A Group Ride 1 October from Cobham

Wednesday’s ride from Cobham will be to the Scarlett Arms at Walliswood. Some climbing, plenty of descending, and a couple of short unpaved sections, provided the forecast showers hold off. Around 20 miles to lunch, similar on return to tea in Leatherhead, depending on timing.

I look forward to seeing you there.

Author: Dave Vine

The Cycle Show

Maggie and I went to the Cycle Show today, to see what's going on.  It was pleasing to see that the show is a growing success; some of the earlier ones in Birmingham had seemed a bit flat after Earls Court, but there is little doubt now that it has found its footing and is growing steadily.

The major trend I would pick out is that it's all about the road.  Mountain bikes are still there, but fewer in number.  The trade is still banging the drum for e-Bikes, but I'm not sure if the UK is listening.  Utility bikes are there in numbers, but the emphasis is on fancy, high-end road-bikes.  That's what's selling, as five minutes on Box Hill will confirm.

The Trek stand was worth visiting - the Emonda lightweight showed what you can get for a lot of money - c. £10,000.  A bike, with a warranty, that weighs less than four kilos - eight pounds or so.  Less money gets you more weight, but you still get a very light bike.  That's real progress.  The Trek stand also illustrated the other major trend - disc brakes are here.  Many models, from many manufacturers, could be had in either rim brake or disc brake versions.  As far as I was able to tell there was no difference in weight or handling between them - it was just your choice.  I'd take the discs every time.

Perhaps of interest to Wayfarers is that Condors also follow this trend, and their Heritage and Fratello Touring/Audax frames can be had in disc versions.  £699 for the frame, if I recall correctly, so a very good basis for a solid - and handsome - all round bike.

Interesting stuff from Campag - electronic is the way ahead, they say, and they had a captive bike where you could experience the joys of EPS shifting.  But for 2015 there's also a new range of Super Record,  Record  and Chorus that are entirely mechanical (and substantially carbon fibre).  Bets well hedged at Campag.  The other handy bit on their stand was a climbing version of their very widely used Bora carbon wheels.  Made for Nairo Quintana, and in the shops in November.

It was good to see that Chris Boardman was on the Boardman stand, and that he'd brought his Lotus bike with him.  More than twenty years old, but still unbeaten.  The queue for autographs snaked into the distance.

And blow me if Van Nicholas didn't have a Rohloff version of their Yukon on display.  I ordered one of these a couple of years ago when it was first announced, but it never turned up.  Normal availability now, apparently.  Have to think about that one.

Lastly, a novelty item that I thought was a good idea.  It's a rear light, made of bright LEDs, about 6" by 4".  It displays, flashing red, the speed of the bike.  The intention is that if drivers, or fellow riders, have an idea of your speed, then they can behave appropriately.  It will only work, of course, if the following car realises what the numbers mean.  It certainly draws attention, which is half the battle. www.velocitylight.com.

A good show, with lots to see, and we enjoyed our day out.  

Mark

Author: Mark G

B Group - 24th September

Ed and 16 cyclists left the Greeno Centre and after the morning rain the weather improved for the rest of the day.
 
The lunch stop was at the Pineapple in Dorney. Unfortunately the service was slow, but the sandwiches were great.

We returned by the Jubilee River to Tea at the walled garden in Sunbury. By then we were down to 6 riders. A good day was had by all on the 35 miles flat route.

Regards,

Ed

Map of Ed's route recorded by Ray Wren

Author: Tim C

Buggered!

Author: Bernard Brindley

1 Comment:

Jeff 26 September 2014 at 16:04 BST

Bernard, Have you put your foot in it again! Jeff

A Group, 24 September 2014

Shepperton - Forty Green - Stanwell Moor

The Royal Standard of England

 Squires and Equerries at table

 What pagan ritual do you imagine that John is incanting?

 Those faithful Wayfarers keep up the tradition

Author: Jeff

'A' ride 24 September: Shepperton - Forty Green - Stanwell Moor

Perhaps it was the early morning drizzle, or the promise of a long ride to the Far North: only nine joined the A group ride to the delights of Buckinghamshire.   By the time we left, the sun had come out, and it stayed sunny for the whole day.   A steady ride on fast roads took us through Laleham, Staines, Wraysbury, and Datchet, for a tour of the highlights of Slough.   After Farnham Royal it was onto leafy lanes, through Burnham Beeches, and more lanes took us briefly to the A355 near the temptations of Wetherspoons at Beaconsfield motorway services, but we resisted.  Our destination was near, so we headed through Beaconsfield to Forty Green and the Royal Standard of England, which claims to have been selling ale to 'wayfarers' for 900 years.   Dave Vine remembers visiting from school (???) when the pub didn't have electric light, and it still retains a wonderful old world ambiance, with ancient wood beams and the odd piece of armour, which was probably left there by a customer hundreds of years ago.

We enjoyed good food, good company and, er, hydration, in the garden, until Tony found a copious supply of recently fallen hazel nuts nearby, when behaviour degenerated somewhat.  On the way back  we met a rider with two ponies, one of which was startled either by the bright shirts or John's 'Laurence of Arabia' headdress - but no harm was done.  The return journey was 99% downhill with a tail wind and just a few short sharp uphills, mostly on good surfaces but a few interludes of appauling gravel or holes.  On one of these near Fulmer, Geoff  gave a masterclass in how to fix a puncture, while we all helped by watching.   Then it was back past Pinewood Studios to Colnbrook, and after noting the time (nearly 4pm), we decided to take tea in Vermeulens at Stanwell Moor.

41.7 miles with 1109 ft ascent from elevenses to tea.  

Thankyou to all for an enjoyable day out, and to Colin for acting as back marker.

This Wednesday's 'A' ride

To celebrate the end of meteorological summer, I plan to stretch our legs a little, inspired by the following text:

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills: from whence cometh my lunch.
Into the far north, yea even unto Beaconsfield: will I guide my pedals.

I am not promising a ride of biblical proportions, no floods or plagues of frogs, but a nice pub which is almost of biblical age:  the Royal Standard of England at Forty Green claims to be Englands oldest free house and I think it will be worth the ride.

23 miles to lunch, 25 back to tea at Upper Halliford.   Not too hilly, but I would appreciate a prompt start please.