Ripley to Wisley

Ian Williamson rode across the new bridge today - maybe he's the first wayfarer to do so? He asked me to post the following comments: The new road bridge over the A3 into Wisley and on to Pyrford is now open The road access is directly off the Ripley roundabout having left the A3 travelling south Access from Ockham is equally easy There is a very generous and super smooth cycle track alongside the road And finally I think a footpath will enable a pedestrian to climb the embankment from Elm Lane and access the road thus saving a longer detour to the roundabout but I did not test this route—-I will next time

The B group (Vintage Velo) ride 13th Nov

Planned Departure Groups and Times.

 

There are Various coffee shops in Wadebridge, but please make sure you are at the departure point on time.

Departure from Wadebridge, Churchfield Rec, at the rear of the day centre.

 

Departure time 10.30

Tony LDR

Pam

Julie B

Martin G

Tim G

Dave (Fish&Chips)

Jane F

Departure Time 10.40

Steph LDR

Sabina

Bernard

Alan C

Ian W

Mick A

 

Departure Time 10.50

Ray Y LDR

John A

Terry

Christina

Paul

Maggie

 

Tony..

Any problems, please contact me on 07770952554.

 

 

Do Join Me for the 'A' Group Ride on Weds 13 November

On Wednesday the 'A's' will be riding about 15 miles from Baker Street, Weybridge to an early lunch at the Claude Duvall, Camberley (aka Wetherspoons) and then about 18 miles back to tea the Ferry Coffee Shop, Shepperton.   Hopefully, this will get us all home before nightfall but lights are still advisable.

While the route https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/316768127 is not entirely flat, it is much less hilly than other recent 'A' rides (less than 400 metres of height gain).   All is surfaced with the exception of two very short sections of path which will not be troublesome.

Most of the route has been covered on previous 'A' rides and will be easy to follow from .gpx, so please volunteer to sub-lead a group if you are able!

To join the ride please e-mail me at cycledave23@gmail.com not later than 6.00 pm on Monday 11 November.  All are welcome!

Report for B Group on 6th November

From Maddie - The Ducks

The ducks had a lovely ride today. It felt very easy and breezy, despite the calm weather and complete cloud cover. All the ducklings - Brenda, Dawn, Mags, Grant and Francis - appreciated the ride to lunch on a ride to lunch that show cased the beauty autumn’s rich colours. There was some huff and puffing up the hills - and indeed we were literally in the clouds for a good few miles - but we loved the wheeeeeeeee of the downhill sections.

The ducklings were pretty well behaved on the whole. I was also pleased that they did well on the bike agility sections, thoughtfully supplied by traffic maintenance road crew along the way. It is always good to keep those fine bike skills sharp.

Chief drake Francis kept us in good spirits, herding and chivvying us on our journey: he knew the greedy swans were on our tails..

As sub leader, I offer a special thanks to Julie for the simple elegance of the route to lunch, requiring as it did only about 5 turns all the way to the pub!

Lunch was well organised and quick in the lovely setting of the Anchor, and then we were off again for a different type of afternoon ride- across some gorgeous off-road sections, along the canal for a short burst and eventually through Brooklands. Lovely.

The ducklings fledged and took their own paths as we went along. Only our back marker, Francis, relieved of his duties, went in for a cuppa at Garsons Farm - surrounded by swans…

Overall, a grand day out - and back by nightfall.

From Tim G - The Swans

A day of overcast and grey skies and no sign of a sunny spell proved quite acceptable for cycling in November. Our group of five eager and diligent cyclists headed south via Downside and Effingham Junction to commence the accent of Chalk Lane at East Horsley.

We gently climbed up and through autumn countryside shrouded in an increasing cover of cloud and mist. After a brief break we descended Staple Lane then progressed north to Chandon and Ripley carefully negotiating the roadworks at Burnt Common.

Lunch at ‘The Anchor’ was a success and everyone seemed to be happily fed and watered. Our afternoon ride included a brief off-road section crossing the Wey Navigation that many did not recall covering before.

Tea at Garson’s Farm provided a welcome break despite the horrors of seemingly endless ghastly Xmas decorations (baa humbug !).

As our daylight hours increasingly diminish we all needed our lights to get us home safely. Thanks to everyone who contributed to making today’s ride a success. A good day had by all.

From Julie - The Moorhens

It was great to see a good turnout at Cobham for a ride full of autumnal colour. A long straight section to East Horsley led to a climb up Green Dene which looked magical in the mist among the trees. Then through Clandon and Ripley to Pyrford Lock for lunch at the Anchor.

