than a tandem, and had no particular reason to regret our choice.

We went in a loop around the Brockham/Charlwood/Newdigate/Rusper area, where we often ride, and the summary is that things aren't too bad.  The ground-water is high, and streams and puddles abound, but the floods have gone, at least for the moment.  The gales have brought down many branches and some trees, but these have all been cut up and piled at the sides of the roads, to be picked up when time permits.  Equally, quite a lot of ditches and culverts have been cleared, which has got rid of the floods in Wonham Lane and on Stan Hill, for example.

The bridge on the Flanchford Road, damaged in January, is closed and is likely to remain so for a time.  I have heard that repairs will cost about a million pounds, and clearly the money will have to be found in competition with a lot of other things that need to be done.  I have also heard that the bridge is likely to be re-opened to light traffic, but I've no idea when.  For the moment it is open to pedestrians, so it is possible to cycle over it.

In general the roads are mucky with many new potholes, many of these full of water.  So, with care, it's all passable, and it's perfectly possible to go for a ride if you don't mind getting muddy and wet.

Can Spring be far behind?

Mark

Tomorrow's Ride

Dave is indisposed. It's possible that he won't be able to lead tomorrow's ride.

I'm happy to lead from the start to Dorney. My bit of string tells me that's 20 miles, and perhaps 55 miles were we to return Hampton Court via Hedgerley. So big mileages for this time of year.

Roads may be impassible but the weatherman says after overnight rain it'll be a dry but windy (gusts over 40mph). I propose a council of war at Dorney. Come equip with ideas; I'll bring the maps.

It's only 10 minutes away on foot so I'll pop along to this

.

Newark Lane

As Simon and Garfunkel sang(?) 'Troubled Bridge over Waters'

Terry

B Group - 5th February

I had planned to go to Horsell long before hearing the weather forecast for today so cannot use the weather as an excuse for a short ride, albeit, the rain and wind did change the planned route to tea. 

Having read Brian's report - it seems we were very lucky.   No incredibly strong head winds and the rain was not too heavy!    For us it started raining in Ockham Lane!   After donning waterproofs we proceeded to Ripley via Guileshill and Rose Lane, then into Newark Lane where there are road signs to say the 'Road is Closed'  - (the bridges over the river Wey are undergoing extensive repair),  but no problem for cyclists and pedestrians for the contractors have given us good access.   Onwards to Horsell via Maybury, arriving at the Plough Inn 12.45ish?   

Food was good, and after some discussion our route to tea was decided and we were on our way by 2pm.    The canal tow path was voted out and we opted to take the lanes, starting with Horsell Common Road, Phillpot Lane, Old Chertsey Road, then Stonehill Road  making a straight run into Addlestone where we had tea and cake in Tesco's.

A nice compact group to-day, Ed, Terry, Dave, Tim, Andy, Gill and Vic...and we all stopped for tea!  Even Terry had time for a cuppa and a cake as we were so early!  

Many thanks Gill for being back marker and I must also thank Vic for being so helpful with the afternoon's route etc.

Plus.....my thank's to all for braving the forecast!!!!....Cheers, Pam :) :)

A map showing Pam's route from Cobham to Horsell for lunch (11.4 miles) and then to Tesco in Addlestone for Tea (7.4 miles).

A Group, 5th February

Dorking

We sought a storm-tossed refuge in the King's Arms, Dorking

A Group 5th Feb

The forecast reduced numbers at Cobham this morning though those that made it did so without rain and were thus mostly tempted to continue. Nine of us left with the intention of going to Forest Green but it was not to be. Rainwear was donned as soon as Effingham Junction and on the open common soon after my speed was reduced at one point to little over 7mph by the headwind ( it was slightly downhill too!). Better progress was made up to Ranmore but there we were greeted by an expanse of water and an expired van. A truck came through from Abinger with an impressive bow wave and after some discussion with the driver Mike successfully attempted a crossing but it was clear that at least one foot must have been wet as the water was virtually up to the bottom bracket and pedalling was required for about 30 yards. While a group of us discussed changing plans and heading to Dorking or beyond, a further breakaway group of three ploughed through the flood. Good luck to them .... but the leader is only responsible for those who follow and is under no obligation to those who jump the gun! After a few minutes waiting presumably hoping we would follow the four amphibians continued towards Whitedown and the remaining five of us headed for Dorking. The descent from Ranmore was very cautious with a strong cross wind and the rain now hammering down. Respite was sought in the Kings Arms in West Street where the decision was taken to head for home after lunch. More amphibian challenges followed on the cycle path beside the A24 but the rain eased before I reached home. 

