New Years Day Social

10.30 at the cafe in Richmond park for a Southwest London CTC social new years day coffee and chat.

 

Click for location

Author: Tony

1 Comment:

Dave Vine 31 December 2018 at 20:59 GMT

Guaranteed to be as sunny and warm as the photo too!

Emirates Cable Car

Many of you I know have already done this but it was a first for me and I think our Chairman too! Photo below of Dave V next to a R-R Trent jet engine which powers the A380 Airbus. There are four of these each producing 110,000 lbs of thrust at max power. The four engines combined produce approx 200MW of power at takeoff enough to supply a large town.
Other photo's are KPRC MTB riders in the Gondola, they allowed 3 of us per car with bikes. A good days ride just 40 miles including train assist from London Bridge to Tadworth on way back.

Author: mike morley

Where did B Group go in 2018?

Publishing the heat maps for A and B Group rides now seems to be an annual event so here it is for B Group:

This represents 40 rides, Elevenses to Lunch to Tea, the ones which I attended. Of the other 12 Wednesdays, there were no rides on 2 of them and I didn't ride with B Group on the days of the annual lunch or the AGM. So that leaves 8 full rides missing.

One thing that is clear from this map is that it is quite difficult to plan routes for our group which don't cover quite a lot of familiar territory, although it is a challenge we all enjoy and we do seem to find the odd pub which we have never visited before.

Happy and Safe Cycling in 2019

~ Tim

Author: Tim C

B Group Jan 2nd

We'll be heading to the Seven Stars at Dawes Green but ( you will be glad to hear) not exactly the way we did it with the A's from Claygate. We will head to Bookham but then over to Chapel Lane, Brockham and, maybe a little indirectly if time, to Leigh. We can take a vote on whether to stop for tea but I will be leading back to the Ashtead/Epsom area.

Author: Brian

Christmas Eve 2014

Wayfarers Christmas eve 2014, lunch at the Seven Stars Ripley.

Author: Tony

Wayfarers Subscriptions 2019 now due

Happy New Year everyone!

Top tip for cycling in snow

A new year brings another opportunity to pay the still-reduced rate of £1 annual subscription.  In addition you can book your place at the Sou'Westers Annual Lunch, which is booked for Weds 6 March, at Ristorante Sorrento in Tolworth - the same as last year's very successful lunch.  I'm taking pre-payment for the three-course meal, £15 including service but excluding drinks.

It would really help if you can bring correct change: that's £1 subscription + £15 for the lunch.
See you at Cobham.

Data Protection notice:  If you have previously consented to your details appearing on the Contact List, by paying your subscription you are continuing to consent, unless you tell me otherwise.

Competitions: Please see below for other important posts about competitions:

• Attendance competition
• Mileage competition
• Photo competition

Author: Simon L

2 Comments:

Jeff 29 December 2018 at 18:06 GMT

Simon,
I hadn't considered using cable ties to get me to the end of the road when it is a sheet of compacted snow and ice. However, puncture-proof tyres would seem 'de rigueur'. Do not forget to add wire cutters to your essential tool-kit and a generous supply of replacement cable-ties to join your puncture-patches. What about a blow torch?

Tony 29 December 2018 at 21:38 GMT

Only applicable to bikes with disc brakes.

A Group Ride 2nd January 2019

I have planned a leisurely ride with only a few undulations, starting at Cobham and striking North in a loop, taking in Ripley and then Woking, along the Basingstoke canal for a short distance, then through Horsell Common, past Virginia Water to 'The Rose and Olive Branch' pub for lunch. I'll be sending your lunch requests through at 10.55am on the day. The afternoon ride will strike East through Thorpe and the friendly environs of Staines, then Ashford, Kempton Park ending up at Hampton Hill with a circular route through Bushey Park to 'Dish' cafe over Hampton Court bridge. 18 miles in the morning and 15 miles in the afternoon. Well, I want to ease you all back into the new year without too much stress. I suffered my ninth puncture in three weeks today, but Santa brought me some more CO2 cartridges for Christmas, so that's OK. No new bike though! I sometimes wonder if he reads my letters at all.

