Photo competition - last call

We have received lots of photos for the competition but if you still have some to contribute please slide them into my DropBox before midnight, as instructed here:

Invitation and instructions for photo competition

~ Tim

Electric Bikes

A Ride - 1st February

This week we will be taking a meandering ride of about 23 miles to Chilworth for lunch. Not (quite) as hilly as last week. Only one hill after lunch on our way to Ripley.

All on-road except for some paved cycle track and a concrete farm track (which is better than a lot of roads). However there are lots of  mucky, leaf strewn roads out there so mudguards would be a good idea.

See you at Cobham, ready for a prompt departure.

Interesting Rides

If you would like to read about some of our members' more interesting rides in 2016, read on ...
When we were creating the new website, Tim suggested that we should have a page highlighting some of the more unusual rides that our members have been on.    It took a while but you can now see it here, or on the website under the "Rides" menu entry.   I hope you will find it interesting reading on a day when you can't be cycling yourself.

We plan to update this annually, so if you do an interesting or unusual ride, write it up for the Sou'wester or the blog, and you could be featured next year!

"A" Group ride Wed 25 Jan

As Simon L said I had set out on my MTB with fat tyres having decided that I would like the challenge of stretching my legs in the Surrey Hills. Unfortunately I left home late as usual and arrived at 11.10am just as both the "A" & "B" group were leaving. This left me out of puff and with no tea and cake to help me on my way. Never the less I stuck with the leaders until we got to Cobham. There our erstwhile leader decided to go through the high St. with awful traffic so I decided to take a breather and transgress down a one way street being very correct in observing other traffic and pedestrians. (future highway code amendments will hopefully permit this in future). Perhaps as a judgment for this misdemeanor I waited quite a while for Simon L leader to re-appear and so he did and I joined in. The pase however was very horrific with quite a number of gaps developing however I was no at the back but then I noticed my computer had stopped working and I also needed a comfort stop, so I told Geoff back marker to carry on and I would make my way to Abinger Hatch!
Sorting out my computer took some time and then I set off at a crawl to East Horsley. There I took the long drag to eventually arrive at the Shere junction on the A25. By this time I thought that the "A"s would be well gone and so I headed jhome along the A25 and stopped for soup at the Wotton
Hatch. Excellent value large portion with crusty bread for £4.95. Much better value than Spoon's on    Sunday with C&M where for £2.95 you got a half portion fully cold!
Anyway I was sorry that I missed Ray and wonder what time you actually arrived at Habinger Hatch?

B Group - 25th January

Nine of the B group braved the cold temperature and some mist and fog and headed off in the direction of Windsor Great Park via Chertsey and Virginia Water. Being a small group the ride flowed, which was beneficial as it kept us all moving and therefore somewhat warmer.

We soon arrived at the South car park where we entered into the park, making our way to the Bishopsgate entrance. En route we stopped to have a photo opportunity and a ‘comfort break’ at the large statue of the Prince Consort.

A short ride to the pub, just out side the entrance to the park, the pub was warm and welcoming.  The Fox and Hounds is somewhere that we have passed many a time but not frequented. Food was served swiftly and service was excellent, well recommended.

Leaving the pub we took Wick Lane then Wick Road and made our way back to Virginia Water by way of Englefield Green. Just after the station at VW we turned right then left down Bridge Lane and onto Lyne Crossing Road, which enabled us to cross over the M25 and proceed in the direction of Chertsey Bridge.

The original plan was for afternoon tea to be in Squires in Upper Halliford, however the remaining five that cycled into Shepperton soon decided to change that and follow Ed into a nice café at the end of Shepperton Village.

Thanks as usual to those that marked corners, and also to David for back marking.

Jennie

A group 25 Jan

I promised hills, and I hope I didn't disappoint.   Despite the warnings, and the freezing weather, there were fifteen in the A group peloton as it rolled out of Hersham, on a grand tour of other elevenses stops: Cobham passed in a trice, and then - well actually we didn't pass The Vineries: that was only me when I made a wrong turn on my recce, and mistakenly ended up at the top of White Down before realising.    Instead we went along The Drift to reach West Horsley, taking it cautiously as Ken reported loads of ice there earlier in the week.   It was all gone off the road, leaving a lot of slush in the hedge, which didn't trouble us much but served as a warning for the rest of the ride.   In fact we didn't really encounter any ice on the road, although there was plenty evident in ditches and ruts just off the road.

View from Holmbury Hill

On Shere Road we encountered a chevron which someone had carelessly left there on the map, right in the middle of the road, but continued to the top and down Combe Lane, through Shere and up Hook Lane to reach Peaslake.  "Welcome to the Surrey Hills" the sign said, but some of us felt we'd been in them for some time and were by now quite warm despite the temperature.   From Peaslake we ascended Radnor Road to admire the extensive view, but somehow we mist it (geddit??).

