Annual lunch

The Mickleham Bypass

 A few weeks ago I came across this web-site https://www.britishcycletracks.com/, which is worth a read.  It covers, from the cyclists' point of view, the road building programme of the nineteen thirties up to the early nineteen fifties.

In the early 1930s a problem that the Ministry of Transport was addressing was the bicycle - specifically, the huge number of bicycles in regular use.  The Ministry of Transport's own figures, based on roadside traffic surveys, showed that there were about twelve million of them.  This mass of cyclists obviously led to congestion, and motorists, then as now, saw them as an obstacle to progress.  There were fewer than a million motorists at the time.

The Dutch, well known for their cycling culture, were approached for advice, and they offered a standardised road design of two dual carriageways, one for each direction. Outside each dual carriageway and separate from it was a cycleway, again one for each direction, and outside that, far from the cars, a footpath.

This seemed a sensible plan, and a number of 'bypasses' on this general pattern were built throughout the country, with the general intention being that they would, over time, be joined up into a national network.

The Second World War put a stop to the road building programme, and, although some of the 'bypasses' were completed in the 1950s, the design clearly had significant shortcomings.  The bicycle problem had resolved itself, in that numbers were now below a million and still falling.  No-one was going to spend much on that. Although the dual carriageways promised 'three and a half miles of motoring pleasure', no-one had mentioned the queue at the roundabout at the end.  The motorways of the 1960s swept them away.

The CTC was against these cycleways.  It grudgingly admitted that, if they were any good, people would use them, but asserted a God-given right of passage on the Kings Highway.  Clubmen and women would ride, two abreast, on the dual carriageway.  This right seems to have been forgotten by the time the M1 was built.  The core of the CTC's objection was compulsion, which was indeed part of the plan.  If there was a cycleway, the Dutch required a cyclist to use it, and that was the intent here, too.  It never happened.

Anyway, the Mickleham Bypass was a bit of a poster child for these cycleways.  It was opened in 1937, and there were a number of photographs and publicity brochures describing it.  For the most part, Wayfarers are familiar with it, but there is an odd, perhaps slightly mad aspect which may be less well known.  The Mickleham Bypass is possibly unique in having the south bound cycleway between the two dual carriageways, rather than outside the southbound lane. 

The entrance to the southbound cycleway, at Givons Grove, is from what we would now call the fast lane.  There are obvious shortcomings to this, which were presumably less apparent in the 1930s.  The cycleway is all there, and quite intact, although the surface is poor in parts.  A gravel bike or tourer would have no trouble with it.

At Mickleham the cyclist needs to cross both southbound carriageways to get to the continuation, which is in a more conventional position on the left of the road.  This section obviously gets more use and is in much better condition.

So there we are - a quirky little thing that might be worth looking at on a fine day.  It's perfectly usable, even if it's not much use.

Mark

'A' Ride invitation for 6th March

You are invited to join the A Group ride from the RBL Hall in Cobham, just to the venue for the Annual Lunch at Ristorante Sorrento, in Tolworth. There is no afternoon ride planned. Tarmac all the way.

Please email me by 18.00hrs on Monday 4th March if you wish to join the ride; route and groups will be sent out on Tuesday.

Note that the club and these rides will be celebrating International Women's Day which is on 8th March. We are using the nearest Wednesday (6th March) to celebrate. All rides will be led and sub-led by Women.

Looking forward to seeing you all.

Thanks

Jennie

B ride invitation to the annual lunch in Tolworth

You are cordially invited to build up an appetite for our annual lunch on Wednesday 6^th March by joining our ride from Cobham to Tolworth, via Horton and Old Malden. The route is on mainly familiar roads with a few undulations and a short climb up to St Mary’s Church at Cuddington. This is the route:

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45730955

To celebrate International Women’s Day which also falls next week our rides on Wednesday will be  led exclusively by women from our group.

Please let me know by Monday evening if you would like to join the ride.

Sue.foster39@gmail.com

Hope you can make it

Sue F

Report for A Group - 28th February

David Jackson wrote:

First thing is to say thanks to Simon for taking over the leader's role at the eleventh hour due to Jennie being unable to ride due to illness, much appreciated.

For the ride, we left Leatherhead and started doing what we would be doing for the rest of the day; when we weren’t descending we were climbing.