Audax for A Group

At the end of February I'm down to lead an A Group ride, which has traditionally been the first 'Challenging Ride' of the season and has followed the 'Hilly 50' course.  For a change, I thought it might be a good idea to try something slightly different, so I've spoken to a few people about doing an Audax ride instead.  All votes so far in favour, so here's a bit of background information.

Audax goes back to the beginnings of cycling, when a dozen Italian cyclists rode from Rome to Naples in June 1897.  That's 230 kms, and the ride was described as 'audacious', which I think it was, for the time.  As with many things in cycling, the Italians had the flair but the French wrote the rules, and Henri Desgrange, he of the Tour de France, produced the first Audax Regulations in 1904.  Early Audaxes were group rides, but in the 1920s individual rides became more popular, which remains the case.  The essence of it hasn't changed much in more than a century, and the oldest cycle race, Paris- Brest-Paris, was, and still is, an Audax.

So what's it all about?  Pretty simple, really.  For every event there is a 'Brevet Card' and a Route Sheet.  The Brevet Card has a list of 'controls' you must pass through, the Route Sheet is a suggested way of doing it.  You don't actually have to follow the Route Sheet, but it usually makes sense to do so.  But you do have to pass through all of the controls, and in time, which is the most important thing.  For every Audax there is a minimum and a maximum average speed, typically 10 mph minimum and 20 mph maximum, but it does vary.  Easy enough for a short run, but harder and harder as the distance gets longer.  There is no allowance for stops of any kind - rest, food, breakdowns, it's all up to you.

You get your proof of passage either by getting your card stamped, as you see here, or, for 'Permanent' rides, by getting receipts at garages or cafes.  Permanents, as the name suggests, you can do at any time.  10 mph is not much of an average speed for 50 kms, but longer rides such as Paris-Brest-Paris or London-Edinburgh-London are a pretty tough proposition.

Here's the Route Sheet for the ride I'm planning for us:

I'll bring some copies on the day.

If you're interested in doing the ride as an Audax, you can get a brevet card and route sheet from here; it costs £3.  There's lots of information on the Audax UK Website if you'd like to find out more.

And if all this seems just too much fuss for you, don't worry.  Forget all of the paperwork and come along for the ride!

Mark

Our favourite café

Please see this invitation on behalf of Cycle magazine:

"For the April-May issue of CTC's 'Cycle' magazine, journalist Rob Ainsley is writing a piece on cafés that cater to cyclists.

We would like to include in the feature a list of Member Groups' favourite cafés - not just the ones that cater specifically to cyclists like 'look mum no hands!', but also ordinary cafés visited by riders on a regular basis. Perhaps they have the best (and biggest!) slabs of cake? Or maybe the one which makes the group feel most welcome, and doesn't mind a few muddy footprints on the floor?

Whatever criteria you choose, we would like you to nominate just one establishment for the list, which will be published in the magazine alongside Rob's article."

So, although I have an opinion, I think it would be good to reflect a little democratic consensus when I reply. I suspect that there are at least 20 differing opinions but please send me an email to let me know what your favourite café is and why. This needs to be a café which is a favourite for groups of us when we turn up for Tea, not just your private preference.

A ride 29 Jan: Shepperton - Shere - Leatherhead

Let's begin with the positive points:  We visited a very welcoming pub and got seats by the fire.   Annies served excellent cake.  I particularly enjoyed my warm shower when I got home.   There was no evidence of hail, thunder, or snow, and we nearly saw the sun once.

