I've ridden part of it, and Mike R has ridden some, too. He reports that it's a bit mucky at the moment (no surprise), but it should make a good ride for the Summer.
Mark
Author: Mark G
On a cold winter morning the station at Claygate turned out to be a great place to meet, the toilets on the platform were open and the coffee from Coco Café was excellent.
Three groups totalling sixteen departed and made their way towards Leatherhead via Hook. Once there, we started to climb up to Tyrrells Wood Golf Club, and by the time we had reached this point we had certainly warmed up. Beautiful views over the golf club and of the nearby houses, of which I am informed Andy Murray has one.
The climbing had not finished yet though, through Headley Court, then turning at the old forge, no longer a forge but an interior designers shop, something I had missed on the recce. Still not finished, Hurst Lane and up to Walton on the Hill.
Worthy of particular mention was Grant, who flew up the hills, amazing!
From here the hardest work was over, down to the Epsom Downs and to the outskirts of the town. Pete Beyer had suggested at the start that the groups should use The Avenue in Tadworth as it is a quieter road, David’s group did take it, the road proved what Pete had said, but it was steeper and harder work, never mind, fortunately I ignored the advice, next time.
During the ride, we encountered Christina and her group, two plus her, she informed me that sadly Sue had to abandon in Hook due to a knee problem and her husband Steve left with her for an easier ride through Kingston and along the path by the Thames.
We finished at the Old Moat to find two very cold Wayfarers, Pete and David, trying to keep warm by drinking copious amounts of coffee.
Big thanks to Christina and David for sub-leading, particularly Christina who did a recce of the route in the rain last Sunday.
Great company, enjoyed all the banter!
Stay safe
Jennie
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| Due to Financial
constraints the BBC is repeating weather forecasts these days (Dave C) |
Author: Tim C
Fixie-Dave 11 December 2020 at 12:07 GMT
A good ride/route Jennie, well led Thank you.
I am planning ahead to gauge numbers for this ride, because it is two days before Christmas day and will be the shortest daylight hours. For these reasons I have planned a shorter ride than normal. We will meet at Leatherhead High Street where we can buy a hot drink in either Amici cafe or Annie's or Costa Coffee in the Swan Centre. Toilets are located in the Swan Centre at the main entrance and also in the three cafes. I plan to ride to Cobham, Esher, Hinchley Wood, Thames Ditton and then Bushey Park to Teddington and back to Kingston where we will stop for lunch at 'The Boaters Inn'. I have booked two tables outside with down light heaters built into the canopy covers. The outside space is safe and has plenty of room to secure our bikes and overlooks the Thames and bike path. The route is exactly 18 miles with little ascent. We will arrive at 12 am onwards which will leave plenty of time to relax, eat and make our way home in daylight. I have not planned an afternoon tea stop although Kingston Market Square is not far away.
As from 4th October Mole Valley council have pedestrianised the High Street in Leatherhead from 10 am to 4.30 pm seven days a week and cyclists are allowed during these hours also. However, bizarrely, cyclists have to observe the One Way regulation, which means you can cycle up from the bottom, but not down from the top. I have posted a comment to the council that this regulation should not apply to cyclists in line with London Borough regulation. Anyway for the time being we will have to walk down the hill for our exit point. I have tried to make the route as interesting as I can, although the first part of the ride is a fast A road.
I know it is a little premature, but I would like to know if you fancy a shortish ride in grey, gloomy, dank, but frost free conditions, with no off road, provided you are able to plan that far ahead of course. My email is steve_duffin@yahoo.co.uk. I am also looking for group leaders who would like to do a recce beforehand, although the route is straightforward enough to read from .gpx. I would be grateful for your replies as soon as you can, but the deadline is 6pm Monday 21st December. Steve D.
Author: Steve D
The recce nearly killed me. I had thoughtfully put in a few hills to keep us warm on the way to Walliswood: White Down, Abinger (basically Leith Hill) and Holmbury hill. On a bright but bone-chilling Saturday, the two co-leaders Janice and Brian were up and at 'em like a pair of gazelles, leaving me, their leader, acting as back marker.
Wednesday was a bit warmer, thank goodness. Janice led the first group:
We managed to set off from Stoke D’Abernon on time despite Neil W’s puncture on the way and Dave B having to shove half his mince pie in his pocket. Thanks for organising the mince pies Simon!
Temporary lights just after setting off caused some confusion and also unnecessary irritation in some drivers and we were glad to leave the busy road behind as we were on Lower Road and heading for the hills leaving all that behind.