The weather gods were very kind to us, not too cold and although not sunny it was thankfully dry, that together with the drier roads were a definite plus. The roads we used were all ones we have used many times before to and from Warnham, so I won’t give a list of places, rather just a couple of other points.

Neil Warland must be praised for basically giving up on his natural instincts to stay at the back and make sure that anybody at the rear always had someone to ride with and and was free with giving encouragement.

I was somewhat disappointed with the pub, they had requested pre-ordering, which was done, yet two in our group were left waiting for their food for a considerable time.

How can it take so long to prepare sausage and mash and even worst a sandwich, they really did not appear to have control of the situation.

Lastly, ‘chapeau’ to Diane, it was her first ride with the A Group, she did herself proud! Sign up for more!

I was unable to stop for tea in Leatherhead but I know that most decided to take well deserved refreshments after a challenging ride.

A personal thank you to all members of the group for such an enjoyable day out.

~ David J 

Simon wrote:

It was a great ride, with some reservations.   A lovely route took us down (and up, a lot of up) some of the most beautiful lanes in Surrey, long and flowing and remarkably free from traffic.  Excellent pub which took our orders very efficiently and delivered most of the food very quickly – one or two had to wait for some of the more difficult dishes, such as soup and chips?

 

If there was a teeny bit of constructive feedback, I would say that the off-road was very disappointing.   There was almost no mud, except a rather squishy pub garden / bike parking area.   And another thing:  the floods were almost non-existent.  We only saw one signposted flood, and it barely reached a foot away from the verge.   It was really just a jumped-up puddle.  I was so disgusted I didn’t even stop for a photo.  This was all very poor after the high standards reached in recent weeks.

I had a lovely group who rode extremely well – no disciplinary measures were needed at all.   Gill was back-marking and perhaps she kept everyone in check.   If I had to make just one criticism of my group, it would be that at the top of the hills, when I was hoping for a rest while I waited for them, they kept on being right behind me.   Not quite rude but perhaps a little insensitive.

Also, the weather hardly lived up to expectations.   There was supposed to be rain all afternoon, but in the end there were just a few spots here and there.  Not even enough to put rain jackets on.  What’s all that about?

Despite all those quite serious limitations, we all had a lovely day out.  Thank you very much to David and Jennie for organising, to my group and especially Gill for back marking.

~ Simon

Photo of Brian's group:

Annual Lunch - final check

Dear everyone,

We have 63 bookings for our annual lunch. If you are coming please review the list below to confirm

• that your name is included
• that I have recorded the entrée and main courses which you have ordered

If I have made a mistake or omission please advise me today so that I can correct your order.

Refer to this menu for translation if required

 

Tim

 

