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A Group 9th September

Next Wednesday's ride is a reflective one, giving the Wayfarers a chance to look back at the contribution that others have made to cycling in the Surrey Hills.  

The Catford CC Hill climb is the oldest bike race in the world, having been held more-or-less continuously since 1887.  It has been run on a number of hills in the area, Waller Hill being conveniently close to the Douglas Brunton Centre, so a good start.  We'll have a go at most of these, missing out only Westerham Hill, which has lost much of its charm since the Motor Car was invented.

It's a hilly ride, but it is possible to miss out all of the test hills and still complete the route.  So those that wish to express their admiration of their forebears without emulating them can easily do so.

Lunch at the Cock, Ide Hill, and tea at Fanny's, another Surrey institution.  As many will know, Fanny Maiklem died in June, and the tea-room is to close next Saturday.  So this will be the last chance for us to sample the tea, cakes and home-made lemonade that so many cyclists have enjoyed since the 1970s.

41 miles elevenses to tea, so a prompt start at 1100, please.

Mark

A group 2 September: Cobham - Walliswood - Westhumble

Hello September: hello hills.  A chilly start today but dry, and a good turnout at Cobham.  Two new riders, Paula and Stuart, joined Dave Bartholomew, whose first ride was last week in the rain, but still came back for more.  Welcome all, we were pleased to have your company.  Fifteen riders set off with a gentle warm-up to East Horsley, followed by Chalk Hill and Green Dene for our first summit of the day.  Down to Shere and then back up to Farley Green and Shophouse Lane for the second, before skirting Cranleigh for Ewhurst Green and the Scarlett Arms at Walliswood, where I received a telling-off from the landlady Tracey for not keeping my group under control.  Is it even possible to keep a group of hungry and thirsty cyclists under control when they arrive at a pub?

Anyway we sat outside and good food arrived, and disappeared, promptly.  A gentle prelude to the afternoon's hills as we ambled up to Forest Green in the sunshine.  Then Tanhouse Lane - so much better since they resurfaced it but couldn't they have levelled it out a bit while they were at it?  At the top we turned left for Abinger Common and then just for fun carried on to White Down and Ranmore Common before descending to Pilgrim Cycles at Westhumble.  

Thanks to Mark for back Marking and to those who marked turns to keep us moving.  Only 33 miles but 856m ascent from elevenses to tea, so I had done 1.005km of climbing by the time I reached home, very satisfying.  A most enjoyable day's riding in decent weather and lovely countryside.

B Group 2^nd September : Cobham – Pirbright – Addlestone

After last week’s valiant efforts by a select band fighting the elements, this week was rather tame in comparison. The weather seemed to alternate between chilly and sunny – almost benign and certainly not biblical.

19 of us left Cobham for the Wisley airfield and traversed its length rather than just crossing it, on through Ripley, Burntcommon and via Crickets Hill to Cartbridge. I had originally planned a short cut across the Wey Navigation at Triggs Lock but having done it on previous occasions after rain I decided to give it a miss this time much to the relief of quite a few.

So we approached Pyle Hill from Westfield and made our way to Pirbright via Worplesdon and Fox Corner. The White Hart did us proud – good food and very prompt service though maybe a tad expensive.

The way back was familiar to most. Past Brookwood Cemetery and on to the canal as far as West Byfleet. That enabled us to “do” Ongar Hill, cross the M25  and reach the Garden Centre at Crockford Bridge. There we were joined by Ray (Wren) who somehow managed to miss the cut at Cobham and had a solo day on Box Hill.

Thanks to Tim for backmarking and the maps and also to the turn markers. 27 miles coffee to tea – a very enjoyable day out but I was definitely left with the impression that Autumn is approaching despite sitting out for lunch.

Peter T

B Group - 2nd September (map and photos)

A great day out with a bit of an Autumnal feel to it. But we were able to sit outside at lunchtime and bask in the sun.
 

Cobham to Pirbright (16.7 mi), to Addlestone (10.6 mi)

At the White Hart

Our Leader

A Group 2nd September

A Lady's and Gentleman's ride from Simon today; smoothly through the Surrey Hills with good weather and much to enjoy.  33.4 miles from elevenses at Cobham to tea at Pilgrim Cycles, lunch in the garden of the Scarlett Arms.

