Report for B Group - 27th May

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

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

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

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

Brenda with her elite team at the DC

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

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

Brenda and team near Newlands Corner

 

On the Drove Road (NDW)

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

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

 

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

At the top of the climb

On the Shere Road climb

Mick storming to the top

Lunch at The Barley Mow

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

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

In Esher Common

 

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

~ Tim C