Author: Steve D

A Wayfarers' Festive Teaser - from 'Living History'!

Yesterday I felt the need for potentially embarrassing snaps of my close relatives in younger days when they might have sported inadvisable hairstyles such as mullets, or ill-judged clothing such as extremely flared, maroon trousers.   Naturally I turned to my sophisticated photographic archive, but a quick rummage in the old biscuit tins didn't turn up quite what I wanted, although, next best thing, it did produce some photos of SWLDA activities from way back when!

There is no metadata here (as I forgot to write on the back of the photos), but I think these must date from the late '80's (before you ask, we can tell it's the 1980's rather than the 1880's because there are no 'high ordinaries' visible)!    In those days, as well as the Cheam & Morden, the SWLDA boasted two other Sunday sections, the Mitcham & Tooting ('Mitoots') and the Family Section (later renamed the Downlands Section).   This picture shows a Family Section ride sometime before 1990. 

Cameras were rarely touted on club runs in those pre-digital days, so I imagine this was taken in a December or January when I was desperately exploiting the weather conditions in the vain hope of taking a winning, last minute shot for the DA photo competition!   I'm pretty sure the locale is a regroup somewhere on the way up Pitch Hill (or may be, the top of White Down).   My, but, doesn't that road surface look dodgy!    Anyway, I think that grim day we rode from Epsom to elevenses at Shere and, if the leader was merciful given the cold and ice, then headed on only as far as the Scarlett Arms, Walliswood, in its heyday at that time as a King & Barnes house, and a very popular lunch destination with us, always with a blazing log fire in the winter.   You could huddle by it and watch your Tudor Sport longs (which were de rigeur then) start to steam, and dry you damp gloves (if you bothered with them in those hardy days) on the fender.

I am out of shot behind the lens of my trusty Olympus Trip.   In the pictures I can recognise Andrew Bouchier, Stuart Downie, Di Suckling, and (I think), Derek & Sheila Monkhouse.   But there are also two others in shot who are still Wayfarers members, although, not through choice, both now only make rare appearances at our meets/rides.

No prizes, just for fun, but please leave a comment if you think you can name one or both mystery riders (another clue - one had a different name at the time of the photo, but their present name will be fine)!  And be warned (you know who you are) - I have a few other 'historic gems' which I will post in due course unless my demands are met in full!!!  (Only joking).

Festive greetings and a Happy Cycling New Year!

'Living History'

Author: David W

1 Comment:

Dave Vine 26 December 2018 at 19:26 GMT

Hi David,

Thanks, fascinating insight into cycling not so long ago. And not a helmet in sight.

Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas

A very merry Christmas to you all and a very happy and safe cycling for 2019.

Tony

Author: Tony

Wayfarers attendance log sheet for 2018

If you want to submit your attendance scores for 2018 Wayfarers rides please download this log sheet and print it out. Write a '1' under '11's' if you cycled to elevenses. Enter another '1' under 'Lunch' if you rode with the group to Lunch.

If you ride with A or B group Simon and I keep records as we go, on a best endeavours basis but, if you wish, please download the log sheet, fill it in, and pass it to me at the end of January.

~ Tim

Author: Tim C

Message from Tony Ashford

Dear Sou'westers and Midweek Wayfarers, 

Just wanted to wish you all a very Happy Christmas and all the best for 2019. As always, we intend to come for the Tour des Trois Vallees in Dieppe, so maybe we can meet again then. I look forward to that. Our son Alec is now quite a keen cyclist, and for next year's event he will have a bigger bike with gears. We'll have to think carefully which route we enter him in. And we are expecting a baby girl in February, so our days cycling with a cycle trailer are definitely not over!

I wish you all the Seasons Greetings, and of course happy cycling in 2019.

Warmest Regards
 
Anthony, Annett and Alec

Author: Tim C

Annual Mileages Jan 1st - Dec 31st 2018

Member Mileages 2018

Old hands will know that, at this time of year, we request members to submit their mileage record for the past 12 months: that is, from Jan 1st to 31 Dec 2018. We keep a running total on the MWW blog under the tab 'mileage'. Perhaps you have never noticed it. 

 https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1MII1T_mRI2kgw34FQDojN-LiQwr48vRImUGYaQH0Fzs/edit#gid=0

It is of individual interest to see one's annual and cumulative mileage and it is of value to the Group to be able to report how many miles our members have ridden.

