A group 30 October: Addlestone - Sunningdale - Shepperton

It was one of those gorgeous Autumn mornings. Not the mild, misty-moisty mellow fruitfulness kind, but the crisp, clear, cool kind, with a nip in the crystal clear air, hinting of colder days to come and perfect for cycling. A good crowd at Addlestone but people were still queueing for coffee at 11am so 19 riders, including new joiner Ben (welcome Ben!) set off a bit late, heading west towards St Peter's Hospital, and onto Stonehill Road. There was no sign of wind in the trees, but it was definitely against us as we pedalled towards Chobham.

When I recce'd the route last week there was definitely more autumn colour in the trees - now it seemed to be mainly on the ground, so perhaps the remaining leaves were shocked into stillness by the recent storm. But I digress, as in fact we were. A long loop south-westwards added a few miles as we headed through Chobham and Pennypot, through West End and Donkey Town. Turning North on a mile or so of off-road which started with mud and a wide ditch across the road, before improving to a sandy-stony heathland track next to the MOD grenade and mortar firing range. No casualties thankfully, to riders or tyres, so we continued North, sidestepping Lightwater and Windlesham en route to South Ascot, with an unexpected little hill before lunch at the Royal Oak in Sunningdale. (Our usual haunt, the Nag's Head just round the corner, is 'temporarily closed'). A good selection of food and beer was offered but it took a while to take all our orders and to serve the food, so we were about an hour and a half at the pub.

Ray and Vic (plus later Mark) decided to make their own way home and a smaller group did a circuit of Windsor Great Park, where we were stopped by one of the park wardens and asked to cycle in groups of no more than 6 - as larger groups can be intimidating to walkers. Seems fair enough. We reassembled at the exit gate to descend Tite Hill into Egham, through Staines and onto Shepperton Bakery for tea, a bit later than planned, so my apologies to those who had to use lights to get home. Thanks and apologies are due to Mike Barrett as back marker, who we lost at traffic lights on almost the final turn in Staines.

B Ride Wednesday 30 October 2013

Either Stephanie is retained by Fuller's for their advertising or she doesn't like having her photo taken.

Lunch in Ripley at the:

Our leader:

Leaving the pub.

Author: Bernard Brindley

1 Comment:

Jeff 31 October 2013 at 15:34 GMT

Stephanie IS the Pride of London.

Easy Riders - 30th October

Lynda led the Easy Riders from Walton DC to Woodies in New Malden for lunch:

Author: Tim C

B Group - 30th October

29 started from Addlestone D.C. on a glorious sunny day, making for The Saddlers Arms in Ripley, via Liberty Lane, Ongar Hill to New Haw, West Byfleet, Pyrford Road to the Pub. “But on the way we lost some”: Ian’s chain broke on the hill at Row Town, John Bellamy and David Aylett kindly stayed to help (big thanks). On arriving at the Pub seven decided to try another one because of the size of the group (again thanks) I think the first three met up with them.

We then returned via Warren Lane and took a chance and went down Dodd's Lane to Brooklands (surface was o.k.), St Georges Avenue to Squires in Hersham.  12 enjoyed tea and cake and Steph even managed to buy 2 christmas presents 

Thanks to Pam & Terry for being back markers and for Tim leading the 2nd half of the Crocodile.

Irene

The morning route to Send Marsh

The afternoon route to Squires in Hersham

Detail of the route through Dodd's Lane and Murray's Lane through to Brooklands

Author: Tim C

Slipping back in time

Sunday, 27th October, 1am

You may be asleep at the witching hour of 1am on Sunday night. However, something magical will happen. Time will stand still or you will go back in time. Make the most of that hour; do not waste it, put it to good use, even if it is only an extra hour of sleep. When you wake up, make sure that you do not arrive one hour early at the meeting point for your ride.

Jeff

P.S. Remember your lights

Author: Jeff

Annual Attendance Record - Oct 2012 - Sept 2013

 Dear All,

As most, but not all may know, members are encouraged to keep a record of their attendance at 11's and lunch venues throughout the year. This provides information on how active the DA is, and also provides the opportunity for members to compete for a putty medal for the person with the most fruitful attendance with: MWW, C&M,  and both combined. Attendance is based on one point for making it to 11's and one point for making it to lunch,  that is a max of 2. After that, you are on your own. 

