Freewheel Competition, this Wednesday

Use a custom bike

This Wednesday sees the hotly-contested annual Freewheel competition.   The rules are much too complicated to explain here, so get someone to explain them over elevenses at Dorking.   After the competition, the A and B groups will go their separate ways to lunch and their afternoon rides.    I'm sure that most people are at the last stages of their fevered preparations to turn themselves into a highly tuned downhill machine.   My own preparations are highly confidential, but here are some ideas.

fit a larger rear end (courtesy of Mark's Bicycling Science book)

buy an old aeroplane, cut the wings off, and ...

This one is not recommended by doctors

 Good luck!

Easy Riders - 4th October

From Cobham, eight of us went to Leatherhead, passing Stoke d'Abernon. We turned left for Leatherhead station, on the cycle path to the roundabout. Continued to the next roundabout, taking a left turn to Ashtead. Made our way over the Common and out at Stamford Green.  We had lunch at The Jolly Coopers, a new pub for us, suggested by Helen. I was very impressed with food, decor and ambience. And next week they start brewing their own beer (for those interested).

Lynda

B Group - 4th October

A large group of thirty, yes thirty, made our way from ‘elevenses’ in Cobham through Ockham and East Clandon before the first real climb of the day at Staple Lane. That accomplished, after the decent on Combe Lane we turned right and along to the turn for Albury.  Passing through there, and on to Chilworth where we turned at the station, waiting at the level crossing for a train to pass and began the second ascent, up Sampleoak Lane to Blackheath. At the ‘somewhere else’ signpost we stopped to re-group and take a few photos. Blackheath Lane to Wonersh, then along the B2128 to the Bricklayers Arm in Shamley Green for lunch, arriving at a very respectable five minutes past one o’clock.

We had pre-ordered our food so after we had sat down with our drinks the orders came along quite promptly, enabling us to eat up and be ready to leave the pub at ten minutes past two. The pub is big enough to accommodate a large group, service was good as was the food. I would recommend it to anyone.

A group decided they would rather return to Guildford and go home from there, so leaving twenty riders to tackle the undulating route back, one short rise was 17%.

We did go along Smithwood Common Road and on to Ewhurst, then Forest Green, Ockley and Capel following a route familiar to many riders.

Some preferred to go straight back towards Dorking whilst 14 of us enjoyed a well-deserved cup of tea in the Shop at Strood Green, just over 19 miles from lunch to tea.

Well done to everybody that came on the ride, I hope they enjoyed the challenges and the good company, I certainly did.

Thanks to those that marked corners that enabled the ride to keep moving along, and also to David J for back marking.

Looking forward to leading my next ride.

Ride safe

Jennie

Helmets- yes or no?

On the subject of wearing a cycle helmet, I am an avowed libertarian. As with all subjects, there are arguments 'for' and 'against'. Let us all make up our own minds on the basis of authoritative evidence, not political expediency or unthinking prejudice, and act accordingly.

Our eminent past Chairman and evergreen cycling sage, Colin Quemby, has passed on a few words of wisdom to consider in our musings about the value of wearing cycle helmets. The words in quotes are not his:

"Thanks to a development programme lasting at least 4 million years the average healthy human has a protective hard shell for their brain which can flex (due to its construction from linked bone plates), and is at just 30% of its impact strength in a 20mph flat impact, unlike a styrene cover which is past 250% of its impact strength.

This of course does fail to take account of the major damage that can occur when the brain moves within the cranial cavity or a bruised blood vessel delivers a clot and pressure build-up, and the equally dangerous forces exerted on the upper spine (C1-C5 vertebra) when the head is forced round or back against the weight of the body. In some ways nature has taken account of this as the bare head has a useful self repairing covering which can shear against any surface that might snatch and put a severe force on the neck, or a severe acceleration on the brain within the skull.

As the work of Ben Hamilton Baillie and others shows, human mobility has an unassisted design speed of around 18-20mph - essentially equivalent to falling over when running, and very clearly a few million years ago those sub 20mph versions which broke when they ran into trees or rock faces, became a discontinued model. What better reason to promote an operating environment in which the forces resulting from any collisions are generally within the capacity of the human body and the speeds are such that the information processing system requires no special aids such as lane markings, traffic signals etc, to manage the relationship with other moving traffic."

