New Year's Day 2018

Only the 2nd day but the 4th blog of the year! I mostly mention "regulars" though in truth we were in the minority both on the ride and at Ed's. Irene, Pam and Tony were at Roehampton Gate. Ed, Lillian, Terry and myself rode on from there to lunch.

As usual Ed and I split the leadership; both legs involved significant detours. The ride from Ewell went via Tolworth thanks to a burst water main near St Johns Church Old Malden (still dribbling later in the day, with ice warnings following  DV's accident?). A closed level crossing in Elm Road forced me into the imprompu tour of New Malden town centre.

In general fewer folk seem to be out and about these days; our numbers too were down so plenty of  seating as we turned up in our dribs and drabs. We set off around 1215. Under skies dull, overcast and hinting of rain, it was a variant of my standard tour of suburbia. Just a dozen (including a late arriving Ian) enjoyed the elaborate feast laid on by Ed, Maureen and Lillian. Plenty left as I departed under brightening skies around three.


 Christmas Eve

Ten got to Squires Stoke D'Abernon including two newcomers keen to join us; sadly there was no ride. The roll of honour reads: Alan, Bob, Ed, Graham, Irene, Pam, Simon, Vic plus tandemists Ian Houghton and Penny Church

John Mason

John

This is a photo taken on 9 June 2010 of John having lunch on an MWW ride at the Little Park Hatch at Cranleigh. Some may remember Toni d'Italia sitting on a freshly painted bench and having to strip as much as possible of the wet green paint from his clothes before he could comfortably take to the saddle after lunch. We remember John with great affection.
Jeff

John Mason

Terry informed me yesterday that John Mason died on Thursday 28th December.

John was suffering from Alzheimer's disease in recent years and had recently been moved from a home in Bookham, his home town, to a home in Westcott which was better suited to his needs.

John's wife Marguerite spoke to Terry yesterday to inform him and she will let him know when and where the funeral will take place.

Graham and Terry remember John as a regular with Cheam and Morden from about 2004 to 2010. Perhaps he rode with the Wayfarers too.

John (in blue), at Elevenses, Henfold Fisheries

John, after beating Peter and David in the 2006 Freewheel Competition

Spot some familiar faces ?

New Year''s Day ride and lunch at Ed''s

Margaret Squirrell

It is with much sadness that I announce the passing of  Margaret Squirrell. Margaret had a massive stroke in the early hours of Friday morning the 22nd and passed away in the early hours of Saturday the 29th.

We will keep you posted about funeral arrangements and anything else relevant as soon as we know.

Our deepest sympathy and thoughts are with Bill and the family,

A lovely lady, always had a smile and a joke.

Tony..

New Years Eve Ride

As it was new years eve the plan was for just 11's at the Golden cafe Adlestone. Dave, Done and Bob were already seated when I arrived. Graham, Irene and Pam, Alan and Vic arrived around 11 as did Terry and eventually Ray. Big discussion as to the possibility of going on to lunch somewhere and a split decision was reached. Dave, Don, Alan, Graham and Bob headed home, Vic and Terry opted for the Saddlers arms at Send and Pam, Irene, Ray and myself headed  for Windsor and the Windlesora for lunch with Pam leading.

 

 

A pleasent lunch and off home via Datchet where I left the other 3 and headed towards Poyle. Just as I reached Harmondsworth the heavens opened and it was torrential for the next 5 miles, like riding along a stream!  It eased off just before I reached home but by then water ingress was nearly total, Still it meant I reached my mileage goal. A Happy new year to all and safe cycling in 2018.

Tony..

Annual Mileages for 2017

Please Remember, don't Forget.

Now is the time to check your current mileage and decide how many miles you would like to add before the witching hour of 11.59.59pm on Sunday 31 December 2017. The qualifying period is unsurprisingly from 1 January to 31 December 2017. However modest your mileage may be, do not yourself be too modest, but please send it to me to populate our 2017 spreadsheet. 

