A Group 6 May

An enjoyable and, amazingly, dry ride with Neil today:

Neil's team raring to go outside the pub (just before Geoff discovered a puncture)

My GPS tells me it was 38 miles with 2908 feet of climbing between elevenses and tea.  My legs tell me that it was a lot.

A Group 6 May Cobham - Rudgwick - West Humble

The forecast of 50mph gusts and heavy rain showers did not look good for cycling. My ride to Cobham down the Portsmouth Road, directly into the southwest wind, was hard work and slow - 6mph at one point!. The British Legion was unusually quiet but come 11 o'clock there were fourteen takers for the trip further south.

Plough Lane, Ockham Lane and Long Reach took us to West Horsley. Straight over the roundabout, up Shere Road and down Combe Lane to Shere. Here we diverted down Rectory Lane and across the bridge by the ford to pass what must be the tidiest allotments in Surrey.

Up out of Shere we headed for Farley Green before crossing Winterfold Forest. The strong winds were blowing in the trees but at ground level there was a lot of protection. The road is very narrow but thankfully we encountered no cars on this section.  We all managed to safely negotiate the appalling road surface on the descent to Smithwood Common.

In Cranleigh High Street we turned right into Knowle Lane before taking Baynard's Road to Cox Green. Half a mile south down Church Street brought us to The King's Head in Rudgwick.

The welcome was friendly and a wide range of good food was taken. While we were in the pub it rained - the first significant rain of the day. As we were about to leave Geoff discovered a flat rear tyre and (recently nourished with a ham and carpet sandwich) set about quickly replacing the tube.

After lunch the wind was generally behind us so swifter progress was made. We headed north through Ellen's Green and on to Ewhurst Green. Here we turned into Plough Lane to bypass Ewhurst before heading for Holmbury Hill. From Holmbury St Mary we took Pasture Wood Road to Abinger Common and then Hollow Road to the A25.

At the bottom of Coast Hill we turned into Balchins Lane to follow the NCN cycle route around the back of Wescott and into Dorking.

Tea was taken at Pilgrim Cycles in West Humble where the finer points of bicycle design were discussed at length. While we were taking tea it rained again but stopped before we left to go home.

Thanks to all the brave souls for venturing out and to Dave E for backmarking.

P.S. As I got to my front door it just started to rain again - so all the rain today was while we were inside. I think I'll get a lottery ticket this week.

B Ride 6th May

Calling all B's!

Please take note that the weather forecast for tomorrow is 40+ mph winds with rain almost immediately after we leave Cobham. I suggest NO CAPES!

Mostly the wind will be behind us before lunch (The Well House Inn, Chipstead Lane, Mugswell) but it will be exposed on Epsom Downs. After lunch its back to Leatherhead either via Box Hill or Headley depending on the wind.

Please take care.

Peter

Easy Riders - 29th April

I was in two minds whether I would make yesterday's ride, due to the weather forecast.  But, as it was dry when I got up I decided it wouldn't be so bad.
 
Just as I was leaving home, it started to shower; I had my overshoes and cape on ready, but hoped it would stop soon.  From North Cheam Liz led to Hersham; as we got to Tolworth the sun came out and it looked like the day would improve.  We thought about taking our wet stuff off but decided we might get another shower on the way.  Luckily, we kept them on!  We were only 5 from N. Cheam; Sandy, Liz, Les, Norman and myself; and  Don joined us at Hersham.  After coffee and waiting for a heavy shower to subside I led our group left from the day centre and round the big roundabout onto the cycle track towards Esher.  We took the next roundabout and left again at the Green.  Down to Thames Ditton, passing Ember Court. Originally, I was going to go through Bushy Park to a pub on the river; but due to another shower we turned right at Summer Road and crossed the main road and made our way to The Swan. We had a nice table for 6.  Sonia said she would make Ewell Court Park for tea so Norman and myself stopped off there.  And of course, the sun came out!

Lynda

People and their trophies

On Monday I pedalled down to visit Jeff and deliver the Don Francis Memorial Trophy for which he didn't have enough space in his pannier after the annual lunch. Although Jeff seems very well he is understandably rather miffed to find himself under orders to refrain from cycling and also from driving for a month. As a consequence his garden is in tip-top shape and the grass in his lawn is a uniform 10 mm high across the estate.

I wanted to have a photo of him to share and thought he would look good next to the nice car in his driveway. Fortunately he had had the foresight to rummage around in his sock drawer for a pair of socks to match the beautiful automobile, thus avoiding a dreadful fashion faux-pas.

______________________________________________________________

This morning I popped into the Guildhall offices in Kingston to see David Ward and deliver the trophy which had been awarded to him for the highest mileage for a male rider. He clocked up 9199 miles last year to earn this prize.

