Invitation: B Group ride on 5th November

Please note that due to the prospect of some rain, though not as bad as last week, the route for Wednesday has been modified to avoid going off road. So we should take less time to get to lunch. The following text has therefore been updated.

We will meet at the Cobham British Legion for Elevenses and head into the Surrey Hills with two significant climbs in the morning and one soon after lunch. The route is now all on-tarmac. It will take us about 2¼ to 2½ hours to ride the 20 miles to The Parrot in Forest Green so consider bringing a snack to eat en-route.

This is our revised route:

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/53203294

Please ask if you need it in a different format. 

We have been asked to pre-order our lunches from The Parrot menu so please notify me of your choice when you confirm your intention to come for the ride. I am aware that this is a more pricey menu than we are used to.

The afternoon ride to Leatherhead is just 12.6 miles and after Leith Hill Lane it will be nearly all downhill or flat.

Remember to bring front and rear lights and to dress appropriately for the weather.

Start times will probably be 10:30, 10:40 and 10:50. 

Your guides for this adventure will be Alan, Bernard and myself. We were blown away by how beautiful the alpine countryside was during the recce on a lovely sunny day so we hope to replicate that experience for you.

Please confirm your intention to ride with us by email to me and advise your choice of lunch by Monday evening. 

Looking forward to it

~ Tim 

Invitation: A Group Ride 5th November 2025

Next week's ride from Cobham is over the Hills to The Bricklayers Arms in Shamley Green for lunch. Then back to Cobham (via a different route) for tea.

It's about 20 miles to lunch and then 17 miles back to Cobham -  apart from Bookham Common, it's all on tarmac.

The Bricklayers Arms would like us to pre-order. Here is their menu.

Bricklayers Arms menu

Please let me (clive.janes@gmail.com) know by Monday evening if you would like to come along, and include your lunch pre-order.

Clive

Thames Towpath re-opening - Richmond to Kew

According to a council missive, the towpath will re-open on Sat November 8th, "subject to weather and river conditions".   So maybe a bit later.   It's been closed for several months after part of it collapsed into the river.   More on it in this Facebook post, but you probably need a Facebook ID to read it, or this web news site.   Thanks to Paul & Maggie James for spotting this.

Ride Report - A Group 29 Oct 2025

First of all, I just want to thank everyone who joined the ride. Well done all for keeping in such good spirits, you deserve a medal. There was some discussion at lunch about whether or not there had been a wetter ride in the past. Some did recall other wet rides that may have matched it, but certainly this one was right up there amongst the best of them.

There was a very light rain on my way to Banstead but while we were there having coffee the rain increased to what I would describe as medium. Our departure from Banstead was delayed due to a puncture, so although we (me, Patrick, Steve and Guy) were meant to be the first group off we were the last. The route took us to Farthing Down via the hill up Hazlewood and Doghouse Lanes where we passed Dave V’s group.

At the top of Hilltop Lane, before the descent, Steve had a problem with his rear derailleur. We pulled over so he could investigate. By now the rain had started to fall heavily. Steve deduced he would have to make do with just two gears for the rest of the ride. 

We continued the descent of Hilltop then turned left in to Springbottom Lane. When we got to the junction with White Hill Lane, water was pouring down the hill like a fast flowing river. We descended cautiously and continued on our way through the puddles to Bletchingley, Outwood and then to The Farmhouse Pub for lunch in Horley. As well as some of the others I noticed that many of the cars we encountered were very considerate towards us – they must have felt a certain level of sympathy for our predicament.

The Farmhouse pub was very good. Staff friendly and efficient, good food (reasonably priced) and an excellent garden (for when the weather is a bit drier).

Breaking from tradition, the pub photo was taken indoors for obvious reasons.

During lunch Steve’s puncture had returned. You can see him fixing it in the background. And look at all those happy faces!

The rain hadn’t eased off much during lunch. We re-donned our wet gear and set off for Leatherhead via Lonesome Lane, Betchworth and Pixham. We had all already decided not to stop for tea but to head home to dry off. At Leatherhead my group split up for home.

It was a shame about the weather. When I did the recce the Sun was shining. There is some lovely countryside on this route which is difficult to appreciate when it’s raining like that. I did a similar route earlier in the year, although that was from Leatherhead. It rained then too, so watch this space for a third attempt at some point.

