Easy Riders - 28th November

David Salmon's route with the Easy Riders from Teddington to The Woodman in Ashtead and home to Tea in Nonsuch Park
(click on the map once, or twice, and scroll as necessary to see the whole thing)

  GPS data gathered by Ron W.

Don't lose your shirt

Fashion Parade at Elleray Hall

 

At Teddington on Wednesday, everyone was there when the new 'Sou'Westers' shirts were on display, with Cliff's market stall doing good business. Here he is with some of his string of fillies, modelling the latest must-have fashion accessory. Apologies that the camera setting failed to do the ladies justice!

B Group - 28th November

Twenty two riders left the Elleray Hall for Burrowhill via Bushey Park, along Lower Sunbury, over Chertsey Bridge, then up Holloway Hill and down Staple Hill, thus taking us across the Chobham Ridges to the Four Horseshoes where, due to our large number, John Gould led half of us around the corner to the Red Lion. 
(16.3 miles)

We regrouped after lunch and continued along Red Lion Road and Gracious Ponds, along Stonehill Road and through Homewood Park by St Peters Hospital. Chertsey South, Addlestone and Weybridge brought us to the Riverhouse Arts Centre where the remaining seven of us took tea and cake before finding our various ways home in the fading light. 
(10 miles)

Thank you one and all for being a good group and for not bringing any rain with you. Thanks to Pam for back-marking and to Tim for the maps.

 - Irene

OS 1:50,000

OS 1:25,000

Per birotam ad tabernam

A Group 28 November

Two 'Spoons from Pete today - lunch at Wetherspoons Leatherhead and tea at Wetherspoons Epsom.

31.77 miles from elevenses to tea; 1,326 feet of ascent and 1423 calories.

A good ride for a winter's day.

Mark

Photos wanted

If possible, I would like to include a photo of Phil Marx and Geoff Clarke in the next edition of the Sou'Wester. Can anyone help?

Jeff

Club Shirts

For those who ordered on the first 63 delivery your shirt(s) is /are ready for collection at Cliff & Maureen's 48 St Clair Drive KT4 8UQ. Please call 0208 337 3152 before coming and remember to bring cash or your cheque books!! For those five whose orders were accepted recently I'm afraid it will be a little longer. I can also bring a few to Cobham if requested, 2 panniers full!

Thank you
Cliff

A group - 21/11/12

 Claygate - Putney - Wetlands

On this damp and dingy Wednesday there were empty seats at Claygate so I wasn't surprised that only nine A riders were keen to sample a pale version of my intended route. Capewise it was to be an on and off day; consequently traffic was never a problem. We glided up Ditton Hill and through Surbiton to a river crossing at Berrylands. Back alleys to Homebase and North up Dickerage Road came next. As first I couldn't find the "hidden" path that climbs to George Road meaning Vic ended up in someone's front garden! But soon it was located and Warren Road led to Ladderstile gate and the park. Test Hill and the road to Roehampton Gate was taken at brisk pace and there we cut through the estate. Putney Park Lane is unsurfaced and on my advice Jeff used the blackstuff alternative, wisely as there were comments aplenty at the bottom. After turning onto the Lower Road beside the Half Moon, we were soon in The Rocket (Weatherspoons) on the site of the old ICL building. 

One hour later the weather had worsened as we met Fuzz and then headed along the towpath towards the Wetlands centre and Barnes. By now the hoses were out and Barnes Hospital was a temporary refuge for donning any unused wet gear; at least the bikes wouldn't need cleaning! Much talk now was of home, and one by one they disappeared as we traversed from East Sheen to Ham gates in driving wind and rain. By Latchmere House I was alone (unexpectedly!?) so continued to the announced tea stop, Bridges cafe (aka Milletts). There I spent a profitable five minutes wringing out my hat and gloves before giving up and reaching home at 1445 and only 22 miles .

 Graham

Easy Riders 21 November

Just a small group for today's ride due to the weather.

I led Sandy, John C., Norman, Ron and Brian from Claygate day centre the back way to Hook down to Chessington. We turned right at Derek Avenue and continued to Ruxley Lane, crossed and went down the alley to the front of Ewell Court. Here we lost Ron and Brian. Did they go a different way? We shall see. Continuing the back roads we turned right at Green Lane and crossed over to Longmead. Another right to Manor Green Road took us to The Cricketers at Stamford Green. Here we had arranged to meet Sonia for lunch. Although it had stopped raining when we left the day centre we put on waterproofs when we got to Chessington. We had lunch and still the rain came down; so decided to have coffee there. It was still raining when we left, so decided to go our separate ways home.