David is still working hard but is looking forward to retirement when he will be able to commit himself more seriously to cycling. When he is a little older, David would like to be a Wayfarer.

~ Tim

A Group 29th April

Jeff - Looking Chipper

A group 29 April: Dorking - Red Sea - Turner's Hill - Fanny's

Last week Hans led the Israelites through the deserts.  Today we tried to cross the Red Sea, but failed to part the waters.

It was good to see Jeff at elevenses, looking well but not allowed to cycle or drive for another few weeks.  We hope it all goes well Jeff.  And we have been missing a few other regular A group members recently too: Peter Betts, Toni d'Italia, and John Bassett.  Best wishes to you and we are looking forward to you re-joining us as soon as you can.  Read on to see what you're missing!

The forecast promised heavy showers this morning.  A shower on the way to elevenses, followed by sunshine, led to optimism, but it started raining again before we set out, a hardy group of ten riders.   Up Dene Street and along Tilehurst Lane, perhaps not fully enjoying the beautiful countryside all around us.  Over Root Hill and lo! a land flowing with milk and honey!  Well okay, the Wayfarers budget wouldn't stretch to milk and honey, but it was certainly flowing with rain, which seemed to be on special offer today.  On the way to Charlwood, Ged punctured, and rather than hold us up he decided to head for Horley and the train home, while Geoff who was pretty wet and cold by then stayed with him.

Then there were eight.  We went round two sides of Gatwick, surprisingly traffic-free, and then through Crawley, surprisingly busy with traffic and a bit of an endurance test till we got to Three Bridges station and turned onto the Worth Way, a cycle track with a reasonably good gravel surface which took us to within a couple of miles of Turner's Hill: up the hill, still in the rain, and smartly into the Crown Inn to dry out and warm up.  They had reserved tables by the open fire and served good portions of good food.

The rain stopped for the return journey and the sun even came out a bit:  down the hill and then through the lanes past Rowfant, Copthorne, Smallfield to South Nutfield, where a few hills awaited us (and it started raining again) en route to Fanny's, where Keith and Ralph went straight on and six tried to dry out again.  The sun came out as we were inside, and I for one had a dry, sunny and warm ride home!  Thankyou to Brian for back-marking.

A Group 29th April

Wet for Simon's ride today.  A few welcome rays of sunshine after lunch, but basically wet.  36.6 miles from elevenses at Dorking to tea at Fanny's; lunch at the Crown, Turner's Hill, where we were glad of the open fire.  Rolling average 12.9 mph and a fairly flat 1,516 ft of ascent.

But a good run, and a cheerful bunch at tea.

Mark

Liège-Bastogne-Liège

Last year, I made the discovery that is is possible to ride the course of most of the Classics, as a Sportive, on the day before the professional race.  Paris-Roubaix was great fun, so this year's ride was La Doyenne, the oldest of the Classics, Liège-Bastogne-Liège.  This was the 101st running of the race since 1892.  They skipped a few years for the First World War, and a couple more for the Second, but they haven't missed many.  It's a race steeped in history and tales of cycling heroism - Hinault in the snow, Merckx in a 100k break to victory and many others.

It's an Ardennes Classic, quite different from the Flanders Classics like Paris-Roubaix, so there are fewer cobbles.  There are some, of course, or it wouldn't be Belgium, but it's mainly about the hills.  Lots of hills, the stuff of cycling legend.  I had formed the mistaken impression that the Ardennes were rather like the Surrey Hills, which is true to a degree, but the scale is bigger.  The Côte de la Redoute, for example, is steeper than Whitedown at 21%, but is nearly three times the length.  There are eleven classic hills, nine of them used this year, and they are joined by un-named hills, some very long, so you spend the entire day climbing or descending.  It's even a 5k drag up to the finish.  Unsurprisingly, the locals are very good climbers.

The Sportive offers three distances, the full course at 273k; mid distance at 156k and a shorter version for old people and children at 75k.  I went for 156k, which turned out to be nicely over 100 miles by the time you had ridden from sign-on to the official start and from the finish line in Ans back to the Sports Centre for medals and beer. 

Nairo Quintana behind ...

The day was mostly drizzly, with some mist on the hillsides, and it tipped down a couple of times, which all seemed rather fitting.  The poor weather forecast led me to take my disc-braked Lynskey, not really a race bike.  But the brakes work in the rain and it has a triple, which came in handy more than once.  Stroke of luck.

There were more than ten thousand entrants and the event was immaculately organised.  Excellent signposting, helpful Marshals and cheerful staff at the Food-Stops, where rock music kept you in the mood.  Great stuff.

