Freewheel Competition

This year's Freewheel Competition was held on the Roothill Course, an old favourite but now resplendent with a fine new surface, which gave expectations of new records.  The course was wet, but the weather sunny enough, with a slight tail wind.  Grant, the winner, did indeed set a new record of 1.2 miles,  due partly to the improved conditions and partly to outstanding technique.

Results

First Lady  Pam

Second Lady  Helène

First Gent  Grant

Second Gent  Mark

Thanks to Rob for acting as Starter, to Brian for marshalling at the first fast corner, to Ed for making the excellent trophies and particularly to Terry for organising the event.

Mark

Author: Mark G

First Aid in the Outdoors

I've been asked by a couple of people about appropriate First Aid training to equip us to manage emergency situations.

One answer is the short series of courses offered by the CTC. Click on THIS LINK to find out more about the prices and what is being offered.

The four courses currently scheduled will take place during October and November in Bristol, Bacup in Lancashire, Thornton-le-Dale in Yorkshire, and in Kent (near Goudhurst).

I rang the Courses and Training Helpline (01483 238 337) to find out more and was advised to call Dan Cook in the CTC Sheffield Office (0844 736 8463) who is directly responsible for running these courses. He advised that there are still places available on the Quench Cycles course in Kent on November 20th, mentioning that it is best to turn up with your bike.

~ Tim

Author: Tim C

Who ARE they?

Seen from the Driving Seat.

Having decided that this Wednesday Cobham would be a mile too far, I was committed to a day of cycling abstinence. Lunch was to be at Heathrow and the scenic route the outside lane of the M25 via Walton, Headley and Leatherhead. Admiring the mellowing autumn colours as I effortlessly crested Hurst Road beside Steeple Cottage, I was suddenly blinded by a tsunami of multi-coloured lycra and a caravan of highly disciplined cyclists that I proudly recognised as my Midweek Wayfaring clubmates, now viewed not from the saddle but from the driving seat. As fine a body of riders as any motorist could hope to meet. Leader Peter was obviously putting his peloton through their paces, with a reassuring downhill followed by a tasy little tester of a climb to Walton just a few hundred yards away. It really does deserve a chevron. The B Group must be challenging the 'A's for altitude and effort. I think that my next step will be the Easy Riders.

Jeff

Author: Jeff

A Group at Walliswood

Author: Dave Vine

A Group Ride 1 October 2014

Autumn rides can be difficult to plan – days are getting shorter and weather can be unpredictable. In the event we were lucky – forecast showers cleared before we left and it was warm enough sit outside for lunch. Some 16 of us set out for the Scarlett Arms at Walliswood.

I had planned the route so that it could be shortened if circumstances required. In the event Simon punctured just before our descent of White Down, and to keep to our intended 1pm lunch booking at the pub, I abandoned the planned meandering climbs of Abinger Lane and Holmbury Hill Road in favour of the direct route south along Horsham Road. My planned route from Lyefield Lane along an unsurfaced byway direct to Walliswood (bone dry for yesterday’s recce but muddy after the overnight rain) was also abandoned in favour of a longer on-road loop, to avert a possible revolt in the peloton.

At the Scarlett Arms we were welcomed, and promptly served a well-received lunch.

On the return we climbed the ever-delightful Weare St before crossing the A24, leading some to anticipate a leisurely return via Newdigate and possibly Brockham. In the event we re-crossed the A24 and A29 and climbed the rarely attempted (perhaps for good reason) Anstie Lane to Coldharbour. Though there were a few comments about this choice of route nobody complained about the descent to Dorking.

32.9 miles by Mark’s reckoning, a satisfying 0.9 miles more than the B Group.

This was quite a hilly route, so my thanks to all who braved the climbs. Particular thanks to Hans, Colin, and Simon for diligent back-marking, and to Mark for the photography.

Author: Dave Vine

B Group - 1st October

Cobham – Westhumble – Cobham

An unusual day

From the title and with a lunch time destination of The Stepping Stones at Westhumble one would think there was nothing odd about the day. Indeed one of the 18 who left Cobham expressed the view it wasn’t far enough – a view that was reinforced by going over Bookham Common, up Blagden Hill and down Chapel Lane and actually stopping at the pub to confirm numbers.

However it was onwards and upwards but not the zig-zag this time. I had a number of “firsts” to achieve. For roads so close to home I have never cycled up Headley Lane, never been to Walton on the Hill up Hurst Road or for that matter never descended the zig-zag!

Somewhere en route a car passed us in the opposite direction. I heard a familiar voice, those behind heard the voice and saw the wave and those even further behind saw Jeff. Was it really him on his way to Heathrow or was it someone else doing a very good impersonation? Did we imagine it? Time will tell!

After lunch the climb up to Ranmore Common was the main event but how to do it? Various opinions were expressed and eliminated. I had planned the more gradual ascent via Dorking and Ashcombe Road. Thereafter it was familiar territory running down to Sainsbury’s at Cobham via Crocknorth Road and Chalk Lane (Another first for Pam – not having done the lane in that direction before).

We lost numbers during the day with VAT Returns and recovery from injuries being cited. 8 made it to tea. And Tim ended up in Giro! in Esher.

We did a very modest 32 miles but nonetheless it was a good workout on a warm Autumn day.

Peter T

Peter's route from Cobham to Westhumble (19.4 miles) then back to Cobham for Tea (12.5 miles approx)

Author: Tim C

A Group 1st October

North Downs breakout from Cobham today - Dave led us South to the Scarlett Arms at Walliswood for lunch then back to Denbies for tea, by a route we rarely take.  32.9 miles, 2,426 ft of ascent and a rolling average of 12.3 mph.

A proper 'A' group ride with some proper 'A' Group hills.

Mark

Author: Mark G