Lynda.

B Group - 21st November

John Gould led an uncharacteristically small group of a dozen B Group riders from the Day Centre in Claygate, initially down a busy Copsem Lane before diverting through the more scenic Stokesheath Road and Prince's Drive through Oxshott. Then to Stoke d'Abernon, through Cobham Tilt, across the Mole, onto the path which today was a series of water-filled craters, through to Downside and on to join the Horsley Road.

We were made to feel welcome at the Duke of Wellington in East Horsley with a big table laid out in anticipation of our visit. For some lunch was enjoyed all the more with us believing that better weather had been forecast for the afternoon. We ate well but emerged into more serious rain than we had encountered in the morning, and more serious than the BBC forecast had led us to believe.

Ian and Bernard decided to head for home after lunch but Pam had arrived to share lunch and to help us make light of the rainy afternoon ride. We put on all the rainwear we could find; Les unfurled what looked like a spinnaker and we tacked up to Ockham and sailed along Ockham Lane and Plough Lane through to Cobham. Hogshill Lane led to a couple of squishy tracks and to Sandy Lane from which we proceeded north up Copsem Lane and through Hinchley Wood with five of us making it to Squires in Long Ditton for a warm beverage.

Thanks to John for leading and making the best of the grotty weather. We all survived this autumnal day in relatively good spirits and almost made it home before dark.

- Tim

Copyright © 2012 Crown Copyright; Ordnance Survey, Licence Number PU 100034184
Created using Memory-Map digital mapping software,           www.memory-map.co.uk

Per Ardua ad Astra
   (motto of the RAF)
Per Birotam ad Tabernam
   (believed to be the motto of one of Hannibal's less well known battalions)

Easy Riders Christmas Lunch

Lynda is to lead on 19th December instead of Mike and has asked me to post the following:

From Leatherhead day centre on Wednesday 19th December, would you like to join us for xmas lunch/bar menu at 'The Grumpy Mole' (alias The Bell) in Cheam.  It has just had a refurbishment and opened on Wednesday this week.  I have booked for 10; so just let me know if you are interested.  

Lynda

Wayfarers Contact List

I have recently inherited the contact list from Julian and propose to email it to all paid-up members early in December. If you've moved recently or changed phone numbers, and haven't informed Brian, Terry or Julian, please send me the updated details.

By this post, I want to remind you that the Wayfarers committee holds your contact details electronically. If you don't want us to keep them, or if you simply don't want them distributed to other members, please let me know by email. There are a couple of members who have already opted to withold their addresses.

Simon Lambourn

SCC - Please repair my road

Surrey - Pothole Capital of the Country?

Have you heard about Surrey County Council's Roadshows on repairing the worst roads in Surrey?  I hadn't. This is what SCC is offering:

"A series of roadshows asking residents for their views on Surrey's worst roads will run in the county during October and November. Residents will be able to suggest a road for inclusion in a proposed new road maintenance programme, designed to renew Surrey roads by resurfacing those in the worst condition. The proposals, which are due to go to Surrey County Council’s Cabinet for discussion in February 2013, include a five year programme of major works to solve the root cause of potholes and focus on roads that will make a real difference to communities.

To put forward a road visit one of the events below or email your suggestion to:

improvemyroad@surreycc.gov.uk including the following information:

• Road name
• Section of the road (for example between junctions, by local landmarks)
• Town/village
• District/borough
• Postcode (if known)"

I missed my chance for the Epsom/Reigate roadshows, but there might still be time for you. Here is the link to the SCC website and the dates and venues of the roadshows.

Even if you missed your local roadshow, you can still email your nomination for a road in serious need of repair. Might be worth a shout. What is there to lose?

Jeff

Phil Marx's funeral

As we all knew - Wednesday was the day of the SWLAGM at Hersham  - but it was also the day of Phil Marx’s funeral.   Hence choices had to be made and myself and others forsook the AGM (with apologies to Pete Barnard) and opted to go to Phil's funeral in Barnes. 

Mike Pontin,Terry Lowe, John Gould and Brian? (sorry) and Anna joined me as we headed off to Barnes.   It was a tight call, with the funeral at 12.30 and our group not getting away until approximately 11.10? 

