A Group Route 31 December

A Group Ride 31 December

When Terry and I volunteered for the New Year’s Eve ride leads, I had anticipated, after extensive market research, a joint turnout of around a dozen riders. In fact some 25 hardy Wayfarers turned out on a bright cold morning with promise that the previous frost would soon be replaced with balmier weather. We decided to split the group and luckily for me Terry got the larger group of around 15, while I had a plucky 11.

We headed east via Walton on the Hill, down Chipstead Lane & ascended White Hill (after which our route split from Terry’s) through Hooley, crossing the A23, climbing to Chaldon and descending Farthing Down where the sun shone on a super view across London. Returning via Chipstead several riders were involved in a most unfortunate tumble descending Castle Road, which meant that two had to return home direct and missed our lunch venue. I wish them both well.

The remaining group continued via Kingswood and Epsom Downs (more super views). Lunch was at the Cricketers in Stamford Green, where we were relieved to learn that Terry’s group arriving earlier had not completely exhausted the pub’s kitchen, cellar or staff. We were well and speedily fed and most departed for home direct from the pub. About 25 miles at 12mph. A little hilly, with about 1,800ft climbing, max climbing gradient 12%.

Many thanks to Brian for assiduous back marking, and I wish all Wayfarers a most happy and enjoyable New Year.

B Group 31 December

With twenty-five or so braving the chilly conditions at Ashtead Garden Centre it was necessary to split into two groups so Dave led the As and I led the Bs on a similar route.

We headed south on Headley Road to Walton on the Hill then via New Road to briefly join the A217 south to the roundabout and the peace and quiet of Chipstead Lane. Having conquered White Hill a breather was called for and a diversion was selected to avoid Netherne-on the- Hill (the clue is in the name). We turned left into High Road then shortly left again into Castle Road. This is a narrow, steep (down)hill and fortunately one-way, leading to B2032 Outwood Lane at Chipstead Bottom. After a brief rest watching a sheepdog earning his keep in an adjacent field we continued on the original route to cross the A217 into Shelvers Way. You could almost feel the temperature rising but as well as admiring the views you had to keep one eye on the frozen puddles at the roadside.

A further diversion was soon incorporated taking Epsom Lane to Tattenham Corner then straight down into Epsom and on to The Cricketers in Stamford Green Road. Here lunch was served pretty quickly and we hadn't quite finished when the As arrived, but that's another story....

Thanks to Dave for the interesting route, Tim for backmarking and everyone for their company.

Terry

B Group - 31st December

A map and photo collage illustrating Terry's ride from the Ashtead Park Garden Centre to lunch at The Cricketers in Epsom:

The route and the lunch were very good and contrary to the early morning expectations we had a most splendid day out.

~ Tim

Shimano M80 boots for sale

size 45 but too narrow for me, used 3 times only, SPD cleats, very suitable for winter.  £30.

Geoffrey Shields

31 December Wayfarers Ride

Terry and I will lead on New Years Eve. There may be separate A/B rides or not depending on numbers and group wishes. My intention is to head east via Walton on the Hill, Hooley and Netherne, and back via Kingswood to lunch near Epsom. Some super views if the weather is clear. About 20 miles, with potential to shorten if necessary. A little hilly, about 1,600ft climbing, but nothing too challenging, max gradient 12%. Almost all on tarmac. Weather forecast (if it’s not tempting fate) is cool, but hopefully dry & not too much wind.

Meet at Ashtead Park Garden Centre, KT21 1HU (at the corner of Pleasure Pit Road and Wilmerhatch Lane) for elevenses in good time for departure at 1100 prompt. Please inform me ( 07962 05 48 79 or d.vine207@btinternet.com) or Terry ( 0788143 86 44) if you intend to participate so that they can advise the pub of likely numbers.

Dave Vine

24 December 2014

Helenes ride to the 7 Stars pub at Ripley.