Please therefore take the trouble to remind yourself to take note of your annual mileage for 2018 before the witching hour of 59.59.23 on 31 December and then to send it to me by whatever communication method you feel most comfortable with. Apologies to W. Churchill for ending that sentence with a preposition, up with which he would not put. Pigeon post most welcome.

email: jeff.tollerman@lineone.net

Otherwise, a grubby piece of paper will suffice, if identifiable.

For the male and female member (those are at present the only categories that we recognise), who clocks up the greatest annual mileage, your achievement will be recognised at our annual lunch. There will also be recognition for the member who has cycled more miles in 2018 than any other member.

Please note that entries will only be eligible for a prize from members who are regular riders with at least one section of the club.

I look forward to receiving your mileage, however modest. It is unlikely to be less than mine.

Jeff

Author: Jeff

The 2018 Brian Bent Christmas Card

Author: Tim C

B Group - 19th December

Eighteen of us departed from the Walton DC. Twelve hours before just nine had committed to the ride with their lunch orders, obviously waiting to see if the weather would improve, which it did. I was chuffed. The route was put together with a sequence of standard elements but with a couple of interesting variations.

A few months ago John Bellamy informed me that he had discovered an interesting route and from his excited tone I assumed he was talking about the North West Passage. But it transpired that he had found a scenic route from Walton to Weybridge. It was utterly new to me and today for the first time on any B Group ride I have ever been on we turned off from the back of the Cowey Sale car park, over the foot bridge and took this most enjoyable and well paved foot path through the trees, alongside the Broad Water, eventually popping out in Weybridge.

John Bellamy's Passage - it's on the map so it must be true!

Through Addlestone, and New Haw where remembering that Vic had mentioned a cunning route through to Scotland Bridge we branched off down the Common Lane cul de sac then by a muddy track to pass under the M25 and around the Heatherfield Recreation Ground.

It was plain sailing after West Byfleet, through Pyrford and Ripley to arrive at the Barley Mow in West Horsley. Though it shouldn't have come as a surprise the gentle gradient in Ripley Lane seemed like hard work today. 14.7 miles to lunch.

The Barley Mow serves very nice Thai food and several of us enjoyed it while many went for the safer options of soup, sandwiches and omelettes etc.

It was just five miles to Cobham and knowing that we would all like to scatter and get home before dark it was just Tony and myself who stopped for our flat whites at Giro in Esher.

It was Ray Youlden's first go at being back marker. With all our concern about recruiting new leaders we sometimes forget that an expanded gene pool of TECs is healthy for the club. So thank you Ray. Thank you too to numerous corner markers. It made me realize how many opportunities for missing essential turns we had. Also, it's lovely to know that Irene hasn't forgotten us; good to see her again.

Have a great Christmas and take good care on the roads.

~ Tim

Author: Tim C

A Group ride, 19th December: Walton on Thames

Those with long memories - who were on my 'shortest day ride' from Walton on 20th December last year, may have noticed some similarities with today's ride. In fact the routes were identical; it was only the lunch and tea venues that had changed. Even the backmarker was the same, which I'm sure Simon may have spotted? Does this prove we are all creatures of habit, or merely indicate lazy route planning? (No comments please).

Here we are on the bridge at Eton, ready for an early lunch at the Watermans Arms having already lost Geoffrey and Ken, before Windsor, and Dave W. earlier on, with a puncture. (Neil tried to loose some others coming into the town centre but was out-smarted by Janice). Still an early lunch meant a swift departure for our tea stop at the Walled Garden, Sunbury.

Our progress was only slightly delayed by Janice's puncture before we had reached Staines, but it wasn't long after 3pm that eleven of us were sitting down - some outside, for tea and cakes at the Walled Garden.

