Invitation to A ride 19th April

Wednesday's ride takes us from Tanhouse Farm into Sussex - to the Eight Bells at Bolney. Last visited on Mark's ride in 2019.

This is an eclectic mix of something for everyone - pretty countryside, lakes, an old mill, tarred cycle path, single track lanes and a traditional pub.... and for those that like something completely different there are also 1970's new town estates and a stretch of former NCN20 now abandoned by Sustrans as "unsuitable" which includes not only the B road from Pease Pottage to Handcross but also a short flight of steps! Fortunately some useful signposting to the A264 crossing is still in place.

It's 18 miles to lunch and 22 back to Brockham - undulating but no serious climbs. There will be a "steady paced" group for those who would like to come but at a slower pace and there is always the option of a train home from Dorking for those who feel that they have done enough miles by then.

The current pub menus are below (these may be different to those on the pub website). 

Please email me with your lunch order by 6pm on Monday. Thanks 

Hilly 50k 2023 - just one week to go!

Hilly 50k - Saturday 22 April or in Your Own Time - Don't Miss It!

This year’s Hilly 50k will be on Saturday 22 April 2023 from Ryka’s, Dorking. Sign on from 9.30am. Finish at the top of Box Hill.

The route, and all the hills you love are unchanged. For full details see our Hilly 50 web page.

If 22^nd April is not suitable, you are welcome to do the ride alone or with friends at any time of your choosing.

If you've not yet experienced this memorable ride, this is definitely the year for it! And check out the video by Charlotte Barnes who rode the 2010 Hilly 50 on fixed wheel.

This year we hope to increase the number of women riders from last year’s total of only one.

If you are not familiar with the route, or nervous of the hills I plan to organise a sensibly paced group ride, including a welcome (for me at least) mid-ride coffee stop at Heartworks. Please let me know if you are interested (d.vine207@btinternet.com).

As in previous years we ask riders to support St Raphael’s Hospice, a cause close to the heart of our late organiser, Mike Morley. Donations of £10 (or more if you prefer) via our JustGiving page to this most deserving cause.

 

 

Invitation to a B Group ride on 19th April

Spring is in the air and no rain is forecast for a change, so a good day for a ride in the Surrey countryside.

The ride starts at Tanhouse Farm to loop eastwards via Horley and Outwood to our lunch stop after 30km (19miles) at The Beehive in Doversgreen. Save yourself for a good lunch there at good prices; we will have a reserved area. No need to pre-order, but you can look on WhatApp for the menu. After lunch it is just 20km to tea at Leatherhead. All on roads except a short stretch after Brockham. Only one significant hill just before Outwood. Experienced co-leaders are John A and Fixie Dave.

Route: SurreyHills

If you would like to come, email me at retolley@hotmail.com or on my WhatsApp by Monday evening. If you have an early (10:30) or late (11) time preference, also let me know that. Ride list will be posted on the Wayfarers B WhatsApp group by noon Tuesday, but let me know if you also want it emailed to you.

Hope to see you on the ride.

Robert Tolley

07425 398527

Ride Report for A Group - 12th April

 Janice's Report

The forecast wasn’t promising but my group of Dave V, Brian, Ged and Mark were keen. We were happy to be first off as the heavy winds and rain forecast were due to get worse as the day went on. 

There was a strong headwind for the outward journey but it was a pleasant route and occasionally we had shelter from hedges. Everyone was impressed with the new cycle route through Horsham which more or less ended at the Black Jug. The pub was full of diners but our pre-ordered food arrived in no time. The soup was very tasty! 

Over lunch the rain started and the wind speed and gusts increased so we discussed the various options of trains or the possibility of cutting the route short if need be.

Mark headed off for Horsham station leaving Ged as the photographer with the remaining 3 in the photo.

Suddenly feeling super fit we sped off, 20mph on the flat no problem and whizzing up hills. Possibly the 25+mph tail wind might have been a factor!