Around 15 Wayfarers gathered at Café Aromas in Cobham to enjoy some fresh air on what turned out to be a mild and relatively sunny Christmas Eve. Some 12 of us set out on the circuitous route to lunch, which ended up at around 15 miles. From Cobham we rode to Downside and then over Bookham Common, which was not at all muddy, to Little Bookham and Effingham. We then looped back almost to Cobham before taking a left opposite the Cricketers at Downside to join Plough Lane. Eventually passing the Hautboy, we took a right and left down Guilleshill Lane, then right into Ripley. Here we nipped almost directly across the High Street, bypassing the town centre, to try the Seven Stars in Newark Lane. Its range of generous and tasty baguettes seemed to satisfy most appetites, with the rest opting for soup or jackets.

Just before we left, we were joined for a quick drink by John Brookes and his wife. John had been unable to join the ride, but wanted to catch up with us – which we much appreciated. Afterwards we wended our separate ways home. For me, I reckon it was a little over 40 miles door to door – an approximation as I need to replace the battery in my Cateye.

Helene.

                                                                The 7 Stars

December 24th - a note from Helene

Hi Everyone

As mentioned to various of you over the last week or two, I will be leading a small ride on Christmas Eve for those who would like some fresh air and are allowed/able to come out.

We will meet at Cafe Aromas in Cobham (in Hollyhedge Road up the side of the British Legion) at 10.30ish and then take a roundabout route to lunch in a pub in Ripley.

Please let me know ( helene.hill@btinternet.com)  if you would like to join me, just so I can advise the pub. A few people have already indicated their interest.

If I don't see you then, have a very good Christmas.

Helene

A Group 17th December

A short 15 mile run to our Christmas lunch and in truth thats just about all your leader was fit for while recovering from a nasty pre Christmas cold. However we had to get in a bit of countryside and a hill before the compulsory urban approach to the Cap in Hand so off we set, hard on the heels of the Bs, up Hillside Road from Leatherhead. Then we turned right and left them, heading up past the Cherkley Courrt golf course preparations to Headley Heath and then onwards to Walton on the Hill. Here we turned north, along Hurst Road and back to the outskirts of Epsom where a cut across the paths took us to Stamford Green.  Then we headed along Horton Lane to Chessington and Hook.

More "A" Xmas Snaps

Message from Geoff Gregory

To all Wayfarers, it's been a year now since joining your group and what a year it has been for me, thanks to Tim for his early encouragement and warm welcome to the B's and then his suggestion of joining the A group.

The years seems to have gone by so quickly and the rides so enjoyable, it has been great to chat and be in such good company.

A very happy Christmas and New Year to all the Wayfarers and I look forward to meeting you again and enjoying the first ride in the New Year
Geoff Gregory

'A Group Christmas Lunch, 17 December

 Our Hostess

 Our grateful thanks to Pam for organising our super Christmas lunch at the Cap in Hand, Hook. Went like clockwork.

"B" Group - Leatherhead to Woodies, New Malden - 17th December 2014

Tony, our Leader, 

took us all around Surrey to get to "Woodies", a most unusual pub, so well hidden 

that in our 29 years of living in New Malden, we had never heard of it... (F & F)

Plans for December 31st

David Vine (A)and Terry (B) will lead. Meet at Ashtead Park Garden Centre, KT21 1HU ( its at the corner of Pleasure Pit Road and Wilmerhatch Lane) for elevenses in good time for departure at 1100 prompt for a ride that will return to the Epsom area for lunch ( no ride to tea). There may be separate A/B rides or not depending on numbers etc . Please inform David  ( 07962054879) or Terry ( 07881438644) if you intend to participate so that they can advise the pub of likely numbers.

Santa Clause Alias Mad Hatter

 Sorry I could not make it to the Bull on Wednesday with the "A" Group but I had an urgent call from my local school in Walton le Hill. Santa had become ill so I was asked to stand in at the last minute. Not allowed to take pictures of me presenting presents to the children due to current legislation! Even Santa can no longer be trusted.

 Before leaving Claygate I could not resist taking this picturfe of two in the Christmas spirit. They are over 16 years of age.