30 miles, split evenly between morning and afternoon, was just about right for almost the shortest day. Thanks to Simon (again) for backmarking, and ever-willing corner markers. I can't promise I won't lead next year's Walton ride, but if someone else does please choose a different route.

Spot the robin?

Author: Ged Lawrenson

1 Comment:

Dave Vine 20 December 2018 at 20:49 GMT

Ged, the route was just fine, and the format of early lunch and early tea was ideal. Not to mention the weather; I took a loop deer-dodging round Richmond Park at dusk which was a super end to the day.

Here's hoping everyone has a great Christmas.

Turning to the New Year, if anyone fancies a coffee on 1 Jan, I will be in the Roehampton Gate cafe around 11am.

The Journal of J Foxley Norris

It's the end of the season, and I'm doing as much reading as riding.  However, a recent ride in Kent directed my reading to cycling in the early part of the 20th Century -  a long standing interest of mine.

The Bicycle Arms closed in 2003, but a number of other hotels and inns in Kent and Sussex with cycling associations from the very early 1900s still survive.  I would guess that cycling was as popular then as it is now, and I am gradually finding out about it.  That's a story for another day, but what I have discovered along the way is the Journal of J Foxley Norris.  Norris was a cyclist from the late 1890s to 1910, he lived in London and rode where we ride, in some cases taking lunch at the same pubs.

The Journal is available in digital format from the University of Warwick:  https://mrc-catalogue.warwick.ac.uk/records/CTC/13/1/3 , and it's a delightful read.  Here are a couple of snippets.

Norris rode to Winchester, did a tour near Salisbury and obviously had many enjoyable days out in places that we recognise.  And, as many of us understand, there is an end to the road.  For Norris, it was in 1910:

He gave his faithful tricycle to charity, a decision which I applaud.

Mark

Author: Mark G

4 Comments:

Jeff 19 December 2018 at 17:34 GMT

Mark,

Many thanks for uncovering this irresistible gem.
I knew that Warwick was the repository for CTC's cycling archives, but have never visited because I imagined that I would find only agendas and minutes of meetings, not such a glorious treasure trove of cycle touring history. How wrong I was. Wonderful.

Jeff

Dave Vine 19 December 2018 at 22:02 GMT

Indeed a treasure, and I will read it thoroughly. Times do change though. Mr Foxley Norris would have a shock today riding through Mitcham to Beddington Corner and crossing the Wandle on Hackbridge Road. These are some very hostile roads, and people today take to the Wandle Trail to avoid them.

However some things don't change; in his account of a ride from London to Walton on the Hill he says "The road surface is splendid all the way except through Merton, where it is rather lumpy." I couldn't put it better myself.

Ged Lawrenson 20 December 2018 at 09:00 GMT

What a fascinating read - and an interesting way to spend time off the bike.
(I was in an antiquarian bookshop in Liverpool recently, browsing shelves of old maps, travelogues and the like, and commented to the owner that there seemed no material on cycling. His comment: "they fly off the shelves like hot cakes").
Perhaps there are others with this pastime?

Mark G 20 December 2018 at 14:52 GMT

I think I’m not alone, Ged, and your bookseller was quite right, you need to be quick if you see an interesting title. There seems to be little correlation with price, though - some of my best books cost very little.

A Group - 19th December, from Walton on Thames

We'll be heading to the Watermans Arms, Eton riverside for lunch, http://www.watermans-eton.com

and The Walled Garden, Sunbury, for tea, https://www.sunburygallery.org

All on road - and modest mileage for this time of year.

Author: Ged Lawrenson

Advice for B Group - Wednesday 19th

I am cautiously optimistic about the weather so intend to stick to the planned route. We will be riding from Walton down to West Horsley to lunch at The Barley Mow. I have no plan for afternoon tea but will lead back through Cobham which is only about 5 miles from the pub, then Esher, Surbiton etc. Sundown will be at about 15:55.

We will be on a footpath where we will encounter walkers and their dogs; we need to slow down for them and comport ourselves in accordance with our most courteous habits when we come upon them.