Continuing down and around Holmbury Hill it was getting towards 1pm and we had some way to go.  Another climb up Pasture Wood Road took us up to Abinger Common and thence to the welcoming Abinger Hatch, where Ray was waiting for us.  We were all served promptly, including Mark who took advantage of the Burns Night menu to have haggis.  

It was still misty outside and nobody was in a particular hurry to leave, so Geoff did a photo of "blokes inside a pub" for a change, and then we set off for one of the shortest rides to tea, which involved White Down and Effingham Vineries.  22.6 miles and 1900 feet of ascent to lunch, 5.8 miles and 500 feet to tea.  We started with fifteen, Mike left to pursue his own route on his mountain bike, gained Ray, and ended with fifteen.  Thank you to Geoff who kept impeccable control to ensure we didn't lose the back end in the ice.

A Group 25th January

The temperature was around freezing today, so, taking advantage of the warmer weather, Simon led us over the Surrey Hills rather than around them.  A good lunch at the Abinger Hatch then over the ever-popular Whitedown to tea at the Vineries, Effingham.

A good day out - our first properly hilly ride this year.

Mark

B Group ride this Wednesday

The proposed route for Wednesday’s ride will see us heading towards Walton then Chertsey and into The Great Park at Windsor. A stop to have a look at the Prince Consort’s Statue and onto lunch at the Fox and Hounds pub just outside the Bishopsgate, about 16 miles. 

After lunch we have a leisurely ride to tea at Squires Garden Center, in Upper Halliford. The entire ride is on ‘tarmac’.

Hopefully there will be no fog or mist, the forecast looks dry but cold.

A prompt start at 11.00am please.

Looking forward to it.

Jennie

A group Jan 25

The days are stretching out as we're getting close(r) to summer, and it seems only fair we should stretch our legs too.   Brian's ride last week was so enjoyable that I plan to return to the hills.   Lunch will be at the Abinger Hatch, at Abinger Common.  Bring your climbing legs.

London Bike Show ticket Discount

Discount code for CTC members, no discount for Seniors! 

The Code is: CYC15UK

Easy Riders - 18th January

When I got to Cheam, Judy and Godfrey were there.  Then Helen turned up.

Due to cold weather and fear of ice we were only a small number.  Liz texted me saying she would stay in with her cold.

We had a surprisingly quiet ride to Molesey; well until we got to Molesey Road.  It was nice and sunny; but my fingers were tingling by the time we got there.

In the Day Centre at Mole Hall (what a lovely name), we met John B, Bernard and Dave.  While we were still there, Chris turned up.  My original ride was to go to The London Apprentice in Isleworth and my shortened version was to The Barmy Arms in Twickenham.  Anyway, after thawing out seven of us went in the direction of Teddington, then Twickenham.  When we got there, we felt surprisingly warm.  Must have been due to the sunshine and being sheltered.  Anyway, everyone agreed to carry on to The Apprentice.  We had a nice meal there together on a large table.

Going back, Bernard, Dave and Chris did an alternative route; and Judy, John and myself made our way back to Kingston market place, then Berrylands, Malden and Cheam.  Judy and I had a coffee in Costa in Cheam Village before going home.

A lovely sunny day with not much wind.  We could feel the temperature drop as the sun was going down.

Lynda

A Group in 2016 - Consolidated 'Heat Map'

I was greatly impressed with Tim's summary of the B Group's rides in 2016, and thought that we'd better have an A Group one too.  With help from Dave and Simon, here's a pretty full list, together with some mileage and climbing data.

The straight lines are a feature of the software, so consider them an advantage.  There may even be a mystical symbol hidden in there somewhere ...

Mark

B Group in 2016

This map shows where B Group went last year. It does unfortunately show my own routes to elevenses and from Tea to home but it may be useful for any leader trying to plan a route which goes somewhere new. It includes the London and Guildford rides and omits a small number of rides which I didn't attend.

Competitions - last call for 2016 statistics

Attendance stats

I have had very few responses from Easy Riders about their attendance during 2016. If you want your scores to be taken into account and added to the league table please advise me (email or phone) or anyone on the committee in the next few days.

For Wayfarers A and B groups Simon and I have kept a fairly reliable log of attendance; for individuals who have given me their scores I have updated the records.

For C&M the records are maintained by Jeff so C&M riders can rest easy in the knowledge that we know all about you.

It is the same story for the Beginners for whom records have been scrupulously maintained and analysed by Colin.

Mileage scores

If anyone else would like their mileages taken into account please notify Jeff or myself. We have received a good many scores but to be sure of being registered in the big spreadsheet please let us know. Remember that the mileage scores received so far can be viewed by clicking the 'Mileage' button at the top of the Wayfarers blog.

