B Group Ride Report - 29th April '26

A bright, fine but windy day set the scene for today’s proceedings. A handful of early birds met for morning refreshment at the portable cafe at the far end of Long Ditton recreation ground while others gathered outside the Village Hall. The AGM meeting ran smoothly and matters covered in record time. Congratulations to all those involved. 

Team John A

Twenty two cyclists spread over three groups left a little earlier than planned to enjoy the fine but bracing and breezy conditions ahead. Mick A kindly took photos of each group just before their departure. 

Team Francis D'S

Our morning ride took us on a meandering route via Claygate, Esher, Walton, Weybridge to Chertsey where we enjoyed lunch at the Bridge Hotel. Service was prompt and efficient in relaxed and comfortable surroundings.  

Team Tim G

Breezy conditions persisted as we later headed alongside the river to Laleham then Shepperton, Sunbury and Hampton to our final destination at Bushy Park. A few off-road sections were included for added interest. Fortunately all went well and there were no issues. Cyclists from each group enjoyed tea at the  Pheasantry Cafe outside in the warm sunshine. 

Thanks to everyone who made today’s ride a success, to my two subbies John A and Francis D’S and to our three back markers. Always a pleasure to plan and enjoy a ride that is appreciated by all involved. A good day had by all !

TimG. 

Arthur Jessop Award 

I was so thrilled to hear about the presentation of the Arthur Jessop Cycling Award. Thank you so much for this recognition. 

Being a part of The Wayfarers has been such a rewarding experience for me, and it means a lot to know that my contributions have made an impact. I truly appreciate joining such a wonderful list of the others that have received it.

Thank you once again for this honour.

Yours 

Jennie J

Ride Report - Hilly 50k Saturday 25th April

This year’s Hilly 50k attracted a bigger bunch of riders than previous years. Was it the dry roads and perfect weather, or the promise of fewer potholes on the newly revised route? Or dare I say it, the absence of Sheephouse and Whitedown?  Or more likely, a mixture of reasons.

As well as the normal support from H50-hardened Wayfarers, we had significantly increased female support, and from B group members. So many riders that the usual “sensibly paced” group ride had to be split into two, led by Andy C and me. In addition there was a group of seasoned Saturday “Beginners” led by Steve W.    

We also had impressive support from Bella Velo (thanks Frances) Teddington Velo and Wimbledon Windmilers.    

   

     

In all 45 riders on the road, with a strong showing from the home team.

                                    

Andy’s group left on time around 10am with my group about 5 minutes later, with Peter S backmarking (thanks Peter). My group soon settled into a pattern of climbing at our preferred pace, then regrouping at the top, with occasional briefing on the next stage. 

All the groups (Andy’s, Steve’s and mine) met up for refreshments at the King’s Head Shop in Holmbury, where the staff coped admirably with our numbers, which well exceeded the estimate I had given them.     

After leaving Holmbury we descended, and rode some beautiful lanes, before the shock of Pitch Hill, which was the first of a quartet of afternoon climbs (Combe Lane, Crocknorth and Box Hill). Despite the climbing there was good evidence that we were beginning to enjoy ourselves.    

And there were some nice descents too, with chances to admire the scenery or, if you prefer, the bluebells.

All the groups arrived atop Box Hill before 3.30 where we were checked in by Terry, and delighted to find Christina had arranged a welcome feast with Sabina’s help.    

  

Special thanks are due to Maggie J who organised signing-in from early morning, and Terry who stayed to the finish, checking riders as they returned.      

Thanks also to Steve W, Paul J, Andy C, Tim C (IT support and team photographer) and Christina (finishers feast).

This year Mike Morley’s son Tim was away and he and his team will be riding  on May 16^th. So far we have collected around £1,170 for St Raphael’s, and the JustGiving site remains open for further donations, which are all much appreciated.

P.S. There's a link to Steve W's excellent Beginners report here.

P.P.S. Click here for a full collection of photos.

B Group Ride 29th April '26

You are invited to join us for next week's B group ride after our annual AGM at Long Ditton Village Hall. We will be heading out towards Chertsey via Walton-on-Thames for lunch at 'The Bridge' Hotel. The afternoon ride will return back via Sunbury-on-Thames for tea at Hampton Court.