Brian circulated a programme of all the rides from 3 October 2012 to 25 September 2013, with  columns for you to keep a running record of your activity. Please let Terry have your attendance record for that period. If you do it on your PC, it does all the adding up for you; otherwise, use your abacus. If you have lost the programme, let me know and I will let you have one. If you haven't got an annual programme, no problem. Just let Terry have the total of your attendances; it doesn't matter how many or how few. Who knows, you might win a gong.

Jeff

Author: Jeff

Have your say - before 1st November

The sands are running out

Surrey County Council Draft Cycling Strategy  Consultation and Questionnaire

Dear All,

Surrey County Council has published a Draft Cycling Strategy for the period 2014 - 2026:

http://www.surreycc.gov.uk/roads-and-transport/roads-and-transport-policies-plans-and-consultations/roads-and-transport-consultations/roads-and-transport-consultations-in-surrey/surrey-cycling-strategy-consultation

 

The consultation period ends on 1st November. This document contains a wealth of worthy and laudable objectives and how they might be achieved. It is well worth a read:

 http://www.surreycc.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/685264/Surrey-Cycling-Strategy-Consultationv3.pdf

There is also a survey/questionnaire which we are invited to complete online before 1st November. www.surveymonkey.com/s/Individual-Consulation.  This does give you the chance to say what you would like to be done to improve cycling in Surrey. Please look at it and take the time to complete it. Do not rush it as it gives you the chance to state your own views on cycling  and what might be done to encourage and develop cycling and cycle safety in Surrey. It is worth giving each question some thought  before clicking on 'continue'. Do give your views, whether it be on cycle lanes, particular road hazards, potholes or whatever.

Speak now or forever hold your peace.

Jeff

Author: Jeff

The Dartmoor Devil

I started this year's Audax season with the Gospel Pass, a high and wild ride over the Black Mountains, and it seemed fitting to round off the year with another of the same sort.  So, on Saturday morning, Maggie and I set off for Bovey Tracey, I to ride the Dartmoor Devil and she to provide moral and practical support.  Like the Gospel Pass, the Dartmoor Devil is a long-standing and very popular audax, and just like the Gospel Pass it enjoys a reputation for, well, challenging weather.

We made our base in the Cromwell Arms, which has the dual advantage of being a decent pub and being the start control for the event.  So on Sunday morning all I had to do was to tip out of bed and ride.

Sign-on in the bar, then gather in the car-park with the first wave for the start.  The event is so popular that the entry is divided into two waves of about 120 each to manage the numbers.  The first starts at 0800 and the second at 0900.  I had an early start, which seemed the best thing.

Out of the pub car-park and past a medieval arch, and we were straight on to the first steep hill.  Young flyers shot off; the more mature rider took it a bit steadier - there were plenty more hills to come.  Over the top and then a rolling climb to Moretonhampstead, before the real business of the day began.  Steeply up to Northmoor then just as steeply down again to the Teign valley.  Although it was sunny, heavy rain and high winds had filled the lanes with leaves and run-off from the banks.  Road signs gave the gradients as 20% up and 25% down; the GPS, as is often the case, gives a bit less.  But pretty steep, and tricky riding.  Before starting I had agonised over the best bike for the job, and had settled on my Boardman cycle-cross bike - grippy tyres and disc brakes.  It was already obvious that this was the right choice, and I began to reel in some of the flyers, both climbing and descending. (It is also fair to say that I never saw some of them again, but you just have to accept these things.)

More of the same to the first control at Drewsteignton, where I leaned my bike against a signpost while I went to get my card stamped and eat cake.

On return, it looked as if a minor mishap had occurred - the wind, while not the hurricane that followed, was very strong, and my bike had blown over.  Picking it up, I thought that my ride was over.  The left hand shifter had hit a rock and broken, and my immediate thought was that riding the Devil unable to change the front mech and with only one brake wouldn't be possible.  All over.