Name	Surname	Starter	Main course
Bernard	Power	Ali di Pollo	Pollo Crema & Funghi
Bob	Pannell	Funghi Ripieni	Cannelloni di Ricotta
Brenda	Breen	Funghi Ripieni	Pesce del Giorno
Brian	Greenwood	Salmone Freddo	Fegato alla Veneziana
Carolyn	Beer	Prawn Cocktail	Cannelloni di Ricotta
Chris	Hyde	Canneloni di Carne	Pollo Crema & Funghi
Clive	Janes	Prawn Cocktail	Fegato alla Veneziana
Colin	Lown	Prawn Cocktail	Filetti di Maiale
Colin	Quemby	Canneloni di Carne	Pollo Crema & Funghi
Dave	Cullen	Zuppa del Giorno	Pesce del Giorno
Dave	Ellis	Pâté de la Maison	Pollo Crema & Funghi
Dave	Ferrett	Melanzane Ripiene	Fegato alla Veneziana
Dave	Vine	Formaggio di Capra	Filetti di Maiale
David	Jackson	Pâté de la Maison	Filetti di Maiale
Dawn	Moriarty	Salmone Freddo	Pollo Crema & Funghi
Ed	Sharp	Prawn Cocktail	Cannelloni di Ricotta
Francis	d'Silva  [GF]	Prawn Cocktail	Fegato alla Veneziana
Frank	Barnsley	Zuppa del Giorno	Cannelloni di Ricotta
Frank	Carter	Whitebait	Vitello alla Pizzaiola
Ged	Lawrenson	Zuppa del Giorno	Cannelloni di Ricotta
Geoff	Gregory	Pâté de la Maison	Cannelloni di Ricotta
Gillian	Calder	Salmone Freddo	Filetti di Maiale
Gillian	Finlay	Formaggio di Capra	Fegato alla Veneziana
Grant	Pyke	Canneloni di Carne	Vitello alla Pizzaiola
Helen	Tovey	Formaggio di Capra	Vitello alla Pizzaiola
Ian	Prince	Zuppa del Giorno	Filetti di Maiale
Jane	Fox	Salmone Freddo	Fusilli alla Giardiniera
Jane	Gunningham	Prawn Cocktail	Cannelloni di Ricotta
Janice	Dawes	Melanzane Ripiene	Fegato alla Veneziana
Jeff	Tollerman	Whitebait	Vitello alla Pizzaiola
Jennie	Jackson	Salmone Freddo	Pesce del Giorno
John	Bellamy	Whitebait	Fegato alla Veneziana
Julie	Buckman	Funghi Ripieni	Pollo Crema & Funghi
Ken	Day	Canneloni di Carne	Vitello alla Pizzaiola
Ken	Jones	Prawn Cocktail	Filetti di Maiale
Lilian	Chelli	Salmone Freddo	Pesce del Giorno
Linda	Morris	Whitebait	Pesce del Giorno
Liz	Bernard	Prawn Cocktail	Pesce del Giorno
Lizzie	Scrivens	Funghi Ripieni	Pesce del Giorno
Mark	Gladwyn	Canneloni di Carne	Filetti di Maiale
Maureen	Gallichan	Formaggio di Capra	Fegato alla Veneziana
Mick	Arber	Formaggio di Capra	Filetti di Maiale
Mike	Barrett	Prawn Cocktail	Pollo alla Mexicana
Neil	Crocker	Salmone Freddo	Pollo alla Mexicana
Neil	Warland	Pâté de la Maison	Pollo alla Mexicana
Pam	Jones	Zuppa del Giorno	Pesce del Giorno
Pat	Dobson	Formaggio di Capra	Pesce del Giorno
Pat	Matthews	Formaggio di Capra	Pollo Crema & Funghi
Paul	James	Funghi Ripieni	Cannelloni di Ricotta
Peter	Betts	Whitebait	Cannelloni di Ricotta
Peter	Suchy	Funghi Ripieni	Cannelloni di Ricotta
Peter	Tiller	Funghi Ripieni	Pollo alla Mexicana
Ray	Wren	Prawn Cocktail	Pesce del Giorno
Simon	Lambourn	Zuppa del Giorno	Pollo alla Mexicana
Steph	Wyatt	Funghi Ripieni	Fegato alla Veneziana
Sue	Bellamy	Pâté de la Maison	Cannelloni di Ricotta
Sue	Chasty	Melanzane Ripiene	Filetti di Maiale
Sue	Foster	Zuppa del Giorno	Fusilli alla Giardiniera
Terry	Lowe	Zuppa del Giorno	Filetti di Maiale
Tim	Court	Whitebait	Filetti di Maiale
Tim	Gibbons	Whitebait	Vitello alla Pizzaiola
Tony	Hooker	Salmone Freddo	Pollo alla Mexicana
Tony	Hopkins	Salmone Freddo	Vitello alla Pizzaiola

Ride report for Easy Riders - 28th February

Lunch at The Jolly Coopers

Ride Report for B Group - 28th February

Dear Wayfarers,

Thank you all for joining me on my ride to The Sportsman. The aim was to make it as traffic free as possible, but unfortunately it meant a little bit of mud, a few large puddles, a climb up to Epsom Downs via a little more mud and a few more puddles. Then it was down to Chipstead valley via Banstead where upon we had to cross the railway via the footbridge and up a steep track to Chipstead golf course whereupon we had to get out of the way to avoid high speed flying golf balls. Once we were out of the firing line it was a level ride all the way to The Sportsman, however the pedestrian crossing at Lower Kingswood which I considered to be the safest crossing point on the A217 was out of action 🙄.

Man of Mischief Pete

On arrival at The Sportsman we were greeted with a very long table for us all and a very nice lunch was provided, courtesy of Lisa the landlady.

After lunch it was on to Walton-on-the-Hill via a little bit more mud and a few more puddles and then homeward bound.

Tea stop in Walton

On a positive note, you all now know about PLUTO*. 😉.

Looking forward to taking you all out again soon.