Please reply by Monday evening to be added to the ride list.

Email - timgibbons1@virginmedia.com

WhatsApp - 07756961505

Look forward to seeing you all on Wednesday.

TimG.

A Group Ride Report 22 April - Leatherhead to Warnham

It was a beautiful Spring Day for a bike ride along the country lanes of Surrey and West Sussex, down to Warnham for lunch at The Sussex Oak. Bluebells, Spring sunshine, a 700 year old church, a duck pond and village pub. Not much more to be said really. But here are some photos to prove it:

Thank you to Dave and Brian for sub-leading. Thanks also to Mike for back marking and to the rest of my group for the company. Sorry for covering you all in sealant.

Dave’s Report

Our group (Andy C, Jennie, Dave W, Francis, Ged and Guy) set off on familiar roads, until I went off piste and took them up to Abinger Common. We wondered why Brian's group who passed us on Ranmore had managed to get back in front at Forrest Green. After that it was plain sailing down a bumpy Weare St. to the pub in Warnham.

Dave W and Ged left us there, and we set off for tea at the Reading Room, Brockham. Thanks to Dave W for back marking on the way out and Jennie on the way back.

Brian’s Report

My group of seven were Sue C, Sue F, Gill H, Gina, Neil W and Dave F. We were overtaken by Clive's group just before the Ranmore cross roads and then by Dave E's group while we stopped just after. That wasn't the last we saw of Dave's group though as they appeared behind us (!) at Forest Green and we saw them again briefly after Weare Street.

The pub did well with all three groups there together and we were on our way again withing an hour. 

It was a lovely day to be riding but the wind was cold and the dappled shade in the lanes made it difficult to read the road surface ahead. Parts of Weare Street were particularly challenging. The afternoon ride was uneventful but the wind seemed colder and stronger. It was good to be over the top at Rusper but Clive had routed us via Charlwood so there was still Norwood Hill to conquer before it was mostly downhill to Brockham.

My thanks to Clive for an interesting variation on previous routes to Warnham, to my group for their company and to Dave F for back marking.

Here’s the route:

Invitation to A Group Ride from Long Ditton on the 29th of April

 Please join me on my ride from Long Ditton following the AGM on the 29th of April.  

(Long Ditton Village Hall, 2 Ewell Road, Long Ditton, KT6 5LE).

Lunch is at Epsom Wetherspoon’s (pre-order not required).

It's about 6 miles to lunch and 17 miles to tea at the Flying Saucer Café in Bourne Hall in Ewell with about 1300 feet of climbing. The majority of that is up to Headley via Lodge Bottom Road. There is a short unpaved section through Ashtead common.

Please use Spond to say if you want to join the ride. You will receive an invite on Friday.

If you want to join the ride and are not yet a member of the Spond group please let me know on my e-mail: kmitch1963@gmail.com and I will arrange to have you added.

I look forward to seeing you.

B Group Ride 22nd April - Leatherhead Return

Francis begins with;

What a surprise to have 24 people sign up for the ride, I guess this was due to the hot, sunny weather and the first long day ride of 39 miles ‘figure of 8’ through scenic countryside south of Leatherhead.

My co-leaders describe their respective rides much more eloquently than I could mine, so I will just add a couple of highlights from my group.

After the usual warm hospitality at the Fairfield Centre, my first group, consisting of Steph, Brenda, Carolyn, Dave C (back-marker p.m), Alan C and Chris McC (back-marker a.m), left on time.

I thought it odd that we left 10 or minutes before Tim G’s group yet we arrived pretty much the same time at The Plough pub. It turned out, his group sailed through ‘closed road barriers’ waved through by workmen smitten by certain sweet-talking, whilst I had to lead my group on the long diversion. Not that I’m grumbling of course!

The wonderful Plough pub staff pulled out all the stops when the first 2 groups happen to arrive together and served us all promptly with good lunches. However, the last group did have to wait longer than expected but out in the sunny beer garden, it wasn’t too much of a worry.

Despite the long morning ride of 22 miles with a few steep hills and shall we say, ‘upward slopes’ and a post lunch 17 miles ride, all made their way round admirably and some extended their enjoyment with a cuppa at Lucio’s.