Thanks to Dave V and Brian for sub-leading and to Brian for some valuable amendments to my original route.

Brian’s report:

After a couple of last minute arrivals my group (Richard, Dave W and Andy C) was the first away with the "fast" group still attending to a puncture. We nearly didn't get beyond Banstead High Street as a police car apparently in the queue for the traffic lights instead decided to reverse into a parking space next to me. A quick move to my right into wing mirror territory and he stopped - fortunately! We then had a taste of things to come as a short burst of heavy rain descended.

Up and down over Chipstead and Farthing Down using a couple of roads new to me was all without incident and the rain only intermittently significant. Then came the deluge! The descent of Hilltop Lane needed care but as we approached Whitehill Lane the "river" was spilling into Spring Bottom. From there to Bletchingly was a trial (often unsuccessful) to find a strip of visible tarmac between the rivers and piles of leaves inundating the roads and avoid the flood while passing traffic. At least after Bletchingly there was more road width to cope with the onslaught which didn't let up until we were inside the welcome sanctuary of The Farmhouse at Horley.

Dave W headed off to Horley Station just before lunch and the remaining bedraggled three made it back to Leatherhead in slowly improving conditions. Cold and wet, Richard and I didn't stop for tea as home and a hot bath was not far away.

Thanks to Clive for what would have been an interesting and pleasant ride had it been a fine autumn day. Thanks also to my team of hardy souls who persevered with good humour in some of the worst conditions I can remember.

Dave V’s Report:

Any Wayfarer who signed up for their weekly fix of Type 2 Fun would not have been disappointed yesterday.

I had reccied the route on Sunday and can assure you that the autumn colours were all you could wish for, but just not visible yesterday.

Conditions were worsening as we rolled out of Banstead, and became dire in the hilly early sections, with treacherous descents and floods across the width of the road, often mixing with more motor vehicles than was comfortable.

By Bletchingly we had a brief discussion about abandoning. The alternative of riding the A25 to Redhill did not appeal to anyone, and at least the ride to lunch at Horley would be less challenging.

My Garmin was unresponsive (unsure whether it was the soggy Garmin or operator error) but the route to Horley was straightforward. Only the final few hundred metres to the pub was a challenge. We quartered the numerous lanes and paths, until a helpful local pointed out that we were almost outside it.

The Farmhouse staff were surprisingly welcoming to five cold and soggy cyclists; the food and hot drinks well appreciated. And half an hour on a warm radiator improved the Garmin’s mood too.

Still raining when we left, it was time for a short, purposeful ride to Leatherhead where there was no appetite for tea, and we parted company, hopefully all getting home in the light.

My sympathies to Clive who had a well planned route to a nice lunch venue. Thanks to my group (Sue C, Gina, Dave E & Dave F) for their unfailing good humour and patience in such dire riding conditions. Special thanks to Dave F for so visibly back marking however gloomy the road. At least the wind was no trouble yesterday.

And here is the route:

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/53086829

29 November B Group ride photos

 

Drizzle at Banstead; Paul's group already down from six to five

....and then there were four.  Wet lunch at the Stepping Stones...

...two hardy souls made it all the way.

B Group Ride Report - 29th Nov. '25

 John A reports :

First of all, thank you very much Tim G and Paul for being our sub leaders. Secondly, well done everyone who took part in a very wet ride. At least we all achieved one aim of today’s ride – a descent of Box Hill. 

By late afternoon it had stopped raining but five continuous hours was enough to penetrate even the best of ‘waterproof’ clothing. Well done to the staff of the Stepping Stones for providing us with a warm welcome, even though we must have taken into their pub a considerable amount of water.

Paul J reports :

The BBC Weather forecast promised a glimpse of sunshine through a grey morning, a minor shower or two until the evening, when the rain would come.  It was drizzling when I left home, a drizzle which increased in intensity all the way up to elevenses in Banstead.  Only one of my group had called off and Mick got a bit wet taking a photo of us as we set off in hope.