What a wonderful thing it is to be able to make decisions for ourselves about our self-preservation. If we make the wrong decisions we die out. If we make the right ones, we pass on our genes to our offspring.

That is liberty, democracy, free will and Darwin's mind blowing 'Origin of the Species'. All about the cycling helmet

Jeff

Reasons for wearing a helmet

We have all heard the arguments on both sides for and against wearing a cycle helmet, after my latest accident, I can see no reason for not wearing one, this is the second time a helmet has averted an accident from being more than it was.
On my way home yesterday a driver turned across my path a collision was unavoidable.

Hitting the car and tumbling on to the tarmac resulted in a trip to the hospital and having stitches between nose and lip and a couple inside my top lip. But there you go could happen at any time to anybody,
Hope to see you all soon.
Geoff

A Group 4th October

Autumn's here, and we took advantage of a bright day to ride around the Surrey Hills, taking in the sights and the autumn tints.  It worked out very well.

A minor mishap at first, crossing Bookham Common, where a touch of wheels gave Pete a scratched knee.  Happily, no harm done, so on to Bagden Lane and over the top, heading for Denbies.  The grape harvest is in full swing, and you could smell the grape juice as we turned on to the bridleway that leads to the top of the hill.  This is a good way up to Ranmore Common, well surfaced and traffic free, winding through the vineyard.

One of the virtues of this route is that, like Box Hill, it has some fine open views, which are rare enough in Surrey.  I particularly like the view of Dorking from here.

A little surprise at the top - a short steep bit, with everyone in the wrong gear, but it's all part of the fun and we were soon on our way.

Photo Credit - Geoff Gregory

Over Ranmore Common, down Crocknorth and up Green Dene before swooping down that old favourite Coombe Bottom and in to Shere. Up again to Peaslake, Hoe Lane and we were in the pub just after one - not bad for twenty two hilly miles.

The Royal Oak is a nice pub, now part of the Time Well Spent group, and they have done a lot of refurbishment.  We had good tables in the upstairs room, where, to provide the right kind of ambience, little candles had been set about in all sorts of seemly places.  We liked these, particularly when one of them set John's jacket on fire while he was away ordering his lunch.  Dave B spotted it first, but the surprise deprived him of the power of speech, so the rest of us took a couple of seconds to understand what he was pointing at with such urgency.  But we soon put it out, and no-one seemed too bothered, except perhaps John, who is now in the market for either a new jacket or for a very large badge to cover the hole.

Photo Credit - Geoff Gregory

Back on the road just after two, climbing again, past the Mullard Space Research lab and over the top to Peaslake.  A steep bit out of here, called Walking Bottom - can't think why, though no-one did - and then on to Pitch Hill.  Here we had one of the referenda that have so enlivened political life, and concluded that we didn't want to do any extra hills and that we would rather turn our wheels towards tea.  'Have cake and eat it', as Mr Johnson put it, admittedly in another context.

A big swoop down to Shere, a tiny climb of Coombe Bottom, then swooping again down Staple Lane and then down again, Hungry Hill this time, entering Pinnocks just after three thirty.  Not bad.

My thanks to Mike for his back marking, to the corner makers for keeping us rolling, and to all of you for your cheerful company on an Autumn day in Surrey.

Mark

Advice for B Group - 4th October

We shall be heading into the Surrey Hills on Wednesday’s ride, lunch at the Bricklayers Arms in Shamley Green, afternoon tea at The Shop on Strood Green, near Brockham.

They would like us to pre-order our food, so if you could look at ‘The Brickies Summer Menu’ on their web-site, www.bricklayersarmspub.co.uk and let us know, otherwise please make sure you see me at ‘Elevenses.”  

There are a couple of hills in the morning, including Staple Lane, the afternoon has no big climbs but still ‘undulating.’

Look forward to seeing you all.

Jennie

A Group Wednesday 4th October

A simple ride next Wednesday - over to lunch at the Royal Oak, Holmbury St Mary and back to Pinnocks in Ripley for tea.

Some Autumn leaves, and a couple of hills.

Mark

Henfold Lake

I heard a rumour that Henfold Lake cafe may at last be open, so I called in today.