My thanks as usual to my co-leaders Tim G and Stephen.

 

Tim G continues with:

A perfect start to a perfect April ride. The sunny conditions lasted all day and provided us with ideal conditions for today’s adventure. My group of eight left promptly from Leatherhead and headed up and out towards Headley whereupon we met with a road closure at the top of Clay Lane. The ladies applied some delicate feminine persuasion to convince the road workers to let us pass through without let or hindrance. It worked perfectly!

Up and over Headley Heath and swiftly down to Betchworth we were soon on our way via Brockham, Henfold to Newdigate. The off-road section through Cudworth was dry and we then headed up to Leigh where we caught up with the first group and jointly arrived at ‘The Plough’ for lunch. Service was prompt and efficient and everyone enjoyed a welcome break outside in the continued April sunshine.

Our afternoon ride was not without a few more hills but nevertheless followed some attractive country lanes and scenic vistas. Tea at ‘Lucio’s’ in Leatherhead attracted a number from all three of today’s groups and provided an opportunity for positive reflection on today’s excursion. A good day had by all!

 

Stephen ends with;

The third group consisted of Alan I, Robert T, Mick A, Maggs M, Tim C (who kindly back-marked) and Stephen H as co-leader. After the earlier riders had departed, we were briefly able bask in peace in the Leatherhead sunshine. The weather was so lovely, and the promised ride so varied and attractive, that we suppressed any temptation to skip the challenges ahead and just walk 200 yards directly to the planned tea stop. Instead, we roused ourselves and set forth.

All went well. The sun shone and the sky was blue. The morning ride - around 22 miles - started with a haul up to Headley - including a little self-help to get past some roadworks - followed by the sharp descent towards Brockham. At this point the roads turned more rural as we headed south, with the fields and woods beautiful in the Spring weather. Just to shake things up, there were a couple of short but sharp rises, and later a half-mile or so of gravel, before the turn back north towards Leigh. By this time thoughts were turning to lunch and ‘Are we nearly there?’ was beginning to turn in our minds (and sometimes words).

Lunch in the garden of the Plough was excellent. Robert fraternised with some fellow Canadians (though apparently they came from the wrong end of the country). Maggs opted to head straight home, but we were joined by Terry for the (shorter) afternoon leg back to Leatherhead. Francis had cunningly included a recycled section of the morning route, but it was so pleasant in the Spring sunshine that we were happy to enjoy it one more time. Finally, the familiar ride back to Leatherhead and a welcome tea at Lucio’s. Altogether an excellent day out with much variety, wonderful weather and great company.

Cycle Jumble

Off the Beaten Tracks

Norwesters Ride. 

22, April Molesey Boat House to Ashley Park Inn, Walton on Thames.
Another amazingly conceived and executed Magical Mystery Jaunt.
By Tony Hopkins.

Tony, Paula, Gill, Pam, Martina, Pete, Grant, Ray, Matina; Bob, left the boathouse, full of the joys. The day was bright, the wheels were round, the birds were singing, West Molesey, East Molesey, Thames Ditton hold on, 9 left the ‘Eight on the River café, only 6 have made the right turn onto Ash Path oops. A quick recycle, our leader is very keen on conservation, of numbers that is, located Pam, Martina Pete, the only Ray to be seen was that of sunshine, would he ever be seen again? Contact was made and a meeting point down route was agreed, onwards. Weston Green, 

Thames Ditton & Esher Golf Club, nearly Hinchley Wood, circumnavigating Claygate via the common, and  back to Claygate to meet Ray. Ray? Ray? We searched The Foley, in the garden, under the tables, all the loos, no Ray. Beginning to believe that we would never see him again, we pressed on. The route, had been and continued to be absolutely fascinating, off road, on road and sometimes even in the direction of our destination.

On from Claygate, into Esher more marvellously interesting twists turns and unventured cut throughs, around Hersham and on to Ashley Park. Eight of us ate lunch. Back home was no less interesting, out of Ashley Park, another smooth off road section and then to most people’s amazement Walton Bridge was in front of us, Lower Halliford, Shepperton, Upper Haliford and followed the river home.   And Ray? While we were lunching, he was munching, beans on toast at home.