Through Tadworth the rain became heavier.  On the green in Walton an eccentric old man was finishing a huge wooden boat and gathering animals.  We climbed the dip slope of Box Hill in a world the colour of Welsh slate; by the supposed viewpoint on the top we were in a very wet cloud.  As we tipped over the brow and down the Zigzags the rain was coming at us in waves like the Atlantic Ocean rollers from whence it came.  Luckily there was not much traffic on the hill, because after we turned tight left on the middle hairpin it was full in our faces and those of us with goggles could see little.  I was probably as soaked as I have ever been on a bike when I found a safe place near Rykas to wait for the others and by the time the careful descenders had arrived I was pretty cold, too.  The thought crossed my mind to abandon the planned hour or so in the Surrey countryside and just call in the Stepping Stones for an early lunch, but we don’t do that, do we?

By Pixham Lane I could no longer hear the instructions from the pretty lady who lives inside my mobile phone; the water had seeped into my waterproof carrier to muffle her.  So I put her in my back pocket but could not get my sodden glove back on.  By the time the second group had caught us up I decided to ride with my glove in my pocket; my bare fingers were not much colder than the rest.

We were on a determined slog as we climbed up Punchbowl and then Root Hill and then Chart Lane, intermittently intermingling with the group now in front of us.  And when we did get to the Stepping Stones for lunch, Jacqui (a Saturday rider making her Wednesday debut) was shivering and clearly in a delirium, saying something about cycling was supposed to be fun.  Where do folk get these preposterous notions? 

Lunch was a mistake. Everything on us was sopping wet when we arrived but I had achieved a state of barely manageable discomfort which I might have maintained had we just gone on and got it all over without a break.  By the end of lunch our upholstered chair seats looked as if we had each had a senior bladder accident, and Jacqui (who rang for a cab) was not the only one shivering.  Strangely the third group was already enjoying a repast when we got to the pub.  They avoided my observation that I had not seen them overtake but they would not have taken a short cut, would they?  

All pretence of honour having been lost, I climbed Box Hill and then left the doughty Francis and Fixie to be the only survivors to complete the entire route (Nigel had baled out as we arrived at the pub).

Thanks to everyone for their company and forbearance and especially to Francis, who should get some kind of award for his patience in back-marking.

and finally Tim G reports :

Although most of us arrived at 11’s relatively dry the experience was to be short lived. My determined group of four (TG + Steph, Stephen & Mick) set out on time just as the rain set in. We dutifully followed the planned route under tarpaulin skies and driving rain. Very little of the scenic countryside could be fully appreciated as we steered our way through the dreary deluge. One may have thought that storm Malissa has suddenly crossed the Atlantic to drench our efforts. 

We descended Box Hill following streams of rainwater cascading down the hillside. Undeterred we assiduously followed the prescribed route passing Paul J’s group on the way. Would we be the first group to arrive at the pub? Alas, this was not to be !

By some dubious act of fate we found, on our arrival, that the last group were already there and had been comfortably installed for quite some time. Was this a result of a serious dereliction of duty on behalf of the group leader or the result of some sneaky plot hatched by his group members? My worst suspicions were immediately aroused. They had obviously taken a substantial shortcut !

The only concession was that Paul’s group arrived just as wet and dripping as us confirming that they had followed our example in completing the route without any reprehensible shortcomings. Service at the Stepping Stones was prompt and efficient and provided a welcome opportunity to regain our strength and spirits. 

A shared sense of endeavour prompted my band of four to yet again brave the elements and complete the afternoon ride. Again the rain was relentless as we ascended Box Hill and on towards our final destination by which time we were all totally soaked. We decided not to visit The Old Moat but disbanded to make our own way home. 

Apparently only two noble members of our entire company took tea together at the final destination. Well done - your courageous efforts have been duly noted !

Northwester's Ride

16 sign up for the ride to lunch at spoons in Woking. Molesey boat was the 11's stop. It started raining before I left home, but as leader, I had to go. There was a good turnout for 11's. But a few were heading home after 11's.

W set off in 2 groups in pouring rain, yes, there were that many of us! Julie B kindly led the second group. Off through Molesey heading to Hersham and then North Weybridge, we got halfway along Oatlands Avenue when I stopped the group and asked if we should pick a nearer lunch stop, a unanimous YES was the answer. So we waited (under cover) for the second group to catch up and they voted likewise.