But hope springs eternal, and my second thought was that fixing the gears in 'low' on the compact would make little practical difference on a ride like this, and, hey, disc brakes were twice as good as calipers and I still had one left.  Onwards and upwards.  Once on the road I found that the gears were unaffected and still worked fine, and then that by holding the lever 'just so' the brake worked too.  Perhaps not as strong as usual, but good enough.

Steady climbing in deeply incised lanes for the next few miles, warm in the sun and sheltered from the wind, then out on to the moor at under Hound Tor where you really felt the wind for the first time.  It was pretty wild.  Across the open moor to the control at Ashburton with light rain at first, becoming heavier.  No problem, I thought, it'll pass while I have my food.  Good pumpkin soup, crusty bread roll and a chat with fellow riders and back out into - pouring rain and gale force wind.  I had parked the Boardman in a sheltered place (slow learner, but not entirely stupid), and several people were looking at it.  The tyres and disc brakes attracted strong approval, and I realised that I could have sold it at this point, as the worst was yet to come.

Steeply up through trees, so some shelter, then on to the open moor above Holne.  It was wild.  Screaming wind and pouring rain.  The cold rain hurt my face, so I put my head down and it hurt my head coming through the slots in my helmet.  I plugged on, at one point noticing that there was a row of ponies, tails to the wind, standing on one side of the road doing nothing.  On the other side, a group of cows, tails to the wind, was equally stolid.  Presumably this has happened to them before.

It was a hard 20k up to Princetown, a grim prison town on the top of the moor.  I was very glad to get there, and delighted at the warm welcome at the Cafe that was the next control.  All of the waiting staff had donned horns and tails, and there was a special 'Devilish' menu for the cyclists.  I warmed up, dried my gloves on the stove and recovered my humanity.  But all good things must come to an end, and eventually I had to get back out into the weather to do the next stage.  Another Boardman Admiration Society had formed in the car park.  'Do those brakes really work, then?'  Heartfelt, after sixty wet, mucky and hilly kilometres.

Things were a bit better, now.  It was raining less, the wind was now a tailwind and, at least for a while, the road went downwards.  Speeds were up, even climbing, and I got 47mph on one of the descents.  Not bad, for a cyclo-cross bike with fat tyres in the rain.  Rolling along, I mused that the last time I had come along this road was on my way to John o'Groats, on a balmy May day in warm sunshine. If only ...

Gradually, the fears of the Audaxer began to resurface.  I had done 85 km and according to my brevet card there should be a control.  I had passed a pub a couple of miles back, and had looked very carefully for the 'Control' signs.  I couldn't  see them, but was now beginning to fear that I was going have to turn back and climb again, into the wind, to get my brevet stamped.  Missing a control means disqualification.  Carrying on for a couple of miles, in the middle of the moor with no human habitation visible, wind and rain rising again, my heart sank.

Then, on a narrow winding bit of road, the bike quivering in the wind, I saw the 'Control Ahead' sign.  It was nailed to a stick which was held down with rocks.  Around the corner, on a patch of gravel at the side of the road, was a small camper van with a hand-painted 'Audax Control' sign.  Two cheerful stalwarts, wrapped in blankets, stamped my card and wished me a good ride.  It is the wildest place I have ever known a control situated.

Last lap now, down to Widecombe and then about ten K to the finish.  Those of you who remember the song will know that it was Widecombe Hill that killed Tom Pearce's grey mare.  More than a kilometre long and stretches of 20%.  Nothing below 15%.  Makes White Down look a doddle.  

But then it was over. Across the moor and down a little to the Kestor Inn at Manaston, a fitting final control, high on the moors.  I got my card stamped, bought a badge and declined a beer, although it looked as if a serious party was beginning to develop.  Out into the rain again - more drizzle now, and downhill for a few miles to the Cromwell Arms where Maggie was waiting to hear of my heroism.

66.4 miles, rolling average 10.5mph, 10,168 feet of ascent.  A great ride.

