Sunday Aprl 11 2021 The Reality

 If one could see the sun one stayed warm but more likely one didn't and just six (G, Dave, Pam, Simon, Terry and Tony) made the West Byfleet start. Googling had uncovered ten or more public toilets on or near possible routes through Woking so which way to go?

The much used and recently refilled canal was soon discarded. Empty streets was excuse enough for a minor planetary (Ceres and Pluto)  ride through "have not" Sheerness, the town centre, and  "have" St Johns where Terry left for home. We continued on Neptune down steep Beechwood into Knaphill. Then came the east end of Bisley before we crossed and recrossed the A322 on Ford Road (no ford) before skirting the east end of West End. Ignoring traffic noise on nearby major roads the meandering rural ride led to Windlesham from the west along Pound Lane. Our lunch stop was the Recreation Ground and its recently opened cafe. No surprise was a shortage of seats and loos so we had to settle for a sheltered if not always sunny spot behind the cafe.

The return was quickly decided: down and up Updown Hill,Steep Hill, Burrowhill, and St Peters (major housing development). At the bottom of Holloway Hill Pam headed north to Chertsey and the rest towards Addlestone where Simon and Tony stopped for coffee.

48 miles door to door.

Final thoughts :

None of the few en route pubs looked as if they would be opening on the morrow (12/04).

Why are we restricted to six when the Ramblers limit is thirty; similar numbers for football pitches. And I was passed by two groups of at least a dozen riders?

Sunday April 11 2021 Ride

The weatherman says cold so it's a modest 20+ miles! This could be shortened at any time (after Knaphill). The Basingstoke has been refilled so may take the Ceres/Saturn/Pluto routes through Woking (surprisingly lumpy).

Start : Outside Costa West Byfleet railway station (all facilities except shelter (bus stop) within 150 yeards)

Lunch : Windlesham (newish cafe in Rec) or Chobham (slightly more)

Finish : Addlestone or Chertsey (or whereever)

Sunday 4 April 2021 - Ride Report

 

It has been four months since we were last able to meet, so it was with some relish that Simon, Pam, Tony, Terry, Graham, Ed, Lilian, Maureen, Brian B and I assembled in glorious sunshine at Walton Bridge.  There was a lot of catching up to do and it was difficult to get going after elevenses, but all of us except Tony and Maureen eventually set off towards Ripley, taking advantage of both the new Weybridge to Brooklands cycle path and Muddy Lane, Byfleet, recently designated a bridleway.

Because of numbers, two separate groups were needed and each took a different, final route into Ripley, producing the almost inevitable outcome that the first group arrived last!   For hot drinks we shared our custom between Pinnocks coffee shop and a new venture on the other side of the road,  and ate our sandwiches on Ripley Green.

After lunch riders set off homeward in different directions.   I rode back to Walton with Simon and Pam and we went our separate ways from there.

Today's ride was very much a communal effort, so thanks to all for making it a very enjoyable first ride of what we all hope will be an uninterrupted programme from now on!

Welcome Back - Our Rides Restart on Sunday 4 April!

Our group rides can restart from Easter Sunday after what seems like an eternity!

For the time being we must keep to groups of six when riding or at refreshment breaks.

Until the ride on 18 April all refreshments will be takeaways or bring your own, and planned rides will be altered to suit.

Change of programme - our first ride on Sunday 4 April will start from Walton Bridge (not Ripley as published), lunch stop to be arranged (bring your own sandwiches and drink).

Watch this blog for details of/changes to planned rides and welcome back!

AGM 2021 (or is AGM 2020)

You may recall that our last AGM was 13/10/19. Due to (1) Covid, (2) CUK accounting changes, this year runs from October 2019 to March 2021 so an AGM is due. In the past dates had to appear in Cycle and Annual Returns had to be completed (one by me, one by Pam as Treasurer). But not a word from HQ.

There is a newish (2019?) online facility called Assemble designed for groups. Oddly I can list all of SWL volunteers!, the sort of detail needed for an annual return but there's no (obvious) mention of AGMs.

Trawling the CUK website I found https://www.cyclinguk.org/local-groups/cycling-uk-member-group-agms-2021 which I couldn't find it using the Search option! Clearly it's directed towards prospective  members. Thus we read:

'AGMs are normally very social events and often feature a ride before or after the meeting'
'Unfortunately, due to Covid, most groups won't be able to host their AGMs in person as they normally would'
'Instead, most will be held online, using Microsoft Teams, Zoom or a similar service. Some groups have even decided to defer their AGM to a later date or make alternative arrangements, such as conducting it via email'

Hopefully the next two weeks will bring some clarity. Your views (when, where, agenda, or whatever) are sought for a decision in April. The quorum is 10, a number I doubt we'll reach. Is it time for consider the future (change of name or status) ? 

