Not a Ride Report - Sunday 11 October

 

There was no volunteer to lead today, so this isn't an official ride report!   Andy C kindly offered at the last minute to lead the ride back from Guildford, which was very helpful because I could only manage to lead the outbound leg.

Anyway, there was an excellent turnout for elevenses at quirky but good venue, Whitely Village including newcomer Graham K.   Some headed home from elevenses, while eight joined me the ride towards Guildford.  We took the opportunity for the C & M to 'christen' the new Cobham to Ripley cycle route in full.  It's a pity the initial access and first few hundred metres are so poor - after Painshill Roundabout, it's great!

After that I had to cut my ride short a bit, but we reached lunch just before 1.00 pm.  I had to turn around and head straight for home leaving the rest of the group to a lavish Wetherspoon's lunch!   Of what happened after that, I have no knowledge, but it appears from the photographic evidence that tea was taken at Claremont Gardens....

Ken's funeral - some pictures

I've put a short write-up and some pictures of the funeral on the Wayfarers blog here.

Coming soon - the new-look Sou'Westers website

The website gnomes have been working to update our website, to make it more easier for us all to find the info we need, and to make it simpler for prospective new members to discover the joys of riding with us.

We hope you will still find it simple to use and to get access to the blogs, rides list, and other important information.

The website address will not change, so when you go to the website you will see an updated front page like the picture above. 

Many thanks to the webmasters, Paula and the committee for their input into the re-design.  We hope you like it.   

If you discover any mistakes or if you have any queries about how to find things, please do drop me a line at simon.lambourn@gmail.com.

Plans for Sunday 4 October 2026

Elevenses on Sunday is, as planned, at the Golden Cafe, Addlestone, but, in a slight change from the published programme, Jennie's ride will then lead us to the Edmund Tylney at Leatherhead instead of the Cinnamon Cafe, Windsor.

Sunday 27th September 2026

 Sunshine was at a premium today but with slightly higher temperatures than the average for late September.

Sue C joined me for a 14 mile ride to Edwins Garden Centre, West Clandon which we last visited in January 2025.

The coffee was good, the scones pricey but friendly staff made this a great 11's stop.

The St Margarets Cycling Club all wearing their club kit, occupied an adjoining table, their destination unclear.

Leaving Niall & Dave V, Sue & myself were joined by Dave's W & E + Steve D. 

A repeat of a ride I led in May 2025, taking advantage of dry conditions, it featured a fair bit of off-road.

But first we had to negotiate the metropolis of Guildford & this we did with a combination of shared paths/quiet back roads. 

At Wood Street village, we continued west on the Christmas Pie trail, a level path going through woodland to emerge at Flexford.

Nobody objected to an unplanned extra few miles as we avoided Wanborough Hill but later had to climb & cross the Hog's Back (A31) which at lunchtime on a Sunday, is four lanes of fast moving traffic.

Not advisable & unlikely to 'attempt' again!

NCN 22 at Seale took us to lunch at The Good Intent, Puttenham.

Last year, I was impressed with the sandwiches at a reasonable price.

No sandwiches on a Sunday nowadays & I'd be less keen to visit again until they're back on the menu.

We bid farewell to Dave W & we took the usual route (NCN 22, Mount Road & One Tree Hill) to tea at The Plucky Pheasant, Newlands Corner but not before Steve attended to a rear wheel puncture.

Rain threatened to end the day but we all arrived home in the dry (I think).

Thanks to both Daves for the pictures & everybody else for joining me on one of my favourite rides! 

 

Ken Day - funeral details

Ken's funeral will be held at Randall's Park Crematorium and Cemetery, Randalls Road, Leatherhead KT22 OAG on Thursday 8th October at 1:15pm.    Afterwards, there will be refreshments at Ken and Maggie's house in Cobham.

If you would like to come along, perhaps you could let me know by email, so we can give an idea of numbers.   Maggie tells me that you are very welcome to wear cycling kit if you wish.

This Saturday....