Later in the morning will be another short path which, after the expected rain on Tuesday night, will probably be rather squiffy and a bit rough in places. Overall a fairly flat ride but it should be nice all the same.

Please look at this lunch menu, two pages, and let me know what you'd like to eat.

If you can't decide I think you may be able to order something from their extensive take-away menu on the day. For an idea have a look at their web page:
Barley Mow Menu

Their Thai food is good but traditional tastes are well catered for.

~ Tim

Author: Tim C

A Group 12th December

Well I did mention Ranmore and Headley but there were some who seemed surprised by the fact that a run from Claygate to Leigh and back to Epsom should involve about 2000 feet of climbing. Fifteen of us had a fast run down the Portsmouth Road to Cobham and then across Bookham Common to Effingham where the climbing started in earnest - up Highbarn and Hogden Lanes to Ranmore. Then we descended along the North Downs Way through Denbies with fine views across  Dorking.

Punchbowl and Root Hills warmed us up and increased the appetite still further before arriving at the Seven Stars just after 1pm. Service and food was good and we were away again by about 2.15 cutting across Wellhouse Road to Brockham and then the Coach Road. Lodgebottom Road up to Headley provided the last hill of the day before a long descent towards Epsom. Only four stopped for tea at the Old Moat. Thanks to Mike for back marking and all the corner markers.

Author: Brian

B Group to Christmas Lunch (photos and a map)

Just a couple of photos - I hope there will be more:

~ Tim

Author: Tim C

Cap-In-Hand 3 years ago

Author: Tony

B group ride 12 December from Claygate (Christmas Lunch!)

My planned ride will only be about 11 miles with one minor hill to negotiate because we need to arrive at The Angel in Long Ditton around 12.30 for lunch. However, for those riding direct to the venue from coffee its only 2.4 miles. Your choice!

Peter T

Author: Peter T

Epsom Stew Ponds car park

Anyone thinking  of cycling across Epsom/Ashtead commons should be aware that the Stew Ponds car park entrance is closed. I went that way this morning to find that the whole entrance had been dug up, fenced and 1m3 bags of sand placed to the side. I managed to squeeze between bags while lifting my bike over them and nearly twisted my ankle trying to access the road. Not recommended. I've looked online but can't see anything that explains why or for how long this will continue.

Author: Brian

2 Comments:

Simon L 10 December 2018 at 14:01 GMT

Is that the entrance by the pedestrian crossing Brian? I had a look on Google Maps but it wasn't clear.

Brian 14 December 2018 at 19:15 GMT

No. It's the car park entrance - a bit further towards Malden Rushett.

A Group Weds 12th

21 miles from Claygate to the Seven Stars at Dawes Green via Bookham Common and Ranmore. Return via Headley. Tea may be Headley or Old Moat GC. Some offroad but all hard surfaced in the morning and even the Brockham Coach Road barely reached level 1 on the Reynell mud scale today with no more rain forecast.
Lets try to be away promptly at 11. Thanks.

Author: Brian

Box Hill Road River

Often wondered who spilled paint on Box Hill? Here’s the answer!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=n_nQlsrLOJc#action=share

Author: Ged Lawrenson

3 Comments:

mike morley 06 December 2018 at 17:26 GMT

Ged how very interesting! Lots of people have asked me what was the purpose and I said that I had no idea except that it maybe an identification point on the 2012 Olympic Road Race Course and now we know. It seems that even the National Trust are prepared to ruin the Landscape. Most people would call it Graffiti.

Ged Lawrenson 07 December 2018 at 10:04 GMT

Apparently it's biodegradeable - so we won't always have to endure it on our climbs!

Janice 09 December 2018 at 17:25 GMT

I rather like it!