The afternoon ride took us off road and along the Wey for a while which was very pretty. Tea and cake at Garsons farm ended our day. Thanks to my fellow moorhens, Diane, Davey, Gill F, Gill H, Ray - and to Mick for back marking.

Remembering Ron Weeden

Yesterday we said farewell to Ron.

Ron's grandchildren delivered their personal tributes at the service. They are here in this folder.

~ Tim

Ride Report A group, Cobham, Leigh, Ashtead 6th November

Janice report

My group comprising Neil W, Hans, Peter S, Patrick, Daniel, Dave B, Andy H and myself set off first happily thinking we’d be arriving at the pub ahead of the queue.

Across Bookham Common, which was acceptably dry, before we hit the beginning of the first climb. A road closed sign was in place at the start of Beech Avenue so we turned left into High Barns rather than risk being turned back half way up as happened on the recce. As we climbed High Barns and climbed some more we spread out but stopped at the top to re-group. After waiting a while it was clear there’d been a problem and indeed Hans had suffered a puncture which required 2 separate inner tubes which Neil had kindly stayed behind to help with. Frances’ group came and went and eventually we received the message that we should continue as Neil and Hans would follow.

As we turned right we were then further delayed as traffic was being held whilst a large high branch was being felled by tree surgeons.

At last back on the route we made reasonably swift progress and were able to catch up with the other 2 groups ……..  just as we all arrived at the pub! Brian’s group had managed to by pass us by staying on Beech Avenue which was in fact open.

Neil arrived in time to join the queue at the bar but unfortunately Hans had decided to head for home.

Despite The Plough in Leigh being reasonably busy with other customers they managed to serve 20+ of us and deliver orders in a short time. The 2 hard working bar staff and the kitchen staff could certainly give lessons to many other establishments who aren’t able to meet such high standards of service.

Back on the road the misty gloom and chill hadn’t lifted although I’m not sure that we particularly appreciated the warming effects of Little Switzerland. But those of us who stopped at Ashtead Garden Centre did appreciate the hot drinks and cake!

Thanks to Frances for a great route for the time of year and to the cheerful company of my group, in particular Peter who kept us all in check with his back marking.

Brian's report 

My group consisted of Sue C, Pete Beyer, Dave F, Clive, Richard and Simon. It was colder than expected and a bit damp over the hills but mostly dry - I was glad to have taken an extra layer. We rode as planned up Beech/Critten Lane to Whitedown and had an uneventful ride at a good pace. However we were surprised not to have been caught by Frances' group, especially when we stopped for a few minutes at the Village Green stores in Ockley so that Pete could buy his favourite treats. All was revealed soon after we arrived at the Plough to find no other bikes - closely followed by the other two groups (see their reports).

Lunch was very promptly served and we went back up Longbottom Lane and over "Little Switzerland". Clive and Pete peeled off home from Headley and four of us stopped for tea at Ashtead Park Garden Centre.

Frances report

Despite the grey November morning there were 20 riders on the start line at Cobham.

We were the last group to head out, Steve kindly backmarking and welcomed to Anthony from Epsom who joined his first ride.

The common was dry so that off road piece went smoothly.  We reached Beech Ave and the group went up High Barn to avoid any further tree felling equipment.  We passed Hans and Neil who were busy mending a puncture, then saw Patrick who was coming down to assist.  We continued through the mist and met Janice's group who were waiting at the top.  We continued and were lucky to be able to pass the large tree cutting machine to turn left into Whitedown before it delayed the first group.

The ride continued along some very quiet lanes and whilst damp stayed dry.  We reached the pub around 12.40pm just as Brian's group were parking up, followed hot on our heels by the first group. Not what I had planned originally but the Plough staff were very accommodating and efficient.

We said goodbye to Dave W and everyone joined in the group photo.  After discussion it was agreed that 3 of the group would continue to Ashtead tea stop via Juniper, whilst I, Simon, Peter and Anthony took the path along Boxhill straight to Leaderhead where we all went our separate ways.

Thanks to all for making the ride run smoothly and great company.   I would add that the route (which had been done by us in Feb 2024) was "borrowed" from Brian so I cannot take all the credit.  Chapeau. 

Wednesday the 13th November

Invitation to join the B group ride.