You may recall this was on my last ride of 2020. It's  disappeared! And one kissing gate has been 'improved' with builder's rubble so you may have to dismount.

I've reported this to Surrey CC but as it's priority 3 not much hope of immediate action. 
 

 

 

 

 

    

They must have been reading my thoughts as the proforma Annual Return turned up the same day! No advice on how to stage an AGM which must take place before the end of May.

Sou'Wester

 Seems not everyone can see the attachment at the bottom left of the email

An alternative in on the website under 'Information Hub' Newsletters.

Sou'Wester March/April 2021

 Graham,
We applaud your devotion in braving the cold and public transport to search out copies of the latest Sou'Wester Newsletter for our Members, deprived of opportunity to ride and meet together.

For those unable to take possession of a treasured paper copy of the Sou'Wester, it is available as an ethereal version. I shall try to attach a link to it, with no guarantees of success. Sou'Wester March/April 2021. Let's see if this works.

Jeff

Souwester March/April 2021

 As Ed is not fully mobile, I've collected a dozen copies of the latest newletter from Colin -  home and back in an hour and a half using the (almost empty) buses

If you'd like your copy and have a cunning plan, please contact me.

A cold windy walk

 

Cycled the last 2 days as the weather for Sunday was forecast as severely cold and snow. A longish walk was planned instead, fine for the first half mile then it got muddier and muddier.

 

So, a change of direction was instigated and I headed homeward to warm up with a Whisky or 3.

 

 

Not walking friendly at present.

Tony..

Smile

Just thought this may put a smile on your face.😁

Sunday December 27 2020 - Another Ride That Never Was

Firstly an apology to anyone who felt formal cancellation of Sunday's ride was needed.

But I couldn't waste a fine cycling day. After Bella and a lengthy call from a blue toothless caller, departure was late (after 11). Via Walton I reached Sainsbury's Cobham (the printed 11s) around 1215; unsurprisingly I didn't recognise any bikes.

Bella had left plenty of wet roads though none deep enough for wet feet. Taking no chances by Downside I went to Ripley (both cafes closed) before turning for home.

Muddy Lane has a new signpost! Its predecessor lay vandalised when last I passed this way.

It's hard to believe that there's a pandemic going on. Town centres may be largely empty but open spaces,  parks, Thames side, Muddy Lane, the Weybridge sewage path, etc etc were crowded as never before!

Roll on spring

Lockdown Mileages 2020

 

 How far did you go in the year of covid lockdown 2020?

 The time is fast approaching when you will be invited to submit your mileage totals for the past year. This may not be top of your immediate priority list, but like all good Girl Guides and Boy Scouts: Be Prepared.

This is what I said last year.

 https://midweekwayfarers.blogspot.com/2019/12/how-far-did-you-go-in-2019.html

 However, having filled this gap between Xmas and the New Year for too long, the time has come for someone more in touch with the membership to take on this cherished and dearly coveted privilege. The Committee has decreed, I understand, that the mantle should now rest on the shoulders of our dear Secretary: Tim Court, who can never resist a challenge. He must learn how to say:No! Perhaps he will delegate!

No doubt, he will soon be inviting you to submit your historically Covid reduced mileages from Jan to Dec 2020. Even with the restrictions of Tier 4, you may be tempted to go that extra mile before midnight on December 31.

Stay alert!

Jeff

As you were. Stop!

 Friday is a long time ago. Since then London and Surrey have been promoted to Tier 4 of the  Premier Lockdown League, with all the privileges that lock-down includes. As we can no longer surf the tiers and only cycle with A.N.Other, all rides are now once again suspended. Simon has had to cancel his Sunday ride. Many no doubt will desperately be trying to work out what this means for their Xmas arrangements. Who knows when the next ride will be. Hopefully before December 2021. We can be sure that there will be many changes of direction before then. 

Stay alert.

Jeff

This Sunday's ride: CANCELLED ride for 20 Dec

Due to the move into Tier 4, we are not allowed to ride in groups of more than two.  Therefore, with regret, I have no choice to cancel the planned ride.   It is a shame that we can't get together but it's more important that we all stay safe.    Even more important than the very upsetting news about not getting together over Christmas.

Eventually, it will be over.   But not until the number of cases comes down to hugely lower numbers, or the outcomes are much improved.    The vaccine will help.   Limiting our contacts, especially indoors, will help.   Warmer weather will help - and it can't come soon enough!

My apologies for the short notice and I look forward to seeing you as soon as we are able.

Sending love and best wishes for whatever Christmas you can salvage, and for a much better 2021.

Simon

Further Notice - Rides Resume

 Go, Go, Stop Stop, Go

With effect from 00.01 GMT on Saturday 19 December 2020

 Ged Lawrenson has kindly provided the following advice on the MWW website, which I have tweaked slightly for Cheam and Morden.