B Group - 5th December (map and photo)

Missing from photo: Brian B, Peter T, Tim C

~ Tim

Author: Tim C

B Group 5th December

After Tim had given the customary seasonal gifts to the hard-working Royal British Legion staff, nine Bs headed south, destination Westhumble. Choosing the quieter Plough Lane route, we soon passed a field of redundant (?) plump pumpkins. Turning left into Old Lane took us past a farm on the right where, if you're lucky , you can glimpse llamas and ostriches. Passing the shops in Effingham,I noted the Coffee Shop is now closed (it could only have been in business a month or two), then over the crossroads to Beech Avenue. A brief stop to see Sir and Lady Barnes Wallis's house (they were quite active in the village, Lady BW was often to be seen on her upright bike. She gave us our concentrated orange juice when our children were young). Turning left at the next crossroads led to Ranmore and soon forking left led to the roughish downhill stretch to Chapel Lane and lunch at The Stepping Stones. Here food was good and served quickly.

Although the weather was dry (ie not as forecast), we all preferred to ride straight home, which, for most of us, meant via Leatherhead. I enjoyed my whoosh down Little Switzerland and arrived home approximately five minutes before the lightish rain.

Thanks all for your company, especially tectim.

Terry 

Author: Terry

Christmas dinner planner

Thank you Pam.

Author: Tony

1 Comment:

Frances Stewart 10 December 2018 at 20:26 GMT

Pam
thank you for organising the event, it was lovely and just what I needed on the day!
Happy Christmas to you,
xx Frances

The Angel.

A's Christmas dinner.

Author: Tony

B Group 5th December......

.....lunch will be at The Stepping Stones, Westhumble.

Terry

Author: Terry

Reminder about Christmas lunches

To echo Mike's advice about getting to The Angel by 12:30 Pam would like to remind everyone that the dates for A and B Group lunches are:

A Group - December 5th (this Wednesday)

B Group - December 12th

Especially for the benefit of anyone going directly to lunch please aim to arrive at the pub around 12:30. This will allow everyone time to mingle and settle down to be ready for lunch service at 1p.m.

~ Tim

Author: Tim C

A group ride 5 December from Cobham (Christmas Lunch!)

I'm told we should aim to arrive at the Angel in Long Ditton by around 12.30 or so for the Christmas lunch, so this is not the day for anything too strenuous/ambitious. The plan is a gentle ride from Cobham via Stoke D'Abernon, up past the Yehudi Menuhin school, through Leatherhead high street and onto Long Ditton via Ashtead Common, Horton Country Park and Claygate. Just 17 miles and a mere 600ft or so of climbing (not enough to burn those calories you are going to be piling on - never mind). PLEASE FIT YOUR MUDGUARDS - the section through Ashtead Common and Horton Country Park is scenic but may be quite muddy!

Author: MikeR

B Group - 28th November

As we left the Bradbury Centre the weather was dry and very pleasant, seventeen headed through Kingston towards the river. We passed through the Canbury Gardens and along to Teddington Lock, then Ham House, Richmond Bridge, Kew Gardens and the old brewery building at Mortlake. Then it’s Barnes and up the ramp onto Hammersmith Bridge.

The weather remained kind to us, still dry, warmish and no wind yet.

Crossing over the old beautiful Hammersmith Bridge, this was a special moment for me, being able to cycle over it. Outside the pub there were secure railings for us to attach our cycles to, so it was into the William Morris.

Just before the bridge we had lost our back marker as he had a flat tyre, but he arrived before we were to depart. The pub was brilliant, everyone was served quickly, absolutely amazing value!

By the time we left the pub, the winds had arrived, causing us to battle against it all the way to Barnes, where we were caught twice at the level crossings, so taking a little time for everyone to get through and reassemble.

Onto Richmond Park, the climb up to Richmond gate was hard with the winds, unfortunately we had lost the back marker again, a repeat of the puncture problem.

At Kingston Gate, with the weather getting worse, we decided to alter the ride, and in place of going to The Pheasantry in Bushy Park we would have afternoon tea in the Local Hero café in Thames Street, Kingston, five of us stopping for tea.

Thanks to all for your good company, such an enjoyable day out! Sorry we all went home with dirty cycles!

Thanks for the ‘corner marking’ and to David for back marking, when he was with us.

Jennie

Author: Tim C

Too old to cycle so recycle

Now you know what to do with your old bikes when you can no longer cycle.

