Wayfarers Rides March 15th

Graham writes: Apologies for the delay but you may have spotted my running nose. It's still running so I'll be brief. A dozen of us 'A' group headed off between the Wey (river) and Wey (navigation) - a new route to most. It features caravans aplenty, a quarry and two large stiles either side of a railway embankment - reasons enough to find an alternative next time. After New Haw came Byfleet, Muddy Lane, and Pyrford lock. We paused outside the Seven Stars where Steve punctured, before heading along Papercourt Lane to Send, Old Woking and Mayford. After the briefest of visits to Brookwood Cemetery it was downhill to the Cricketers Pirbright for a promptly served lunch. Bob and Mike appeared having been delayed at the start. The route back was Fox Corner, Worplesdon and Jacob's Well, to the A3 where we almost hauled in 'B' group before they turned off up Potters Lane. Ockham Bites was our tea stop. The Ides of March had been a fine day to be out on the bike.

Hello Brian I led 'B' group of Gill, Judy, Bernard (briefly), Cliff, Jon, Les, Norman, Ray H and Robin through Weybridge and Brooklands to Byfleet where we joined the Wey Navigation towpath heading north, crossing via the footbridge to join the Basingstoke Canal towpath. We stayed on the towpath for 8 miles, very scenic and peaceful it was too, noting the local wildlife (many appeared to be sleeping) with just the occasional traffic noise mostly in the Woking area. Leaving the towpath at Hermitage Bridge (west of St. Johns) we rode to The Bird in Hand at Mayford via Blackhorse Road and Saunders Lane. The ride so far had been dry and cloudy but during lunch the sun came out and stayed out. Great! The east wind was still quite cool, though. Ray H left us after lunch when we headed for Ripley via the lanes and cycle track alongside the A3. I left the group and headed for home when we reached Cobham. Terry

Only seven of us 'C' group left Weybridge with my promise of leading to The Nags Head at Sunninghill. There was me, Bill, Allan, Mark, Roger, Harold and Dennis. Mark said he might peel off early, which he did. We turned right off Church Road, through Minorca Road to Portmore Park Road and on to the cycle path to Addlestone. From Prairie Road we took a right turn up Green Lane, thence up Holloway Hill and the next hill past Fan Court, but at the first motorway bridge it was decided, due to the passage of time, to make for a nearer venue, The Crown Grove at Chobham. Bill and Dennis had sandwiches and the rest of us enjoyed the experience of the new enlarged `No Smoking` bar for lunch. An easy ride back through Stonehills and all six of us had tea at my place. Addlestone day centre is closed all this week. I'm not sorry, as it's great having some company off the road! Incidentally weather-wise it was spot-on. All the best Albert

Bob recommends good tyres for his ride next week from Caterham, as bridleways and tracks through country parks will feature prominently.

See you there. Hub.

Author: Pete

DA Photographic Comp Result

The DA Photographic competition winners are now up - with pictures - on the SWLDA website

http://www.aqvm78.dsl.pipex.com/SWLDA/Comps/2006/DA_Photos.htm

Lisa

Author: Lisa

Wayfarers Lunch Venue

Author: Brian Starey

08Mar06 rides

Lunching at The Punchbowl, Julian noted a rare slip-of-the-tongue by Bob, who inadvertently referred to his Tuesday visit to a Wetherspoon pub. We all know what you meant to say, Jimmy.

Hi Brian, writes ‘B’ group leader Lynda. Well, it was a good turn-out at Bockett’s Farm considering the weather forecast. I led Carole, ‘Nita, Liz, Gill, Angie, Terry, Norman, Les, John M, Bernard and Cliff out of the farm and did a left heading towards Bookham. We took another left in the direction of Polesden Lacey to Dorking Road which led to Chapel Lane. It was a hard hill to climb but we were soon rewarded with the downhill to The Stepping Stones. Here it started to rain quite heavily; we continued along the cycle path to Pixham Lane; turned left, then left again along the main road at the top to the right turn to Brockham. We enjoyed a very nice lunch at The Royal Oak, then retraced our route back to Leatherhead, Ashtead, and stopped in Epsom at the Pie Shop (by the Clock Tower) for tea, coffee and a very nice hot chocolate. Lynda.

For ‘C’ group Albert [welcome back, Albert] writes: The day started off cold but not as wet as forecast which may have resulted in the rather low turnout at Claygate. There were just eight of us ‘easy riders‘ led by Dave with Mark, Bill, Roger, Dennis, Ron and me, (alright I know that’s only seven!) en route for the Black Swan (Mucky Duck) at Martyrs Green. I have followed Dave on this route before, starting with a bit of Claygate Common then over the A3 to Princes Covert for some more offroad over Fairmile Common. I checked the name of the Common at the car park, not having heard Dave say ‘ we’re off‘ and asked the driver of a van which of the many paths they had taken. Even so there were many diverse paths along the way and I was glad of the tracks they had made to where they waited. We joined the tarmac to Oxshott, turning off Downside Bridge Road at Plough Lane with the old familiar climb to our lunch venue. Mark left us early on and Dennis had a crank come adrift and was obliged to leave the ride. The rain was rather heavy as we turned into Plough Lane and we caped-up. Happily the sun came out later and we took tea.