At the finish line there was excellent security for your bike, so that you could collect your medal and have a beer without worrying, then back to the Hotel for a long hot shower and a traditional Belgian supper.

A proper day out.

Mark

ps - on Sunday, Alejandro Valverde won the pro race in much the same time as I took.  He had done 100kms more, of course, but then, he is a younger man ...

Wednesday's A Ride

We will be heading south-west from Dorking on Wednesday - a fairly flat ride until our destination, the Crown at Turner's Hill.   There is a section of well-surfaced off-road but a bypass is available for those with delicate tyres.   20 miles to lunch, and another 15 or so back to tea at Fanny's.

A Group follow Moses through the deserts of Slough

Eleven riders set out for a pacey but undemanding ride to Hedgerley on Wednesday. There was nothing too taxing on route apart from executing a well-planned u turn outside of Burnham. A good lunch and fine beer at the White Horse set up the unsuspecting ‘Israelites’ for the ride home. They followed their leader through the wilds of Slough Trading Estate in a vain attempt to pick-up the planned route. Eventually we managed a pacey ride home to Sunbury Walled Garden for tea and cake. Approximately 43 miles from elevenses to tea.

Easy Riders - 22nd April

Shepperton D.C. - Cap in Hand, Hook - Kings Centre, Chessington.

13 left the day centre on a bright and breezy morning heading for Walton Bridge, then through Ashley Park, over the roundabout to Burwood Park, down Onslow Road and out at Squires G.C. Hersham. We then proceeded along Burwood Road to the roundabout and on to Esher Road and Lammas Lane, turning sharp left before the Brown Bear in to Esher Park Avenue, through Claygate and on to lunch at the Cap in Hand.  Always sure of a warm welcome and good food, we were not disappointed.  After lunch on to Kings Centre Chessington.

I would like to say how nice it was to see Don back again and hope he continues to make good progress,  also Mark, after his 6 weeks back in his homeland to celebrate his 90th birthday with family.

Thanks once again to Lynda for being T.E.C.

Irene
 

B Group - 22nd April

By travelling in circles - so some thought! - we managed 30 miles from elevenses at Shepperton to tea at Squires , Upper Halliford!   First of all we made our way over Chertsey Bridge towards St Anne's Hill via the off road route from Free Park Road to Cowley Avenue. From then on it was Almers road, Lyne Lane into Longcross Road.    Accommodation Road, right and right into Gracious Pond Road, through to Burrowhill.   Instead of straight over, sign posted Windlesham,  I turned right, taking  2nd left towards Valley End.   Once again I did not go directly into Windlesham!  I turned off Woodlands Lane into a delightful narrow lane - Rye Grove - which led us into Hook Mill Lane to the junction with Broadway Road.  From there it only took about ten minutes (I guess) to The Sun - a pub with extremely well priced good food served by two very efficient young ladies!   Some of us sat in the garden whilst others stayed inside.   I was told (I had not counted), that we had 26 riders today so I guess it was a good idea to spread ourselves about!

It was roughly an hour later when we were on our way to Halliford.   Actually, I had planned to have tea at Shepperton Lock but the clouds rolled in and the wind seemed even more keen than during the morning - hence the garden centre became the choice of many (all)!!    The afternoon's route was more direct - we returned to the junction of Hook Mill Lane and Rye Grove where we turned right, then left towards West End.    We passed the Castle Grove pub, touched the edge of Chobham village, turned right then left into Sandpit Hall Road, passing close to Fairoaks airfield.    I then headed along Stonehills Road en route to Chertsey.

As we approached Chertsey Bridge, Frank pointed out to me that our back marker Tony had not been with us for a while!!   Oh dear!!  Frank kindly took the group onto Squires, I made a few phone calls, one being to Terry but he was making his way home but could not get a reply from Tony or Tim but decided to continue after a bit.  Tony and Tim followed Vic and I into Squires where we heard that John Gould had punctured some way back but by the time they got to Chertsey he decided to let the train take the strain!    Unfortunately all the corner markers had waited for some time before continuing!!  Also,I must apologise for the volume on my phone was at its very lowest ????  hence I had not heard calls to me.

Never the less, we had a good day as much due to the company and the very diligent efforts from all who marked the corners and to Tony Hopkins for back marking.   Also, to Vic for showing me a few roads I had not used before last week.  My gratitude to all :):)

Pam :) :)

It was a pleasure to welcome a new rider today, Peter Brown who seemed to enjoy himself enough to want to come out with us again. So keen in fact that he will probably ride with A Group next time!

~ Tim

Note that for the afternoon ride the track shown after St Peter's Hospital is not the one taken by the main group which went via Chertsey Bridge.