Mark

Author: Mark G

B Ride - 23rd October 2013 (Notes - See Photos and maps below)

I was greatly surprised on arriving late at Dorking (because of a puncture sustained by Francoise) to discover that I would be leading 28 keen cyclists, even more so when I learnt that Brian only had 8 participants for the “A” ride.

The weather was surprisingly fine and as a result a jocund group set out to Charlwood (noted in ancient time for its charcoal production) via Pixham Lane, Betchworth Golf course - where those without mudguards got splattered with mud. After passing the enormous bonfire in Brockham, we then turned left, pass the church, down Wheelers Lane, taking a right into Snowerhill Road, Tapners' Road, Small Hills Road, Norwood Hill Road into Charlwood.

Unfortunately, the Half Moon could only cope with 16 of us and the rest of the group went to the Hungry Horse. The Half Moon staff delivered our food speedily and politely.

After lunch we turned left into Rectory Lane, then to Russ Hill Lane before taking a right to Partridge Lane. We made our way back to Newdigate, and via the well trodden Henfold Lane to Bike Beans in Ashstead where at least a dozen of us had tea.

Frank H.

PS – My next ride on the 18^th December will be from Leatherhead to Hammersmith Bridge.

Author: Unknown

A Group, 23rd October

Dorking - Warnham - West Horsley

 After lunch at Greets in bright October sunshine.

Apologies to John B, who really was there to the left of the picture, but suffered an unkind cut.

Author: Jeff

A Group 23 October

The early rain seemed to have kept all our regulars with SW postcodes at home today so we started with just 8. We set off up Punchbowl Lane in the hope of a dry run but just after Roothill Lane the drizzle started. A short stop to don waterproofs as it came down heavier but not for long. At his point Toni realised that his bag with waterproof, money etc was still at Dorking. Jeff produced a spare waterproof and he was persuaded to continue. A call from Terry later confirmed that the bag was safely at St Martins. So then south to Parkgate, Partridge Lane and down the newly resurfaced Orltons Lane to Lambs Green. From here we cut west through Wimland  and Green Lane and over the level crossing to Warnham. Table service and excellent food was provided at Greets though good food doesnt come quickly and it was 2.30 before we set off again. We returned through Rowhook and Forest Green to Holmbury St Mary where we parted company with Toni ( and Colin) at Raikes Lane so he could return to Dorking. The remaining six headed for Shere and Combe Bottom before tea at West Horsley. The weather improved and we were rewarded with a lovely afternoon.

Author: Brian

New cycle shop/cafe in Esher

A new cycle shop/cafe opens in Esher.

http://www.girocycles.com/
 
After months of work and preparation G!RO is finally ready to open its doors for the very first time!
To mark the long awaited opening of G!RO, we will be having a champagne opening on the evening of Thursday Oct 17th // 6.30 - 9pm.

Author: Tony

Easy Riders - 23rd october

John's route with the Easy Riders from the Fairfield Day Centre to The Royal Oak in Brockham for lunch then back over the same route to the DC for Tea.

Author: Tim C

B Group - 23rd October (maps)

Frank took us from Dorking down to the Half Moon in Charlwood for lunch then back to Bike Beans for Tea:

Author: Tim C

B Ride 23 October 2013

The largest bonfire in Surrey?

Our leader (scroll down for front view).

Lunch: half of us at The Half Moon, Charlwood.

Our leader

Author: Bernard Brindley

A Group 23rd October

Damp in the morning, sunny in the afternoon for Brian's eclectic ride today.  Lots of old favourites, but from the opposite direction, which allowed us to see them afresh.  This was particularly the case with Combe Bottom, which we regularly descend but haven't climbed for a couple of years.

A good day out for everyone.  39.94 miles from elevenses at Dorking to tea at West Horsley; lunch at the Greets Inn, Warnham.

Mark

Author: Mark G

Christmas lunches

Dates for the group lunches are as follows:

11 December:  B Group at Kingston Weatherspoons. Irene will organise and Bernard is the leader from Claygate.

18 December: A Group at Hook Weatherspoons. Pam will organise and Jeff is the leader from Leatherhead.

Thanks to Pam and Irene for taking on the arrangements again.