Finally due to a search by Google from a cyclist in Long Eaton someone is interested in buying my old Norman Butler hand built in 1961. It sits in my Log Cabin but because of it's bar end changers is not considered to be a proper vintage bike?!!

B Group 10 December

Wednesday 10th December 2014

 

Firstly I must thank Gill for leading the ride on Wednesday.   Turned out she knows the area far better than myself - hence she offered to lead:)    ALSO - thank you Gill for collecting names and money and managing the staff !!

 

Plus - my thanks to Mike for leading myself and others back to the front riders whom I lost after receiving a phone call!  

 

We arrived at the Cap in Hand in good time for our 1pm booking - all seated in the conservatory area.  Thirty seven Wayfarers had booked lunches ..... joined by a few more ....the staff were extremely pleasant and served us well!   It was good to see Bernard, John Gould and John Bellamy back in our midst - each making good recoveries :) :) 

 

Most were on their way around 3pm, apart from yours truly, always takes an age saying goodbye!

 

Thanks to all for making the day a success! 

 

My best wishes for a Merry Xmas and a Happy and Healthy 2015

 

Pam :) :)

A Group, 10 December, 2014

Claygate - Ewhurst - West Horsley

 Leader Simon

Half santa - half guardsman

10 + 1 outside The Bull

The 12th man

B Group - Claygate to the "Cap in Hand" for Xmas Lunch - 10 December 2014

A few photos of today's short but excellent ride led by Gill.

With 37 booked for lunch,

it must be the largest group ever on a Wayfarers' ride.

 

 

A big THANK YOU from all of us

for the excellent choice of lunch venue and splendid organisation

from Pam and Gill.

 

A Group Winter Warmer, 12 December

*Christmas Quiz*

Advanced level:  Simply arrange the words below into a ride report, without referring to the template below.

Regular level:  fit the words into the template.  Each word is used only once.

beauty, Burrow, blowout, Bar
chainring, Christmastime, Combe, Claygate
Down
elevenses, Ewhurst
friends, Fine, Effingham
Green, Gomshall, Goose
Horsley, Hill, Hoe, Hatch,
London, lanes, Little
motorists, mud
Pitch, puncture, Peaslake,
ride, rain
sleigh, Shere, syrup, sticky, sunlight
tea
Winter, White, wind, Winterfold, Wonderland, west

I originally planned the ride as a pre-Christmas b_____, but not in the p_____ sense.  Twelve left e_____ under a Wedgwood sky.  The track out of c_____ had less m_____ than I feared after last night's r_____.  We wound our way up to e_____ and headed for the hills, up and over w_____ d_____.

Avoiding h_____ Lane as a courtesy to m_____, we headed to g_____, g_____ g_____ and b_____ Lane,  bypassing p_____ on our way up to p_____ h_____, whence we sped down to the Bull's Head at e_____.   A fine selection of sandwiches and Senior lunches were consumed and we were all finished by 2pm.   This was followed by something hot and s_____, in the shape of b_____ h_____ Lane, which is a b_____, especially near the top.

We found we had the w_____ at our back, something I often find around c_____.  Golden s_____ made the l_____ look beautiful, as I hummed the tune of s_____ r_____ to myself.  A detour took us to w_____ and down past l_____ l_____ and a long descent before we found ourselves in sh____.

When Brian found we were going up c_____ Lane, he exclaimed "you b_____".   Another f_____ hill, I heard someone say. John even had to change down from his big c_____.  It was all downhill from there, apart from the brief uphill bits.   t_____ at w_____ h_____, which had been transformed into a w_____ w_____, to round off a very enjoyable day in the company of a bunch of old f_____.

Bonus point: find the missing word.   Alternatively, find the most imaginative use of the words.

A Group 10th December

Clear blue skies for Simon's ride today.  34.13 miles from elevenses at Claygate to tea at West Horsley; lunch at the Bull's Head, Ewhurst.  Rolling average 11.7 mph and 3,321 feet of ascent.

Some fine hills - the perfect foundation for the Christmas Pudding.

Mark