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| Neil's team raring to go outside the pub (just before Geoff discovered a puncture) |
My GPS tells me it was 38 miles with 2908 feet of climbing between elevenses and tea. My legs tell me that it was a lot.
Thursday, 7 May 2015
A Group 6 May
An enjoyable and, amazingly, dry ride with Neil today:
A Group 6 May Cobham - Rudgwick - West Humble
The forecast of 50mph gusts and heavy rain showers did not look good for cycling. My ride to Cobham down the Portsmouth Road, directly into the southwest wind, was hard work and slow - 6mph at one point!. The British Legion was unusually quiet but come 11 o'clock there were fourteen takers for the trip further south.
Plough Lane, Ockham Lane and Long Reach took us to West Horsley. Straight over the roundabout, up Shere Road and down Combe Lane to Shere. Here we diverted down Rectory Lane and across the bridge by the ford to pass what must be the tidiest allotments in Surrey.
Up out of Shere we headed for Farley Green before crossing Winterfold Forest. The strong winds were blowing in the trees but at ground level there was a lot of protection. The road is very narrow but thankfully we encountered no cars on this section. We all managed to safely negotiate the appalling road surface on the descent to Smithwood Common.
In Cranleigh High Street we turned right into Knowle Lane before taking Baynard's Road to Cox Green. Half a mile south down Church Street brought us to The King's Head in Rudgwick.
The welcome was friendly and a wide range of good food was taken. While we were in the pub it rained - the first significant rain of the day. As we were about to leave Geoff discovered a flat rear tyre and (recently nourished with a ham and carpet sandwich) set about quickly replacing the tube.
After lunch the wind was generally behind us so swifter progress was made. We headed north through Ellen's Green and on to Ewhurst Green. Here we turned into Plough Lane to bypass Ewhurst before heading for Holmbury Hill. From Holmbury St Mary we took Pasture Wood Road to Abinger Common and then Hollow Road to the A25.
At the bottom of Coast Hill we turned into Balchins Lane to follow the NCN cycle route around the back of Wescott and into Dorking.
Tea was taken at Pilgrim Cycles in West Humble where the finer points of bicycle design were discussed at length. While we were taking tea it rained again but stopped before we left to go home.
Thanks to all the brave souls for venturing out and to Dave E for backmarking.
P.S. As I got to my front door it just started to rain again - so all the rain today was while we were inside. I think I'll get a lottery ticket this week.
Plough Lane, Ockham Lane and Long Reach took us to West Horsley. Straight over the roundabout, up Shere Road and down Combe Lane to Shere. Here we diverted down Rectory Lane and across the bridge by the ford to pass what must be the tidiest allotments in Surrey.
Up out of Shere we headed for Farley Green before crossing Winterfold Forest. The strong winds were blowing in the trees but at ground level there was a lot of protection. The road is very narrow but thankfully we encountered no cars on this section. We all managed to safely negotiate the appalling road surface on the descent to Smithwood Common.
In Cranleigh High Street we turned right into Knowle Lane before taking Baynard's Road to Cox Green. Half a mile south down Church Street brought us to The King's Head in Rudgwick.
The welcome was friendly and a wide range of good food was taken. While we were in the pub it rained - the first significant rain of the day. As we were about to leave Geoff discovered a flat rear tyre and (recently nourished with a ham and carpet sandwich) set about quickly replacing the tube.
After lunch the wind was generally behind us so swifter progress was made. We headed north through Ellen's Green and on to Ewhurst Green. Here we turned into Plough Lane to bypass Ewhurst before heading for Holmbury Hill. From Holmbury St Mary we took Pasture Wood Road to Abinger Common and then Hollow Road to the A25.
At the bottom of Coast Hill we turned into Balchins Lane to follow the NCN cycle route around the back of Wescott and into Dorking.
Tea was taken at Pilgrim Cycles in West Humble where the finer points of bicycle design were discussed at length. While we were taking tea it rained again but stopped before we left to go home.
Thanks to all the brave souls for venturing out and to Dave E for backmarking.