Robin Johnson very kindly spent some time on the phone with me to spell out the best route to take. (Turned out that Mike was also familiar with the area...a great help, thanks Mike :) 

My given route was via Molesey to Hampton Court where Anna left us, on through Bushey Park to Teddington, over the footbridge and straight on into Richmond Park via Ham Gate to exit at Roehampton Gate.  Many deer to be seen in Richmond Park and what with the sun shine it made for a glorious bike ride!

Once exiting the park and getting on to Priory Road it was as good as straight on into Barnes.   We did get a bit edgy when both level crossing gates at Vine Road remained down for what seemed like 'for ever'!!  The time now was 12.18!  (I did not realise we were so near to the Methodist Church where the service was held!) The church was but a short distance into Station Road and we were relieved to see so many people gathered outside - meaning that we were on time!! 

We met Lynda and many others from the easy riders but as the church was so full of guests we were unable to sit all together but chatted later in the Church Hall over a cuppa etc.

Several people, family and friends, including Fuzz, (on behalf of The Wayfarers), spoke very highly of Phil, about the part he played in the church and of all his other wonderful attributes.  Phil's family were very pleased to see us and all the other cyclists for it seems that the leisure side of his life was almost totally taken up with cycling - what a lovely family.

Mike, Terry and myself took our leave around 2.45 and was soon caught up by John who left us in Richmond Park and the next parting of the ways was at Kingston Bridge.  

From there I continued to Gill's house in Sunbury for tea, by prior arrangement! Gill is looking really good and her walking is improving every day and the pain is most definitely far less than straight after her op!!   Gill wants me to say thank you to everybody for their best wishes.

I eventually took my leave and was home 7pm.   All of 43 miles for me!!

Just to say that we will not see Irene for a couple of weeks as she left home Tuesday for Weymouth where she is caring for her friend who has had a knee operation.   So...as Gill is out of action, I have been nominated to lead the B ride 28th November !!!   Irene has given me her intended route so it will still be an 'Irene' ride!

 

 

 

Pam

CTCSWL AGM

Whether we be a formal member group or a DA be that as it may please see my comments under the DA Blog!

http://cyclingswlondon.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/our-agm-hersham-14-nov-2012.html

I know from experience of putting up questions on the DA Blog like "Where is this!" that hardly anyone reads the DA blog and I notice that hardly anyone puts comments to any Blog be it MWW etc and that is one reason why I have resigned as publicity secretary. It was a very interesting DA AGM.

Mike

A Group - DA AGM 14 November

 Hersham - Thames Ditton - Long Ditton

Leader Tony, proud to sport the Winged Wheel

Lunch at Thames Ditton beside the Thames

Any other business at Ye Olde Swan

A Group 14/11/12

Being the day of the DA AGM at Hersham and with the CTC executive in attendance it was never going to be a short meeting. 12 set off at 12.50 for lunch at the Ye Olde Swan at Thames Ditton, this was first time the A group had used this venue. I had planned a route that was flexible in distance and kept it to the shortest. The pace was brisk and we arrived at 1.15 to our reserved table. The service was reasonable if erratic. Peter T arrived late due a puncture.

After lunch as the mornings ride had been very short and flat I pushed the pace a touch and added a few hills to give some cycling satisfaction to the day. Peter T still had Tyre problems so headed home and Ray also took his leave. The afternoon tea stop was destined to be Squires at Long Ditton and only a stones throw from lunch so a circular route via Imber court, Esher, Claygate and Hook got us there in time sit outside, in she shade as the shadows were lengthening. Although not warm the Sun was out all day and made for a pleasant, if short, ride.

5.2 miles to lunch, 8.5 miles to tea totaling 14.1 miles with a rolling average of 13.4. Must be the years shortest.

A Ride 7 Nov 2012

A memorable ride in more ways than one. Thank goodness there was no cyclist being overtaken by this lorry around the South Holmwood Roundabout! The moral of the story never get caught on the lhs of a truck, always overtake on the rhs!

Brockham bonfire - not much left! Did anyone go?

I know that we are not supposed to self publicise but this is me with my Mark Roy Trophy which Terry had kindly bought to Cobham for me after it was engraved. Unfortunately I did not have a panier as I was travelling light on my Fixi and struggled up Ranmore! Ray however came to my rescue with a light back pack so I managed to get the trophy home!

It had been my intention to go to the Chequers at Walton on the way home as it was one of Jeff's days on, if you will excuse the expression, but due to a misunderstanding between rides leader Ray & me we went to Banstead for tea instead of Fanny's Farm. My consolation at the Chequers was that I met the lovely Helen and as Jeff never turned up he missed out! The moral of the story stick with the Fixi's for they are the salt of the Earth (or was it the Dearth!)