Lunch will be at the Bridge hotel, Chertsey Bridge, 16.5 miles with a few undulations. Tea will be at Dish, Hampton Court, 9 miles with a small section of good off road,

11's Weybridge, the DC is Closed. Departure will be from Churchfields Recreation Ground, which is the rear of the DC, there are toilets. There are various coffee shops, I will be in Cafe Enzo, just in Baker St.

Please, Whatsap me direct, NOT the group Whatsapp, or txt to 07770952554

Tony..

Ian Appleton - from today's Order of Service

Remembering Ian, Cyclist, Mountaineer and Family Man

Here is a link to the slideshow which we saw at the wake:

https://youtu.be/IHe70NWw_dw?si=lPAT-5vCvSyiBpYW

~ Tim C

 

A Group Harefield report.

 A small group of ten assembled in Walton for a ride to Harefield. There were six in my group all keen to establish a reasonable pace to lunch and tea before the early darkening evening. It became something of a film studio escapade Shepperton, Pinewood and, due to my slight deviation to Richmond Bridge, Twickenham studio (nowhere near as visible as its two big brothers). Some fast roads and a couple of sharp climbs brought us to Harefield in good time. Lunch at The Kings Arms was well received, good fare and cheaper than most of the venues we visit.

After lunch a good run down towards Ruislip along Breakspear Road would make up for some of the stop start towards Northolt. Avoiding Southall high street we cycled under the main west coast rail line, over the Grand Union canal and onto Osterley Park, Isleworth and Richmond.

Many thanks to all who came along for the ride, to Dave Ellis for sub leading and to Steve D for back-marking my group.

Hans

 

Our group, the second to leave the Wilde Brunch cafe at Walton bridge,

with Clive J , Sue C and Janice , headed towards Staines passing 

Shepperton studios, the first of two film studios today. Cycling on to Iver Heath on

fast flat roads we passed Pinewood studios and on towards Fulmer, where we gave

the watersplash a miss. We headed uphill to Gerrards Cross and on to

Chalfont St Peter. A couple of climbs up brought us Harefield for lunch at the

15th century pub the Kings Arms, which served great quality food at

prices we would have paid 5 years ago.

 

After lunch it was all down hill, in more ways than one. My garmin

decided to go on strike but with the help of Janice we navigated our way

through Northolt, Southall to Osterley park and then Richmond bridge,

where the group split up to head for home before it got dark.

 

Thanks to Janice for the navigation aid and to Clive for backmarking.

Dave

 

 

Invitation to a B Group ride on 6th November

The ride next Wednesday on 6th November is a lovely, varied, and autumnal route - the morning ride is not too hilly despite going into the Surrey Hills via East Horsley. Then through Ripley to the pretty Anchor pub at Pyrford Lock.

The afternoon ride has a section on the river Wey and some off road (about 2 miles), heading for Garsons farm for tea. Lighting up time is 16:25 - so we'll aim to get us finished before then, but bring your lights just in case. The morning route starts in Cobham and is about 18 miles. The afternoon ride is 10 miles. The Anchor pub have asked for pre-orders so you can have a look at the menu here.

https://www.anchorpyrford.co.uk/food-menu/
 
Tim G and Maddie will be my sub leaders on the day.

These are the routes:

Cobham to The Anchor at Pyrford Lock

Pyrford Lock to Garsons Farm

Please can you let me know by 6pm on Sunday if you would like to come, as well as your menu choice. 

Contact me on juliembuckman@btinternet.com or mobile 07803 005516

~ Julie

Report for B Group ride from Hersham - 30th October

The clocks had changed, so we made an early start from Hersham, on a route planned by Stephen with invaluable input from Paul and Steph.  We left in 3 groups, the Hounds (Paul, Brenda, Diane, John, Tim G, Keith, Gill, and picking up Terry & Pam along the way); the Hawks (Steph, Ian, Karl, Dawn, Jane, Gill, Dave & Christina); and the Hares (Stephen, Tony, Mick, Sue, Colin, Alan & Grant). Fortunately, the weather was dry and relatively warm.

 

The Hounds (Paul)

There was a risk that a ride designed and recced before the clocks went back would prove a little too ambitious to get us all home in a dark evening.  But a combination of an early start, a reasonably efficient lunch service and good cycling weather all served to make it work, despite an unplanned detour when the police closed a section of the route because of a road traffic accident.

