We're Back....

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

Sunday the 29th November

 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.

Stockley park, Hillingdon and onto coffee at the Rusty Bike cafe at Fassnidge Park Uxbridge, a small queue of mainly cyclists but a hot chocolate and giant double choc cookie soon cheered the mood. Denham and past Sir John mills old house, Denham golf course and the climb up past Denham Golf course station, where the roads were very wet and the dampness made for more of a chill,  and then the gentle climb upto Chalfont common and up Burtons lane to lunch at Little Chalfont.

The Rex Artisan bakery provided hot coffee and great food but  sitting out in the small park did nothing warm the spirit. Only a brief stop for our lunch in fear of the chill seeping in. Heading into Cokes lane Simons Eagles eyes spotted a loo and it was open! On to Chalfont St Giles passing the turnoff for the Captain Cook monument and down into Chalfont St Giles which is a quaint little village, into Bowstridge lane which took us to Chalfont St Peter and the road to Gerrards Cross, on through and the nice decent to Pinewood and down to Iver, it had started to feel chilly again now and both simon and I already had our waterproof jackets on to keep out the damp and chill. We were also conscious of lighting up time which was fast approaching, although we both had lights I prefer to be home before dark. 

Thorney, West Drayton, Sipson, Cranford and we were soon cycling across Hounslow heath and the edge of Whitton where we parted company, another 2 miles and I was home before 4 and straight into a hot shower. Although cold and damp it was a lovely day's cycling. Thank you Simon for back marking.  

Tony..

An early Sunday ride as we did it Saturday

.Well it was supposed to be a Friday ride but due to the expected rain we moved it to Saturday, Simon and I that is.

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.

.Ed is looking well and now is free of the hospital boot. As you can see he has been very active and produced this fantastic fretwork. We chatted, socially distanced of course, for about 15 minutes then took our leave and headed for Thames Ditton where Simon bought us coffees at the Nice Buns cafe (great name) and we headed to the lovely little church memorial garden where we sat with our drinks.

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..

The Great Wen

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. 

C&M magazine, 1951

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!

C&M solo ride, well me and my shadow.

 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

                                                                       Ditton manor

                                                                  Ditton manor church

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..
 

Sunday the 1st November (the ride into lockdown)

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.

 

 

Photo courtesy Simon

I arrived at 10.50 and 3 were seated, outside. Dave, Pam and Simon who only came to 11's. In  the present circumstances it is a good venue. Slight delay while I topped up on refreshments, (and duck food, but that's another story). Not feeling at my best after a cold, yes just a cold. I headed for the lunch venue which was only 11 miles but through suburbia. The nice little off road path to  the Staines-Runnymede road  and then Moor lane, the off road section had stretches submerged but luckily not too much mud. Then onto roads I know well having cycled regularly North of the M4.

 

Photo courtesy Pam

On reaching our lunch destination and looking forward to a coffee, we found it closed due to illness. Mmmmm, complete change of route plan and we headed into Stockley park and to Costa for refreshments and natural breaks. Nice really considering and we sat outside undercover. Heading back via Cranford and the Hounslow heath and onto Hanworth, at this point I was on my last legs, the cold had taken it's toll. We had decided on not stopping for tea and at this point I turned left for Hampton and home, Dave and Pam continued towards Haliford.

I stopped  twice more to let my legs gather strength before the last mile and a half home. I did enjoy the ride but was glad to get home. Thank you Pam and Dave for bearing with me and to Simon for the small group photo.

Finally, best wishes for a speedy recovery to Ed, Ray, Terry and Lillian, at least you can take a month off without having to send in your sick note

Rides Suspended

 Dear All,

  Rides Suspended due to Covid - 19 National Lockdown. 

 Those living on the dark side of the moon may have missed the Downing Street declaration on Saturday evening  that we once again face lockdown. The new measures will come into force from midnight on Thursday morning, 5 November Guy Fawkes Day, and last until 2 December. The following link gives the full text of Mr Johnson's statement:

 https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/prime-ministers-statement-on-coronavirus-covid-19-31-october-2020

These measures require that we stay at home and leave home only for specifically defined reasons. The reference to exercise and recreation is:

 
"For exercise and recreation outdoors, with your household or on your own with one person from another household."

 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