Angies Ride

I managed to get a day off work to go on the Wednesday ride and there were so many cyclists at North Cheam it was quite overwhelming!!
Anyway, Bob went off with his merry ladies and gents on their mystery ride, but I decided I wasn't up for a mystery so Dave Aylett, Godfrey, Lorraine and I went on our own mystery ride. After a bit of shouted discussion whilst we rode and a change of leader we made our way out to Cobham Day Centre for 11s. Then made our way via Effingham, etc back to Leatherhead and good old Wetherspoons for lunch.
Returned, I must say I felt a bit wobbly after a large glass of red wine, round the back streets of Ashstead and Epsom and home. Had a goodish ride (30 miles for me), a lovely day and thanks to my companions.
Angie x

Author: Pete

Bob's Mystery Ride

At North Cheam the pavements teemed with riders; well over thirty I counted. Some were for Leatherhead so Bob's mystery ride started in confusion.

Eventually we gathered and headed off through Worcester Park, Malden Manor and Tolworth, down a less than fragrant Lower Marsh Lane and into Kingston where elevenses were taken in the upmarket (for us) Riverside Cafe.
A late arriving Mike swelled our ranks to 21. That's too many names to recall but, believe me, the usual A & B suspects all were present. Speculation about our destination was rife as next we crossed the Thames. Bushy Park was entered at Hampton Wick Gate and left at Hampton Hill Gate. A partial lap of Fulwell Golf Course was followed by a westerly run along the Crane River where we paused at the Shot Tower.
After a soupcon of suburbia, Bob's route now took us across Hounslow Heath (pathless and bumpy) and past the Cavalry Barracks and beyond. A hair-raising crossing of Henlys Roundabout (A4/A30 junction) was the prelude to more suburbia but soon we were on the Grand Union Canal just below Southall. Two to three miles later, we turned off into Stockley Park (according to Bob, an old gasworks, TQ080804) and The White House (naturally Wetherspoons) where lunch was taken on the terrace overlooking a lake. Our return was back along the canal and through its five tiresome "anti-biker" gates. Toni's first puncture was just before Southall.
Turning off at Norwood Green we entered Osterley Park to admire Adam's Osterley House of 1761 (in truth, an early loo stop). Continuing down the main drive and across the A4 took us into Isleworth. The Thames was reached for the second time at Old Isleworth; we switched to the Surrey shore in Richmond and continued along the river bank. Near Teddington Lock (under reconstruction - diversion in place) we lost Toni for the day to a second puncture. The Kingston YMCA on the old Hawker's site was the spot for leisurely refreshment before we dispersed our various ways. Warm and sunny, and under 40 miles (for me) - many thanks to Bob for a very enjoyable day.
Graham Hill
0208 549 0366
if you want to include all those names, please do! well there was you, me, Ed....

Author: Pete

Les Johnston

Thinking of you out cycling tomorrow. We did boat trip today with great bbq on secluded beach must have been 40deg we may hire bikes one day
Les and Barbara Johnston

Author: Pete

Shattered Editor going Sou'West

Thanks Frank for what you call a moderately brisk pace. I know you were trying to avoid the hills but on your superb Pearson Fixed Steed its amazing how you go up hill so well with one gear. I think we will have to create a Super A Group meeting the stragglers at lunch. Being under the weather I struggled on the back for most of the day, along with Pete M, causing me to secretly feel inside that we should re-name you for the day by putting a "B" in front of your leader status. I must thank Graham publicly for waiting in Guildford for the stragglers. The flat route was already proving challenging with more to come.
Equally I must congratulate Ray for falling in a ditch in such a way that you came out unharmed and smelling of stings and scratches only, you must be so strong and as we all know superbly fit. I look forward to returning to my normal self soon or join the "B" or "C" group until rejuvenated. My thanks to Toni for gently nursing over Little Switzerland and Hedley to Walton on the Hill. I too did 51mls on the day but it seemed more like 81, which I guess is the age of Ray!

Author: mike morley

B Group Sept 5th

Cliff led a group of 11, including Gill, Judy, Liz, (ladies first) Bernard, Norman, Nev, John G, Les and Neil and who have I forgotten! We exited Cobham via Downside Road, right at Plough lane and over Martyr's Green to the B3289, where we turned right and a left at Guileshill Lane down to Hungry Hill.
Turning right at Tithesbarnes Lane we joined the A247 to West Clandon and to the traffic lights on the A25.
Here to avoid the heavy traffic to Guildford, we crossed forward to Dorking and met our first real hill of the day climbing to just short of Newlands Corner,. not too many joyful faces at this! Turning right we took the small downhill and rough road back to Merrow and turned left back onto the A25. A left at Tangier Road took us up the aptly named Tangier heights [our second nasty hill which our leader failed to climb] and took a left.
We continued to White Lane and along the downs with lovely views through a series of impressive properties, all having extensions to already big houses, such is having money. At the T junction we turned into Albury and through to a right turn at New Road. At the top of another hill it was a left turn into Park Road and to lunch at the William IVth at Little London. We all enjoyed lunch mostly Sandwiches, but pretty good as the other options were fairly big meals and a bit pricy.
Out of the Pub we turned left up to the railway bridge south of Shere and turned into Hook Lane, Keeping left we went into Pursers Lane and then left at Hoe Lane and at the end turned right onto the B2126. And left at The Volunteer took us into Raikes hollow and then Raikes Lane up to the A25 and thence to Dorking and Denbies for tea where we the A team before splitting for home. I clocked 51miles.

Author: Pete

C Group Sept 5th

Good turnout at Cobham; probably on account of the weather which was quite a bit warmer than recently. Roger led the ride with Lynda, Fuzz, Dave, Bill and Pat M., Mike, Bill (Albert), Jonothan, Lisa, Mark, Ron, Dennis and me. We set off up Plough Lane for the usual detour to have lunch at The New Inn at Send. We encountered several very large trucks on the single track road near Send prison and managed to squeeze past by almost becoming one with the roadside shrubbery. It was Cobham for tea and I left the others at the end of Tannery Lane, glad to avoid another encounter with the traffic on the Byfleet Road! Thanks for a nice ride Roger. I`ve attached a couple of pictures. Hope they download ok ---------------------- Albert

Author: Pete

A Group Sept 5th

A Team Report From Frank Cubis

We left Cobham sharp at eleven numbering 17 consisting of Don & Richard from the Redmon CC, Ed, Rob, Toni, Graham, Ray, Pete’s M & B, John’s S, N & B, Vic, Julian & Sou’Wester Editor Mike M.

Heading for I know not where, I thought it was Ewhurst but lunch was on the Bookhurst Road, Cranleigh, via Ockham, Ripley, Burntcommon, Burpham, Guildford Town centre onto the A281 to Shalford then took the lane to Wonersh then Shamley Green then Smithwood Common to lunch at The Little Park House Pub, where we ate outside and many found the helpings just to large for comfort. From lunch it was through Ewhurst, Forest Green where 16 of us negotiated a tight right hander and Ray was seen untangling himself from his steed in a ditch, fortunately with just a few scratches and nettle stings, the group broke up a little here not knowing of our super fit Octogenarian’s plight.
Dropping down into Ockley to the A29 it was a left and right into Cole’s Lane, across the A24 to Capel to Newdigate, Blackbrook were we more or less regrouped to Pixham Lane to Denbies for tea, there we found the B group just beating us to the counter. From Cobham to lunch was 18 miles, the same distance from lunch to Denbies, ridden at a fairly brisk pace.

Author: Pete