A smallish contingent assembled at Shepperton-on-Sea, and nine were foolish enough to join me for a ride to Shere, which featured two of my favourite downhill rides.   With the easterly wind & rain at our backs, it didn't seem too cold as we headed along recently-flooded roads to Chertsey-in-Thames over the river, which looks as if it's put on a few pounds over Christmas, through Addlestone & Woodham & West Byfleet, threading round Old Woking before turning South to Jacobswell and Burpham.  Then it was a gentle climb up to Merrow and not-so-gentle to Newlands Corner.  The view from the top was admittedly not at its best, but the swooping downhill run to Shere was made even better by the prospect of a warm dry pub, the White Horse in Shere.  

The hardy few at the White Horse, Shere

Surprisingly reasonably priced (£6 for a main course) with good food, good beer and a log-burning stove right next to us.  The pub was originally a 15th century farmhouse, and has a ghost (a body of a girl that was found in a bricked-up fireplace) and a smugglers' cellar, which when discovered was full of casks of brandy.  It has only become a pub recently, in the 17th century.

Clothes drying round the fire

We were tempted to linger, but reluctantly we put on our wet gear, headed outside, and warmed up by ascending Combe Lane.  After avoiding several lake-sized puddles along the top, next was the second main descent of the day, down Green Dene, where we found the road blocked at one point by a lengthy stretch of flooded road. 

Luckily it was less than bottom bracket depth and we were able to cycle through it, and onwards to Effingham, where Hans and Steve left us for the direct route home.  The return journey through Bookham & Fetcham was straight into the wind and rather cold and miserable, and we were glad to get to Annie's.   Thanks to those 8 brave souls who braved the elements to come with me today.  I measured 29.7 miles from elevenses to tea. 

B Ride Wednesday 29 January 2014

B Ride Wednesday 29 January 2014

What a grotty day! It was 4 or 5 degrees, it rained all day with an unfriendly easterly breeze. There were only three of us at North Cheam. When we got to Shepperton there were a few more, the Cs weren't in evidence so Pam (who was due to lead them) joined us. 13 started from Shepperton but only ten made it to the pub. We went by a slightly circuitous route as a consequence of my having missed the turning into Bushey Park. Robin led us from Kingston Bridge by his route to Richmond Park then down to Richmond, where we had lunch at:

High tide was at 1.20 which is when this photo was taken. We did wonder if our bikes were safe. Lunch was fine. Those present were: Andy, Gill, John, Pam, Ray, Robin, Stephanie, Tim, Tony and me. The river was high and racing along. This was Richmond Bridge:

Encouraged by me, we gave up after lunch and went our separate ways. 29 miles from North Cheam.

One Final Finale for Bill

Seen here are many of the Wayfarers paying a final tribute to Bill Mathews. Fuzz is sitting on Rita's knee a former member of the Family section, later the Downland section (now disbanded) along with the Squirrel's (Honorary CTC members thanks to their services to CTC with vintage bikes), David A & Dawn, Lynda, Angie, Ray Dare, Mark Roy, Ed & Terry who did much to help Pat in recent days and many others!

The Dieppe Raid: 28-30 June

Each year many Wayfarers join other cyclists to attend the annual 'Dieppe Raid', an excursion to Dieppe in France with an organised ride on the Sunday. If you haven't been before, I highly recommend you ask around and find out about it. You can find more info on my 2012 blog entry here.

If you do plan to attend, then it's advisable to book soon as I understand there are already 120 entrants, and only 40 places left at the after-ride meal. More details here.

More of Bill Mathews Fairwell

More of Bills Family

Bill Mathews Farewell 27 Jan 2014

Pat & Bill's family said farewell to Bill yesterday at the Putney Vale Crematorium accompanied by many of the Wayfarers that new him. While a sad occasion the officiator Andy Climie very aptly created a celebration of Bill's undoubted full & rewarding life, I found the service very uplifting with appropriate music chosen by Pat as some of Bill's favorites. Pat also composed an appropriate poem which was read out & I will try and launch some more pictures later once I have sorted out my Picasa upload problems (if ever).
Those attending were treated to a very nice spread at the Admiral Beatty afterwards for which we thank Pat & her family. As was said while Bill's body has been committed to ashes his memory and achievements will live on and I am sure sustain his family.

South West London Hilly 50

See SWL Blog for initial details