Kind regards,

Pete

*Pipe Line Under The Ocean
It’s a pipeline that was laid in the 1940’s across the channel to supply our troops with fuel on the run up to the D Day invasion.

Tim C writes

With the Nor'Westers away doing their own thing we had just a modest turnout for Pete's ride so our second group was pleased to add Terry and Grant to our ranks. We were away from the Fairfield Centre in reasonable time and retraced our route back to the Ashtead Garden Centre before turning South up Headley Road. Contrary to our usual habit we veered left along Chalk Pit Road to meet and cross Langley Vale Road to pick up the path down to Langley Bottom. We'd just crossed and looked down the hill to see a team of riders on horses coming up towards us. We flattened our backs to the fence as the cavalry rode by before continuing into the Walton Downs. After numerous impressively large puddles, some mud and a steep climb up to the racecourse we rode around the curve of the course and through to Tattenham Corner.

Paul showed us a good route to avoid the worst of Church Lane and we followed a clever route into Banstead. We climbed to the top of Hazelwood Lane, unaware that Pete had taken his earlier group by a more 'interesting' route past Chipstead Station and up onto the golf course. We headed down to Lower Kingswood to find a fairly safe place to cross the A217 and in Mogador Road were surprised by Dawn emerging from the roadside vegetation, sometime after losing track of Pete's group.

The hospitality, food and service at The Sportsman was all good but we emerged well after 2pm into a much chillier day. We found our way across Walton Heath and its Golf Course, negotiating many huge puddles as we went, but without mishap. We were soon across the Epsom Downs and down Chalk Lane into Epsom. Some had already split from the group to ride home and the rest of us were feeling rather cold so opted to ride home without stopping for Tea.

Thanks to Colin for back-marking and to everyone for maintaining a cheerful sense of adventure on this classic Pete Beyer route.

Tim C

Report for the Easy Riders - 21st February

A grim weather forecast so not a straightforward choice to get on the bike. I imagined others having similar thoughts and, facing the wind and rain going to North Cheam, wondered whether it would be a solo ride. Great relief then to find Anne Connaughton and Jane Gunningham - plus Tony Hooker, taking a day off from the Bs - ready for the off.

Just a short ride to the King's Centre at Chessington but, having taken a wrong turning early on, we diverged from our normal route - thanks for your guidance, Tony. At Chessington our numbers were swelled by John and Sandy Bayliss.  All relished the chance to warm up and dry out a little with a hot drink.

With the wind strength expected to peak before lunch we wanted the wind at our backs, so set off for the London Apprentice at Isleworth. Our route took us over Hampton Court bridge (where the patio area of the Mitre Hotel was under water), through Bushy Park, Teddington and St Margarets. The Thames was an impressive sight - near high tide, turbulent and fast flowing. The opportunity to recharge the batteries at the pub was very welcome and we all enjoyed a goos lunch.

Moving on, we entered Syon Park. Syon House is apparently well known as a TV/film set and a major project was under way judging by the presence of a large number of production trucks. No details to reveal, regrettably. Our return journey continued via Brentford, Kew Bridge and Richmond Park where we went our separate ways.

The rain, while only light, persisted for much of the ride but was rarely more than an irritant and it did ease off from time to time. I think I can speak for all by saying there were no regrets about the decision to get out. 

~ Frank

Easy Riders at The London Apprentice (Anne C.)

 

Invitation to a B Group ride on 28th February

Just a little note to say that our ride on Wednesday will not be a long one. There will be a points of interest in Langley Vale and the race course, then heading out via Banstead and Mugswell to Mogador for lunch at The Sportsman. An afternoon coffee if required will be in Epsom town centre. Please note that there will be some off road sections.

Would anyone like to be a subleader?

This is the route:

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45643785

Please contact me by WhatsApp (07742 724 571) to confirm that you're coming.

Thanks

Pete

Invitation to ride with A Group on 28th February

You are invited to join the A Group ride from the Leatherhead Fairfield Centre. I have planned a ride to The Sussex Oak at Warnham, 20 miles to lunch and 20 miles back to Leatherhead

An undulating ride nearly all on tarmac.

The pub has requested we pre-order food, so please have a look at the menu on the website 

http://www.thesussexoak.co.uk

and then let me know so I can advise the pub. Should there be a problem getting to the website use the link via open table.

