Invitation to the B Group Guildford ride on 12th August

You are cordially invited to join Francis and myself for the annual train-assisted Guildford ride, meeting at the Yvonne Arnaud Centre for Elevenses and riding to The Barley Mow in Tilford for Lunch. As usual this will be a chance to explore some unfamiliar but lovely terrain.

During a recce I found that our usual route (cycling and walking) from the station to the theatre was closed and that may still be the case.

I recommend riding a bike with robust touring or 'gravel' tyres due to some parts of the route which are a bit soft and complicated, other parts are rough, there are occasional tree roots, mounds of horse poo, and other bumps to negotiate.

It is essential that we pre-order our lunches as the pub is often very popular on an unpredictable basis and they don't have a very big kitchen.

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During our recce we noticed that a 10% service charge was added in the bill. 

There is a separate Pizza shop at the pub. I am not clear whether pizzas can be pre-ordered but I believe that they can be delivered to our table wherever we decide to sit. If the weather is hot it is very pleasant sitting inside where it is cool and breezy.

 

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Due to ride departure times which will allow most of us to catch trains after 9:30, and the several stretches on unpaved tracks, our route offers fewer miles than usual, but for the most part they are high quality miles.

Departure times are expected to be 11:00 and 11:10

    Morning: Guildford to Tilford: 14.3 miles, ride time: 2 - 2¼ hrs (estimate)
    Afternoon: Tilford to Guildford: 12 miles, ride time: 1 hr 40 mins (estimate)

This is the route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/55520435 

For anyone wanting afternoon tea after the ride, if your train timetable permits, we can visit Frida's Coffee House in Fays Passage.

Some specimen times for trains to Guildford:

• Wimbledon direct, 9:19 -> 10:09 (but miss out on reduced fare)
• Wimbledon direct, 9:49 -> 10:39 (probably no time for a cuppa before departures)
• Wimbledon, change at Woking, 9:36 -> 10:24 

• Surbiton direct, 9:28 -> 10:09 (but probably(?) miss out on reduced fare)
• Surbiton direct, 9:58 -> 10:39 (probably no time for a cuppa before rides depart)
• Surbiton, change at Woking, 9:30 -> 10:02
• Surbiton, change at Woking, 9:44 -> 10:24

Please confirm your intention to join the ride as soon as you can and please let me know what you'd like from the menus, pizza if you wish.

~ Tim and Francis