Author: Brian

Easy Riders - 16th October

When I arrived at the Bradbury Centre with the rain I was surprised to see so many bicycles in the garden, 12 in total, so after some tea and light refreshment we set of in light drizzle to lunch at The Cap in Hand via the A307, Thorkhill road, Ewell Road, Rectory Lane, Woodstock Lane to Hook. After lunch the main contingent carried on to Chessington D C. I returned to Hampton Court to meet up with Pam and Gill who had been visiting Liz Bernard who has sadly had fisty cuffs with her bike and the road, ending up with a broken bone in the wrist. She is well and truly plastered up to the elbow. We wish her a good recovery. Then the terrible 3s cycled home in the sunshine. 

Irene

From the Bradbury Centre to the Cap in Hand by the Hook roundabout

(Due to the GPS bearer having problems with a flat tyre the route shown in the map doesn't accurately represent the route taken by the main group.)

Author: Tim C

B Group - 16 October 2013

Despite dismal conditions and even more dismal forecast ten Bs (soon reducing to eight) headed south from Caterham to Bletchingley via (carefully) two chevrons White Hill. Continuing south we had a second run down this year’s fwc hill in Outwood Lane but nobody improved on their previous distance. Shortly after this Stephanie punctured approximately where Ed had his tumble after the fwc. He soon fixed the puncture and by now it was considered advisable to don waterproofs for the remaining few miles to lunch at The Cherry Tree, Copthorne.

After a good lunch quickly served we left – the light rain had almost stopped. Threes destination was Reigate Garden Centre (original plan was Redhill airfield but they close too early now). Omitting the off-road alternative we rode through Horley and along Lonesome Lane (where the teddies looked rather miserable). Whilst enjoying tea and cakes the sun appeared and remained out for the rest of the ride (at least for me). Half the group returned with me to Dorking having ridden twenty – one miles from Caterham to Reigate. Thanks to tec Tim.

Terry

---

Author: Terry

B Group - 16th October (maps)

Terry led us from Caterham to Copthorne for lunch then to Reigate for Tea:

After Tea Terry led several of us to Dorking since we couldn't think of a nice route home which didn't involve a big grind up Pebblehill Road. This was a nice little ride in its own right.

Sorry the maps are a bit fuzzy but clear enough I hope.

Author: Tim C

B Ride Wednesday 16 October 2013

What a contrast with last Wednesday - then there were 33, today we were down to seven at tea-time, at Reigate Garden Centre.

Author: Bernard Brindley

A Group 16th October

A dismal start to the day at Caterham, with clouds, rain, and more forecast. So the turn-out was pretty thin, with not all of those at elevenses planning to join a ride. But five A Group hard men (no women today) were ready to tackle the hills of Kent. A bit after eleven we dropped down from Caterham to the A22 roundabout, taking the turn that we rarely bother with on to Succombs Hill. A hidden gem, this is one of the harder hills of the North Downs. You're launched straight on to it, with a steep ramp right at the beginning, followed by an easier portion before an even steeper ramp at the end.

Toni shows there's nothing to it

We ascended variously and had a little rest at the top, before taking the pretty lanes beyond Warlingham to the top of White Lane, the Bec hill-climb course. Descending this year, we still found the efforts of the hill climbers admirable, and were probably a bit nearer their times than we were when we tried it the other way.

Left on to the Pilgrim's Way, and a pleasant rolling ride along to Sundridge, where we began to climb again. A Gentleman's Climb this time; atmospheric under the trees in the rain, to the Cock Inn at Ide Hill. They were expecting us, and we enjoyed a good lunch in an old-fashioned bar with a very welcome open fire.

There was talk of staying in the pub until the rain stopped, but they don't do rooms, so this wouldn't have worked. So out into the rain again, with spooky cloud now rolling up the face of the hill.  It all added to the drama of York's Hill, which we descended cautiously with lights on - yes...