To book your place please email me by 18.00hrs on Monday 26th February if you wish to join the ride; route and groups info will be sent out on Tuesday.

Looking forward to seeing you all.

Thanks

Jennie J

  

New Bike Day?

 If anybody has won the lottery and fancies a new bike, this maybe the bike for you!

Tony..

Report for A group ride 21st February.

 I had planned a not too strenuous route 20 miles south from Redhill to Rusper, but as you all know the weather can change things quickly. I had ridden a bridlepath in the summer past Thunderfield Castle and wanted to include it as part of the ride. Big mistake. Brian Greenwood kindly emailed to warn against it and on doing a recce on Saturday found the path to be a quagmire. So a change of route to tarmac and we are good to go again. I didn't reckon on constant rain however.

So on the day seven met up at the Methodist Hall in Redhill ready to ride. Just getting there was an achievement with two major hills and a 26 MPH headwind. So hats off to Patrick, Dave Vine, Dave Ward, Andy Coxhill, Ged, Sue Chasty and Clive for braving the elements. To be honest it was simply wet and very windy, but the temperature was a mild 9 degrees. Although Dave Ward was not joining us on the ride he dutifully appeared for coffee and outlined his plans to cycle up to Decathlon in London for some shopping!

When it was time to leave I noticed the weatherproof clothing choices everyone was wearing. Always good to test clothing. I was trying out my new Goretex Shake Dry jacket as recommended by Janice. It proved a very reliable and breathable piece of clothing.

Our first challenge was the climb up Hooley Lane followed quickly by Philanthropic Road which wasn't helped by a gusty headwind at the top. The wind blowing from the SSW was a constant energy sapper. It also didn't help riding through wet roads which slowed the wheels down as they sucked up water. The route took us down then through South Nutfield and Outwood to Smallfield. Then west to Horley. The roads were so flooded we were in the middle of the highway a lot to avoid the puddles and whatever lay beneath! I misread the rain soaked sat nav and tried crossing Horley station by the footbridge until Ged and Dave Vine pointed out there was a subway crossing underneath the railway line. From there the roads seemed to get worse through Norwood Hill with potholes everywhere. Even Collendean Lane which had been resurfaced some 5 years ago had cracks in the tarmac where the shoulders had sunk under the weight of heavy traffic. It seemed like an age, but we eventually reached The Star at Rusper where we were promptly served and seated next to the fire, which unfortunately had not been lit. It was warm and cosy nevertheless and we had our lunch. Suitably refreshed we didn't want to leave.

However, as it was still raining, albeit not so heavily I abandoned my planned route for a straight forward dash north to Leatherhead helped along by the notorious SSW wind which became our friend on the way home.. Patrick, Andy and I stopped at Charlie and Ginger for tea and the rest of the magnificent seven made their way home. As the rain wasn't heavy I remained curiously dry under all the clobber, but I was mightily impressed by my new jacket. Inside we met four B group riders including Bob and Diane and we were able to have a chat before making our way home.

So we had a good ride all things considered. Exhausting, but sociable and no punctures or mechanical problems to make the ride harder than it was. Heartfelt thanks to the seven wayfarers who braved the weather and particularly to Dave Vine who backed marked for us and struggled after being off his bike for four weeks. We all know how that goes, it's tough! Thanks also to Tim Court and Andy Coxhill for the photos.

Steve D.

Wet & Windy Norwester's Ride 21/2/24

I had planned a nice  route of around 35 miles, going West to Warfield, but getting to 11's damp and the wind very strong at times, begged the  change to plan a shorter alternative route. Paula, Julie, Gill, Ray, Liz, Madi, Pam and myslef were the gathered few, 12 had booked the ride, but alas, a few had decided otherwise. 11 0-clock came and went, and it was around 20 past when we had donned out wet weathewr gear. Liz had decided to head straight home with other plans, and Pam headed West for home. Manygate lane to Walton bridge, then into a priate estate, which meant very little or no traffic. 

 Then a change of plan and down nearly to Walton again through another 3 private roads, . Just passed the entrance to the Smoked brewery, the puncture fairy struck Madi, it didn't take for to change the tube and we were off gain.