Although it was still dry at Rusper, we decided it would be wise to divert off the course and take the road straight to Newdigate. A few miles further on we felt we’d taken the right decision as we were suddenly hit by increasingly gusty strong winds and hail. The latter settled down into steady rain. With a long journey in front of him Ged decided to get the train from Dorking. 

On the A24 cycle path we met the B’s and Brian peeled off to have tea with them whilst Dave V and I carried on for home.

A memorable and enjoyable day out which was only possible because of the good company.

Fiona's Report

Some of us arrived wet at Dorking, others had managed to take shelter in bus stops or even avoid the showers altogether.

We had a good ride out to Horsham, although the strong head wind made us work hard for our lunch. Patrick and David J, helped bufffer me from the wind by sharing the lead, which was greatly appreciated.

The Black Jug at Horsham produced a lovely lunch, which was quick despite the pub being very busy.

Dave W left us at lunch but had kindly backmarked us to the pub.

The expected tail wind, on our return, seemed to turn into gusty squalls coming at us from any direction.

Feeling wet and a little wind swept none of us stopped for tea at Brockham.

A good route with good company.

Clive's Report

The morning started with some concern about strong winds and weather warnings that were forecast for later in the day. After liaising with my sub-leaders and the Bs leader (Francis) my mind was put at rest and we decided to press ahead and just see how things would develop. I had also received a message from the pub in Horsham warning me to watch out for a sink hole that had developed overnight in their car park!

My group was last off and was gradually whittled down from six to three riders by the time we left Dorking: Me, Gill and Dave F.

We set off from Dorking expecting a hard slog into the headwind all the way to Horsham. In fact, it wasn’t too bad at all as it turned out. Despite the blustery conditions and a shower of hail we had a very pleasant ride, mostly in sunshine, down to Horsham admiring the bluebells that were starting to appear here and there. They should be in full bloom by next week.

After riding through the country lanes of Surrey and West Sussex, we entered Horsham from the direction of Broadbridge Heath, taking cycle paths through residential areas before arriving in Horsham town centre on the historic and preserved Causeway. When I first recced this route, I wasn’t expecting very much from Horsham having only ever driven past it on the ring road, but I was very pleasantly surprised at what a pretty and thriving town centre it has – timber framed buildings, cobbled streets, etc. 

When we arrived at the Black Jug pub in the centre of Horsham the other two groups were already there and the first group were already having their lunch. The food was good, despite the absence of sandwiches on the menu, and was served very efficiently - and the sink hole had been fixed with some fresh tarmac.

The weather forecast for the afternoon was looking worse; they were saying the wind would get stronger and there would be more rain. Deep down I was relieved when my group decided to end the ride in Horsham and take the train back to Leatherhead.

Many thanks to Fiona and Janice for sub-leading and to Brian, who gave me some valuable tips on the route.

Here's the route, though not all completed it. Another time hopefully.

B Ride Report on a Wet and Windy 12th April

John's report;

Most of us had cycled through a shower to get to Dorking, nevertheless the first B group left at 10.40 and made good progress. This was despite the fact that the sub-leader could not make electronic contact with the route and had to fall back on a piece of paper and memory. This took us as far as Rusper without problems but somewhere beyond that the subbie missed a turning and added four miles to the morning route. However, we managed to get to the lunch stop just before another shower. Our small group of four decided to set off once we had finished lunch and to take the shortest route back to Brockham. At Dorking and again at Leatherhead we had a peloton check as to whether we would make use of a train but decided to continue. We got as far as Ashtead before splitting up and at this point the heavy rain came in, meaning we each arrived home rather wet.