Lovely day thanks again Tony.

Bob Pannell

Invitation to B Group Ride 22nd April - Leatherhead

You are all most welcome to join my ride from the Fairfield Centre, 11, High St, Leatherhead KT22 8AH.

With summery weather and longer daylight hours, my ride route is 39 miles in total, 22 miles in the morning and 17 miles in the afternoon.

In the morning, we ride up to Headley and down to Betchworth, Parkgate, Newdigate all on familiar roads. The afternoon ride winds it way back eventually to Leatherhead.

Lunch is at The Plough in Leigh. No pre-orders are required but you may wish to familiarise yourself with their menu in advance. https://www.theploughleigh.co.uk/copy-of-home

Tea is at Lucio’s Coffee and Deli, Leatherhead high street, and it closes at 5pm.

I will be joined by my dependable co-leaders Tim G and Stephen H.

If you would like to join the ride, please email me directly on fdsilva82@gmail.com

before 6pm Monday evening please.

Looking forward to seeing you on Wednesday. 

Francis

Pinnocks : changed hours

I called in at Pinnocks at Ripley a couple of weeks ago and they displayed their new hours as of April 1. They now close at 4pm Monday - Friday rather than 5 which might call for an alternative on some summer rides. 

Invitation to A Group Ride from Leatherhead 22nd April

Next week's ride will be from Leatherhead's Fairfield Centre.

Lunch is in Warnham. at The Sussex Oak (pre-order not required).

It's about 23 miles to lunch and about 16 miles to tea at the Old Post Office in Betchworth with 2,200 feet of climbing, all on road.

Please use Spond to say if you want to join the ride. You will receive an invitation to join the ride from Spond shortly after 6pm on Friday.

If you want to join the ride and are not yet a member of the Spond group please let me know (clive.janes@gmail.com) and I will add you.

A RIDE FROM WEYBRIDGE 15/04/26

Clive J wrote:

It was a pretty gloomy morning when I set off for Weybridge. But it was good to try out the new elevenses venue at the Community Hub. There aren’t many places around there where we can all get together for elevenses so it was good to find out about this one. We will be returning in July.

A steady drizzle had set in when it was time for my group to depart (Fiona, Dave B, Dave E, Mike R, Guy, Patrick, Andy  and Peter S). So we donned rain jackets and set off on Jennie’s route which started out quite flat taking us through Walton, Molsey and on to Claygate. I learned that some of this was included in the Olympic time trial route in 2012. The course became more undulating after Claygate culminating with Hurst Road just before lunch at The Chequers in Walton-ont’-Hill. 

Those that ordered the sausage sandwich had a very long wait indeed. In fact one of the staff, armed with a till receipt and the pre-order list, came over to tell us that we had already received our sausage sandwiches! But it became quite evident to her that we had not, in fact, received the sandwiches so she went away again.  Eventually the sandwiches turned up and the manager came over to apologise for the delay and to then accuse of calling one of his staff an ‘incompetent fool’. Which none of us had done!We was innocent!

Enough now about the pub; I won’t go in to Dave B’s cancellation of his order and the subsequent delivery of it to the table.

Upon exiting the pub, the Sun started breaking through the cloud and Andy set up his camera for a group photo.

We headed South in much nicer weather than the morning but with a new stiff head wind to contend with. After going up Root Hill the course started to turn North along Blackbrook Rd. so the wind became a tail wind for most of the way back to the chapel café in Horton. Where we were surprised to discover Jennie’s group already there enjoying tea and cake. This is despite the fact they were still polishing off their lunch at The Chequers when we left for the afternoon ride! Perhaps Jennie will explain how this was possible in her report.

Thanks to my group for the company, Fiona for back marking, to Jennie for organising everything and to Geoff for the sausage roll.

Jennie J wrote:

 The new venue for elevenses at the Weybridge Library Hub, was excellent, very welcoming and helpful, a good selection of cakes and savouries.

16 riders left in two groups to make our way over to Walton on the Hil for our lunch stop at The Chequers, about 21 miles in distance. We followed a familiar route taking the river to Walton on Thames, towards Esher and onto Littleworth Common and into Claygate. From there to the outskirts of Epsom, then up Hurst Road to The Chequers pub.