There is a 'mileage' tab on the MWW blog page that reveals all. The column for 2017 is waiting for your mileage. It can be revealing to see the annual ebb and flow of our cycling dynamics. Not only that, but there is a gong to be won for the lady and gentleman (if any), reporting the greatest annual mileage, as well as the greatest increase over the previous year's reported mileage.

Please send your mileages to: jeff.tollerman@lineone.net and then check that I have successfully recorded your mileage on the spreadsheet. You cannot record it yourself .

To all those that I have not recently seen, may I wish you a positively memorable and enjoyable cycling New Year.

Jeff

Sunday December 17 2017

The forecast was morning dull, afternoon dire so it served no purpose by booking. But I was surprised by our number (10) at Squires Holloway Hill. A decision had been made: Wetherspoons Woking.

Eight set off on an obvious route : Stonehill Road, Philpot Lane, past the rebuilt but not reopened Plough to Horsell Rise then jostling with Christmas traffic in Woking town centre. Unsurprisingly our arrival time was an early noon.

The rain (as forecast) came around 1230 so the second vote was to miss tea and return via Maybury, Sheerwater and Scotland Bridge. Ed and I tarried, accepting an invite to tea at the White House (New Haw). Home in light and heavy rain after a desultory 40 miles. Happy thought: next Sunday's sunset is later.

2 points : GFH, Dave W, Ed, Irene, Pam, Terry, Tony, Vic
1 point  : Alan, Bob

Snowday, 10 December 2017

On Saturday night I fell asleep to a meteorological omen of an impending deluge and heavy snow. Vowing to ignore it, I awoke to the distant refrain of a carol from the Occident:

"Born a King on Twickenham's plain,

Cold I bring to freeze them again,

Rain forever, ceasing never,

Over them all to reign."

I opened the curtains and lo, the omen had come to pass. I closed the curtains, gave praise and fell into a deep, warm and blissful sleep.

Jeff

Sunday 10 December

Leader Simon overslept

near the feast of Stephen

When the snow lay round about

Not very deep or crisp or even

Brightly shone the morning light

Though the frost was cruel

Forgot to set the alarm last night

What a silly foo-el.

The assembled masses (after David had left)

David, Bob and Graham were waiting patiently at the Moat Garden centre near Epsom as I put on my warmest clothing and cycled at top speed against the wind to meet them.   When I arrived at 11.10, nearly melting, the assembled group had taken the sensible decision not to ride any further, so we sat and chatted for a bit and returned home.   I lingered a bit to cool down and was entertained by Epsom & Ewell Silver Band playing carols.   By this time it was snowing heavily - very Christmassy.

Epsom & Ewell Silver Band (with the building works behind)

ADDLESTONE - WINDLESHAM (then home!)

A mean dank day to start with; some what brighter in the afternoon.

I went to Staines to meet Alan and a new rider..neither appeared after 15 minutes so I continued to elevenses, calling  into  bike shop first.

Graham, Bob, Dave and Alan (yes..Alan) at one table and Bill and Margaret at another.  Then Tony (who had punctured on the way in)Terry and Vic arrived.

There was no rush to get going as the route was not much of a challenge. Five left with me for Windlesham, Dave, Graham, Tony, Vic and Terry who turned for home via Chobham after Staple Hill. 

Our route was via Holmwood Park, Accomodation Rd., Longcross, Staple Hill, Chestnut Lane to Valley End. We were all curious as to what stage the bridge was at in Woodlands Lane,...still no access but looks as though it will not be long before it opens. So onwards into Rygrove, Church Road, Updown Hill and into The Sun for lunch where we received the usual good service and food and was on our way just after 1.30.   It was decided not to stop for tea during our lunch time chatter!

We turned left onto Chertsey Lane, then right into Highams Lane to Burrowhill. From there it was the well used route to Green Lane, Addlestone.

