C Group Jan 30th

Due to Albert's computer being poorly. Here is a summary of C group's ride.

Phil led C group from Walton Day Centre. There was Fuzz, Roger, Dennis, Tom (part way), John C, Harold, Ron, Bill H, Albert, Mark and Lynda. Beryl joined us for lunch.

The group split as we headed for the tow path. some preferred to go the road way. I thought this was because of puddles; but when we met up at lunch, it seems the others found an even muddier way! Where Fuzz took a tumble, but just got on again. The main group went to Weybridge then Addlestone and Chiswick direction, going through a very nice park called Homewood Park in Runnymede. We saw crocuses comiing up and some daffodils. It was a nice sunny day, although the wind was picking up. We went through some nice countryside of Lyne and ended up at Thorpe Green for lunch at The Crown. After a nice tasty baguette we returned through Laleham housing estate, then onto the golf course and back to Shepperton for tea and cake, compliments of Mark as his birthday treat. A longer ride today. I clocked 42 miles return trip.

Author: Pete

Johns Punctures

You will have seen in Bernard's B ride report that I had another back wheel puncture shortly after lunch yesterday. I should like to thank Norman and Les for their assistance in tube changing, yet again, . But that was not the end. About one mile short of home , I punctured again, this time at the front. Needless to say, I have been to the local bike shop this morning to ask them to replace the racing tyres which came with my new bike with Schwalbe Marathon re-enforced ones.
My record since 1st Jan 2008 in summary:
Number of Wayfarers rides I have been on: 3
Punctures with Wayfarers: 4
Number of other CTC rides since 1st Jan: 1
Punctures on other CTC ride: 1
Regards John Gould

Author: Pete

C Group Jan 23rd

We had a very good turnout at Shepperton which coincided with the Diamond Wedding of Bill and Margaret Squirrell (see attached photo). Lynda led ten of us to The Tide End Cottage at Teddington, via Walton where we joined the towpath near The Swan. There was Fuzz, Ron, Dennis, Beryl, Roger, John C., Tom, Dave, Mark, me and at least two more including Harold I know that makes more than ten but Dennis peeled off at Walton.
It was a towpath ride to Kingston where we crossed the bridge and rejoined the towpath to our destination. We had a most enjoyable and reasonable lunch bfore departing for tea at Hampton Court via Bushy Park. I guess we dragged it out a bit, being such good weather and after reaching home at five past five with lights I had done a most enjoyable 26.5 miles -------------- Albert

Author: Pete

B Group Jan 23rd

The day started badly! When I went to the garage to get my bike the back tyre was flat. I started to change it - long enough to get greasy - and then decided it might make me late so I took my "shopping" bike instead. There was a good number at North Cheam, enough to need two groups, and all was well to Shepperton. Off we went to Windsor Great Park. We being Angie, Christine, Ed, Gill, John, Judy, Les, Liz, Mick, Norman, Phil, Roger, Stephanie and yours truly.I had apologised at coffee time that it was rather a short ride. We set off along the B376 to Laleham and Staines, across Staines Bridge and along to Egham. Then Fate took a hand and we we went the long way to Windsor Great Park. That is up to Wraysbury, Datchet, back across Albert bridge to the Fox and Hounds at Bishop's Gate entrance to the Park. Phil got lost somewhere along the way!
The lunch was pretty good, field mushrooms with palma ham and melted cheese was a popular choice. A few yards after lunch John's rear tyre punctured. Four punctures on consecutive rides - John wants to know if this is a record.While waiting I provided a cabaret by attempting to ride Ed's recliner and falling into a puddle. Down to Virginia Water along the Rhododendron ride, past the Obelisk, the Totem Pole, the Cascade and the Roman Temple (original). I had expected to be able to get out of the park at the South East corner but we had to go the Blacknest Gate which added about three miles. But the quid pro quo was a lovely ride along the lake.
Then through Wentworth Golf club (fortunately we didn't see the "private" sign on the way in). It really is wonderfully cared for. Another little detour (against John's advice) took us down Tramps Mill Lane which deteriorated into a muddy track and a zig-zag mountain ascent up to the road across the M3. We lost Ed at this point! On to Chertsey and Shepperton, By now the time was getting on so we skipped tea and retraced our steps back. 56 miles from North Cheam.

Regards Bernard

Author: Pete

Wraysbury Mill

Author: Pete

A Group Jan 23rd

With that smug feeling that comes from picking up a real bargain (James Arnold’s The Joyous Wheel for £12.99!), I set off along the towpath from Kingston on a very warm but sunless day. At Shepperton day centre, twenty ‘A’ riders were gathered for Irene’s latest excursion. A rear spoke replacement by Toni delayed us but eventually the Chertsey Road was the chosen way. Then we were beside the swollen Thames; a lake (easily bypassed) at Laleham being a reminder of the recent past. And so we came to Staines; from Vicarage Road we joined Moor Lane and headed alongside the motorway. Around halfway I hit one of those ruts that appear in tarmac with no foundations and ended up blooded and muddied with Wester Ross also suffering minor damage. With a chase, the bunch were caught just as they reached our destination, the Five Bells at Horton, where Pete Matthews was into his lunch. After a quick turnaround, we were away within the hour. A wake(of sorts) was in progress in the churchyard so diplomatically we withdrew.
Retracing slightly Wraysbury became our next target. Here we paused to admire the windmill, allowing Frank time to fall into discussion with the gardener. For those unfamiliar with this structure, it was built in 1996 with timbers salvaged from Tilbury docks. The shortest route to Shepperton ended at Watson’s Bakery where Jen joined us for tea. It had been an easy day, about 20 miles in company.

Graham

Author: Pete

Gipsy Graveyard & Windmill

Thank you Irene for a very interesting ride today. The lunch was also good value. My cold is worse and after a hot bath earlier I must get to bed. I hope that Graham feels OK in the morning it was a nasty fall. He must be made of steel or has a very tough Hyde.
Could one or two of you let me know your recorded mileage to day, I only did 53ml and it felt like much further! Yesterday I only recorded 33ml which was even more surprising. I noticed that from Walton on the Hill to Greeno's was 16mls. After stopping for tea I eventually surmounted Epsom Downs at 5pm and was home by 5:15pm after picking up the paper. I felt shattered and still do.

Author: mike morley