A 10am start from Hersham demanded early rising; as leader of the first group set on a proper elevenses I was on the road by a quarter to eight.  The weather was cool but dry, as much as we could ask during this autumn of wet presents from the overheated Atlantic Ocean, and Keith and I had both been pessimistic about our timings, but the roads were eerily clear of traffic for half term and I successfully ran an extraordinary gauntlet of timely green traffic lights all through Sutton, Cheam, Chessington and Ewell. So we were both there early, shortly followed by Tim G.  Diane (bike mended) and Brenda (left helmet and gloves in the van) followed, Ann sent her apologies, Gill (because she lives close) and John (because he is invariably and assiduously punctual) timed it to perfection and off we went on schedule.

Terry was waiting by the roadside at one end of Weybridge, and Pam at the other, and we had us a convoy.  The leaves and the occasional dog on the towpaths of the River Wey and the Basingstoke Canal behaved themselves and the peaceful paths through Horsell Common woods were so passable that Tim C would have been disappointed.  Many of us had never been through those woods before and we arrived at the Hare and Hounds at West End with the pleasant feeling you get from discovering a new route to the same place.

It got better; for there was free beer.  Preceding our arrival the weights and measures inspector had been and the landlord had had to draw three quarters of a pint of each of his ales; they were lined up on the bar and the weights and measures man invited us to have them.  Well done, Stephen; we think that all ride leaders should arrange for a weights and measures man to visit just prior to our arrival.  

The Hersham Hounds at the Hare and Hounds

On the recce I had found the afternoon ride a bit of a slog home but Stephen had redesigned the route and the weather was better and this was pleasant, though I must remember not to cycle too fast for the electric bikers.  The only glitch was a policeman stopping us as we tried to ride along Chobham Lane outside the Defence Science and Technology Lab.  He would not countenance us squeezing through, but helpfully suggested a detour which turned out to be fairly straightforward and involve only a couple of extra ups and downs.

Thanks Stephen for a fine route, and to everybody in my group for your company. 

The Hawks (Steph)

We left promptly at 10.10 and were soon passing through Weybridge.  The Beeline was indicating left onto the Wey navigation - I'd never done that before so I ignored it and took the next left.  It became obvious that I should have gone where Beeline indicated however I wheeled on and over the railway bridge to the Coxes Mill Pond (secretly thankful that Ian had left his electric bike at home).  We took a few photos and enjoyed listening to a local lady tell us about  the swans and the cygnets and their escape from the foxes by building their nest on the island we were just about to cross.  

It was then that we spotted the Hares (who had taken the correct route on the towpath ) stealthily making their way towards New Haw Lock.  We quickly mounted up and crossed the lock to rejoin the route, catching them up by the time we crossed our second bridge to join the Basingstoke Canal.  Karl took the photo and we let the Hares get ahead .  The canal path was beautiful and a very popular choice at this time of year.

Lunch was enjoyed without any other route problems and we were lucky to be lined up and ready to go before the Hares had got their bikes unlocked.  We had regained our second place !

At the double roundabout at Longcross /Staple lane the Chobham Lane route was blocked off by a police car and we took the next left which was a swift downhill down Longcross into Chertsey.  We rejoined the route at Free Prae Rd.  We had had a bit of motorist angst on the rather busy Longcross but in retrospect I think this was probably due to the road closure earlier on.

To reward my team for valiantly putting up with the busy road we took Dockett Eddy Lane and had a bit of river calm before arriving refreshed and revitalised for tea at the Marina.    I think this last detour allowed the Hares to jump into second place.

A great day out, a fabulous route and excellent company.

The Hawks flying over the Wey Navigation

The Hares (Stephen)

We were the last to leave and made our way through Weybridge and - after a sharp left turn up and over the footbridge - onto the Wey towpath. The canal was lovely in the calm, early autumn weather.  After passing under the M25, we crossed to the Basingstoke Canal - where we were surprised to find that we had somehow overtaken the Hawks.  After a further stretch of canal, we made our way via a mix of off-road (a scenic track round Horsell Common) and reasonably quiet roads to the Hare and Hounds at Donkey Town.

Lunch was fine - though the free beer had gone - and we set forth for the shorter ride, via Windlesham, Trumps Green and Chertsey, to the Boathouse near Walton Bridge in time for tea (and excellent cake), arriving while it was still light. At one point we were stopped by the police due to an accident, but after diverting across the M3 on Longcross Road we were able to return via Kitsmead Lane to the original route.

But when we arrived at the Boathouse we were surprised to find that we had yet again overtaken the Hawks, without actually spotting them along the way.  Moral:  although, according to Aesop, the tortoise beat the hare, hares sometimes outrun hawks!

A varied ride, with good (dry!) weather, excellent company and in good time to complete in daylight.

The Hares after Lunch