Still a bit of summer left, if you're quick ...

Mark

Wednesday's A ride

We have had several fairly flat rides recently.   I'm sure you are all keen to try out those climbing legs again, so we will be leaving Cobham promptly and heading south to the Scarlett Arms, Walliswood.   Back to tea at Pilgrim Cycles, Westhumble: 20 miles out, 13 back.   Should be a piece of cake, but I'm not saying what kind of cake.

A Group Ride 26 August 2015

When I first recce’d a route from Weybridge to the Jack O’Newbery at Binfield in early August I envisioned an idyllic late summer day in the sun. As the date approached and the weather forecasts worsened I shortened the route to make it more wind and rain proof.

In the event no amount of rain proofing would have been enough on Wednesday. However the Weybridge-7 were highly motivated to take on anything that the Met Office severe weather warning could throw at us.

All went well if rather damply until Ascot Racecourse where without the benefit of trees to shelter us from wind and rain we were treated to a deluge of Biblical scale. Regrouping on the other side of the racecourse I was surprised that there were neither mutineers nor volunteers for an early train back from Ascot. Spirits remained surprisingly high as we battled the last few miles towards lunch. The final approach to the pub down a quiet lane was thwarted when the lane was found to be hosting a raging torrent.

Lunch with good local beer were speedily served by friendly staff who had our best interests at heart by recommending a comfortable return by train from Bracknell station 3 miles away.

Unmoved by such temptation six of us elected to ride back, this time with the aid of a tailwind and slowly improving weather, though impeded around Thorpe by some flooded roads. Tea at Upper Halliford Squires was followed by a ride home in the sun for most.

We welcomed new Wayfarers Dave and David. Thanks to Simon and Paul who shared the back-marking, and to everyone for staying out in such challenging conditions. See Paul’s map for the route.

43 miles Weybridge to tea at around 12.25 mph with hardly any climbing; beats the Dolomites in the sun.

When I recce'd the route I recall seeing a warning that the road was subject to flood, but I needed to be sure.

A day out in the Dolomites

This is supposed to be a walking holiday but it was Wednesday, a perfect day was forecast (unlike Surrey!!) so what better than giving Cheryl a day off relaxing in the sun while I hired a bike and rode the Sella Ronda. 53km, 4 passes, 1875m ascent and lunch in the sun at the top of the last pass.

A Group 26 August 2015: David Vines Snorkel & Flipper ride

Easy Riders - 26th August

Brian Bent came to Bradbury Centre today on his bike. Then when we left for lunch he came for the ride. Mark [Roy] also cycled to the Centre.

Sandy, Liz and myself at North Cheam. Also, Tim [Gibbons] who wanted to go to Weybridge but didn't know the way, so did his own ride.
 
We got to Centre then Norman turned up. We were about 10 for coffee. We had a leisurely morning while it rained outside. Just before 12pm we left for lunch at Woodies. Fuzz went home as he had cycled to 11s in the rain. We managed to get there dry in between showers. After lunch 6 of us made our way home. We got caught in rain then.

~ Lynda

B Group - 26th August

Given the weather forecast for the day, it was not surprising that the number turning up for elevenses today at Weybridge was much smaller than normal, and of those who did, it was an even smaller number who actually went out on the rides!  It was good to see John Gould, brought along by his friend Roger Sceats so that he could catch up with us.  Roger said he was finally about to retire properly and hoped to be coming out again on Wednesdays.

It was already after 11.15 a.m., raining, the As had gone and with no-one else likely to turn up, that the six stalwarts (Steph, Ed, Vic, Robin, Ray and Tim) set out with me (Gill) on the planned B ride.  Lunch was to be at The Rose & Crown at Woodside, the other side of Windsor Great Park and we headed out through Addlestone and Lyne to Virginia Water.  As we reached the Lake, the heavens opened and the rain turned into a deluge!  By a stroke of good luck we were just outside The Wheatsheaf, so a quick decision was made to stop here for lunch.  It was after all 'lunchtime', being almost 12.30 p.m. by then, even if we had only covered about 8 miles.  Fortunately the pub staff were welcoming, despite our rather sodden state, and as the rain continued to fall heavily and there was even a clap of thunder, we were happy with our decision.  In fact, we extended our stay with puds (apple pie & treacle tart) and coffee, only leaving when we thought the rain had stopped!