From the bottom, a rolling road to Edenbridge then on towards Tilburstow Hill. It was Paul who noticed it first - a strange golden light in the sky. What could it be? Within ten minutes the sun was out and the clouds rolled away to reveal blue sky. What a change.

Descending from Tilburstow we had a bit of a setback. Paul suffered a blow-out on the rough surface (the tarmac is being renewed) noisy enough to be heard a hundred yards away. Careful examination failed to reveal the cause, so in with a new tube and on we went. Must be a snake-bite, we all agreed. Maybe, but maybe not, because a few miles further on another explosive deflation meant another new tube. This time a flint was found, not in the tyre, but on the rim-tape, under the tube. How could it have got there? Was this the cause? Who knows, but it didn't happen again, and we pressed on to Fanny's, worried that we might miss our tea.

On the way up the last hill a couple of French lads in a rented van shouted encouraging Tour de France epithets at us. (Who won, eh lads?) It was amusing to find that they were delivering onions to Fanny's. That's progress for you - it was always a bike in my day.

Half an hour putting the World to rights and then over the hill and on our way home. Not the day we would have wished for, but, in the end, not a bad day either. 39.5 miles from elevenses at Caterham to tea at Fanny's; 3,905 feet of ascent.

Mark

-

Author: Mark G

Draft Surrey Cycling Strategy

Surrey Cycling Strategy

Meeting 23 October



http://www.surreycc.gov.uk/roads-and-transport/roads-and-transport-policies-plans-and-consultations/roads-and-transport-consultations/roads-and-transport-consultations-in-surrey/surrey-cycling-strategy-consultation

Author: Jeff

B Ride - 23rd October 2013 - pre ride info

I shall be leading a ride from Dorking to Charlwood on Wednesday with a lunch at the Half Moon Pub. I have been watching the weather forecast  and it seems that we are likely to have showers during the day.

The Pub has requested that it would help greatly if we could preselect our food to speed up the service.

For those who will join my ride and wish to lunch at the Half Moon Pub, could you please send your selection from the menus below, before Monday evening (21st) either by email to f.humphrey@btinternet.com or by phone to 0208 949 8007.

Many Thanks.
See you Wednesday 23rd at Dorking
Frank H.

Half Moon Pub – Charlwood – Wednesday 23^rd October - SNACKS MENU

Scampi, Chips and Garden Peas Served with home-made tartare sauce. £8.50	___________	Prawn Marie Rose Ciabatta Served with fresh salad garnish and chunky chips. £6.50	____________
Beef Burger, Topped with bacon and melted mature cheddar cheese. Ser-ved with chunky chips, home-made coleslaw and a salad garnish. £8.95		Brie, Bacon and Cranberry Ciabatta, Served with fresh salad garnish and chunky chips. £6.95
Boiled Gammon Ham, Egg and Chips. Gammon from our local butcher served with 2 fried eggs and chunky chips. £7.95		Steak and Onion Ciabatta With a Dijon Mayonnaise. Served with fresh salad garnish and chunky chips. £6.95
Cajun Chicken Ciabatta Served with fresh salad garnish and chunky chips. £6.25
MAIN MENU - Starters
Breaded Whitebait, On a bed of fresh salad and home made aioli sauce. £4.75		Prawn Purses, Filo pastry filled with prawns and glass noodles, served with a salad garnish and sweet chilli dip. £5.50
Warm Crab and Lemon Pot A delicious mix of crab meat, creme fraiche, greek yoghurt slowly oven baked, served with a crisp salad garnish and fresh bread. £5.95		Duck and Orange Pate Served with warm toast and salad garnish. £4.75
Nutty Fried Brie Wedges (V) Brie Wedges coated in chopped nuts. Served with a cranberry and orange relish with a salad garnish. £5.25		Crayfish Salad. Crayfish on a bed of fresh salad with either Pickled Herring Rolls or prawns with Marie Rose sauce. £6.25
Main Menu – Main Course
Rump of Lamb, Minted lamb rump cooked to your liking, served on a bed of spinach with vegetables and your choice of potatoes. £10.75		Fresh Fillet Sea bass Served with a coriander pesto crust, with vegetables and your choice of potatoes. £9.50
8oz Rib Eye Steak, Served with Café De Paris Butter, pan fried mushrooms, onion rings, grilled tomato, garden peas and chunky chips. £13.50		Slow Oven Roasted Belly of Pork, Served on a bed of creamy mashed potato with seasonable vegetables and a red wine jus. £10.50
Beer Battered Haddock, Served with chunky chips, garden peas and home made tartar sauce. £10.50		Star Anise Venison Stew, Served in a giant Yorkshire pudding with vegetables and your choice of potatoes. £11.25
Magret De Canard A duck breast cooked pink, served on a bed of red cabbage compote with your choice of potatoes. £11.50