Author: Brian Starey

A Group March 8th

A Ride March 8th
The weather forcast was grim! at first it seemed we might have got away with it, after 11s at Bocketts on our way towards Newdigate it became heavy rain until just before lunch at The Punch Bowl, Oakwood Hill. Good friendly service quick and efficient. Leaving- a pleasant tail wind took us to Abinger for tea & cakes, unfortunately the rain returned heavier than ever for the ride home. Julian, Brian, Ray, Jake, Irene, Graham, Pete B, Ed, Vic, Mike, Bob, Jen, all braved the elements. 58 Miles

Author: Pete

March 1st Dinner Day

Another mammoth turnout at Cobham yesterday, including all our seniors except Bill Stead, who Fuzz tells me is doing well. It was great to see Jack Dowson, until recently a regular 'B' leader, looking good but suffering now with dental problems. Most of us (52 in all) were at our annual lunch, this year back at The Foley Arms, where a good meal in the banqueting hall was complemented by our traditional quiz, won in fine style by debutant 'A' leader Julian. As the quiz was prepared in a hurry and re-used some questions from 2001, I was pleased that the winner was seeing all questions for the first time. Well done, Julian - on both counts.
Hi Brian, Hope you had better weather this week! It sounded terrible for last weeks run. I wont say too much about our weather here on Furventura!!! But it's very windy and we have had a few showers the last couple of days. Had our ride out to-day, up-hill for 15 miles into the wind then down hill in the opposite direction (as good as)! We enjoy exploring the dirt roads and finding remote bars!! Today we were chatting to a group of folks who live here and one of the chaps raced against Hugh Porter in his hey day! Plus a few other well-knowns. Must go for it is time for a tipple before dinner - my best wishes to all, Ttfn Pam. PS: how is Irene? Hope she had a smooth house change. [not yet, but soon]
Brian, What a kind and generous gentleman you are, giving up your fish pie for me. I will repay you a thousand fold some time (as you know I am inclined to exaggerate) but seriously which would you like, Marks & Sparks, Iceland, Birds Eye, Young's, etc. etc. Your wish is my command. I won't make next Tuesday's offroad run as I have a meeting in Farnborough Hants. I just spoke to Terry this evening and he has been to see Godfrey this afternoon in St. Helier. He should have gone to St George's yesterday for an angiogram but is still waiting to get in, so we wish him well. I will send him a card to 20 Saint James Ave., Sutton SM1 2TH. Please tell your kid brother that I phoned Myella about accommodation in Dumfries. She was very helpful and sounded very nice on the phone but she is planning to move to Mexico before then but she has offered to send me by e-mail some suggestions (no adverse comments please). It seemed that she lived in a village about 8mls from the base at Heath Hall, so maybe not ideal. Kind regards, Mike M.
Brian, Here is our 'A' ride report: On a glorious, crisp St David's Day, Julian led a group of 19 A riders from Cobham to our annual lunch at the Foley Arms in Claygate--Ed C, Ed S, Graham, Irene, Pete B, Pete M, Grant, Bob, John S, Frank C, Frank H, Rob, Mike, Ray, Toni, Steve +2 (apologies for the missing names). We went via the Black Swan, left at the Hautboy along to Drift Lane and to Effingham Junction, up to Bookham by Little Bookham Street, across Bookham Common to Hundred Pound Bridge, under the M25 and along the track across the Mole to Tilt Road, up Fairmile Lane and Littleheath Lane to Oxshott, through the Crown estate and along the track over the A3 to Claygate and our warm welcome at the Foley Arms. All the best............Julian
Les led a twelve-strong group from Cobham to Claygate, for lunch at Foley Arms via Martyrs Green, Effingham Junction, Effingham, Lower Road, Leatherhead and Oxshott. Dry, sunny. Arrived 12.30 in good time to transport drinks on the long trek from the bar to the dining hall. After lunch members made their own way home.
Hi Brian Eight of us 'C' Group left Cobham shortly after 11.00, Beryl, Bill the Calligrapher, Roger, Dave Davies, John C, Geoff Clarke, Ron Weeden and myself. Weather was fine and sunny but very cold. The closure of Blundells Lane meant a bit of a diversion to get to Oxshott. From the Oxshott road we turned into Fairoak Lane, then through the Covert Wood to emerge into Claygate. For reasons I will not go into now [shame], I had not managed to get myself a place at the Foley Arms lunch. We had made quite good time, arriving at Foley Road at about 12.15 so I pointed the six who were going to lunch in the direction of The Foley Arms and Ron and I made for the Claygate day centre. There we met Maria and Tom Fish who were just on their way to lunch. I hope my six arrived safely at the luncheon and everyone had a good time. For myself I had a most economical lunch of sandwiches and coffee at the day centre and then made my way slowly home. Cheers Mike Withers
It's Claygate again next week for those not venturing into the wilds of Bockett's Farm, so see you wherever.

It would appear from my computer that Godfrey has been shipped out.
Hopefully, all will be well at St George's for him. He will be
Discharged from St George's to home and not back here to St Helier. I popped up to see him on Monday and he looked and said he felt very well, so lets keep our fingers crossed. He must have had an awful ride home, poor thingey.

Hope to be out next Wednesday, so see you all then.

Angie x

Author: Pete

Wayfarers Lunch 1st March

Author: Ray Dare