A Group ride: Wednesday 22 April

The A Group ride this Wednesday is to the White Horse in Hedgerley. I am stepping in at short notice to lead the ride so I’ve been unable to do a recce but many have been this way before so it shouldn’t be too much of a mystery tour. Not as ambitious as last week although I had thought of a more challenging ride to the edge of the Chilterns but I’ll save that one for another day.

B group April 15

                                                      Awaiting starter's orders

                                                    Vintage biplane at Redhill

What a wonderful day for cycling - pity Jeff couldn't have been with us - hope to see you soon, Jeff.

 Contrary to 'normal' Henfold departure we nine headed north, turning into Lodge Lane opposite Fourwents Pond. This leads to a reasonable track, but , since I recced it a very new surface of cinders has been applied making the ascent somewhat tricky. I can't recommend using this track again. Joining the metalled Shellwood Road we were soon passing through Parkgate and Charlwood, turning right into Ifield Road to keep us a little further away from the departing aircraft. Soon we had to join the A23 briefly before turning off to Tinsley Green and our lunch destination, the Shipley Bridge.

As requested, Tim had phoned our choices in advance so we were quickly served good food enabling us to have a leisurely break. Heading east on the B2037 we soon turned north into Rede Hall Road then shortly into Broadbridge Lane. Perrylands Drive led to a byway on which ponies and traps are banned but we rode along unchallenged. Rejoining the road we headed north to Redhill Aerodrome and the newish cafe/restaurant Pilot's Hub which served us well with a good selection of cakes. A bonus was sitting outside, watching the aircraft and a walk through a hangar with lots of light  aircraft en route to the loo! What more could you ask for?

Thanks to all for the good company, especially lunch monitor/tec/photographer Tim.

Terry

B Group - 15th April (map and photos)

A map and photos for Terry's ride to Shipley Bridge and Redhill Aerodrome:

~ Tim

A Group 15th April

Well, what a wonderful day.  It may be the middle of April, but we enjoyed High Summer today - clear blue skies all day and 25°C this afternoon.  It doesn't get much better ...

Eighteen of us left Henfold setting off at a steady clip towards Rusper, Faygate, Tower Hill and points South.  Past the Hammer Ponds, up the hill at Warninglid arriving at the White Horse, Hurstpierpoint before one.

Picture by Ray

Hans had arranged for us to tour the Hurst Brewery, a relatively recently opened micro-brewery that follows the tradition of the original Hurst Brewery which ceased brewing many years ago.  The scale of the brewery may be small, but the product is proving very popular, currently being distributed from Brighton to Redhill.  Expansion is taking place, with new equipment on order, so we can expect to see Hurst Brewery beers more widely around the Southeast.  The company's ethos is based on a locally made, high quality product, and those of us who sampled it absolutely agreed that this was the way to go.

The pub was old-fashioned and interesting - there were some traditional English foods on offer, but the main thrust was Thai, which was the choice of many.  The Thai food took a few minutes to prepare, which worked out well as small groups could place their order and then take the brewery tour, returning when their meal was ready.  This was very successful.

Lunch over, and back on the road.  Sunny lanes though Spring countryside, not big hills but plenty of 'pimples', as Ken put it.  At the Hammer Ponds we rejoined our outward route, rolling steadily through Rusper to tea at Tanhouse Farm.

45.7 miles from elevenses at Henfold to tea at Tanhouse, rolling average 13.9mph, with a reasonable climbing total of 3,060 feet.

Thanks to Geoff and Simon, who acted as back-markers, and to all of the Wayfarers who marked corners to speed their companions - it makes for an easy day for the leader.  Special thanks to Hans for arranging the brewery tour, and a welcome to Ruth, who rode with us for the first time today.

Mark

The Ice-Cream Bike

The Ice-Cream Bike appears fairly regularly at the Car Park in Flanchford Road, Reigate Heath.  Very welcome on a sunny day, and very good ice-cream made at the farm down the road (where you can also buy it, if the bike's not around).

Recommended.

Mark

Status update from Bernard

Plastered!

Plastered literally rather than in the vernacular. Surgery all straightforward. But I'm finding the non-weight-bearing hard work. I've got crutches and a wheelchair but even everyday things, like a cup of tea, are tricky. I'm glad to have Luisa here to wait on me hand and foot.

In the end a moped in Cuba wasn't possible outside main cities and eventually we decided Luisa cycling and me driving wasn't going to be much fun. So the holiday changed to a motoring one. Enjoyable nonetheless.

Best wishes

Bernard

A Group 'Brewery' ride this Wednesday

The White Horse Pub at Hurstpierpoint serves Thai food only. To see the menu click onto this link http://www.baanthaifood.co.uk/  I have booked for the group on the understanding that some may prefer to find an alternative local  food stop.