" Following the government's announcement of Tier 3 for Surrey, the same Tier 3 Coronavirus restrictions now apply equally to all our riders. This means that we can all now ride in a group of six or fewer, no matter where we live  - so long as we follow all the relevant up-to-date guidelines on the website". 

 I'm sure that Dave Ward will keep us informed about forthcoming rides, eg Polesden Lacey this Sunday, 20 Dec. Keep your eyes peeled on the C&M Whats App group for the latest twists and turns.

 If you have any questions, I understand that Mr B Johnson and Mr M Hancock are available to clarify any ambiguities.

Hope I've got this right!

Jeff

All rides cancelled until further notice.

As all will no doubt have realised, the permafrost of government designation as a Tier 3 Covid19 hotspot has descended on the Great Wen. This will take effect from one second after midnight this Wednesday, 16 December 2020. One of the effects of this is to discourage mingling of members who live in one Tier with those from another Tier, as well as travelling from one Tier into another. To all purposes, this seems to make club rides an indictable offence, subject to I know not what penalties.

Have a look at the succinct guidance posted by Ged Lawrenson, Wayfarers' Ride Sec,  on the MWW blog page.

We will do our best to adapt to these frosty conditions and await guidance from CUK on how to continue group riding within the confines of the law in 2021.

Bah! Humbug!

And oh yes, Have a Merry Xmas!

Jeff

Ride Report - Sunday 13 December 2020

 

It was a pretty foul morning and, unsurprisingly, I savoured my Squires six item breakfast at Stoke d'Abernon in stately splendour (and so it should be with the current restrictions, I hear you say)!  Somewhat to my surprise, Graham arrived just as I was leaving and we had a brief chat outside.   He turned for home, and I headed for Guildford, half thinking the rain might relent (it didn't)!

You get a few Sundays like that most years, but I think this year we have been spared until now!  Anyway, we'll hope for better things next week!

Sunday the 13th

 The weather for Sunday forecasts has a 25% chance of rain and temperatures from 7C up around 10C so the possibility of a ride is promising. 11's however is a problem with not being able to all meet within Squires. I have spoken to Squires and they have 2 outside tables and takeaway coffee, inside seating is available if you are solo or socially distanced.

 Lunch is planned for the Old Moat garden centre, Epsom, which has outside seating. Due to the early onset of twilight no afternoon tea stop is planned.

Tony..

Jeff hangs up his wheels

 This is from Jeff (slightly edited)

"Dear Friends,

I am sure that we are all familiar with the need for succession planning. I’m not so sure that CTCSWL has in the past had such foresight. Which may be why I suddenly found myself with a number of unsought privileges, when our much loved and indefatigable Capo di Capo fell asleep in the night, not to awake.
He had already frightened the life out of me one day at, not now sure if it was Addlestone or Weybridge, to say that he wanted a quiet word with me. As a newbie, I wondered who I might have upset, though in those heady days, I was not overly perturbed. A number of us are now familiar with that innocent tap on the shoulder. At that time, it was an unexpected invitation to take on the mantle of Rides Sec, even though I had no idea where all the elevenses venues were to be found. Not my area. I vividly recall my first lead.
When he sadly left us, I inherited a vacuum for responsibility for monitoring members’ annual mileages.

As I am now to all intents a non-cyclist and unknown to a majority of riders, it seems most inappropriate that I should have any such responsibility at all.  Paul has valiantly and most brilliantly enhanced and expanded the role of Editor of the Sou’Wester. With my duties now minimal, the committee should consider who (or if) it wishes to choose to monitor our members’ annual mileage exploits.

It will be for C&M to decide who and how (in the absence of an AGM) to choose to represent its interests on the CTCSWL Committee. My greatest ambition now is not to lead a sprint up Pebble Hill, but  to get to the front of the queue for a Covid19 vaccination."


Jeff joined C&M/Wayfarers in 2007/8. In the early years he was a keen competitor for C&M's best attendance aka a free meal. Fittingly he became the C&M scorer in 2011 (following on from PM) and the DA Rep in 2015 (after MM).  We won't forget his battles with HQ over charitable status.

Our 2020 autumn AGM will be no earlier than April 2021 due to Covid19 and HQ accountancy changes. If anyone wants to act pro tem, let me know.

Report - Sun 6 Dec 2020

 

After a four week break we were all keen to get back on the road again!   Six of us were tempted out to elevenses at Walton Bridge but unfortunately spent a bit too long sitting catching up, and despite many layers of clothing, getting very cold!  Most weren't inclined to stay out for a longer ride, but Tony and Pam bravely continued to Shepperton.   We hope for something a bit milder next week!