B Group Ride Report - 3rd June '26

Perhaps the ominous weather forecast of wind and rain resulted in a reduction in our numbers from an initial twenty-four to fifteen. Nevertheless three groups of determined cyclists set out under dull and cloudy skies to be soon accompanied by rain and heavy downpours.

We headed south via Boookham Common to Effingham then turned north to Effingham Junction and further on to join the smooth and re-surfaced Elm Lane. Rain persisted as cycled over Pyrford Lock, up and along Dodd’s Lane then off-road to the Wey Navigation.

Team TG on Dodd's Bridge

A fixie selfie?

The rain by then had sufficiently abated to warrant a photo opportunity on Dodd’s bridge. The journey along the towpath was quiet and free of the usual runners and dog walkers as we approached the footbridge at Woodham Junction to join the Basingstoke canal. A smoother surface provided swift progress as we approached Sheerwater where we left the canal and headed towards Woking.

Team FD'S at Woodham Junction 

I was particularly interested, when planning the route, to pass by the house once occupied by H.G.Wells at 141 Maybury Road. In 1891 Wells married his cousin Isobel Mary Wells. The couple separated in 1894, when he had fallen in love with one of his students, Amy Catherine Robbins, with whom he moved to Woking in 1895. They lived in the then rented house in Maybury Road for just under eighteen months. 

Team TG outside H.G.Wells house.

This short period in Woking was perhaps the most creative and productive of his whole writing career. While there he planned and wrote ‘War of the Worlds’, ‘The Time Machine’ and completed ‘The Island of Doctor Moreau’, together with other novels and literary works. In late summer 1896 Wells and Amy moved to a larger house in Worcester Park !

Having payed homage to this illustrious location (blink and you’d miss it) we moved on to take shelter in ‘The Herbert Wells’ (W’spoon’s) no doubt named in his honour. The first two groups were already installed and some ready to leave just as we arrived. The pub seemed a bit quieter than usual and we soon secured our table and installed ourselves in warm and dry surroundings.

Suitably fed and watered we embarked upon our afternoon adventure via Horsell, Dunstall Green, along and past Foxhill towards St Peter’s Hospital. Weather conditions continued to improve and we were soon cycling under sunny skies toward Addlestone, Chertsey, Shepperton and Walton-on-Thames.

We took tea at Walton Marina where we met fellow cyclists installed outside on the balcony. A happy finale to a varied route in varied conditions mostly of an aquatic nature. Thanks to everyone who made today’s ride a success and especially to my two subbies, John and Francis for their loyal support. A good day (eventually) had by all !

TimG.

B Ride to Shoreham - Wednesday 10th June '26

I am posting this notice a few days earlier than usual so that riders can have a chance to ponder with others their preference for our annual ride to the coast, next week.

Our groups will set out from Tanhouse Farm a bit earlier than usual to allow for the longish journey to lunch in Shoreham. 

You do not need to commit yourself, but it would be helpful if you could indicate, when booking, your probable option from the following:

Ride from Tanhouse to Shoreham [30 miles]

1. and then train home
2. and then cycle onwards to Horsham and train home from there [30 + 22 miles]
3. and then cycle all the way back to Leatherhead [72 miles].

I shall try to arrange morning groups from Tanhouse according to these options or other comments you may wish to make regarding speed (no B group will be ‘fast’!) 

or earlier / later or with a particular person.

Please contact me by the evening of Monday 8^th June on

johnaustin04@yahoo.co.uk

Take care,

John A.

B Group Ride - Wednesday 3rd June '26

Our ride from Cobham will take us south towards Effingham then north up to Wisley and along the Wey Navigation and Basingstoke canal to Woking. Lunch is at ‘The Herbert Wells’ (W’spoons). 

The afternoon ride will take us back via Horsell and Chertsey for tea at Walton-on-Thames.

 

Morning route:  https://ridewithgps.com/routes/55394657

 

Afternoon route:  https://ridewithgps.com/routes/55394670

Please reply by Monday evening to be included on the ride list.

 

Email - timgibbons1@virginmedia.com

WhatsApp - 07756961505

Look forward to seeing you all on Wednesday. 

TimG.

Ride Invitation A's Wednesday June 3rd

Wednesday’s ride from Cobham will be straightforward, 25 miles out to Godalming, 18 miles return to Cobham. All tarmacked except 100m.