After lunch, as we were somewhat delayed and taking into consideration of the forecast weather, we changed the original route to shorten it by about 4 miles to arrive in time for tea and refreshments at the Horton Cafe.

A big thank you to Clive for being my sub-leader and to Neil W for back marking in the morning and Simon L after lunch.

Thanks to everyone for your company on the ride

Obviously Clive in his report has covered the problems at the pub with the food, enough to say that it was very unfortunate and it will be a while before we use that establishment again.

Yours

Jennie 

B ride report for Wednesday 15th April Weybridge - West End - Hampton Court

We had a good turnout of 24 riders on Wednesday for our ride to the Hare and Hounds in West End. Despite a rather mixed forecast  no one cancelled on the day and we headed out from Weybridge in three groups led by my trusty subs Gill H and Tim C.  I think there was unanimous agreement that Clive J had played a blinder in finding The Hub cafe above Weybridge Library as a new 11's venue; great baked goods, lovely service and pristine toilets! What more could a  group of Wayfarers require?

Gill H's report:

Our new venue at Weybridge was very well received with good bike parking and a lovely welcome. Coffee was acceptable but pastries a big hit! 

Our team of John, Lillian, Stephanie, Fixie, Robert, Tony, Keith and Gill started in rain which, though light, seemed to drench us and drop the temperature somewhat.  Once we hit the inclines and the sun made a comeback all was well. The route across Chobham Common was very pleasant and we arrived at the Hare and Hounds to a flurry of pink blossom! 

We avoided any further rain on our pm ride through leafy lanes and along familiar roads back to Hampton Court. Playing cat and mouse with the first group due to a combination of toilet stops, a wrong turn on my part and sadly Geoff’s dismount, we arrived at Coppernose first and found it quite a comfortable tea stop. Plenty of seats both in and out for future reference.

Thanks to my two back markers, Tony and Keith, and the rest of the group for their lovely company. Thanks Sue for a most enjoyable route. 

My report:

I don't think I have anything that can be usefully added to Gill's report apart from mentioning Geoff's tumble and the magnificent way my group responded. Initial DRABC (Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing, Circulation) established and an ambulance summoned there was excellent  'outside the box' thinking.  Caroline summoned her husband to collect Geoff's bike, Chris M began work on clearing the thorny shrubs to make it easier for the paramedics to extricate Geoff and Alan collected details from the very kind couple who stopped to help.   

Thankfully, Geoff has just sustained some nasty bruising and hopefully he will be back out riding with us again soon. 

And a lovely picture of Tim's group outside the Hare and Hounds! 

Notice of the AGM for CTC South West London

 

Notice: The AGM for CTC South West London will commence at 11:00 on Wednesday 29 April in the Long Ditton Village Hall (Upper Hall)

Long Ditton Village Hall, 2 Ewell Road, Long Ditton, KT6 5LE

N.B. This location marked below proved popular from a show of hands in favour at the last AGM and was therefore retained for this year. An exhibition of photos from this year’s annual competition will be available to view before and after the AGM. Ride leaders please allow a short time for this before heading off afterwards

 Signing in sheets will be circulated once you are sitting down. The AGM Agenda, 25/26 Annual Report, Treasurer's Report and Minutes of the 2025 AGM, will be available to read download or print at home in advance online via links. Unlike previous years, other than 30 A4 copies of the agenda, no other paper copies will be provided. Please take the time and trouble to do so as this will help the meeting run smoothly and get us all back on our bikes quicker. 😀

We have to vacate the Hall and return it “as found” by 13:00. No rubbish please. (Many hands made light work of this last year, thank you.)

There is no official bike parking but there are plenty of sturdy railings around the building within sight of the meeting room windows and, less securely, the park over the road.  Security however cannot be guaranteed, so please feel free to use your more secure locks and ideally please “double up” with someone in your subgroup to both save bike parking space and increase security.👍.

Please send any apologies via my email dlferrett@hotmail.com rather than any subgroup WhatsApp’s.

NB:  Links to read/download the AGM documents :

AGM 25/26 Agenda

25/26 Annual Report

25/26 Treasurers Report

AGM 24/25 Minutes

Posted 13/04/2026