Author: Unknown

Photos from our Cycle tour in Brittany and our stay in Pornichet

From Jean-Louis Roulin: https://tinyurl.com/ly5yphu

From Gill: https://tinyurl.com/kokts4r

From Françoise and Frank: https://tinyurl.com/kha9xdv

From Tim: http://tinyurl.com/q8cxhj6

Ghislaine and Jean-Louis who personified the hospitality we received in France

The Merry Leaders on the last day!

(Patrice, Guy, Gérard, Yolande, Claud)

~ photo by Gill ~

Author: Tim C

A Group - Challenging Ride

Tomorrow, the Catford and Bec hill climbs take place on the North Downs.  The Catford is said to be the world's oldest bicycle race and, if the weather man is to be believed, it will also be one of the world's wettest.  All part of the fun.

Next Wednesday the A Group, also in keeping with tradition, will pay homage to the racers by riding the courses - Yorks Hill and White Lane.  As a sop to the weather, which is promised to remain inclement, I propose to limit our homage to riding down the hills this year.  In keeping with the democratic traditions of the Wayfarers this can always be changed on the day, if people want.

So, bring your climbing legs and your galoshes and be ready for an Autumn Classic.  Forty miles from Caterham to tea at Fannies - fun guaranteed.

Mark

Author: Mark G

2 Comments:

Jeff 13 October 2013 at 13:38 BST

Mark, After the disappointment of reading that the hill climbs will be downhill, a myopic squint at your cunningly anonymised map suggests that the direct route to Warlingham might offer the compensation of Succomb's Hill. Should we bring climbing legs, or climbing boots with ropes and pitons?
Jeff

Mark G 13 October 2013 at 16:18 BST

Well spotted, Jeff. What goes down must go up ...

I always think that Succomb's Hill is a better thing than either of the classics. My hoary old GPS gives Succomb's 26%, York's Hill 23% and White Lane a feeble 15%.

So this is all part of the A Group's flight to quality. Now, Rosedale Chimney at a claimed 33% (28% on the GPS), would be a day out.

Mark

A Group 9 October

Hersham - Send Marsh - Leatherhead

Leader Ray

Speak for yourself!

Author: Jeff

A Ride 9th October

Some 15 of us left Hersham day centre in calm warm weather for a short trip to the Saddlers Arms at Send Marsh.

The route was via Brooklands and the Wey Navigation Canal towpath from New Haw  to Pyrford Lock and then lanes to Send Marsh - about 10 miles so we arrived at the Pub in good time by 12.30.

En route we had a photo stop at New Haw and at this point Vic and Geoffey went on to warn other tow path users of a band of cyclists advancing.

Food and service was good and we were away by 1.30 to continue on to tea at Annies  of Leatherhead. This was by lanes to Downside then Bookham Common to Fetcham and urban roads to Leatherhead.

By this time there were eleven of us with some having gone  shorter ways home.

Total distance from 11's to tea was approximately 22 miles.

Ray

Author: Ray Dare

Easy Riders' routes for recent rides

Lynda's ride from Chessington, 18th of September

Steph's ride from Walton (only the afternoon ride is displayed), 25th of September

Mike's ride from Cobham, 2nd of October

Fuzz's ride from Hersham, 9th of October

Author: Tim C

B Ride Wednesday 9 October 2013

Our leader

29 out of the original 33 - a record?

Author: Bernard Brindley