Unfortunately it's still work in progress; the guy at the refreshment stall said it may be open by Xmas.

Fortunately the refreshmant stall is very welcoming, and they say they are staying open until 4 -5 pm weather permitting (except Wednesdays when it's 1pm!), This afternoon the tea and fruit cake were just what I needed on a damp ride.

B Group - 27th September

Wednesday 27th September was a beautiful autumnal day.

 

Eight of us set out from Redhill for a splendid ride due south towards Staplefield (near Handcross, just off the A23). The ride was slightly longer than usual but took us further south than the B riders usually venture. 

 

After lunch and an unusual photo opportunity we made our way back towards Reigate and the foot of the North Downs scarp slope. This is a hill that we often try to avoid but on this occasion we rode briskly to the top only to find that the tea hut had not remained open to welcome us. 

 

Thank you to other B group riders who made this a very pleasant day out.

 

~ John A.

At the Jolly Tanners

Pondering the route home from Reigate Hill

20.8 miles to Lunch, 19.4 miles to 'Tea'

To see the elevation profile (where the hills are) and other metrics visit RideWithGPS at:

Redhill to Staplefield

Staplefield to Reigate Hill

~ Tim

A Group 27th September

Fourteen of us set out from Redhill hoping that the cloud would break as promised. No such luck for the first hour and a brief stop at the top of Tilburstow revealed nothing but a grey haze over the Weald. From here we followed a long succession of lanes eastwards, the rural feel broken briefly by Hurst Green before we continued along Swaynesland Road to Four Elms and Hever. Having circumnavigated Edenbridge we approached from the south to lunch at the Old Eden. By now there was some warm sunshine and we enjoyed lunch in the garden. One the way back we stopped at Crowhurst for those who had not previously seen the yew tree and then over Tilburstow where the view was only marginally clearer. At Banstead we found Pistachio's closed so enjoyed tea at Edibles instead. 42 very enjoyable miles. Well I lie, the last bit up Park Lane seemed a bit more than I needed after a couple of weeks off the bike.
Thanks to Mike for back marking and Geoff, Hans and Mark for photos, map and stats.

Clive Oxx

Greetings from Clive Oxx. For those that do not know him he was for many years a CTC Councillor and editor of the Wayfarer for many years. I took the opportunity of visiting Clive at his sheltered accommodation in Reigate. Sadly he no longer cycles but has retained his Brompton for old time sake! While visiting him I noticed a framed picture on his wall and took a photograph, see below. It is a fabricated London Evening Standard article by the locals in Carshalton lamenting his departure to Reigate. Clive was very much involved in creating the Wandle trail and instrumental in getting the industrial pollution cleared from the river. On his departure a party was held at the local pub.

While visiting Clive his son Johnathon called to say that he was running late so I was not able to meet him. He is the brother of Sonia.

Clive is very proud of the fact that Johnathon has created a new scheme for training young cyclist which has taken off in a big way and he actually makes a living out of it. I will try and get hold of the website and publish.

Easy riders 27th September

(l to r) Bernard, Elizabeth, Ray, Liz, Lynda, Eric, John and Gillian

Another lovely easy ride for our happy group today; from North Cheam Lynda lead us to Molesey Community Centre for coffee, then John took us via a pleasant and circuitous route through quiet roads and green ways to Hampton Court bridge.  Here Lynda took back control; over the river, through Bushy Park (only one little female deer in sight today, but lots of large black birds, probably crows, perched on Diana as we passed her) then Teddington and through to Kingston.  Some of our number stopped there for lunch or went home. The intrepid band above (including Eric, who joined us for the first time today, and Frank, not in this pic) continued to Woodies in New Malden, where suddenly the sun broke through the clouds and we enjoyed a bright and cheery lunch al fresco. No tea today as we were all quite close to home.  Good times, everyone, thank you.

Easy riders 20 September 2017

Maureen, Sue, Caroline and Sandie

 

Frank and John



Bernard, Ray, Bernard and Lynda



Liz and Ian

Easy riders all met for coffee at Chessington King's Centre,  with Ron and Clifford being the first to arrive (though Clifford declared lugubriously that he'd had to set off about 8.30 to achieve this...) It was lovely to see them as they haven't joined us often this summer.

