A Group 10 June '09

A dispiriting weather forecast was confirmed by a peep through the curtains. However, a break in the clouds encouraged a rainless sprint to St Martin’s, Dorking. The congregation swelled till near departure time, then once again the clouds closed in and the rain came down with what seemed like implacable malevolence. To go, or not to go? That was the question. Undaunted, a web-footed gaggle of cycling waterfowl waddled out to paddle forth. Behind them, peering out of the aquarium fronted porch of St Martin’s, the aquaphobic followers of the Church of Meteorology looked on in horror as they contemplated a hasty return to homesteads dry.

Thus, the amphibious flotilla set off for Holy Trinity, Westcott, comprising Brian, Ed, Jeff, John, Julian, Mark, Ray and Vic. No sooner had we commenced the climb of Logmore Lane than the sun was shining on the righteous. Perhaps we were rising above the clouds, the rain now history for the rest of the excursion. Emerging onto Coldharbour Lane, there were still a few more metres yet to climb to Coldharbour. The reward was an ergonomic freebie all the way from Christ Church down to Stane Street, no need to pedal even once! The same again to Ockley (this really is too easy), before we leave the Roman Way at Cathill Lane. As we pass the lane to the Church of St John the Baptist, some riders to the rear are distracted by a flash of lycra and find they are playing tag with the tailend of the B Group. Is somebody playing one big joke on us?

Reunited with the waiting vanguard, the fleet continues on its steady way through the familiar lanes of Walliswood and Ellen’s Green, to bypass Rudgwick and find its lunchtime mooring at the Mucky Duck at Tisman’s Common. This pleasant pub was very quiet; we had the dining room to ourselves, the food enjoyable. Having identified the problems and solutions for many of the ills of the world, we make an unhurried shuffle to prepare for the homeward stretch.

Mark’s map identifies the northward route we took, heading for Ewhurst, where the armada split into three, with Ray and Julian branching off along Plough Lane, while Brian with Ed was delayed by a slow puncture. Our apologies to both for not waiting long enough at the Bull, before we set off into the hills up Shere Road, Ewhurst Road to Peaslake. Here, we doubled back on ourselves to climb up Radnor Road, share a word at the top with a young ‘grimpeur’ in training for L’Alpe d’Huez (as so is Mark), before the descent to Holmbury St Mary. Up Pasturewood and round Leith Hill took us back to Coldharbour, the descent to Dorking and the newly leafing vines of Denbies. Here we found Ed and Brian, patiently waiting beside the bike stands, for the arrival of the lunatic fringe. Just time for a pot of tea and reproachful word for all those ups and downs, before we slip away into the watery, late afternoon sunshine.

The distance Dorking to Dorking no more than 41 miles, with a door to door supplement to take it up to 58 in total.

Jeff

Author: Jeff

A Group 10 June

Here are today's route and telemetry - 40.8 miles, 2766 feet of ascent, moving average 11.8 mph and 1941 calories, elevenses to tea.

Click on either image to enlarge.

Author: Mark G

B Group June 3rd

Here is my report on today's B Ride

On an ideal cycling day (neither too cold nor too hot) 20 of us left Cobham for today's B ride. Twenty being an uncomfortably large number, I set off at a fast pace in an attempt to drop a few off the end. In this I was unsuccessful, although Godfrey left us after a few minutes to return home because he had a slow puncture. From Martyrs Green, we crossed Wisley airfield to Elm Corner and the footbridge over the A3 and proceeded through Wisley and Pyrford to Woking. Taking the canal path through Woking Centre we passed thru' Castle Green and Chobham and on to lunch in the garden of The Brickmakers near Windlesham. After lunch,we returned by a different route to Chobham and via Gracious Pond Road to Stonehill. Here, our dozy ride leader missed the right turn into Foxhills Road which would have taken us into Ottershaw. So we took the next (off-road) right turn through Homewood Park, emerging on the Guildford Road about 1 km North of Ottershaw. Here our leader made a very stupid mistake and, instead of continuing South on the Guildford Road, we turned East onto St Peters Way, a very fast 6 lane dual carriageway feeder road for the M25. Unable to turn back we had to negotiate the dangerous roundabout above junction 11 of the M25 and eventually emerged on the Chertsey Road at Woburn Hill. From here, and with the help of Pam, we safely crossed Addlestone to tea at the new ice-cream parlour at Crockford Bridge Farm. After tea we continued through the farm to Cox's Mill and took the Wey Navigation towpath to Weybridge where we dispersed to our various homes.

John Gould

Author: Pete

A Group June 3rd

Grantley Arms - Wonersh

Author: Jeff

A Group Ride 3 June

Author: Mark G

A Group June 3rd

A good collection of ‘A’ group riders assembled at Cobham, no doubt attracted by the balmy May sunshine. Present were Toni, Pete B, Pete M, Vic, a quartet of Johns, A, B, M & S, Mark, Will, Ray, Julian, Ian, Frank, Don, Grant, (back in harness after his accident), Jeff, Bob and Rob.
Today’s route took us due South along Plough Lane and through Ockham before starting the inevitable climbing up Hungry Hill Lane to East Clandon. Crossing the A246 meant a further climb up Staple Lane, where Pete B and Ray had to leave us, before the rapid descent down Coombe Bottom and across the A25 into Shere.
Then it was uphill again passing Little London and the attractive villages of Farley Green and Shamley Green. Shortly after, we had our first and only puncture of the day, John A drawing the short straw. Fortunately this occurred close to our lunch stop at the Grantley Arms at Wonersh, so John got his lunch without undue delay. Ron and Doreen also joined us for lunch here. which on the whole received general approval, though John S discovered some grit in his salad, and informed the management accordingly.
After lunch the cloud promised by the weather men arrived but it remained dry as we passed through Shalford and Guildford High Street before joining the A3 cycle path which took us through Ripley to our tea stop at Ockham Bites. I covered 55 miles today.
Rob

Author: Pete

A&B Groups May 27th

Vic's Farnham Map

Train-assisted Ride 27th May 2009 Fifteen members defied the rain for a venture into new ground South of Farnham . We cleared the built-up area in 15 minutes to enter a land of trees,sand and hills.Through Rowledge to Binsted for the obligatory visit to Monty’s grave, then a descent to Oakhanger for lunch at the Red Lion, Here we got quick service,thanks in part to telephoning ahead with our orders. Unheard of before the advent of the mobile, this simple action can be recommended when the party is more than a certain size. Starting off again in wet clothes was a cold experience, but the ascent of Wick Hill got us steaming again. After Hartley Mauditt the route was mostly downhill and flat, through East Worldham and Wyck to Mill Court, to take an unnamed road to Isington Mill,where Monty had lived. Under the A31 ,through Bentley,where another soldier, Lord Baden-Powell once lived. After tea at The Bull, back into lanes to East Green,Dippenhall and Farnham town,just as the weather brightened up for the ride home,by train of course! From Vic White

Author: Pete