P.S. As I got to my front door it just started to rain again - so all the rain today was while we were inside. I think I'll get a lottery ticket this week.
Author: Neil C
Tuesday, 5 May 2015
B Ride 6th May
Calling all B's!
Please take note that the weather forecast for tomorrow is 40+ mph winds with rain almost immediately after we leave Cobham. I suggest NO CAPES!
Mostly the wind will be behind us before lunch (The Well House Inn, Chipstead Lane, Mugswell) but it will be exposed on Epsom Downs. After lunch its back to Leatherhead either via Box Hill or Headley depending on the wind.
Please take care.
Peter
Please take note that the weather forecast for tomorrow is 40+ mph winds with rain almost immediately after we leave Cobham. I suggest NO CAPES!
Mostly the wind will be behind us before lunch (The Well House Inn, Chipstead Lane, Mugswell) but it will be exposed on Epsom Downs. After lunch its back to Leatherhead either via Box Hill or Headley depending on the wind.
Please take care.
Peter
Author: Peter T
Thursday, 30 April 2015
Easy Riders - 29th April
I was in two minds whether I would make yesterday's ride, due to the weather forecast. But, as it was dry when I got up I decided it wouldn't be so bad.
Just as I was leaving home, it started to shower; I had my overshoes and cape on ready, but hoped it would stop soon. From North Cheam Liz led to Hersham; as we got to Tolworth the sun came out and it looked like the day would improve. We thought about taking our wet stuff off but decided we might get another shower on the way. Luckily, we kept them on! We were only 5 from N. Cheam; Sandy, Liz, Les, Norman and myself; and Don joined us at Hersham. After coffee and waiting for a heavy shower to subside I led our group left from the day centre and round the big roundabout onto the cycle track towards Esher. We took the next roundabout and left again at the Green. Down to Thames Ditton, passing Ember Court. Originally, I was going to go through Bushy Park to a pub on the river; but due to another shower we turned right at Summer Road and crossed the main road and made our way to The Swan. We had a nice table for 6. Sonia said she would make Ewell Court Park for tea so Norman and myself stopped off there. And of course, the sun came out!
Lynda
Just as I was leaving home, it started to shower; I had my overshoes and cape on ready, but hoped it would stop soon. From North Cheam Liz led to Hersham; as we got to Tolworth the sun came out and it looked like the day would improve. We thought about taking our wet stuff off but decided we might get another shower on the way. Luckily, we kept them on! We were only 5 from N. Cheam; Sandy, Liz, Les, Norman and myself; and Don joined us at Hersham. After coffee and waiting for a heavy shower to subside I led our group left from the day centre and round the big roundabout onto the cycle track towards Esher. We took the next roundabout and left again at the Green. Down to Thames Ditton, passing Ember Court. Originally, I was going to go through Bushy Park to a pub on the river; but due to another shower we turned right at Summer Road and crossed the main road and made our way to The Swan. We had a nice table for 6. Sonia said she would make Ewell Court Park for tea so Norman and myself stopped off there. And of course, the sun came out!
Lynda
Author: Tim C
People and their trophies
On Monday I pedalled down to visit Jeff and deliver the Don Francis Memorial Trophy for which he didn't have enough space in his pannier after the annual lunch. Although Jeff seems very well he is understandably rather miffed to find himself under orders to refrain from cycling and also from driving for a month. As a consequence his garden is in tip-top shape and the grass in his lawn is a uniform 10 mm high across the estate.I wanted to have a photo of him to share and thought he would look good next to the nice car in his driveway. Fortunately he had had the foresight to rummage around in his sock drawer for a pair of socks to match the beautiful automobile, thus avoiding a dreadful fashion faux-pas.
______________________________________________________________
This morning I popped into the Guildhall offices in Kingston to see David Ward and deliver the trophy which had been awarded to him for the highest mileage for a male rider. He clocked up 9199 miles last year to earn this prize.
David is still working hard but is looking forward to retirement when he will be able to commit himself more seriously to cycling. When he is a little older, David would like to be a Wayfarer.