FixieDave's report;

Following a not too long elevenses gathering at St Martins Dorking, our middle group did manage to get away to face the weather elements. The group consisted of six happy riders, Julie, Steph, Ken, Chris, Dave E, & sub leader Dave C. It was good that one of the Dave’s from the A group had seen the light, and come across to join us B’s. The A group has more than enough Daves. Our route out from Dorking gave us a short sharp climb up Cotmandene, This was to shake cobwebs off any slightly relaxed riders. Onwards we went through Newdigate & Rusper turning left at Lambs green to start our upward loop to lunch at The Surrey Oaks in Parkgate. Just in time to miss a heavy shower. Nobody was concerned with the rain as all were looking forward to the May flowers 💐! The food was good, however the food appeared to be served in a different sequence to that ordered, C'est la vie. Our two fair Ladies opted not to stop for lunch, and headed homeward upon our arrival at the Surrey Oaks 🙁. Following a breezy morning ride to Parkgate, the weather decided to unleash rain ☔️ upon us four male riders, on our return leg to Charlie & Gingers in Leatherhead.

Francis' report;

The weather forecast for the day was rather ominous with very blustery winds and heavy rain. That turned out to pretty accurate, though we were spared the stormy conditions that battered the south coast.
After a warming coffee at St Martin's community centre, my intrepid group (Terry, Colin, Mick, Anne and Tim C) left last just passed 11am. Soon we were out of urban Dorking and into the quiet country lanes towards Henfold Lakes, Newdigate, Rusper before looping back up through Lambs Green. The head winds up to that point were strong and slowed our progress down a bit but then when we headed back north, the tail winds helped us towards a much needed lunch and rest at the Surrey Oaks in Parkgate. Then the heavens opened even more and our valiant riders braved the heavier rain as we headed to Brockham where, due to a flooded off-road section along Coach road, we decided to ride along the path beside the A25 to the Pixham turn off. In Leatherhead, half the group split for home and a hot soak while the rest had a nice cuppa at Charlie and Gingers before grudgingly cycling home in the rain and sunshine. My thanks to Tim C for back-marking and the group for their upbeat camaraderie during the day. 

A rare sunny moment!

Glad to be out of the rain!

A Windy Wednesday Norwesters ride

The cunning plan was to meet at, a new venue, the Ohanas Cafe Bistro in Chertsey. We were low on numbers, which was not surprising due to the weather forecast.

Pete B was all ready supping coffee when I arrived, then Ray, Liz, soon to be followed by Pam and (Carolyn who just came to 11's. It's a great little cafe, once a Butchers as the old meat hooks and other decor showed, Coffee was good and lots of chatter. Then the decision as to our next move. 

The plan was, Moss End GC, just near Hawthorn Hill, but I decided to have a shorter ride to Trumps Green and another new Venue I had recently spotted, the Armadillo Coffee Club, a very nice cafe with good food.

So, up the hill of Ruxbury road, the one next to St Ann's hill, then down and under the bridge, but no, under the bridge was flooded! So back to a cheeky trip up St Ann's hill and the Thorpe road, turning into the tongue twister of Lyne lane to Lyne crossing the road to the end, then a left into Trump's (not Donald) Green road and an early lunch.

At Lunch

Another great little cafe, with lovely surroundings, nice coffee and food. A nice layout inside, but it couldn't take a large group.  Now to head home, with a tailwind, up to Virginia water and a right turn and a very speedy ride to Chertsey in the rain and very strong blustery winds. No tea stop today and a gradual dispersal of the group, with a few final departures at Hampton and home. Whatsapp confirmed everyone was home safely. Great to use two new coffee/food stops.  We will get to Moss End, maybe next week.

Thanks to those who did turn out.

Tony..

B Ride Invitation for Wed 12th April

Our ride will begin from Elevenses venue, Dorking Christian Centre, Church street. It will be an undulating ride with a few brief hill inclines, such as the one by Henfield Lakes campsite, as well as some flat runs. 32.7 miles in total. 18.5 miles to lunch at the splendid Surrey Oaks pub, Parkgate followed by 14.2 miles to tea in the high street Leatherhead. All on road except for a short stretch on Coach road from Brockham to the A25. I will be joined by my trusted co-leaders John A and FixieDave.