So we turned around and headed for Walton and to Chertsey Bridge hotel. What a relief to get into warm surroundings. It was virtually empty. Ringing out gloves and dripping rain jackets and soon warm soup and other tasty dishes soon appeared.

We did linger and the call came "the rain has stopped", great news. So off we set with no real plan to a tea stop. Alas the rain soon started again, Gill F left us at Shepperton to get some shopping and Diane left us at the station. We carried on towards Hampton Court, but at Thames Water the Puncture fairy struck Pete B's front tyre. A few of us stayed to help while the rest carried on, the rain got heavier, but efficient help soon had the wheel back on the bike. At this point, it was time to head directly home.

A great group and great company, thank you all for joining the ride today, a special thanks to Julie B for sub-leading and to the back markers

Tony..

Invitation: A Group Ride 29th October

Next Wednesday's ride is from Banstead Day Centre. 

We will make our way to lunch at The Farmhouse Pub in Horley, via Farthing Down. 

Tea is at Leatherhead, but we will pass the Betchworth Post Office Cafe along the way so you may choose to stop there instead and sample some of their fine cakes.

It's around 18 miles to lunch and the same back to Leatherhead. We should be back in good time, but the clocks change this weekend and, as John has said in the B Group invitation, you may need lights for your onward journey home.

Please let me know (clive.janes@gmail.com) by Monday evening if you would like to come along.

Thanks,

Clive

Report for B Group ride to Battersea - 22nd October

On Wednesday we were treated to some ideal weather, a new starting point and an interesting course. We were going into central London to ride along the north bank of the Thames, then up through Kensington before going through Regents Park, Hyde Park, along the Mall, past Buckingham Palace and Parliament before going over Chelsea Bridge to Battersea Park. 
 
Perfect weather for a cycle ride!

The following reports cover rides for the three groups led by Bernard, Arwyn and Ray. 
 

Bernard's Report, Group 1

No wandering lonely as cloud for me today as I sipped my coffee at ‘The Flying Cloud’ by the Thames in Teddington waiting for 10:30 to arrive.  By now all my riders were itching to go; we would purposefully be riding into the centre of London, Buckingham Palace, on a tour of Ray’s carefully laid out route.  There were plenty of clouds but also plenty of blue sky and the sun was out.  It was my intention to turn my hand to poetry; on our ride I would collect gems of inspiration and finish with a poem worthy of Wordsworth.  After all how hard could it be to write a charming shortish verse... a few lines of pretty words, a rhyme or two and an enigmatic title and hey presto the carefully crafted little vessel would be ready to launch.   

Over Teddington Lock and soon into Richmond Park and there in the scrub by the side of the road our first gem... a magnificent stag, horns and all, stood still studying us.  Off our bikes, photos taken and back on.  In the distance I saw some ducklings in a row, totteringly and loyally following the lead duck.  And so it was with us.

Until Parliament Square where from high above some crazy beast had chucked a rock, at least a tonne in weight and jagged in equal measure... or so it seemed.  In the centre with a belting voice made even beltier as he spouted through his megaphone his distaste for a certain politician, reams of tourists crisscrossing in front of an incredulous Churchill, traffic from all directions aiming for the same centre point and a smiling policeman.  In an instant our little troupe were splintered apart in all directions... metaphorical feathers gusting in all directions.  Luckily we managed to gather together and resume with even greater purpose for food and drink to ‘The Lighthouse’ in Battersea.   

After lunch I noticed the sky had clouded over and it was chillier.  It was a mistake to have gone for shorts instead of cycling trousers.  However, as we cycled the blood got flowing and I warmed up.  Following the route of the Thames back towards Richmond Park we ended our ride at the Pen Ponds Kiosk.   

I considered where I was in my poetic quest... not much if any progress at all.  What material had I collected?  A deer, ducks, a lighthouse and clouds.  What could I do with that?  Nothing came to mind.  i willed for inspiration but the harder I tried the less there was any sign of anything poetic.  It seems inspiration is its own master. 

So here I am in a cafe finishing this somewhat pedestrian write up... failing altogether to get across what a superb ride Ray had put together.  Ping and off the piece is e-mailed to the editor.  And now I’m gazing, half daydreaming, through the steamed up window when I see, vaguely but definitely, in the distance a tiny splash of yellow... of daffodil yellow. 

