Sunday's Ride To Henley West Sussex

 

I missed Wednesday's rides to inspect an "unavoidable" track on Sunday's train assisted ride. It's rideable though some will disagree! Believe me it's worth it. And the new cycle path north from Hindhead is a wonder though I suspect we'll face many more mobile bollards (walkers).

The ride is heavy so cast aside panniers, mudguards and heavy tools. This may get you up Bexley Hill which steepens as it climbs. Not as hard as a recent ride up the A939 which was ridden (apart from sections of the west-east track which definitely wouldn't suit anyone from Tadworth). Anyone seeking early retirement may like to note we'll pass Liphook station and other stations are downhill.

So see you Sunday in Weatherspoons Guildford between 0900 and 1000. I'd like to leave promptly (you know who you are).

Author: Anonymous

1 Comment:

Jeff 08 September 2012 at 16:01 BST

Some of us expect to be catching the 9.08 from Epsom, which is scheduled to arrive at Guildford at 9.41.

Jeff

Sunday 2nd September - Henfold Lakes to Dunsfold

A damp autumnal day but we warmed up quickly and enjoyed the cool air on the uphills. We were joined at 11 s by Bob, Daniel, Ed, and at last Jeff, who was on an eating day so we allowed him to finish his bacon sandwich before setting off. We were joined by two riders from the Tadworth Fat Boys - a cycling group I've not encountered before - possibly because I'm not a boy and I'm not fat. Jeff also unlikely to ever be admitted due to his new dietary regime. However the fat boys were most helpful at lunch as they managed to phone back to Henfold Lakes to check that Jeff's cycle helmet with luminous cover was still on the premises. Tea was to be at Guildford but the fat boys were definitely not keen on that direction, perhaps the additional miles would eat into their profile. They did agree to accompany Jeff back to Henfold, cushioning him gently on either side so that no other part of his cycling equipment would fall unnoticed by the wayside.

John led the remainder, Ed, Daniel and I through pretty lanes, past the elevated toilets around Munstead area and on into Shalford Park and Guildford. Unfortunately Daniel punctured (apparently for the third time that day) but John kindly gave an inner tube, Ed lent the use of a splendid pump and soon all was well again. I was suffering with worn brake pads on the rear so did not stop for tea but continued slowly using front brakes only and eventually caught the train from Leatherhead. Must pay more attention to bike maintenance. A lovely route, thank you John, even the bits of off-road on the Downslink were tarmaced to a standard acceptable to all. Oh and the green outside the Sun pub at Dunsfold was a very pleasant lunch spot with cyclists from a charity 100km ride passing regularly.

Steph

Author: Lisa

Sunday 26 August

Bagshot - Mattingley - Knaphill

With 11's at Bagshot there was an 8am start from Kingston Bridge. Some made their own way, some followed Dave and I followed the map, as for me Bagshot is terra incognita. After bevs and half a sin-laden bacon sandwich we set off in sunshine, some for home and some for Mattingley. I shan't (that is can't) describe Dave's route, though it did start with a lovely long downhill along the A30, and ended up at Mattingley. We lunched outside in the peaceful, rustic garden of the Shoulder of Mutton.

A welcome change of plan moved our tea stop from Mytchett to the Mizen Miniature Railway at Knaphill. Dave then guided the disoriented to roads they knew, to navigate home. Janice, Daniel and I headed for Leatherhead before parting. A most enjoyable ride of 82 miles, despite my somehow losing my wristwatch en route. Still, that gave me an excellent excuse to replace it.

Many thanks to Dave for the ride and to everyone for their company.

Jeff

Author: Jeff

Sunday 19 August

Farncombe – The Sands – Newland’s Corner

On a warm and sunny morn, eight found their way to Farncombe Boat House for tea/coffee and a jolly good bacon roll. Don and Dave then turned tail, while Richard led off for The Sands with four in tow and Bob as usual devising his own mysterious route. Farncombe Hill provided a bracing start on a journey via Hurtmore, Puttenham and Seale along some lovely Surrey lanes to the Barley Mow at The Sands.

Steph chose the crab and avocado salad while the rest skulked in the trees and sandwiched out of sight. The beer was dear. Our restart was via Waverley Abbey, followed by some map stops and head scratching as Richard resisted the magnetic field of Farnham in favour of Tilford. We then made an arc via Rushmoor and Thursley to Godalming, where Ed was lost to the lure of Wetherspoons. After a stretch along the A3100 the rest branched off for tea at Newlands Corner, while I headed on to Guildford and home. Our thanks to Richard for a pleasant ride and for me some 73 miles in the legs.

