A group 2 April: Cobham - Warnham - Denbies

Ahh, cycling shorts!   Well, that could be misunderstood by some people but after a long winter of bulky long clothes, it was a real pleasure to don the shorts on a lovely warm day yesterday.   A good turnout at Cobham provided 22 willing riders for the A ride, although Ray punctured almost immediately and decided to make his own way to lunch.  

Turning south to avoid the worst of the air pollution in the Midlands, we flagrantly flouted Dr. Kelly's rule with a biggish hill in both morning and afternoon.   Steady cycling via Effingham to White Down, and then back up through  Holmbury St. Mary, followed by the glorious descent to Forest Green.  The taste of polluted air was replaced by the scent of wild garlic, and ... other farmyard smells.  The route south to Walliswood was plain sailing and seemed more down than up; and a little loop via Rowhook took us to the Sussex Oak at Warnham, where we found another large party had arrived just before us.   Nonetheless good food was served reasonably promptly for most, and we enjoyed sitting outside with good company.   Janice and Mark had to leave us after lunch for afternoon appointments, so a round 20 of us made the return journey.

Returning via the level crossing at Warnham and Brookhurst Wood (well it sounds pictureque but doesn't mention the large landfill site, now being covered and landscaped).  Rolling countryside to Ockley and a little way up the A29 before turning onto Broomehall Road which took us up to Coldharbour for the run down to Dorking. A final detour took us along St Paul's Road and over the little green hill of Cotmandene, from where you could see all the way to, er, Dorking.  We arrived at Denbies around 4pm and several decided to head straight home, so a dozen of us stopped for tea and cake.

36 miles, 2700 ft of ascent, one puncture, and none lost.  A good day out and hopefully many more to come as summer approaches.   My thanks to Colin for doing a great job as back marker and keeping us all together.

Easy Riders - 2nd April (map)

Lynda's route from Cobham to Kingston for lunch

Author: Tim C

B Group - 2nd April

We all assembled at The British Legion, Cobham. Despite dire forecasts of high levels of air pollution, 22 of us set out for Shalford. The weather turned quite warm for the time of year. The chosen route was via East Horsley, to Combe Bottom; this is a steady climb nearly all the way (but not too steep anywhere). Then to Albury, Chilworth and Shalford (14 miles). At Shalford we stopped at The Parrot Inn where lunches and drinks were served.
The meals at The Parrot Inn were of a reasonable standard and the staff did an excellent job coping with a large group together with their usual customers also having lunch. Unfortunately hot food was served on cold plates.

After lunch we set off towards Guildford taking a route on the periphery via East Shalford Lane, Tilehouse Road, Pilgrims’ Way, Echo Pit Road, Warwicks Bench Road and Sydenham Road, eventually joining the A246. We continued on the A246 until we reached East Clandon. Thereafter, we followed a route via Send HM Prison and Ockham back to Cobham for tea (also 14 miles). Above twenty bike riders is a largish group to manage, so I was grateful to Terry who did backup and to other volunteers who did some marshalling duties in the middle of the group. Having this kind of support is essential with a large group.

Peter Carpenter  

Author: Tim C

Harold Fifield

Many of you will have heard with sadness of the recent death of Harold Fifield. His daughter has sent the following very warm message to John Scott,  to be passed on to all Harold's friends and clubmates:

"Dear Sou'Westers / Midweek Wayfarers

I am saddened to let you know that my darling father, Harold Fifield, died on Thursday 20th March at the age of 82 from Parkinson's Disease.

As many of you know he moved up to Scotland in October 2009, after one bicycle accident too many, to be close to me and my husband as he became more wobbly. 

Dad was determined to carry on cycling, but he was eventually persuaded to hang up his cap a couple of years ago. Undeterred, he would walk up the high street with his 'wheelie' for support. Or, when this became too much, just up the road, supported by his wife and his cat 'Georgie' leading the way - much to the amusement of the neighbours! He loved his bungalow in Biggar with the beautiful views and scenery that he still enjoyed in the many country drives that we took.