This is the route for info: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/42243288

Below is the pre-order menu from the Surrey Oaks pub.

If you would like to join the ride, please email me directly on fdsilva82@gmail.com or my WhatsApp with your lunch choice latest by 6pm Monday evening please.  Thanks.

See you soon. 

Francis 

07769926644

Invitation to A Group Ride on the 12th April

The route for the 12th April ride will take us from Dorking to Brockham. But we will take a slight detour in order to have lunch at the Black Jug in Horsham. 

It's about 24 miles to lunch and 18 to Brockham for tea, all on tarmac. I hope you can join this ride through the lanes of Surrey basking in the Spring sunshine.

If you would like to come along please have a look at the pub menu and email me (clive.janes@gmail.com) your choices by Monday evening.

Pub menu.

Report for B Group - 5th April

Gill’s report

Following an inclement recce we were very pleased to have some sunshine forecast. Despite the weather not quite living up to expectations, it was a perfect day for cycling. With a mix of off-road, riverside, roadway, modern waste transfer stations, gothic revival architecture and lovely parkland we hoped to keep everyone happy!

23 were scheduled to ride, but unfortunately Steph had a bike issue and had to pull out and Carolyn had an altercation with a van in Esher.  Happily no injuries, but her bike needed some attention and Giro sorted her out sufficiently for her to wisely head home. However, Ken unexpectedly joined us as did a returning Wayfarer, Mike Pontin, so we were back up to numbers. Welcome to Rachael on her first ride out with the Bs.

From Cobham we headed out over Esher Common via Walton to Twickenham for lunch. I believe it’s the first time the Bs have used the Eel Pie Pub and it’s one I’d certainly revisit. The staff were welcoming, the menu smallish but tasty, quick service and safe storage for bikes in the garden, plus good beer! It was lovely to see Paula, still nursing an injury, who lives locally so joined us for lunch.

Lunch at the Eel Pie pub

With a major part of the ride done before lunch we had a pleasant riverside route via Richmond up to Ham then into Richmond Park, linking up with Wimbledon Common for tea at the Windmill.

Photobombing a Bentley car photoshoot!

Thanks so much to Sue and Mick for subleading, and their inputs into the route. Thanks to my group, Julie, Gina, John, Robert, Brenda and Chris for their great company.

Gill

 

Sue’s report

Thankfully the weather yesterday was a good  deal better than our recce last Friday which was cycled mostly on wet muddy paths in the rain. A few dry days had allowed the track across Esher Common  to dry out and our party of seven had no problem negotiating our way over to Portsmouth Rd. We turned out to be a fluid group in number with Wayfarer Mike Pontin  joining us for the early part of the ride - hope to see you again Mike.

Gill had chosen a brilliant spot for lunch in Twickenham; great food and service at The Eel Pie. Nice towpath and park cycling was on the menu after lunch with Ian recounting tales of his childhood in the area. We shed several riders who turned for home before tea and we were down to 3 by the time we reached the Windmill café. In true Wallace and Gromit  style Gill, A Grand Day Out. Well   done on your first lead!

Sue

Mick’s report

After a chilly start we left Cobham just after 11:00. Gill’s well prepared route, executed by Mick, went well until we crossed the Cobham Bypass in Esher Common, Mick’s memory failed causing the group to experience the sandy, smaller paths of the common. Nevertheless we managed to exit the common at the correct point and thereafter navigation was to plan. We had a pleasant, quickly served, lunch at the Eel Pie Pub surrounded by posters for old bands who had played Eel Pie Island theatre. There were reminiscences from those prepared to divulge their age.

Teatime!

After lunch we had a pleasant ride along the Thames, downstream then upstream. Half the group, not wishing to experience familiar climbs, continued upstream to Kingston and then home. Tony, Francis, Rachael and Mick completed the ride at the Windmill on Wimbledon Common.