Ray planned the ride: It was very carefully put together and I can attest that a lot of hard work went into making it the very enjoyable ride it was.  My co riders were Brenda, Martina, Sue, Lillian, Sabina, Martin and superbly back marking Fixie Dave.   

Bernard

Team Bernard at the Wellington Arch

_________________________________________________________________ 

Arwyn’s Report, Group 2

A chilly start so it was no surprise to see the majority wearing leggings. But the day turned out surprisingly warm and sunny. Great weather for a cycle to The Big Smoke. Our team of eight was down to seven before the off. Stephen had notified us of a puncture. 

Stephen’s puncture, swiftly fixed by Balfe’s Bikes in Kingston meant we teamed up with him at Richmond Park’s Pen Ponds Café. Back to a team of eight. John and Anne, Julie, Pete, Nigel, Stephen and the back marker, dependable Tim G. 

The pleasant ride through the green Richmond Park was followed by a neat meander around the back streets of East Sheen and Mortlake. Crossing Chiswick Bridge, we used the north of the river towpath, all very gentle and mingling with the pedestrians until a left turn at Barons Court underground station. 
Traffic is now heavier. A lot more vehicles than when we did the recce last week. Turning right onto Hammersmith Road. Oooh, shouts of, “Can we turn right here?” from the group. Of course, we can and did. Our route followed High Street Kensington. Phew, lots of buses and busyness so turning into Kensington Gardens was a welcome relax and let’s take a drink. 

Arwyn’s Group outside Kensington Palace

 

More busyness of traffic as we cycled past the iconic sights of Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey and Houses of Parliament. The Lighthouse pub proved to be a success with secure bike parking, prepared tables and to be able to swiftly serve 25 cyclists. 

A good day out.

Finally, it was so nice to see Paula out and about at the start.

Arwyn
_________________________________________________________________ 

Ray’s Report, Group 3

We set off last at 10.50, starting by walking across Teddington Bridge and cycling off towards Ham Gate where we entered Richmond Park. 

view from Teddington Lock

The trees were looking good with the autumn colours showing up well in the sunlight. At Sheen gate we picked up Dawn and turned left going down via Fife Road towards Chiswick Bridge. Once over the bridge we meandered along the northern side of the river until turning north to enter the busy streets of Barons Court and Kensington.

Enjoying the sunshine along the Thames

Posing before Hammersmith Bridge

 

Here we made slow progress due to the traffic and traffic lights splitting the group up. It was a relief when we entered Hyde Park for a traffic free ride to Hyde Park Corner. For once there were few tourists around which allowed us to cycle under Wellington Arch rather than around it. Then past Buckingham Palace and on to Westminster, with Big Ben looking resplendent in the autumn sunshine. It was then the case of a quick cycle across Chelsea Bridge and into Battersea Park before reaching our lunchtime stop at the Lighthouse Pub.
 

Paul at Buckingham Palace

After lunch we used the quieter back roads and through Clapham where Madeleine left us. On towards Wandsworth Common and Earls Field where Paul and Maggie left. Then through Wimbledon Park and then up the only challenging but short hill of the day, Victoria Drive. Then onto Richmond Park where we had tea in Roehampton Gate Café.

It was a great day out with perfect weather. Our group consisted of Maddie, Tim C, Paul, Maggie (photograph of the day), Anne W, Dawn and our able back marker Mick proved excellent and entertaining company.

Ray

B Group Ride Invitation - Wednesday 29th October.

We shall set off from Banstead (on hill) Day Centre, The Horseshoe, SM7 2BQ and keep at that altitude for a while. The main feature of the day will be the unique opportunity to both descend and ascend the Col de Box, not even the Olympic cyclists did that !

We shall have lunch at the 'Stepping Stones' and then head for Horton for tea. Depending on your route home you may need to bring lights as this will be the first ride after the clocks change.

I you would like to ride, please email me at johnaustin04@yahoo.co.uk by Monday.

J.A.

'A' ride photo & stats from Wednesday 22nd October 2025

 

As a 'slower' group sub-leader, apologies if i was a bit slow...or a bit fast!