Jeff

Author: Jeff

Sunday 12 August

Rusper Golf Club - Slinfold - Capel Church

Rusper GC, Red Lyon and St Peter's Church Slinfold - cyclist free.

Eleven gathered for 11's at Rusper Golf Club, with a welcome guest appearance from Jake and from Keith, put together again after his fall. A smaller number set off led by Ed, who took us via Warnham and Broadbridge Heath to the Red Lyon at Slinfold. Most chose the company of the gravestones in the churchyard of St Peter's to munch their sandwiches in the sunshine, before retiring to the pub for a glass of water and some cooling shade for Ed.

After lunch we took the pleasant Hayes Lane to the A29 and then Haven Road to bypass Rudgwick along Lynwick St. Thereafter it was the usual route via Ellen's Green and Weare Street to tea at Capel Church. After a sunny tea it was choose your own way home. For Irene this meant that her last two club runs had been over 80 miles, so well done Irene!

Ed

Author: Jeff

Sunday, 5 August

Walton on the Hill to Reigate - via the Brockham, Leigh and Flanchford canal.

Waiting by the sun-dappled waterside at Walton-on-the-Hill were three sleek cyclists - Ed, Geoffrey and Paul. The proposal was a warm-up circuit in sunny Surrey leading to 11's at Reigate, before heading East. The gods had other ideas. After we had swooped down Pebble Hill, the gathering clouds released their first warning salvo. Shall we stop to cape up? Probably yes. Having topped Root Hill and turned towards Leigh, the spits and spots became cats and dogs. In no time shoes were overflowing, capes useless (Geoffrey doesnt have any truck with capes), and I began to wonder if I should have earthed the handlebars against lightning strikes. Lightning flashed, thunder cracked, the gods were not content. Cycling had become white-water rafting. There was little point in seeking shelter. Somehow we managed to reach harbour at Reigate to moor at Morrisons.

After a few minutes of baling out our shoes and sock-wringing, we dripped our way into the supermarket. No words were needed to agree where next. An unspoken understanding told us that our next port of call would be home. No further storm-battered venturer joined us - they were either still in port or lost at sea. We shall resume our course another day.

Jeff

Post Ride Note:

In the light of a review, it has been established that the leader's navigation was adrift; he dropped anchor in the wrong port. Graham's and Terry's compass reading was accurate, despite the squally conditions, and they hove to at the specified destination of the Reigate Garden Centre. The Commissaire (Jeff) has accordingly adjudicated that the leader should be disqualified and receive nul points. There will be no appeal.

Author: Jeff

3 Comments:

Terry 05 August 2012 at 17:04 BST

They were waiting at Reigate Garden Centre.

Lisa 05 August 2012 at 18:00 BST

Hmm, good point.

Seems to me as though the attendance points go to those with Terry, as those with the leader didn't make their destination...

Jeff 06 August 2012 at 10:28 BST

Time for sackcloth and ashes and profuse apologies. Now I know why the gods were not content! Always preferable to engage the brain before making assumptions. The leader has been disqualified! Those who innocently followed him deserve reprieve.

Jeff (in sin bin)

Sunday, July 29 2012

Women's Olympic Road Race seen at Denbies

This Sunday's plan was to find our way to meet at the Denbies Bike Fest at Dorking to watch the women's Olympic Road Race. A 'phone call before I set off confirmed that Ed and Terry were already there. I found them without difficulty, as Pam and friend had arrived and provided a crystal clear homing signal. St John's Ambulance services were on hand to revive me with smelling salts, when I had to pay £2 to park my bike.

Now you see them, now you don't

At first there was little interest in the big screen and cycling capes came out when the rain came down. We watched the race on screen until the riders were on their way to Dorking, then joined a migration to the A24 near the Denbies/Friends Provident roundabout. The riders and entourage flashed past; then we returned to the big screen to weather several heavy showers and watch the rest of the race and the final sprint - nearly blacked out by the rain.  As we were putting on our cycle clips, we met Keith, happily now back in the saddle, and Jake. Then it was time for our final sprint for home.

Jeff

Author: Jeff