Wednesday 7 Nov B ride

Cobham – Mayford - Woodham

Decisions, decisions ………

I had spent some time planning a route for the Bs including the long bridleway at Jury Farm (paved), 2 hills (Staple Lane and Guildford Lane) and some suburban roads in Guildford to get to the Mayford Arms near Woking from our start at Cobham.

However I reckoned without the power of my conscience. In the middle of Tuesday night I woke up and was forced to dismiss Guildford Lane with its ramp at the top as just too much. So I substituted a detour via Chilworth in my mind and went back to sleep. This revised route met with hesitant approval at coffee.

We set out from Cobham. There were a lot of us. At Effingham I counted 26 starters, made the call to the pub and set off for Horsely so we could take the path along the railway to Lollesworth Lane and West Horsely.

Time was passing by. An executive decision had already been made to cut out the detour via Jury Farm and a swift consultation then eliminated the climb up Staple Lane. We made our way to Guildford down the A246 via Blakes Lane.

Then it was side roads through Tormead, Merrow and Burpham to Clay Lane and Jacobs Well. We arrived at the pub via Sutton Green and Pyle Hill at about 1pm – just as well we hadn’t tried to do it all! As it was we had done 17 miles.

After lunch with the leader suffering from a slow puncture we covered a further 7 miles via the canal and wonderful autumn colours to the garden centre at Woodham where 8 survivors took tea.

Many thanks to Tim (for the map), Bernard (for the photos) and Terry (tec), congratulations to David and Patrick on their first rides with us and all the Bs for their company.

P.S. I now have ride for the As with no conscience!

Geoff Clarke

Friday 9^th November

Three Midweekers were among fifty-plus friends gathered at Hersham to pay respects to and celebrate the life of Geoff Clarke, a long-time cyclist and member of our group. The funeral took place at Jordans ,in Buckinghamshire, but the reception took place nearer to home so that more could take part in remembering Geoff with reminiscences and a slide show of his life. A sad but life-affirming occasion.

Vic

Wednesday 7 Nov "A" ride

We saw a truck on it's side at Dorking on A24. Some how or other my Blog got posted on KPRC instead of MWW! See www.kprc.org.uk Blog for details. I have asked Lisa to try and transfer.
Mike M.

B Ride 7 November 2012

Minor excitement at North Cheam.

 

 

A pleasant lunch, albeit slowly served, at the Carpenters' Arms, Mayfield.

 

 

 

 

Peter T Leading us along the Basingstoke Canal.

 

A Ride 7 November

Cobham - Betchworth - Fanny's

 Our leader Paul enjoying his just desserts at Fanny's

Master and disciple with some of the gang outside the Dolphin after lunch - others were otherwise engaged.

7 November 2007

A-Group 7 November = Unabashed plagiarism!

A mixture of weather, daughter home from uni and a tenacious chest infection had kept me down to little more than 150 flat miles since mid-September. So, not having had the chance to reccy (how does one spell that?) a new route was out of the question, so I pinched the one Mark led exactly 2 years ago. Now, the big advantage was that plugging the route into trusty Garmin and a quick train-assisted rekky meant that pre planning was minimised. The disadvantage was that being Mark's route hills featured large and looming.

A round dozen for a Cobham start to Downside thence on through Great Bookham, with brief stop for me to repair a puncture! First time out for my new gas cannister gadget and used in anger, I heartily recommend one! Past Polsden Lacy and down the hill to the Ranmore turning, where I stopped to shepherd the group through - much to my shock and dismay several members cast doubt on my parentage as they turned past me. Here the lack of miles told and I paid the penalty for plagiarism and had the shame of being ride leader and panting up last! Dorking, North Holmwood and Brockham - past the still smouldering Bonfire from Saturday last! And on to the Dolphin at Betchworth. Classic country local - flagstone floor, log fire, good selection of ales, good food and most often populated by local land workers in for lunchtime pint. On to Reigate, up Wray lane, down and up again to Fanny's for Tea and cake.

A nice 25 mile 11's to 3's winter ride in glorious weather - and dry! Thanks Mark!

Paul K

Easy Riders - 7th November

Route taken by Mike with a small group of Easy Riders, with lunch in Bookham

Phil Marx's funeral rides details

Next Wednesday November 14, Lynda will lead a group to the funeral, leaving North Cheam at 9.30, calling at the Active Life Day Centre at Kingston (usual meeting place) at 10.00.