Thanks to Dave W for the route & Jennie for backmarking.

My drink of choice is a pint of lime cordial (with tap water) & no two pub prices are the same *except 'Spoons - 75p.

But the Red Lion beats many others....just 35p!

Photos from A's Ride to Lightwater

 

Ride Report: A Group 22 October, Bushy Park to Lightwater

 Dave W had publicised a 25 miles ride from the Pheasantry at Bushy Park to our lunch stop at an old favourite The Red Lion at Lightwater. He advised that although it has its undulating moments, the route was much flatter than typical for an 'A' ride with the route back to tea at Walton Bridge even less hilly and only about 12 miles. 

Unfortunately having done all of the hard preparatory work,  Dave was unable to attend and enjoy the ride,  but remained our virtual or spiritual leader. Thankfully 3 willing volunteers bravely agreed to sub lead from .gpx. History suggested that this task was unlikely to be a doddle. However, no one was quite as keen to volunteer a ride report, so you are stuck with this attempt from me, at least as a starter for 10. Others may want to add their photos or text.. 

Dave’s rides historically have been characterised by a variety of adjectives including, novel, intricate, fiendish, interesting, twisty-turny, different and scenic and this proved to be no exception.  The route from Bushy Park was another magical mystery tour that weaved is spell around various seldom visited leafy lanes, cycleways and byways. For the first 7 miles to Shepperton it hardly seemed it was an urban ride!

Dave had also kindly arranged for it to be one of the nicest Wednesday for cycling for quite some weeks, a chilly start yes, but dry and amazingly the sun did shine to warm our souls from time to time. At times we were cycling through magnificent arches of adjacent bushes and trees with dappled light highlighting the autumnal colours. On the downside sub leaders can struggle with sat nav screen glare at this time of year.

As advertised it was longish stretch to lunch, but groups were pacing themselves carefully to arrive at the DW designated arrival slots. I lost count of the suitable lunch pubs we passed after 30 or so until we finally found the one that suited. 

The Red Lion was as efficient as ever, with the landlord practicing his own version of “how many people can you get in a mini” but with bikes in his tiny, gated courtyard. It was inevitably a bit of a game of Jenga for the first to leave after lunch to extract theirs.

Lunch was served extremely efficiently, with the small price to pay for pre-preparation meaning the “hot” options were somewhat less than hot, but tasty and generous non the less. It very much remains an A group approved pit stop. We were all suitably refreshed and good to go within about 45 minutes.

The pm trip provided for a slightly brisker pace, but with the Wild Brunch slamming the hatches shut at 15:00, the third wave failed to make the cut for refreshments there.

As others have already shared on Watts App, huge thanks to Dave W for organising and for those stepping up to sub lead and back mark. 

Dave V has kindly sent this report for his sub group:

A cool but thankfully dry morning brought all 20 A’s to the Pheasantry in Bushy Park in good spirits and good time for the punctual start requested by Dave’s meticulously detailed instructions. My group included Simon L, Karl, Brian, Clive and enthusiastic back-marker Steve to whom many thanks.

I have learned to expect the unexpected on Dave’s routes and today did not disappoint. Without the benefit of a recce, I was relying on the Garmin to guide me. It coped well with the initial excursion through the hidden by-ways of Hampton and Sunbury. Only on the busy section of A30 did Garmin encourage me to think that Basingstoke rather than Lightwater was a suitable destination for lunch. Thankfully my group had enough of uphill A30 and showed me the correct route, which rewarded us with a long descent to the Red Lion.

We arrived within one minute of Dave’s forecast time, and were welcomed, as previously, by the ever helpful staff, who served our pre-ordered food as we stepped through the door.

The afternoon was straightforward, the sun was out, with autumnal colours everywhere and we made good time to Walton Bridge. Thankfully we arrived before The Wilde Brunch called time on serving customers. Unfortunately our last group on the road were not so lucky.

A good day’s riding, with thanks to Dave W for masterminding it all, including the perfect cycling weather.

First Aid course - why should I do it?

For those wondering what the forthcoming First Aid course will entail, here is my post from the course I attended last year:

Have you ever wondered what you would do if you were faced with a medical emergency whilst out on a ride? I know some of you have had to deal with situations whilst on our weekly rides and it can be a pretty scary experience. Jennie J took the excellent initiative earlier this year to source a cycling specific First Aid course that could be offered to our members. And best of all - CUK have funded it!