~ Tim
Author: Tim C
1 Comment:
Simon L 01 May 2015 at 00:20 BST
Thankyou Tim for delivering these trophies and reporting back. It all takes time, and we appreciate it.
I hate to think how many miles David will clock up when he retires and has more time!!
Wednesday, 29 April 2015
A group 29 April: Dorking - Red Sea - Turner's Hill - Fanny's
Last week Hans led the Israelites through the deserts. Today we tried to cross the Red Sea, but failed to part the waters.
It was good to see Jeff at elevenses, looking well but not allowed to cycle or drive for another few weeks. We hope it all goes well Jeff. And we have been missing a few other regular A group members recently too: Peter Betts, Toni d'Italia, and John Bassett. Best wishes to you and we are looking forward to you re-joining us as soon as you can. Read on to see what you're missing!
The forecast promised heavy showers this morning. A shower on the way to elevenses, followed by sunshine, led to optimism, but it started raining again before we set out, a hardy group of ten riders. Up Dene Street and along Tilehurst Lane, perhaps not fully enjoying the beautiful countryside all around us. Over Root Hill and lo! a land flowing with milk and honey! Well okay, the Wayfarers budget wouldn't stretch to milk and honey, but it was certainly flowing with rain, which seemed to be on special offer today. On the way to Charlwood, Ged punctured, and rather than hold us up he decided to head for Horley and the train home, while Geoff who was pretty wet and cold by then stayed with him.
Then there were eight. We went round two sides of Gatwick, surprisingly traffic-free, and then through Crawley, surprisingly busy with traffic and a bit of an endurance test till we got to Three Bridges station and turned onto the Worth Way, a cycle track with a reasonably good gravel surface which took us to within a couple of miles of Turner's Hill: up the hill, still in the rain, and smartly into the Crown Inn to dry out and warm up. They had reserved tables by the open fire and served good portions of good food.
The rain stopped for the return journey and the sun even came out a bit: down the hill and then through the lanes past Rowfant, Copthorne, Smallfield to South Nutfield, where a few hills awaited us (and it started raining again) en route to Fanny's, where Keith and Ralph went straight on and six tried to dry out again. The sun came out as we were inside, and I for one had a dry, sunny and warm ride home! Thankyou to Brian for back-marking.
It was good to see Jeff at elevenses, looking well but not allowed to cycle or drive for another few weeks. We hope it all goes well Jeff. And we have been missing a few other regular A group members recently too: Peter Betts, Toni d'Italia, and John Bassett. Best wishes to you and we are looking forward to you re-joining us as soon as you can. Read on to see what you're missing!
The forecast promised heavy showers this morning. A shower on the way to elevenses, followed by sunshine, led to optimism, but it started raining again before we set out, a hardy group of ten riders. Up Dene Street and along Tilehurst Lane, perhaps not fully enjoying the beautiful countryside all around us. Over Root Hill and lo! a land flowing with milk and honey! Well okay, the Wayfarers budget wouldn't stretch to milk and honey, but it was certainly flowing with rain, which seemed to be on special offer today. On the way to Charlwood, Ged punctured, and rather than hold us up he decided to head for Horley and the train home, while Geoff who was pretty wet and cold by then stayed with him.
Then there were eight. We went round two sides of Gatwick, surprisingly traffic-free, and then through Crawley, surprisingly busy with traffic and a bit of an endurance test till we got to Three Bridges station and turned onto the Worth Way, a cycle track with a reasonably good gravel surface which took us to within a couple of miles of Turner's Hill: up the hill, still in the rain, and smartly into the Crown Inn to dry out and warm up. They had reserved tables by the open fire and served good portions of good food.
The rain stopped for the return journey and the sun even came out a bit: down the hill and then through the lanes past Rowfant, Copthorne, Smallfield to South Nutfield, where a few hills awaited us (and it started raining again) en route to Fanny's, where Keith and Ralph went straight on and six tried to dry out again. The sun came out as we were inside, and I for one had a dry, sunny and warm ride home! Thankyou to Brian for back-marking.
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