Author: Tony

Simon's New GPS

Author: Mark G

A Blustery Day: A Group 28 November

Winnie-the-Pooh woke up feeling strangely excited.  Then he remembered: it was Wednesday, and he was going on an Expotition with his friends.  As he left Pooh Corner, there were flurries of leaves.  It was a Blustery Day.

At Kingston, Pooh couldn’t help feeling a little peckish as he looked at all the lovely cakes on offer, but he said to himself “No, Pooh Bear, you have only ridden four miles”, and he reluctantly waited till lunch.  He was pleased to see all his friends.   Rabbit asked where they were going. “Rabbit, We are going on an Expotition to the North Pole”, said Pooh, proudly.  But Rabbit said “We already went there in September.  Silly old bear.”  Pooh sighed. He was a bear of very little brain, and now he would have to think of another Expotition. 

“I know” he exclaimed.  “We will go on an Expotition to the South Pole instead!”  And so Pooh, Kanga, Tigger, Roo, Piglet, Eeyore and Rabbit, with all his friends and relations, set off to the South Pole.  On the way, they went through mini-Holland, and Roo was very excited.  “Will we see lots of windmills?” he said.    “No, dear” said Kanga, gently.  “What do you expect from Kingston Council?” said Eeyore, gloomily.

Piglet nervously asked “Will there be h-h-h-hills?”  Pooh looked at Piglet sternly.  “Do bears Pooh in the woods, Piglet?  This is the A Group.”  On they went, past beautiful lakes and village greens, and a few road works.  Eeyore was looking at the leaden sky.  “It’s going to pour down at about twelve o’clock” he grumbled.  Roo asked “Are we nearly there yet?”.  “Not yet, darling” said Kanga, in her kind and gentle voice.

The group of friends passed through Cobham and headed up Downside Bridge Road.  Tigger rushed up to Pooh and said “We’re riding straight into the wind, up a hill, and it’s almost drizzling!  This is not the kind of ride that Tiggers like!”  Meanwhile Pooh was feeling a bit despondent.  Some of Rabbit's friends and relations were muttering about how far it was to lunch, and he was feeling a bit, well, empty inside.  “Are we nearly there yet?” said Roo.  “Shut up and keep pedalling” said Kanga, in a rather less kind and gentle voice.  Eeyore announced “With all this wind, it’s a wonder nobody has been blown into a ditch”, to no-one in particular.

As they neared East Horsley, Pooh had a brainwave.  “Sod this” he said.  “The South Pole is into a headwind all the way.  We’ll go to Send Marsh instead.  They have pies there.”  Piglet squeaked anxiously “What kind of p-p-pies are they, Pooh?  Do they have p-p-p-pork p-p-pies?”.  Pooh replied “I don’t think so, Piglet”.  So Pooh Bear, Kanga, Eeyore, Roo, Piglet, Rabbit, and all his friends and relations turned right at The Drift, negotiating all the Heffalump Traps towards Long Reach.  Now they were heading downhill with a following wind.  Tigger bounded up to Pooh Bear to exclaim “This is the kind of ride that Tiggers like!”  And as Pooh and Tigger chatted about this and that, Pooh Bear missed a turning, which was just as well because it was a muddy track and Pooh would have been very unpopular.  Pooh didn’t tell all his friends about this mistake, and they all arrived at The Saddlers Arms none the wiser, and still before one o’clock.

Pooh made sure that Piglet wasn’t nearby and ordered a sausage sandwich, which nearly filled the empty space inside him.  Soon all the friends had eaten their fill and it was time to leave. Eeyore was sure that it would be raining when they left the pub, but there were still only a few spots.  The ramshackle group of friends set off again, in a roundabout way to get to Pyrford, where Rabbit and all his friends and relations turned off to head for home.  The wind was even more blustery now, but the much reduced Expotition was riding downwind and even Eeyore was almost enjoying himself.  Pooh was still feeling a little hankering for something filling, and when they arrived at the Walton Riverhouse Barn he was greeted by the largest piece of Victoria Sponge that he’d ever seen.  He rode home a little slower, with a warm glow in his tummy.  It had been a truly exciting Expotition.

Many thanks to David W for the photo, to Mike B for back-marking, and Peter B for taking over after Pyrford.   Grateful apologies also to A.A.Milne.