 

Madi's Mishap

 

The Advisors

We were soon heading up the back of Sandown park to Esher We very briefly took the Oxshott road turninng into yet another private road behind the Bear pub, when we reached the botton of the hill, Madi's tyre was flat again. Madi took charge and phoned a cab which took her, and bike, to the cycle shop at Thames Ditton, about 100 metres from our lunch stop, The Ye Olde Swan. I took a direct route to to lunch and we were soon waiting for our food in the warmth and cosiness of the pub.

Just as our food arrived, Madi arrived, her bike havintg the pucnture mended while we had our lunch. No tea stop was planned and we all headed our own ways Gome It was a nice ride despite the wind and rain and with a lovely group of Norwesters.We will do the planned route on another Norwester's ride in the future

Tony..

Annual lunch bookings - revised deadline

We've had a good response to the invitation -

https://midweekwayfarers.blogspot.com/2024/01/invitation-to-2024-annual-lunch.html

- with nearly 50 members booked. We have room for more so please see the invitation and the menu and let me know your menu choices. Ask me for the bank details for paying your £19 if you don't already have them.

Please endeavour to complete your booking and payment by Thursday 29th Feb. so that we can inform the restaurant in good time for them to puchase all the necessary ingredients. 

Closer to the time I will publish a full list of people attending along with your orders, as a final check that I have recorded your choices correctly. 

We have a jolly good occasion to look forward to and we hope to see as many as possible on the day. 

~ Tim

Automatic Gears

 Spring's coming, and I've got a new bike.  It's an electric gravel bike, a type that I have found to be very successful, and it's very similar to my old Jolly Green Giant, an excellent bike that has taken me on many enjoyable adventures.

The reason for the change is Dave Brailsford's much vaunted 'marginal gains'.  You don't see much difference in a year, but the Jolly Green Giant is a 2020 model and this is a 2024. Over that time you'd expect some improvements, and there are.

Simple but effective ones first of all - the frame is made of lighter tubing, with a slightly more relaxed geometry.  Giant's riders and customers have ridden thousands of these bikes all over the world, and Giant has evidently decided that a gravel bike doesn't need to be quite so tough.  The new frame has a nice spring, and new handlebars, too.  They're a bit like the old 'randonneur' bars, with a slight back sweep, and they work well for gravel.  They've got a bit of spring, too.

But the big change is a new motor system.  Giant has changed from the very powerful Yamaha mountain bike motor to a Shimano system, which seems to me to be less powerful.  I don't know if this is intrinsic to the motor, or if it's the way it is tuned for this application, but that's how it seems.  It's plenty powerful enough for a gravel bike anyway, and the net of less output is less input, and it uses less power than the Jolly Green Giant.  Using the same battery the range estimator shows 110 miles rather than 85, and there's a range extender, too.  Two sizes are available, and using the smaller, lighter one you should expect 150 miles or so.  That's further than I have ever ridden in a day on a bicycle, so all good there.

The change to Shimano means that the Shimano Auto-Shift automatic gears can be used.  This bike will automatically change gear to match your speed and pedalling effort.  It changes if you are pedalling hard uphill, or if you are coasting downhill.  When you stop, it changes to a low gear to start off smoothly - it's quite uncanny.  

As an example, behind my house is a short cul-de-sac called South Rise.  As the name suggests, it's a not very steep hill.  Starting from the house, whatever gear the bike may be in, it switches immediately to a low gear to climb the hill.  If I'm being picky, the gear it chooses is a little lower than I might have chosen myself, but it quickly changes up and sets the right gear as I go up the hill.  Getting to the end of the cul-de-sac I turn in a semi-circle and can hear the gears changing up as I turn.  I set off again down the hill in the right gear, and the bike changes up to match the speed until I turn again at the bottom.  Once more, it changes to suit the speed and I set off up the hill again in the right gear.  If I stop on the hill it will immediately, and automatically, select a low gear to restart.

Now, technical requirements.  This is new stuff. It is e-bike only, as the motor does part of the changing.  It requires either the latest EP600 or the EP801 motor.  It can't be retrofitted.  It needs Di2, it needs one of a small range of compatible derailleurs and it needs a special type of cassette called LinkGlide.  But it is a standard part of the new Shimano Cues groupset, and I expect that we will see more of it over the next year or two.  Basically, a customer for a relatively upscale e-bike this summer in, say, Germany or Switzerland, will have Auto-Shift as standard and will probably not give it a second thought.  It would certainly have been very handy in Zermatt, bringing the groceries up the hill from town.