Pam will lead a group FROM HERSHAM PROMPTLY AT 11.00

Terry

B Group - 7th November

Peter T's route from Cobham to the Mayford Arms for Lunch and then to the garden centre in Woodham for Tea

per ardua ad astra
per birotam ad tabernam

A Group 7th November

A solid Winter ride from Paul today - some uphills to warm us; some downhills to cheer us; a good lunch at the Dolphin, Betchworth and tea at Fanny's.   25.73 miles from elevenses to tea, rolling average 9.6 mph, maximum speed 43.3mph, 2,104 feet of ascent and 1,153 calories.

Mark

Sad News of Geoff Clarke

Geoff's wife has asked me to pass on the news to those who knew him.  He was often at 11 s though did not ride out lately.  There will be a green funeral at Jordans followed by a  finger buffet at the WI hall in Hersham on Friday 9th November.  The buffet is from  1.45 - 4.00 to share memories.  All who knew him are welcome. 

24 October - Freewheel Competition at Root Hill

 Freewheelers Caught in Full Flight by Vic

Presentation and celebration at the Royal Oak Brockham

Pam goes further than the other ladies

Admire the styles

Some of the others, with apologies to winning gentleman Grant, who was too quick off the mark.

Easy Riders - map for 24th October

better late than never...

David's route from Walton DC to The Red Lion in Thames Ditton for lunch and then to Ewell Court Library for Tea

A Group 31 October

Addlestone - Fifield - Shepperton

Calorie-laden after lunch at The Fifield

Yet more calories at 'the bakery' formerly known as Watson's

A Ride 31 October 2012

After a chilly start we were treated to lovely autumnal views today. The ride started a bit late due to the late arrival of the incoming peloton from North Cheam (frozen points at Weybridge?). Sixteen of us headed up Holloway Hill and through the woods towards Chobham, diverting along Gracious Pond Road for more gentle showers of leaves and roads littered with sweet chesthuts, en route to Sunningdale and through Windsor Forest. With the wind behind us, I regret to tell you that a bit of a burn-up ensued along The Drift, which gained us some time for our lunch stop at the Fifield Inn.

Large portions of food were served promptly and we departed along rather more direct roads towards Windsor, passing two giant (six feet high) heads of the Queen and Prince Philip just after leaving Fifield. I can't imagine how they got them home from the garden centre.   From Windsor we visited Datchet, Wraysbury, Staines, where Toni & I put on waterproofs, and therefore caused the drizzle to stop again, before heading to The Bakery at Shepperton for tea.  Thankyou to Peter B. for acting as back marker and ensuring we all stayed together.

Ron now home

Ron came home from St Helier Hospital yesterday afternoon, Wed 31 Oct. Now spending a few days relaxing and settling in again after 7 weeks in hospital, we both found it quite stressful. No doubt after that we'll be able to get out and about again. Visitors welcome, but he has got quite a few hospital and clinic appointments in the foreseeable future, so a phone call might be a good idea to save a wasted journey. 020 8644 4400

Doreen

Easy Riders 31 October

Some eight riders left Nth Cheam: Cliff Angie & Les, Les J, Norman, Sandy and Lynda,I've forgotten one, heading for our coffee stop at the Kings Centre Chessington, where tea coffee and cakes were enjoyed by all including David & Wendy, Sonia, Brian and Roger who joined us there. Suitably refreshed we continued our ride having lost Angie & Les and Norman who had other fish to fry.

Due to Blackhills now having stopped cyclists and pedestrians passing thro we had to bypass it and continue to Sandy Lane to make our way to the Running Mare at Cobham. This is a good Pub and I think we all enjoyed a good lunch and a good old natter, during which in respect of the problems in America we nicknamed Sandy " Hurricane". Tea was programmed to be taken at Lynda's favourite place, 5 on the Bridge at Hampton Ct. Cliff was only sure of half the route so David provided the knowledge when Cliff's ran out and we all arrived safely. After tea we split with Brian, David & Wendy and Roger heading towards the Kingston area and Cliff, Lynda, Sandy and Sonia towards Cheam in the patchy but hard rain. Part of the way Sonia split, leaving 3 of us to return to the start. 29 miles clocked by me.

Cliff

Phil Marx's funeral

Phil's funeral will be at 12.30 on Wednesday 14 November, at

                                            Barnes Methodist Church
                                            Station Road
                                            SW13 0NH

The church is beside the pond.

Terry