It was the calm after the storm now, with gigantic puddles everywhere and not a ripple on Virginia Water.  We started in light rain but gradually this eased off.  Taking the path leading to the totem pole, we climbed up to the Savill Gardens' Visitor Centre, passing a group of walkers similarly kitted out for the wet weather - we were not the only mad ones to be out on such a wet day!  Then it was out on to the road and round to Englefield Green for the speedy descent down Tite Hill into Egham.  Here the road round the shopping centre was awash!  Most of us took to the path for a bit of extra height out of the water, with Vic doing a cunning loop back into the High Street and joining us on the other side.  This was becoming quite exciting!  However, our luck ran out for the two level crossings on our route into Staines and this was after getting caught at Addlestone as well in the morning!  Skies now began to clear and the sun even came out as we pedalled down the towpath to Laleham and on into Shepperton where we saw three A Group riders swoop down the High Street while we waited at the lights.  Six of us stopped for tea at the Mocha D Café and with the sun continuing to shine, all agreed it had been a good day.  Thanks to everyone for coming and to Tim for volunteering to be back-marker!
 
~ Gill Finlay
 

Map for Gill's route to The Wheatsheaf in Virginia Water (8.3 miles) then to Shepperton for Tea (10.9). Gill's weather was very sub-standard during the morning but came right in the end.

Gill's route to The Wheatsheaf

Stephanie's photos, at Virginia Water and in downtown Egham

Easy Riders - 19th August

We were 20 or so at Bike Beans.  About 15 came on the ride.  As we went through Ashtead Park on the way there to coffee, we went through the Common to Ewell, Longmead, back roads to Chessington and Claygate.  Dropped down to Long Ditton and Thames Ditton.  We had lunch at The Swan.

After lunch we retraced to The Ferryman pub and took the cycle route to Kingston and out to Berrylands.  To Worcester Park then a right turn at The Plough to Stonleigh and West Ewell. We met Sonia at the garden centre for tea.

Lynda

A Group Ride 26 August

Wednesday’s ride from Weybridge will be to the Jack O’Newbury at Binfield, with tea at Squires in Upper Halliford.

About 40 miles 11’s to tea; no challenging hills, all on tarmac. Biggest challenge is likely to be the weather, wind and rain forecast. Pray the forecasters are wrong.

If anyone wants to volunteer as back marker please let me know so I can supply a GPS route – d.vine207@btinternet.com – otherwise I will find a willing volunteer on Wednesday.

B Group - 19th August

Porridge Pot to Snooty Fox

Our ride began with Guildown Road, the thinking man’s way up to the Hogs Back and the traffic-free route to the Watts Gallery and Puttenham before joining the quiet country road through Shackleford and near Elstead before turning East to Milford and The Refectory for lunch. This is the only pub available in the area, with prompter service than we have seen lately. This left us with time to spare for a stop in Lower Eashing, a picturesque corner seldom visited by club runs. At the end of Half-way Lane a hushed walk through someones garden led to Washbrook, bypassing Godalming en route to Catteshall, where the leaders memory failed him and instead of taking the eastbound path past Tannachie we found ourselves on a southbound path to Unsted, which traverses the Folkestone Beds, nowhere near the beach but with sand. We got to exercise our walking legs, but the long descent from Unsted led to the Horsham Road near Bramley where part of the original plan was salvaged and we arrived at the Shalford café at a civilised teatime. From here the tarmacked cycle path led us back to Guildford just as the promised rain set in for the evening, by which time most of the riders were back in the train, except for two diehards who rode home, in capes. All this ride fits into Surrey Cycle Guide No.4

~ Vic

Much of Vic's ride today was on-road, as the first map shows. Detail of some of the off-road sections is shown here in the second map, on OS Explorer.

Ed and Terry tunnelling through the shrubbery

Photo from Stephanie