Lunch at the Jack Phillips ‘spoons.

On the way we will take in the beautiful Thorncombe St. valley. By pure coincidence (honest) my route is remarkably similar to that taken by Simon, leading the C&M Sunday riders. Taking the hint that Simon’s ride was rather hill-heavy, I have avoided the steepish Mare Lane.  

Please join me. Responses by Spond if possible. Thanks.

Report for B Group - 27th May

Our recce confirmed that this should be an enjoyable ride thanks to the variety of terrain and a route which mostly avoided roads with too much traffic.

Perhaps because New Haw is quite a long ride from home just eleven riders signed up for the day. But 'Well done!" to those who cycled all the way there.

With record breaking May temperatures in recent days there was perhaps some fear of a meltdown. However, the day was many degrees cooler so rather than being roasted we were gently steamed.

We learned before setting out that Martina wouldn’t be able to join us. But out of the blue Grant had arrived at the DC for his cuppa. And Pam was there too after the first leg of her mission to visit our venerable club member, Vic.

Brenda with her elite team at the DC

Brenda took off with her group, Paula, Tim G, Peter, Steph and Chris McC and navigated the intricacies and scenic pleasures of the first seven miles. However, after enjoying the delights of the Basingstoke Canal, the Hoe Stream scenic path and Westfield Common, Paula fell off in Sutton Green Road and despite a soft landing this resulted in major damage to her hand and the likelihood of a broken finger. A kind local resident offered to accommodate Paula’s bike and drive her to a medical centre in Woking to have it seen to. But given the severity of Paula’s injury she ended up going to Guildford Hospital. Much later, after a complicated journey home on public transport Paula reported that her finger joint had dislocated and that it took a very painful manipulation to reconnect the joint.

Mick, after a blissful start to the ride with Sue C (guest from A Group), Paul, Linda and Julie, arrived at the scene. After clarifying what was happening with Paula, a decision was taken that Brenda’s team should reassemble and head for lunch while Mick, and Julie would follow, rather than everyone hanging around.

Brenda and team near Newlands Corner

 

On the Drove Road (NDW)

Grant and I were last to leave the DC and picked up Ian W and his daughter Amanda from near the library. After skirting the Fullbrook School we walked across the canal at the Woodham Lock and followed the Basingstoke Canal path for two and a half miles. We wiggled through the posh suburban streets of Woking and through the park, soon to join the delightful Hoe Stream path down to Westfield. Around Jacobs Well Ian explained that the battery powering the Swytch Conversion Kit on his Brompton was starting to fade, due in part to his earlier journey to New Haw with Amanda being more complicated than it should have been.

Although Ian’s battery was about to conk out, Ian himself was not, so at the traffic lights they crossed and rode along the A3 cycle path to Ripley and, as Ian describes, they “dived into the Bakery where after sandwiches drinks and shade we recovered our mojo …”. As we’d understood earlier Grant planned to ride the same way then on to the Barley Mow to meet the rest of us and he did.

 

Now, on my own at this stage, I tweeked up the power level to ride through the quiet lanes of Burpham and Merrow and soon caught up with Mick, Julie, Steph and Linda near the top of Trodd’s Lane to learn about Paula’s misfortune. We reached Newlands Corner and turned onto the Drove Road (North Downs Way) which is always a real favourite in dry weather. Shere Road too is a beautiful route for cyclists but in either direction there is what feels like a Hors Catégorie climb and we found it tough.

At the top of the climb

On the Shere Road climb

Mick storming to the top

Lunch at The Barley Mow

But we soon arrived at the pub, just as Grant arrived via his own route.

The Barley Mow is a relaxed sort of place and most of us chose our lunches from the Thai menu. Brenda led her group away for our Tea destination in Claygate. We sat around for a little longer then took off. In Cobham we took Leigh Hill Road and later, Sandy Lane where we turned onto a north bound track into Fairmile Common, crossed the A3 (Esher Bypass) into Esher Common for an undulating ride through the pine forest on perilously sandy tracks leading to a complicated crossing point on Copsem Lane and so into Arbrook Common for a blissful ride through the trees, emerging into Claygate for our Tea, Coffee and Cake stop at Parade and Albany, another venue which is ideal for our post-ride refreshment.