Author: Simon L

10 Comments:

PaulKelly 28 November 2018 at 18:07 GMT

I'll have one of whatever you are on please!

Mark G 28 November 2018 at 18:59 GMT

Simon, it would seem that you are a bear of little rain ...

Jeff 28 November 2018 at 19:17 GMT

Brilliant, Simon.

What more can I say. Next lead to the Ashdown Forest, I trust.

Tony 28 November 2018 at 20:34 GMT

Ride report of the year, more like this please.

mike morley 28 November 2018 at 21:04 GMT

I have to say I agree with everyone's comments Brilliant report Simon. Sorry I did not make it! I had the best of intentions but on awaking in the cloud of the North Downs and the very heavy rain and wind I retreated back indoors. From Walton le Hill Kingston is a sod to get to and while I was more inclined to go with the "B's" I did not fancy all the muddy trails predicted.

Tim C 29 November 2018 at 09:39 GMT

A truly great report. I think I've identified Pooh and Tigger in the photo, and possibly Kanga, but still thinking about the rest.

Dave F 29 November 2018 at 13:22 GMT

Pooh, The name is Ferrett not Rabbit. Otherwise a work of true genius.

Unknown 29 November 2018 at 18:42 GMT

A-maz-ing! Super Simon 😊😊...

Mike Barrett 30 November 2018 at 08:22 GMT

A.A.Marvellous!

Unknown 04 December 2018 at 18:46 GMT

Simon, it's absolutely brilliant. I loved it. Certainly deserves to be Report of the Year! Any copies available? Gill

A Group 28 Nov

We will be escaping from Kingston via mini-Holland and Cobham for a fairly gentle ride to The Saddler's Arms at Send Marsh.   21 miles and a few pimples on the way there, and then back to Walton for tea.   The good news is that the weather is forecast to be mild, but that might not be the whole story.

Author: Simon L

Advice for B Group ride - 28th November

For Wednesday’s ride from Kingston we shall follow the towpath all the way to Hammersmith Bridge and on to lunch at the William Morris pub in King Street, a Weatherspoon’s. This will mean that almost all our ride to lunch will be ‘off road’/ along tracks.

After lunch, a much smoother surface, along to and through Richmond Park and then into Bushy Park for afternoon tea at The Pheasantry.

Have just watched the weather forecast on Countryfile; Wednesday could be wet and windy.

Look forward to seeing you all.

Jennie

Author: Tim C

21 November A ride from Leatherhead

I started planning this ride, not so long ago, when we could sit outside for lunch or tea. The idea was to explore some of the quieter lanes and unsurfaced tracks on the way to Sidlow. Then it rained, and rained, and the tracks were ruined. Then it was cold with rumours of snow on the downs.

So plan B was an all road ride, 20 flattish miles to lunch, 17 hilly-ish miles to tea. Important was to get to Banstead before 4.00 when Pistachios started putting away their cakes.

Sixteen of us left Leatherhead just after 11, in welcome sunshine. We were unlucky when the puncture fairy struck just before Newdigate, so to keep to schedule we diverted direct to the pub, arriving in good time. The Three Horseshoes gives you a warm welcome, good beer, and good value food, so unsurprisingly we lingered a bit, despite the sunshine outside.

It was well after 2 when we left, and the sun and temperature were clearly going down, hence the hurried picture. Mark and Ken opted for direct routes home. The rest of the group rode a couple of lesser known lanes before tackling the three climbs to get us to Banstead, where we arrived, suitably warmed up, with 10 minutes to spare. Tea and cakes for some, direct routes home for others.

We had met and briefly mingled with the B group at Merstham, who were recovering from a particularly gruelling ascent of Farthing Down, and managed to peel off Alan Imeson to tea, and briefly Mike Morley.

Thanks to all for their company and support, especially to Jennie for back marking, assisting with puncture repair, and keeping the B’s at bay.

33 Miles to tea, 2000ft of climbing, 13.8 mph before lunch, 12.1mph on the hills afterwards.

Author: Dave Vine