If you'd like to know more, the Shimano web page is here, and there's loads more information on the internet.

In these straitened times, it's very good to see that the bicycle industry is continuing to innovate.

Mark

A group ride invitation from Redhill 21st February

 I have planned a route from Redhill Methodist Hall 20 miles to lunch at The Star Rusper. I will need pre-orders for this. Menu https://www.thestarinnrusper.com/small-lunches--sandwiches.html. The route climbs about 900 feet in all, out of Redhill and then south past Outwood and the windmill and then swinging west. We go past the site of Thunderfield Castle which no longer exists. However rather than being an actual castle it was a medieval manor house with two moats. The name Thunderfield was given to 3000 acres of common grass wetland which was used by locals to graze their pigs. The area is now Horley and its environs.

The return to tea at Leatherhead is 17 miles through Capel and Newdigate and 500 ft of climbing. I have booked the lunch time for 1 pm onwards which means we don't need to leave Redhill until 11.15 am onwards. This means we will have more time to travel to Redhill for those who have to ride from afar.

The weather forecast at the time of writing this is for light rain, wind and mild temperatures. I currently have no other leaders for this ride so if you would like to lead a group from GPX please let me know. If you would like to  join this ride please email me with your lunch order by 6 pm on Monday at steve_duffin@yahoo.co.uk . I will email you back with confirmation, group times and two GPX files of the routes there and to tea.

Steve D.

Invitation to ride with the Bs from Redhill on Wednesday 21st February

If you would like to ride with the B group on Wednesday please contact me on johnaustin04@yahoo.co.uk by Monday 19th February. If you would prefer an early or late start or to ride with a particular person, please also let me know on your email.

This is our route:

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45608431

I look forward to seeing you next Wednesday at the Methodist Church café in Gloucester Road, Redhill.

John A.

Report for B Group - 14th February

B Group ride from Weybridge to Esher

Alan led the Eros team:

On an overcast day with a forecast of rain, the Eros Group of eight riders left Morrisons Café in Weybridge on a Valentine’s Day Ride between Weybridge and Esher.

Following a mainly quiet route of 30 miles, the ride included an enjoyable mix of local cycling paths, peaceful canal-side tracks, quiet country lanes and some familiar open roads plus some historical points of interest along the way.

After a steady start riding through the morning traffic of Weybridge, we followed local roads and cycle paths around Weybridge Station and on to Brooklands Museum before joining the Saturn Trail to Brookwood Cemetery. We then rode to the New Inn at Send for lunch before stopping at Garson Farm for tea.

The Saturn Trail provided a beautifully quiet and direct route to Brookwood on good tracks beside the Basingstoke Canal passing local villages along the way. Our only other company along the canal were dogs (with walkers), ducks and the occasional runner.

After leaving the Saturn Trail at Brookwood, we rode to Brookwood Station which provided direct access to the grounds of Brookwood Cemetery. This was via a tunnel running under the track from the station forecourt and ticket barrier to the cemetery gate.

Following a short stop to discuss the history of the cemetery and look at a preserved section of original rail track from the Necropolis Railway line at Waterloo; we rode through the North and South sides of the cemetery stopping to see some of the notable chapels, mausoleums, graves and listed memorials and monuments on route. This included stopping to look at other sections of the cemetery which were devoted to different faiths.

After leaving the cemetery we rode to the New Inn Pub for lunch. The New Inn was a busy and cycle-friendly pub with a good choice of food. Following lunch, we rode to Garson Farm following a familiar route via Ripley and Cobham getting delayed behind a farm tractor trimming a hedge of thorns on the way. Luckily none of the group punctured.

Pam left the group at the Seven Sisters Pub to make her way home. Francis, John and Liz also split from the group at Cobham and Esher. This left Ray, Gill, Lillian and myself, to ride to Garson Farm where we met with the Tony’s Venus Group for tea.

Thanks to John, Francis, Gill, Ray, Liz, Lilian and Pam for a great day’s cycling. Thanks also to Tony for planning the route and to Francis for being back-marker. Thanks also to Francis for GPX support on route and to all members of the group for their patience after we went off-route or missed cycle paths on a couple of occasions.

A very enjoyable day with no rain, very little mud, and no punctures!