In Esher Common

 

Massive thanks to Brenda and Mick for leading so well and coping with an unexpected variation to our routine. Thank you to all who came to enjoy the ride which included a few paths which were new to some people. Thank you to all who supported Paula and we wish her an easy recovery and return to cycling when her hand is strong again. Especial thanks to Julie who drove down to Sutton Green later to collect Paula’s bike. 

~ Tim C

Not Winchester - Ride Report 'A' Group Wednesday 27 May 2026

 

I say 'A' group but actually, there were two 'A' groups today, although it is still true that neither went to Winchester!    As with previous Wayfarer's rides from New Haw at about this time of year, I tried to make my life as complicated as possible by offering a route to a lunch stop in deepest Hampshire, then two options, a 'turnback' route to Ripley, and an alternative continuing further west (previously to Winchester, but this year, just for a change, to the distinctly un-medieval Basingstoke) for a train-assisted return!

Steve D very gamely offered to lead the turnback option this year, and did so very ably (many thanks to him).   Of his group's experiences he writes as follows.   I knew it would be a hot day and packed a thermos which fits in one of my bottle holders and a normal water bottle. Setting off from New Haw day centre with Gill, Neil W, Janice, Guy and Peter S, we rode the route which more or less followed the railway line from West Byfleet to Hook. Sometimes we were south of it and sometimes north. One of the peculiar features of a Dave W route is that you cannot really pinpoint where you are. At times you know you are near Woking or Fleet or Farnborough, but are never really sure. Guy sustained a rear puncture which he fixed deftly and by plugging a hole in his tyre with a piece of toothpaste tubing, at Hook Heath during which we were passed by the first group. I have to say it wasn't too hot at this point, but as the sun rose we quickly drank our water bottles dry.

Our first foot crossing of the railway was at Frimley Green through the Pit Lakes Fisheries. The next railway crossing was at Farnborough North station where we tried out the new lifts, because the level crossing was closed. From here we took the road on the edge of Queen Elizabeth Park to bypass north of Farnborough. Finally tracking north of Fleet we rode through Odiham Common and Odiham itself to arrive at The Fox and Goose pub, where we ate in the outside shade of the garden. We were able to refill our bottles from an outside water tap.

It had taken 2 hours and 20 minutes to cycle the 28 miles from New Haw and we left the pub at 1.50 pm so we knew stopping for tea after another 27 miles would be pushing it. The heat was more oppressive now and combined with a headwind made for tired legs.The route started the way we had come back through Odiham and then dropped down through Church Crookham and north of Aldershot, Fox Corner and then Old Woking. Here, as it was 3.50 pm and we needed a break, we stopped at Claud's Coffee House Westfield. After a swift cola and coffee Peter, Neil and Janice set off at a faster pace for home. Gill, Guy and myself made slower progress for the 4 miles back to Ripley. I was very tired, but happy for riding with the others in good company. I appreciated Peter watching over at the back and thanks go to Dave W for organising a splendid country route and pub stop.

I reckon I had a much easier time of it!   My group showed exemplary conduct, sticking together like limpets all day, and studiously avoiding punctures and 'mechanicals'!   Dave B's excellent back-marking must have a played a part here!

We caught and passed Steve's group while they were having a quiet nap at Hook Heath (mending a puncture, they said), and just pipped them to the post at Greywell, where we enjoyed a shady lunch, efficiently served, and reasonably priced.   Much liquid was consumed.  The big climb of the day, over the Hampshire Downs, loomed soon after lunch, but it was mostly well-shaded, and my group made light work of it.

After that it should have been a long and gradual descent into Basingstoke, but we did turn more into the wind, and it had been a long day!   My group had behaved so well that I thought they deserved an ice cream stop, and the  shop in the picturesque village of Oakley duly delivered!

From there it was just 30 minutes to our final destination, and we arrived at Basingstoke station just before 4.00 pm.   Train travel home was not entirely without problems, but at least the trains were air-conditioned!   Many thanks to Dave F, Dave E, Fiona B, Mike R, Patrick W and Brian G for their company, and for putting up with it all in my group!

Minutes of the 2026 AGM

 The minutes of the 2026 AGM are now posted and available via the CTC SWL Information Hub or by clicking this LINK