 Mick

Pothole on Portsmouth Road

Geoffrey Shields has previously warned us about this monster, on the north bound lane (ie towards Esher) at the West End Lane junction. At least a metre wide, half a metre long and filling half the carriageway.

 

Seemingly Surrey CC have been made aware multiple times, but with no action.

Avoid.

Ride Report - A's 5th April

What a difference a change in the weather can make to the mood in the club. An enthusiastic group of 19 A riders assembled in Cobham ready for a hilly ride to Rusper. And a special welcome to Steve Duffin returning to us after 3 months. I had arranged 3 balanced groups, with likely similar average speeds, so we left at 10 minute intervals to spread the load on the staff at The Star.

The morning route over Leith Hill provided the challenge of the day but rewarded us with clear views through the still leafless trees on the descent.

The Star proved to be an efficient and friendly lunch spot, and defying the current fashion for pre-ordering, managed to serve us all speedily with our favourite food.

Patrick eager to get his hands on the lunch

                            

The afternoon was a ramble through the lanes where some spotted tigers, llamas, windmills, and the first hint of bluebells. 

We even found three potholes which had been repaired since our recce on Monday, just possibly a sign of progress. But most appreciated in my group was the almost uninterrupted stretch of smooth tarmac from Parkgate to Leigh.

All the groups arrived in time for a joint teastop at Amici in Leatherhead, where we sat outside before being gently reminded by the owner that they closed at 4.

   

Big thanks to my co-leaders NeilC, MikeR and reserve Brian, and to everyone who came and made it such a sociable day. Happy Easter all.

New essential repair tool for electric bikes – made in Yorkshire!

From the Spa Cycles newsletter:-

If you have an electric bike, you may be interested in what could become an essential for your toolkit.  Spa Cycles in Harrogate, Yorkshire, became concerned with a regularly occurring and awkward problem among their e-bike customers.  Occasionally, due to a cable fault, the bike can become inoperative.  If this happens on a ride, you are faced with a heavy bike to cycle, or push, home without assistance.

Xanthan Gum

Spa Cycles worked with material scientists from York university to develop a simple and inexpensive get-you-home fix.   It’s made from Xanthan Gum using a patented process involving carbon nanotubes.  The result looks a bit like Blu-Tack, but its electrical properties allow you to re-connect faulty cables, even those carrying a sizeable current.   Spa Cycles are planning a major advertising campaign, funded by the Yorkshire Development Council, to promote their invention during April.

The new material is available at a promotional price for a short period from Spa Cycles.   Just phone and ask about “e-bike gum” for more details.

Invitation to Steve Wiltshire's All Day ride to Newdigate on Saturday 8 April

Hello all, invitation to the first beginners all day ride of the year to Newdigate, from Nonsuch Mansion at 10.00 am, Saturday 8 April. Lunch at the Six Bells (recently under new management, so a review element to the trip!) and the opportunity to go wheeeeeee down  Pebble Hill on the way. Easter bunny outfits optional.

 

Please email me, steve@wiltshires.org.uk if you’re coming. Look forward to seeing you on the day.

 

Steve W

Reduce the cost of your Cycling UK membership

Youth Hostel Association (YHA) members can now get 50% off Cycling UK membership, according to the latest YHA email newsletter:

"For those of you that enjoy getting out and about on two wheels, Cycling UK are now able to offer YHA members 50% off individual and family memberships. This is a fantastic saving of £24 for individuals and £39 for families. Included with the membership of Cycling UK are insurance benefits, discounts from retailers, a weekly e-newsletter packed full of cycling news and advice, plus bi-monthly Cycle, the UKs most-read cycling magazine. They also have hundreds of member groups and affiliate groups across the UK you can ride with.

Get the most out of your YHA membership by finding out more about your [YHA] benefits."