I turned off for Chertsey whilst t'others continued homeward bound. 

My thanks to you chaps for coming out today,  to Tony for putting this on the blog..and Dave for the photo.

Cheers Pam

03/12/17 Pam's Ride - Windlesham

Capel Teas 2018

   
Credit to Terry for the following.


11/03, 30/03(Good Friday) 

 01/04(Easter Sunday), 02/04(Easter Monday) 

06/05, 07/05(May BH), 27/05, 28/05  

10/06

 01/07, 15/07, 29/07

26/08, 27/08  

 09/09, 23/09

07/10  

18/11, 25/11 

C&M Sunday the 26 November

A Very cold morning and ride to Windsor. Graham, Irene, Alan and Bob had already arrived were warming up. Soon after I arrived John and Carolyn Arrived as did Vic. John and Carolyn were not going to join us and Vice was off somewhere with his camera. So just Irene, Graham and myself set off for the Bear at Maidenhead, Bob was going to make his own way there. Off heading west to Clewer then Oakley Green and onto Fiffield.  Then onto Bray and the nice off road section at Braywick and across the Bath road heading toward Cookham with a loop round just past Bolters lock and back the Bear for lunch to meet Bob who had just arrived.

Wined and dined we headed back towards Dorney and along the Jubilee river to Datchet, having decided not to stop for tea we left Irene heading towards Wraysbury and Graham and myself towards Poyle where Graham turned to Stanwell Moor and me to Longford and home. A very cold day but the Sun did help. Very short on numbers but not surprising considering the temperature.

On the track through Braywick

Tony..

Sunday the 26th Lunch Venue Change

Lunch will now be at The Bear (Wetherspoons) Maidenhead.

Tony..

Sunday 19 November - Woodham and Windsor

Graham, Vic, Paul, Ed, Irene, Pam and I met for the ride at the ever-busy and newly-refurbished Bourne Valley Garden Centre café, and Alan, Bob and Terry joined us for elevenses only.   It was a glorious morning but rather chilly, so I thought a few climbs to keep us warm would be the best thing!   Accordingly, we set off for Virginia Water via Ottershaw, Kitsmead Lane and Wellington Avenue.  I decided the preferred route, the shared path around the lake, would be a little busy on such a lovely day, so we headed west to Blacknest and entered Windsor Great Park at Cheapside instead, much quieter but still with delightful scenery.   We left the park at the Rangers Gate and picked up the cycle route to Spital, then dodged round some backstreets to reach The Windlesora, Windsor’s other, less touristy Wetherspoons!    Service was quick and friendly, and we all enjoyed good meals.   No hills at all on the return trip, just a few hump-backed bridges as we motored through Datchet, Wraysbury and Staines at a steady 12 mph to reach the tea stop at Laleham just after 2.30 pm.    Many thanks to all for a problem-free ride and I hope you enjoyed it.   Mea culpa – I forgot the customary group photo hence the map!

Sunday November 12, 2017

Thirteen met at West Horsley Squires but, fortunately for the superstitious, Alan, Bob and Donald did not join the ride. We headed east, our entry to Chalk Lane being delayed slightly by about a couple of dozen Harley Davidsons burbling past in the opposite direction. Ascending Greendene and descending Combe  Lane we saw many other cyclists out on training runs. To Shere next via Rectory Lane, over rather than through the ford then a change from normal by using Church Hill before joining Sandy Lane. On to the outskirts of Peaslake where we followed Hoe Lane to Horsham Road. Just short of the junction we met a car travelling in the opposite  direction. I stopped, so did the car – I wanted to warn the driver there were more  cyclists coming. I recognised the driver as an old friend and former works colleague. He was and is very keen on motorcycle racing. Many years ago he prepared and rode his own bike in the Clubmans’ races (not the TT) in the Isle of Man and finished third in his first race there. Now his two sons are doing nearly as well. We joined the B2126 as far as Sutton Abinger then via Sutton Lane, Donkey Lane and Hollow Lane we reached the A25. Turning into Balchins Lane we avoided main road traffic and noise. There were wonderful views of the trees on Ranmore in their various autumn colours. On the outskirts of Dorking we turned left into Station Road, shortly right into Parkway then across Meadowbank to the cycle track  to Leatherhead and lunch at the Edmund Tylney. By the time we had all eaten and drunk and chatted it was 1500 hrs and it was unanimously decided to head homewards in the daylight.

