Easy Riders - 9th October

After so much rain of late we were a little dubious of riding through mud on the various tracks that we normally take. However, we left Chessington taking the roads around Claygate and took our first track to Fairoak Lane and then the track to The Star on the Leatherhead Road. It was a bit muddy but we prevailed. By crossing over to Ashtead Common we left the mud behind and made our way over to the Jolly Coopers at Stamford Green where Liz Scrivens joined us for lunch. Five of our group enjoyed tea and cakes at Ewell Court where we watched the only rain of the day.

John

Author: Tim C

'B' Ride - Weds 9 October 2019

For whatever reason, perhaps the brief lull in the recent run of wet weather, there was a very good turnout at elevenses at Addlestone, and the queue for refreshments was so long that some members did not get served until well after 11.00 am!   This led to a late start to our ride, but we made steady progress towards Windsor Great Park via Trumps Green, Callow Hill, and Englefield Green despite the the rather blustery headwind.   In the park we paused briefly for a glimpse of Wembley Arch in the distance before heading down into Windsor, using a slightly different approach from usual, and arriving at The Windlesora just before 1.00 pm. 

At lunch there were two dozen of us, a few having arrived by a route avoiding the morning's climbs.  Mostly the food orders arrived quite quickly, but, as we have observed before, anything from Wetherspoon's Wednesday Chicken Club menu always, mysteriously, seems to take longer (note for future reference)!

Despite these small delays we were still able to set off homewards by 2.00 pm with a bit of a tailwind to spur us on.  The attempts by various level crossing barriers and temporary traffic lights to split us up were to no avail, and we managed to keep together well as we rode through Datchet, Horton, Stanwellmoor and Ashford to reach the tea stop at Nutty Lane, Shepperton.    Not a very scenic route but at least not one we do not do very often, and with the added bonus of passing Ed's old school! 

For once I was fortunate to lead an incident-free 'B' ride with no mechanical mishaps, or riders lost (especially me)!    Many thanks to Tony Hooker for back-marking, to all the eager corner markers, and to everyone else for your company.

Author: David W

A map for Dave's B Group ride

B Group: Addlestone - Windsor - Nutty Lane (Shepperton)

Author: Tim C

Tri-Vets badges - update from CUK HQ

If you ordered a Tri-Vets badge at the event, you will have been expecting them to arrive about now.
Apologies, but there is a short delay, explained by the email just received:

I just wanted to give you an update on the Trivets badges that were ordered by some of the participants in this years events. 

We have been waiting sometime for these to be delivered to us and have been regularly chasing the manufacturer. Unfortunately when they arrived this week they had been produced in the wrong size. A fresh production run is being made and we should have the badges in the correct size within the week. We have advised those participants who included an e mail address on their order form but just wanted to let you know the up-to-date position in case you are approached.

I apologise for the inconvenience.

Best Wishes

Julie Rand

Author: Simon L

A Ride from Addlestone 9 October

Unfortunately Steve Duffin is unwell, so I will lead, adapting a route I was preparing for later in the month.

Lunch will be at the Royal Standard in Wooburn Common (www.theroyalstandard.biz) last visited by  us in 2013 with Frank Cubis.

(NB this is not the more well known Royal Standard of England)

There will be one off-road section alongside the M4 from Staines to Poyle. The surface was firm when I rode it last on Saturday but there has been rain since. Thereafter it’s all road. We will be traversing Burnham Beeches, so hopefully the sun will shine for that section at least.

It’s 23 miles to lunch, 24 to Squires at Upper Halliford, so a prompt 11am start from Addlestone please.

Don’t forget lights in case we are delayed or the forecast evening showers catch up with us.

Author: Dave Vine

'B' Ride - Weds 9 October 2019

Given my recent lamentable record when leading 'B' rides (June - broken derailleur and puncture; August - tyre blow-out), I hear that bets are being taken on what mechanical misfortune might befall me on Wednesday's ride!    I will merely say that, if I do suffer any mishap, it will happen either in the 14 miles between Addlestone and The Windlesora (aka Wetherspoon's), Windsor, or else in the 12 miles between Windsor and Nutty Lane, Shepperton.

(Not so) Callow  Hill and a few hump back bridges will be the only serious climbs of the day, and, in the light of recent rainfall,  I have redacted the route as originally planned to remove all unsurfaced, off-road sections.   The Windlesora is on the edge of Windsor shopping centre, and well outside the main tourist area, but cycle parking is not brilliant, and I would advise you, as I always would with any busy town centre lunch stop,  either to come armed with something stronger than a 'cafe lock', or else to bring a friend with a good lock!

Author: David W

Cheam & Morden Easter Tour 2020, 10-13 April

Here are details about the Annual Easter Tour organised by Ann Bath.  Wayfarers most welcome!

We have a hotel booked for next Easter. Staying for 3 nights starting Good Friday 10th till Easter Monday 13th April at the Red Lion Hotel, Milford Street, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP1 2AN www.bestwestern.co.uk/hotels/best-western-red-lion-hotel

Organised rides on Saturday and Sunday, around B group pace.

The price is £65 pppn db&b sharing a twin or a double room. £12.50 supplement pppn single and the meal is a 3 course set menu with options.

There is indoor bike storage. Being in central Salisbury, the hotel has limited, chargeable parking (only 6 spaces at £15 per night). There is a public car park nearby at £10/24 hours (Sundays free)

Contact Ann (or any of the many Wayfarers who've been previously) for further information if you’re interested.

~Ann

Author: Simon L