If I've read this correctly, this means you can save money simply by buying YHA membership, which costs £15 per year.   This will cost you less than the saving you'll make on Cycling UK membership, so you save money and get effectively free YHA membership.

Too good to be true?  I have not tried it as I have life membership of CUK, but if someone would like to try it, and let me know the results, I'll update this post.

Invitation to ride with B Group on 5th April

The B group ride on the 5th April is from Cobham via Walton to Wimbledon, with lunch at The Eel Pie pub in Twickenham. There will be some shortish off road sections across Esher and Wimbledon Commons and some tow path. Otherwise the usual potholed roads! (We will pass the one mentioned by Geoffrey below, so please take note) We finish for tea at the Windmill on Wimbledon common. About 30 miles total, slightly undulating.  Hope the rare finish in this neck of the woods is good for many riders. If not there is an excellent train service from Wimbledon station, if needed!

This is the route:

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/42404576

Please email me at gillholder9@gmail.com if you would like to join this ride, by 6pm Monday.

Gill Holder

 POTHOLE WARNING

An immoderately sized 'hole, on the road from Cobham to Esher, A307, Northbound, just before the left turn into West End Lane.

Report for B Group - 29th March

Jennie and David write:

A staggering 34 riders registered for the ride last Wednesday from Layla’s Café in Effingham which we split into three groups. On the morning we had a couple of DNS and one additional participant, Ken Day, who is always a welcome addition to any ride.

Spaced fifteen minutes apart, the groups set off in some indifferent weather to undertake the main climbs of the day, Calvert Road followed by Green Dene. After these two were out of the way the ride became ‘undulating’ rather than ‘hilly’.

The route meandered through Chilworth, Bramley, Peasmarsh and into Godalming. Even with such large numbers lunch was taken at ease in the Jack Phillips, the advantage of using a Wetherspoons.

Fed and watered it was a short way into Guildford, where some stopped off for an easier return home. Those continuing were able to follow an ingenious route past Stoke Park and the outskirts of Guildford where we made our way to the cycle path down along the A3 and to Ripley and thence the usual roads into Cobham and afternoon tea in a crowded Gail’s.

We give special thanks to Dave Ward who’s route we recycled, Tim Court for leading the middle group, Tim Gibbons, Fixie Dave and Colin Garrod for back marking in their various groups and lastly to everyone who came on the ride and helped to make it such an enjoyable day out.

Jennie and David J

Tim C. writes:

Our second B Group team, a leader with ten passengers, left Layla’s a little later than scheduled. Layla herself probably needed the rest of the day to recover after Hurricane Wayfarers had swept through downtown Effingham and demolished the entire contents of her little café.

We headed up Green Dene with the leader taking his turn as back marker. At the top we found ourselves engulfed in high altitude fog from which Carolyn materialised to join us for the rest of the ride to lunch. We managed to descend Combe Bottom rather than Staple Lane and were soon progressing through Albury and Chilworth. Chinthurst Lane, and the rest of the route into Godalming was scenic, yet pleasantly unfamiliar, with the added bonus of being flat.

We ate well at The Jack Phillips, one of Tim Wetherspoon’s nicer pubs in my opinion, and as it was still not raining we lined up outside after lunch for a team photo.

We threaded through the backstreets of the town and made our way to Guildford, using cycle paths wherever we found them. We dropped Carolyn and Anne off at the station and proceeded by a quiet route through to Stoke Park and Burpham. We took the cycle path alongside the A3 to Ripley then turned down Grove Heath Road for our customary route into Cobham.

All three groups appeared to be at Gail’s Bakery at the same time but the staff coped well. Many of us were lucky to be treated to our afternoon tea by Chris who had recently celebrated a very significant birthday. Thank you Chris and happy birthday.

Thanks to Tim G for being a most effective back marker and thanks to everyone for your company and good cheer throughout the day. Thanks to David J. for planning a good ride. 

~ Tim C