He had lived with Parkinson's Disease for over 17 years until it finally took its toll leaving him fragile and virtually immobile. My mother Veena, cared for him at home until August and then visited him every day at the nearby nursing home where he was well looked after and continued to cause his own kind of mischief when he could! The staff knew about his love for cycling and his cars through the photos on the wall and the stories that he told with that twinkle in his eyes.

Dad was an energetic, generous and joyful man. I know he treasured his many years with the cycling club, both for the wonderful rides and the special company.

There will be a humanist service on Wednesday April 2nd at Mortonhall Crematorium, Edinburgh. The local florist will be making a wreath in the shape of a bicycle. Other than this, we have asked for no flowers but people can make a donation to Parkinson's UK, if they wish, by going to this website in memory of dad: https://www.justgiving.com/harold-fifield.

Kindest of regards and the family wish you all many happy days of cycling ahead."

Shivali Fifield (01501 785 110)

We send our deepest sympathy to his wife Veena and to his daughter Shivali.

Jeff

Author: Jeff

1 Comment:

mike morley 31 March 2014 at 21:43 BST

I spoke to Shivali tonight to convey my condolences and said that I was afraid I will not make it to Edinburgh on Wednesday. I asked her to pass on my condolences to Veena. She was most appreciative! Although I did not know Harold too well I admired him and his ingenuity with classic cars! May he rest in peace and his family be consoled by the fact that he died also in peace!

Easy Riders - 26th March

About 8 riders came with me for lunch at Teddington.  Another 5 came to Longmead for 11's.

For the ride I passed West Ewell station towards Nonsuch Park and turned left at Sparrow Farm Road. We took the back roads to Worcester Park and continued on the cycle track to the Kingston cycle route. We passed Berrylands station and continued to Kingston market place. It still looks like a building site there although the notice says opening March 2014· We took a left turn to the tow path and followed this around Ham to Teddington.  We enjoyed our lunch at Tide End Cottage. Coming back through Bushy Park, Hampton Court, Long Ditton, Hook, Chessington, Ewell Court to Cheam. 3 of us enjoyed drinks and cake at Tasha' s Tea room. We got to Nonsuch Park before the hail came down, and made 3's before getting wet.

Lynda.

Author: Jeff

Easy Riders - 26th March (map)

Lynda's ride from the Longmead Centre in Epsom to Teddington Lock for lunch, and back to Kingston (I believe) afterwards.

Author: Tim C

B Group 26 March

It was 11.30 - a little  later than usual when B Group left Addlestone as our cyclists from Cheam needed time to enjoy their elevenses for they had not arrived until after 11am, and I understand that was after a speedy ride from the start!    Before leaving I was introduced to two first timers, Ingrid and Margaret who rode extremely well through out the day!   We look forward to having them with us again on future rides.

 Our outward route was Green Lane, Bittams Lane, through Homewood Park into Stonehill Road.  Gracious Pond Road led us into Windlesham Road and hence on through Windlesham to cross the A30, into Sunninghill Road.    A left at the X roads leads into Ascot High Street where we lunched at The Stag.  WELL.....the food was great, but the wait really was a little too long!  Only one person preparing food for 25 hungry cyclists!!??     Never mind, the staff did their best and they were very pleasant.

 

My plan was to have tea at Squires, Shepperton in Upper Halliford Road.... so we returned via Windsor Great Park, Englefield Green, Thorpe Village, Chertsey and Shepperton.   A very well known route to some...not to all, so I hope I did not lose anybody!!  I had lots of help from back markers and from Neil going between our two groups.  Irene and Gill did a fine job and thanks to anybody else who helped guide folks to our destinations!

 

Well done to all for the weather forecast was not very good and it was very cold in the afternoon and worse still when it rained!!  Never fear...it will soon be summer :) :)

 

Thank you Tim for posting the route maps and to Terry for posting this report - Pam :) :) 

 

 

Author: Terry