Edmund (later Sir) Tylney was  the Master of Revels (I’m not joking) for Queen Elizabeth I and King James I and lived in Leatherhead. He had great influence in the censorship and developement of drama.

My original lunch venue was The Scarlett Arms but after a recce I decided it was a pub too far. Tracey, the landlady was scheduled to have left by now, (going to pastures/pub new in Cranleigh) to be replaced by one Jill. Another redoubtable lady leaving us.

Thanks to all for company, David for tec and people various for corner marking. I hope we have a few more Sundays with such agreeable weather.

Think this is correct – I’m sure Jeff will correct if necessary:                        

2 points Irene, Pam, Graham, Jeff, Ed, Ray, Vic, Terry.  

1 point Donald, Bob, Alan, David, Brian.

Terry

Cheam and Morden ride Sunday 12th November

Having recced my proposed route I have decided to shorten it. The 11s venue is unchanged at West Horsley GC but lunch will be at the Edmund Tylney at Leatherhead and 3s at Painshill if we are there by 3.30.

Terry.

Guy Fawkes Night 2017 (part 2)

A perfect autumn day (sunny but chilly NW breeze) drew a bumper crowd to the Vineries cafe. With an early lunch booked I was keen to get away so 11 (or thereabouts) set off at 11 (or thereabouts).

High Barn Road and Hogden Lanes led us to the top of the Downs. Then began the long descent from Ranmore Common into Dorking. We left the one way system at Horsham Road before crossing from west to east using St Paul's Roads. After a brief dalliance with the A24 Blackbrook was next. Here a glance at the watch indicated time for an offroad detour so we turned left at the still muddy waters of Forwents Pond. We now encountered an unexpected hazard - smartly dressed riders and horses, dozens of them! They'd done their best to ensure that any mud was well and truly churned. But soon we were through and heading for Shellwood Manor. It needed a burst of evens to ensure that we (or more accurately I) reached The Royal Oak reached at the appointed time of 1230. It was heaving but already arrived were the softies who'd used the Gap. That made 16 (more than my guestimate of 10). However by the time the food arrived the pub had emptied (to watch the Morris Dancers?) and we were all seated.

Toasting marshmallows

With no intention of stopping for tea I led across the Coach Road to the A25. In Pixham Lane came news via Ann (and presumably Steve) that a rucksack had been left at the pub. Mine! so here my ride ended. And to make matters worse - crossing Ashstead Common I punctured, a lengthy stop as it took forever to inflate the tyre with a mini-pump. Home before sunset (1630) after 50 eventful, stressful miles.

Apologies for the mud; none on Wednesday's recce. Finally that letter box: TQ181591

2 points: Graham, Irene, Pam, Ed, Ian, Ray, Brian, Paul, Ann, Vic, Tony, Richard. Bob, David W, Mike
1 point: Alan, Don, Maureen, Steve.

From Pam:

Leaving? without a rucksack

Spot The Morris Dancers

Guy Fawkes' Day 2017

The Brockham bonfire (but not how you'll see it on Sunday)

Table booked for 1230 as it could be heaving. Festivities last the whole weekend so expect Morris dancers on arrival. Ranmore Common and Dorking town centre are on the official route though I hear rumours that some "softies" may be taking an alternative route with no hills! The choice is yours.

An Edward VIII letterbox spotted on my route home - not many of them about. Won't tell you where it is but there's a big clue in the background (no it's not the Virginmedia van).