If you never submitted your score for 2015 that would be interesting too.

Photos

Please keep them coming. We know that several photographers are reticent about sharing their works or art. Remember that, subject to censorship, your photos will be printed for the display at Prezzo on 1st March.

Trophies

I have received several. I will be at elevenses on the next two Wednesdays to collect them or we can make some other arrangement. Please wrap them up in some bubble wrap or put them in a jiffy bag to protect them. Some of the old ones are starting to fall to bits!

Many thanks

~ Tim

A Group 18th Jan

I set off for Dorking with some trepidation after reading of Steve Duffin's icy mishaps on Tuesday and an even harder frost overnight. After a dry and clear run to elevenses I was more relaxed and heartened that there were 12 of us prepared to venture out. It would have been 14 if David and Jennie had not had problems en route.

I had changed my plans to avoid potentially icy lanes early in the ride and we made it to Newdigate via Red Lane and Park Gate untroubled by ice. From here through Capel and Ockley it was a different story and caution was the watchword. Fortunately there was little traffic and at times we needed to take advantage of the full width of the road.

The water main is being replaced in Standen Lane and this didn't seem the morning to test whether access was possible so we went up Mole Street. The shady descent through Holmbury St Mary looked treacherous in places and I for one was glad to reach the Volunteer where we were joined by Ray and Ken who had come over Whitedown.

Steve and Dave headed home over Newlands after lunch. Discretion meant simplifying the route so we just went via Abinger Hatch and Hollow Lane to the A25 which we followed to Dorking.

We reached Bike Beans at 3 to find them locking up early ( should be 4) but Jamie opened up and 8 of us enjoyed tea and cake to round off a cold but enjoyable day.

My thanks to Steve and Geoff for back marking, amd Geoff and Janice for the photos.

                                                     A wintry scene from the Volunteer.

B Group - 18th January

Five B riders braved the arctic conditions and set off from Dorking to reach the welcoming hospitality of the Jack Fairman pub in Horley, enjoying their prompt service, good food and reasonable prices.

Ian Appleton joined us for Lunch after arriving under his own steam. We left Ian there and then we SKATED onto Redhill where Terry turned off. We passed Fanny's Farm which we still sadly miss. Three of us made the tea stop in Banstead Park luckily; although very cold the roads were not as bad as we thought they were going to be, and the Sun managed to shine for a while.

Regards, Tony

Thanks to David Cox for this track for the morning ride

After lunch Tony decided that we all needed some excercise!

Hilly 50 km Sat. 4 March 2017

OK guys and gals, I know that this is a DA event but few people look at the DA Blog where entry details and routes for the above can be found. As Mark has indicated on his Garmin it was proper Brass Monkey weather today and as I descended Box Hill this morning to Rykas to confirm the start point for our event all my extremities were well frozen including the proverbial s!

I had intended to join the B group at Spoons for lunch while visiting Head For the Hills cycle shop in Dorking and Nervana Cycles in Westcott. Both have agree to advertise our event so support them or at least visit when you can. Leaving Wescott I ascended what is normally the dirtiest part of the Hilly 50 route (Log Hollow Bottom) and I am pleased to say that it was very passable though a steep climb to then turn left down from from Coldharbour road back almost into Dorking (the reverse of actual route). I then made my way over towards Horley via Liegh and at 1,30pm ended up at Irons Bottom, thought to myself they do good grub there and so had an omelet and a good pint of Ranmoor served by the most charming lovely long legged attractive bar maid from Check republic. We parted company and she said "See you later Ali-gator" and I hope we do! Why do we want to kick this lot out for the sake of Brexit?

Proceded on to Reigate and Finches have also agreed to promote along with the Bike Cafe Lesbourne Rd. The home via Wray Lane so some good climbing today. Sorry I missed your text Tim re rest at Fanies. Also noticed that "A" group did tea at Bike Beans, that's another cafe I must visit to promote.

So with some luck we will get a good entry as I have already emailed over 20 cycling clubs in our area with more to send. Hopefully a few of the MWW and C&M plus KPRC will be able to help with the signing on at Rykas 9.30am

A Group 18th January

A bright and sunny day, but icy, with the temperature only briefly rising above freezing.  Brian led us carefully around the Surrey Hills, lunch at the Volunteer and tea at Bike Beans.

All safe and no mishaps.

Mark

B Group - 18th Jan

Tony Hooker has advised that, weather permitting, the intention is to ride to the Jack Fairman in Horley for lunch and to the Café in the Park in Banstead for Tea.

The weather forecast appears to be for a fine sunny day and that for much of it the temperature is expected to almost rise above 0°C.

~ Tim