Our rides (in groups of no more than six) will restart from Sunday 6 December.
No elevenses was planned for next Sunday, but let's celebrate the occasion, in a socially-distanced way, by adding one in!
So, see you at The Wilde Brunch, Walton Bridge from 10.00 am on Sunday. Lunch stop to be confirmed (could still be West Horsley, depending on interest).
Dave
Author: David W
It dawned cold and damp but no mist. Simon met me for an early start from my house at 9.30 and we headed North to Heathrow with some exploritary off road tracks. Through Harlington, and memories of being knocked off my bike by a police car.
. Author: Tony
Simon
knocked for me at around 10.30 and we headed into the wind for Cobham,
via Esher. Heading to the Patisserie at Stoke D'Abernon and Cobham
station.
This sign is in the window, so we shared one of their rather large sausage rolls and with a coffee each, the bill came to £1.80, and lovely coffee it was. On then to Leatherhead and a loo stop, then Simon took us on roads new to me and a very pleasant route to Ashstead then across the common (so many people on the common) and down to Ewell and a visit to Ed.
Then off to face the
mayhem of Hampton court roundabout and the many cars, bikes and general
public. Onto the high street at Hampton hill where we parted company. A
really nice time on the bike today, thank you Simon.
On a different tack, I phoned Alan Anderson this evening. He is well and still unable to cycle as caring for his wife takes all his time, he now has no Parkrun which he used to do pushing his wife round in a wheelchair. But takes her round just the same minus the company of the other participants. He is just the same and tried to talk me into a joint venture on one of his madcap inventions for unlimited free energy.
Tony..
Author: Tony
It was a wind is rising, leaves falling off the trees sort of day with rain forecast around noon. So I set off in the late rush hour on NCN4 for central London. During my last visit in May traffic had been nonexistent and it's still well below normal levels.
I'd no planned route as the map reveals! Well perhaps a trip down memory lane: Albert Memorial (the 1987 Great Storm), Admiralty Arch (FNRttCs and early L2B rides) and Victoria (15 years of commuting).
Keeping an eye on the weather at the end of Embankment cycle path I turned north then west along Fleet Street. I had one more mission: to discover if this plaque existed hence the detour through Lincoln Inn Fields and Covent Garden. By the time I reached Richmond Park I was being overtaken by e-bikes such was the strength of the wind. Home by noon and the rain was at least two hours late.
Author: RaasayWarden
Mark Gladwyn found this gem advertised on eBay. A typewritten newsletter from October 1951. Since the photos are published, I am taking the opportunity of reproducing them here. The original is still available at a very reasonable price of £5, only a little higher than the original price of 1½d. Comments welcome!
Neil C 19 November 2020 at 18:36 GMT
Thanks Simon and Mark, an interesting read but I have one question.
Half way down the back page it says, "On the 28th we visit Watchet in Surrey (not in Somerset). This is a place very seldom heard of, but can assure you of a very interesting run."
Can anyone shed any light on where Watchet is? Mr Google has let me down!
A mild day with some sun. I decided to meander and explore some new possible routes and was successful. Some lovely off road gravel paths through Hanworth park. Once at Feltham I thought I'd take Bedfont lane and pass the school where Feltham road club used to meet many years ago. But the level crossing has gone and the only way across is a footbridge, which is not yet finished.
There is another option by going over the bridge but I had made my mind up by then for a different option and headed up Harlington road west and the route through Heathrow and passed the vast, but nearly empty, Covid testing station.
I had decided to stop at the Costa Coffee at Stockley park as they have loos. Sadly the loos were closed but they did have a Christmas tree 😄 Sadly none of the presents had my name on it. Coffee and a sandwich sitting outside and off to explore some of the new paths that have now appeared.
Coming out onto the West Drayton road and past the old tractor that is now beginning to disappear in the overgrown fuana.
On past Hillingdon hospital and on to Iver and through the Orchards residential park where I met a group of 6 cyclists who had a variation on the rule of 2? I upped the pace and quickly passed this wayward group. Now down past the edge of Slough and into Ditton park and onto Datchet
Wraysbury, where it started to get colder and a brief stop to add a
layer,Staines, Ashford and down to Feltham and onto Hampton and home. An
enjoyable ride and some new paths, as it was getting chilly now me and
my shadow raced the last few miles, I wish.
.
Tony..
Author: Tony
Tim C 09 November 2020 at 12:55 GMT
It would be interesting to see a map of your route. You went quite a way beyond our usual orbit.
Tim
Left home heading for Runnymede and within a mille the puncture fairy struck my front wheel. Managed to sort it reasonably quickly and headed off again, within 500metres the level crossing barrier went down! More delay.Off again and I took the shortest route to 11's.
Author: Tony
The Midweek Wayfarers have decided that from next Thursday 5th November all Wayfarer group rides are suspended until December. This decision will be updated on the Blog in the light of any further announcements made by the Government and any additional guidance issued from Cycling UK.
Subject to your agreement, It is proposed that, in the interests of consistency, other Sections and Cheam and Morden adopt the same policy.
Jeff Tollerman
Author: Jeff
David W 02 November 2020 at 07:30 GMT
In the wise words of Deputy Dawg 'The time has come for us to go, but we'll be back with the same old show'!