A cool day was quickly overlooked as we tackled the two climbs before lunch and arrived in Walliswood in good time. Service at the Scarlett Arms was quick, the food was good and the marquee was heated. It doesn’t get much better on a cold December day in 2020!
Thanks to my group (Mark, Neil W, Fiona, Dave B and Mike R) for good company. Also to Simon for an enjoyable route and for ensuring it was so much milder than the reccie on Saturday and that the marquee was heated (Saturday was possibly the coldest I’ve ever been).
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| Out of bounds |
Author: Simon L
6 met at Nauticalia at around 10.00 am for a longish before lunch ride to the Swiss bakery/cafe at Ham.I had planned a devious route, kept them all guessing, with a few lumps thrown in. I won't bore you with the route, see the map. 23 miles to lunch with a not too pleasant climate. We arrived at lunch to find that there was no queue, which made for a pleasantly quick service, the food although limited in selection, was really nice. All appetites sated, a quick photo and we headed for Teddington lock and dispersal as we had not planned to have afternoon tea due to the early onset of twilight.
Outside the Swiss bakery at Ham
Author: Tony
Author: Tony
Jeff 09 December 2020 at 16:45 GMT
There are many such - all most appreciated by those following an unprotected back wheel, as others in different circumstances, will appreciate.
Jeff
Janice 09 December 2020 at 17:38 GMT
Just a word of caution on fitting and using these ‘temporary’ mudguards. They take a bit of patience to set up perfectly but can move with use. I’ve had to have a very expensive carbon fibre repair where my front Race Blades mudguard rubbed against the down tube. I also have a small amount of damage (that I’ve been advised doesn’t need a repair) to a seat stay.
I’m not alone, Frances had her mudguards expertly fitted by a shop and she too has suffered damage to both seat stays of her carbon bike and they’ve needed a repair.
I’ve re-fitted my Race Blades though and am now ultra careful taking them off and on to clean the bike as it really is only good manners to use mudguards on a group ride!
Janice 09 December 2020 at 17:38 GMT
Just a word of caution on fitting and using these ‘temporary’ mudguards. They take a bit of patience to set up perfectly but can move with use. I’ve had to have a very expensive carbon fibre repair where my front Race Blades mudguard rubbed against the down tube. I also have a small amount of damage (that I’ve been advised doesn’t need a repair) to a seat stay.
I’m not alone, Frances had her mudguards expertly fitted by a shop and she too has suffered damage to both seat stays of her carbon bike and they’ve needed a repair.
I’ve re-fitted my Race Blades though and am now ultra careful taking them off and on to clean the bike as it really is only good manners to use mudguards on a group ride!
Janice 09 December 2020 at 17:38 GMT
Just a word of caution on fitting and using these ‘temporary’ mudguards. They take a bit of patience to set up perfectly but can move with use. I’ve had to have a very expensive carbon fibre repair where my front Race Blades mudguard rubbed against the down tube. I also have a small amount of damage (that I’ve been advised doesn’t need a repair) to a seat stay.
I’m not alone, Frances had her mudguards expertly fitted by a shop and she too has suffered damage to both seat stays of her carbon bike and they’ve needed a repair.
I’ve re-fitted my Race Blades though and am now ultra careful taking them off and on to clean the bike as it really is only good manners to use mudguards on a group ride!
Janice 09 December 2020 at 17:40 GMT
Sorry don’t know why my comment published 3 times 🤷♀️
Jeff 09 December 2020 at 17:59 GMT
As my father told me: If at first you don't succeed, try, try and try again.
Steve D 10 December 2020 at 23:15 GMT
Just to add to this I have destroyed three sets of clip on mudguards, because when you go off rad mud jams itself in between the tyre and the guard which cracks the plastic and twists the clips into your wheel spokes. So on my Spa bike with lugs I fitted solid plastic Tortec mudguards and still people behind me complained of spray. The problem is speed. Mudguards work well below 10 mph, above which passing air sucks the water out from the mudguard and sprays the rider behind if they are close. The other problem is the fixing nuts which are not lock nuts. They work loose, fall off and you develop a rattle as the fixing rod tries to work its way into your spokes. I have tried loctite thread lock, but replacing all the nuts with stainless nyloc nuts is the answer. So mudguards work, but only some of the time. This of course also depends on whether you have enough clearance under the brake caliper or frame stays and if you have fixing lugs in the frame on your particular bicycle.