~ Alan

Flights of fantasy

Tony's report for the Venus team:

Our Venus group left Morrisons at Weybridge and headed out past Brooklands Museum onto Woking where we picked up the canal tow path that took us to Brookwood Cemetery. The path was fine for cycling. It took us a little time to view some outstanding graves and the layout of the old railway.

The next stop was lunch at the New Inn at Send. With the rain still keeping at bay the lunch stop was fine with good service and food. Afternoon tea was at Garsons Farm via Cobham. By now out of the seven riders only four remained.

Thanks to Tim Court and Alan for sub leading and for their input also thanks to Tim G for back marking and also for all the nice comments on WhatsApp.

30 miles in total

~ Tony

On the Basingstoke Canal

Life in the cemetery

What we all came for really!

Tim's report for the Cupids team:

Morrisons supermarket was a new Elevenses venue for most of us though we are looking forward to being able to meet again in the Day Centre. It was unfortunate that the lovely lady serving us was on her own when she could have done with an assistant. However she was unflappable and patient and we were all served in due course. We were however somewhat late departing. This was good in one respect, that Madeleine who had had to drive to Weybridge was able to join us for coffee and then find herself somewhere to park in time to intercept us as we cruised past on the way out. Grant had joined us for Elevenses only and Vic turned up just as we were leaving.

Beyond Weybridge Station we took our usual route through Brooklands, though with some improvisation to pick our way through all the merry-go-rounds and other fairground equipment.

Madeleine wanted a different sort of ride

We endured the long straight roads through to Woking where we dropped down to the Basingstoke Canal which we followed all the way to Brookwood. We passed through the station and under the railway line to pop out at the entrance to the cemetery which very few of us had visited before. Mindful that we were quite a way behind the other groups we took our time riding through the cemetery but without any detours to visit any of the many highlights of the place. We emerged onto the golf course, adjusted our helmets, then sneaked around the edge so as not to become targets for grumpy golfers.

We enjoyed riding the roads to Mayford and were soon through Westfield and Old Woking, arriving at the New Inn in Cartbridge where Diane came out to advise us to get a move on because they would only be taking orders until 2:30. It's a very nice pub with a homely ambience and good food delivered quite quickly. Nonetheless it was 3pm when we departed for the afternoon ride through Ripley and Cobham. By the time we reached Esher there were only three of us left and rather than face the prospect of riding home after dark we bypassed Garsons Farm and headed for home.

We were sorry that Sabina and Bernard weren't able to join us after all, so we were just a jolly little group of Pat Dobson, Terry, Madeleine, Anne, Julie and myself. Pat was pleased with her 46 miles, her longest ride since September. Thanks to Terry for back-marking and keeping order in the peloton.

~ Tim C

 

Report for Easy Riders - 14th February

Our meet-up at North Cheam took place in wind and rain this Wednesday, not a great start for the day's adventure. And yet, there were six of us, hardy riders all, with cheery good mornings for each other and it was good to be out.

Jane, Anne, John, Colin, Frank B and I set off shortly after 9.30 to make our way to coffee at Walton-on-Thames. We headed through Worcester Park and Malden Manor, crossing the Hogsmill river and winding our way up to Tolworth. Here Jane peeled off to attend to another commitment, with praise from us all for even coming out this atrocious morning.

The rest of us continued through the Dittons and via the Angel to Weston Green. The rain was easing off and turning into showers as we headed west, and had more or less stopped as we arrived at the Riverside Barn theatre cafe. Here we met Bill, Tony H and Bernard; Frank C arrived a little behind us all and we enjoyed our coffee together in the garden marquee.

We agreed to head to Kingston for lunch, and phoned the Spring Grove to book nine of us in. Most of us then cycled across the Walton Bridge to follow cycleways through Halliford, Sunbury and Hampton.

Tony lead us up a delightful little lane off Halliford Road through Sunbury Cemetery, and we followed him along School Walk, a quiet and pretty little detour which somehow also turned out to be a shortcut. It was really a pleasure to enjoy an extra 10 minutes or so of traffic free cycling, and find ourselves back on track when we emerged.

Soon we were crossing Bushy Park and heading into Kingston. We found Bill already at the pub, as he had followed the South side of the river through Thames Ditton and Surbiton, arriving about 10 minutes earlier.

We all enjoyed a good lunch together before heading for home. The rain had cleared and I think we probably all made it home in the dry!

~ Helen