8 riders did the course in the spring and it was such a success Jennie arrange another course a few weeks ago which I attended.  Our trainer for the day was Jen Craven who runs Wimbledon First Aid. As a cyclist herself she perfectly understood our needs and tailored the learning to situations we were likely to encounter on a ride.

Jen proved to be a great trainer and placed a lot of emphasis on not immediately diving into a situation, but pausing to assess first using the DRABC (Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing and Circulation) mnemonic. We returned to this when discussing almost all medical emergencies. Jen knows our riding territory well and had an excellent idea should an accident occur around a blind corner: place a bike with a bright coloured jacket draped over it to warn any oncoming vehicles or riders that there was a casualty on the road. 

Perfecting our CPR skills occupied a good part of the course. Jen uses dummies that light up when you are using the correct technique. Many of  the group found it surprisingly exhausting giving effective CPR for a prolonged period of time.

She  highlighted the importance of locating a defib quickly and having the locator app What 3 Words and medical info on our phones for a helper to find should we be unable to give this information. I have  now set up the Apple Health app with emergency contact numbers and any medical issues that can be accessed quickly from the locked screen. 

We now have a total of 20 riders with First  Aid training in the club. If CUK funds allow, hopefully we will be able to offer this course to our members again next year.  Jennie is looking to hold the next one in spring 2025 so keep a look out on the blog (or mention it to Jennie or me) if you are interested in taking part. 

Being faced with a medical emergency can be challenging, especially if it happens in a remote and isolated location. Following the course I think we all felt more confident to deal with a potential situation and give some emergency care. I felt I learned a lot despite having done First aid training in the past. Techniques (particularly CPR) have changed considerably over the years so even if you have done some training this course is great refresher. 

Sue F

 First Aid Course:

Just a update and a reminder, we still have spaces available for our First Aid Course on the 11th November, taking place in the Wimbledon area.

The closing date to register will be Tuesday 28th October, please email me if you wish to participate. My email address is d.jackson49@aol.co.uk

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Yours 

Jennie 

🎄 Christmas Lunch 🎄 (and annual subs)

🎄 Christmas Lunch 🎄

It’s time to get your orders in for Christmas lunch. I know it’s only October, but Santa needs a bit of notice these days!

B group lunch will be on 3rd December and A group on 10th December at the Angel Pub in Thames Ditton. So dig out your Santa gear and let me know your menu choices at pibpaula@icloud.com

You should make the appropriate, very reasonable, payment to the club account along with your £3 subs (message me if you don’t have details)

Ho Ho Ho

 

Paula

 FIRST AID COURSE

To all members:

We are running another First Aid Course, in the Wimbledon area on Tuesday 11th November, in the morning, we have 8 places available. If you’re interested please contact me by email, d.jackson49@aol.co.uk or by What’sApp. Sorry for the short notice, but we’ve had problems with the venue.

More details will follow once we have got them.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Yours

Jennie J

Do Join Me for Next Wednesday's 'A' Ride...

Do join me for next Wednesday's 'A' group ride.   Elleray Hall is, unfortunately, not available for us that day, so we will be starting the ride from The Pheasantry, Bushy Park instead.    It's just under 25 miles from there to our lunch stop at old favourite The Red Lion at Lightwater, but, although it has its undulating moments, the route is much flatter than typical for an 'A' ride (approx 320 metres of height gain, elevenses to tea).   The route back to tea at Walton Bridge is even less hilly and only about 12 miles.   Some surfaced paths are used, but no mud is anticipated, and the route is mainly on tarmac.

If you'd like to join the ride, please e-mail me at cycledave23@gmail.com by 6.00pm on Monday.   We need to pre-order our lunches, so please don't forget to include your choice from the menus below.  Sandwiches, wraps etc come with either chips or salad (included), so please let me know which option you require.   

Please note that I will be sending off our lunch orders to the pub immediately after the 6.00pm booking deadline on Monday, so those making late requests to join the ride will need to contact the pub directly to order food.

Volunteer(s) to lead from .gpx (especially for faster groups) would be most welcome!