Lynda lead us all via Bushy Park.  It was a beautiful day, we passed close by a fine stag resting in the warm sunshine on our way to the Jolly Coopers at Hampton. We haven't been there for a while, must visit again soon as the welcome,  food and service was really good.  Our group filled one half of the bar, our pictures were taken just after lunch as we were about to set off to tea. 

Easy riders lunch 23 August 2017

Relaxing lunch by the Thames at the London Apprentice, Old Isleworth. Thanks Sandie for taking this photo.

A Group 27th Sept

East of Eden(bridge) is the morning theme with lunch in Edenbridge. Probably Banstead for tea - we can discuss alternatives at lunch. About 21 miles each way. The bad news is that in order to avoid an extra few miles and the busy B road west of Lingfield we will be doing Tilburstow both ways!

B Group - advice for ride from Redhill

The B ride will head due south for about 20 miles (slightly longer than average) to have lunch in Staplefield and then ride back for tea in Reigate.

~ John A

B Group - 20th September

Seventeen B Group riders met to mingle with the ‘A’s’ at Fairoaks and 15 continued to lunch.   We made steady progress westward to Frimley Green via Chobham, Bisley and Deepcut, then used the cycle routes through The Hatches and Prospect Park to deliver us to the Tilly Shilling at Farnborough in good time. By a happy coincidence Wetherspoons had reduced all their prices by 7.5% just for this one day, so the food and drink tasted even sweeter than usual!

The sun still hadn’t put in an appearance by the time we set off for home, but we had a good ride back up Tunnel Hill to Mytchett and Knaphill, then made a detour to the Pennypot ford where, disappointingly, only two took the challenge of the icy waters!   From there it was on through Gracious Pond and  Stonehill to the outskirts of Chertsey where those stopping for tea elected to try the newly-refurbished Squires.  This might have been a better bet for those of us who decided to press on because we were met by severe traffic congestion in Addlestone, then a very long wait at the level crossing eventually relieved by the anti-climactic passage of just one locomotive and two wagons!   Many thanks to all for your company, for keeping up well,  and for a seamless ride with no punctures or ‘mechanicals’ (barring one twig in the spokes with no harm done), and sorry the 'spiral footbridge' didn't feature as billed (another time)!

~ Dave W

Terry couldn't be with us but has contributed this little history:

"Tilly Shilling was a scientist at RAE Farnborough during the Second World War. One of many projects she worked on was a modification to the carburettor fitted to the Rolls Royce Merlin aero engine (as used on Spitfire, Lancaster and many others). She also lapped Brooklands on a motorcycle at100mph+ for which she earned a Gold Star. She wouldn't marry her fiancé until he did likewise. He did."

~ Tim

Thanks to Steph for this photo

I know where I was but where was Vic?

A Group ride from Fairoaks 20th September

A dry Wednesday - for a change, saw 12  'A' Wayfarers setting off from Fairoaks Aerodrome to the Pineapple pub in Dorney. There's only a limited number of minor roads going north around Chobham, so inevitably there was some doubling-up with last week's ride to Jealott's Hill. Still, we managed to find a way onto Ascot Heath under - and across the Racecourse, rather than around it!

 
From North Ascot we skirted Winkfield Row and via Fifield reached the picturesque Monkey Island bridge on the Thames: ideal to linger for photo-opportunities.

The complexities of the Pineapple's menu probably meant a longer wait than normal so despite an early arrival, it was way past 2.00pm by the time we departed the pub garden. With gathering clouds we were glad to get going again. (But blue skies miraculously appeared for the group photo!).

Tea was at the Pheasantry Cafe in Bushy Park, and by that time (4.00pm) we had shed over half the group to points North and South.

Thanks to Geoff for forsaking the ride merely to capture the 'Grand Depart' from Fairoaks, and to Dave V. for assiduous back marking. Lets hope there's more dry Wednesdays as the leaves start turning.   

A Group ride from Fairoaks Aerodrome

We're heading north-west to Dorney for lunch at the Pineapple - for those with hearty appetites. (Observant ones may notice some similarity with Neil's outward route last week).

Tea maybe in Sunbury if swift progress after lunch, but more likely the Pheasantry, Bushy Park.

Ged