How a bicycle is made (1945)

http://vimeo.com/39401575


They sure don't make them like they used to.  What a glorious snapshot of true craftsmanship. Wonderful.

The old Raleigh factory (one of the oldest bicycle companies in the world) in Nottingham no longer exists. It was demolished a few year's ago when in our wonderfully globalised world, it was seen to be cheaper to employ Chinese and Vietnamese at pittance wages.
 The brownfield site was recently 'redeveloped' as student housing and the expansion of the University of Nottingham's Economics and Business Management Department.
 Fitting that an industry dedicated to making a tangible and useful product such as the bicycle is replaced by an institution teaching the next generation how to profit from the creating on non-tangible and potentially destructive financial products and 'services'. 

28 October 2012 - The AGM

 Walton-on-the-Hill - Redhill Aerodrome - W. Ewell

The lure of the C&M AGM brought a trio of committee men pondside at Walton-on-the-Hill to join me for a preliminary spin to Redhill Aerodrome (Ray, Steve, John G). For a change we forsook the tarmac for something softer to the tread. The path across Walton Heath to Mogador was not too boggy, though the mud did seem to fly everywhere, but at least did not create an unwelcome drag brake.

After Mogador, a brief stretch of road along Babylon Lane took us to a farm track, Crossways Lane. This proved rather steep, stony and deeply eroded for comfort, but we made it under the M25 to Gatton Bottom, then up through the grounds of the Royal Alexandra and Albert School in Gatton Park. A quick descent of Rocky Lane took us to the outskirts of Merstham and up Cormongers Lane to the A25, then down to the Aerodrome.

 

We had ample time for chat and cha as numbers swelled. Lunch was to be at the Sportsman in Mogador. Although quite close, an early arrival was advised as space is limited and fills quickly after 12.30pm. We retraced the morning's route as far as Gatton Bottom, but chose to ride up to the A217, rather than walk and carry our bikes up Crossways Lane. A quick zig-zag down Margery Lane and Buckland Road (more a track than a road) brought us to Mogador Road. So nearly there, but Daniel's front wheel found the edge of the road hidden by leaves, and unsaddled him. Fortunately man and beast were unharmed and we safely reached the Sportsman. 

Though only 12.30pm there were scarcely enough seats for us. Good beer (Otter) and food, beside a crackling fire, prepared us for our next leg. We crossed Walton Heath Golf Course and a bit more mud, before rediscovering tarmac all the way through Walton, Tadworth and Epsom Downs. At this point, Ed scented home and set a spanking pace to lead us to our destination. With our bikes stabled in and around Ed's garage, we were treated to tea and cake, before the serious business of the day began: the Annual General Meeting of the CTC Cheam and Morden Member Group. But that is another story.

Jeff

P.S. On inspecting the bike today, maybe the mud was worse than I suggested. The bike was caked in dry mud and one spoke was broken. I blame the leader.

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Pirbright

After lunch at the Royal Oak, Pirbright

Leader Dave keeps a low profile

Sunday October 21 2012

At Kingston Bridge there were two new(ish) faces, Barry and Nancy. Hurst Park doesn't featured on many rides and we reviewed ongoing work whilst passing beneath Walton's bridges on a new path. In Weybridge John punctured; in Addlestone Dave nobly turned back to offer assistance. 11s was not far away so the rest continued to Bourne Valley GC (new venue) where gradually numbers reached double figures.

Refreshed we joined the Basingstoke at Woodham Lock but to my surprise turned off at Sheerwater where a busy B382 got us to Old Windsor. Following B380 to its conclusion left us just short of the Royal Oak in Pirbright. Despite being early, we had to sit where we could; some settling for the "Two for a tenner" offer.

After lunch Bisley camp and West End were visited before the turn for home. Lovelands Lane's ford was far too deep after recent rain. Soon Red Lion and Stonehill Roads hoved into view and after a final dash along Green Lane, we went our separate ways in Addlestone. Home just after four and 50 mild, dull and occasionally drizzly miles.

November 25 Ride

I'm reliably informed that the Nutty Lane garden centre is deceased (more or less) so it's Squires Upper Halliford for 11s. NB This doesn't open until 1030 hrs (neither did Nutty Lane) so expect a detour or two  from Kingston. Or maybe you will opt for a lie-in.

'Oop North'

On the left is SYHA Carbisdale Castle in foggy/freezing conditions. Still under wraps after two years and a  2013 re-opening seems....

On the right is Ben More Assynt from the Duchally power station road. "Is that snow?" you ask, "Yes".

Sunday 14 October 2012

Runnymede - Holyport - Laleham

 

Vic stands defiant by Arnold's gravestone

At Boveney - What's the pub's phone number?

What a great day it was today.[a] Beautiful blue skies and wall to wall sunshine.[b] It was “see food and eat it day” for our disappearing Jeff. 13 turned up at 11s, 9 left the Magna Carta tea rooms leaving 4 to return home: Stef, Andy, Dave and Don. We continued to Old Windsor, Dorney, into the lakes where we turned right onto route 4 [the lakes closed to the public at the moment], up & over the river to Bray & Holyport to “The Sun and Stars”, where the publican made us very welcome giving Bob seconds for coffee while Jeff tucked into Chicken and bacon home made pie. We then made our way to Fifield, Drift Road, Willow Walk where Terry left us. We continued to Chertsey Bridge and Paul carried straight on and somewhere here John G must have escaped, as when we arrived at Notcutts he was gone. Margaret & Bill were there waiting for us. A very nice day. Thank you one and all.

Irene

Sunday's lunch venue at Holyport, 14 October

In anticipation of this coming Sunday's C&M ride, the Belles of St Trinians have been putting all the pubs of Holyport through their paces, to decide which one to choose for lunch this Sunday, 14 October. Their decision seems to be the Sun and Stars. Details of the menu can be found on this link to the pub's website. We must thank Irene and Pam for their diligence on our behalf. They seem to have been able to weave their way home in safety, without being detained as drunk and disorderly in charge of a two-wheeled vehicle.

Jeff

Sunday 7 October

The Queen's Head at Barns Green

The soda water was FREE!

Mmm. Set back a bit far?

Sunday October 7th

                                         Gomshall - Barns Green - Capel

A chilly morning but beautiful weather after the rain of the last week. Nevertheless the turnout was limited with only eight at elevenses, half of whom went home leaving a select group of Jeff, Terry, Ed and myself continuing to lunch. We headed south through Peaslake to Ewhurst and then into Somersbury Lane en route to Rudgwick. Here a northbound cyclist taking part in an event had come to grief and was being attended by the marshals. We later passed two ambulances heading north through Rudgwick. The Downs Link was damp but rideable avoiding the A281 to Slinfold where we rejoined the tarmac for the final stretch through Itchingfield to Barns Green. Emerging from Itchingfield we met Daniel who had made a late dash from Epsom to join us for lunch in the Queens Head. Refreshed, we continued south for a mile returning via Bashurst Hill and then through Warnham and Friday Street to Capel where most of us attacked the cakes. Jeff, unfortunately was on a fasting day so for the second time in two hours had summon the willpower to abstain. From here it was the usual route home through Newdigate and Pixham. Fifty seven miles for me.

Sunday 30 September

Godstone - Turner's Hill - Fanny's Farm Shop

 

 Three photos to accompany Stephanie's report. Left: Gathering at Godstone Green Tea Rooms. Centre: After lunch outside the Crown at Turner's Hill (Ian was there). Right: The tea stop that got away. We didn't make it to Priory Farm at Nutfield. I went there out of curiosity as few seem to have been there.

Steph - this shows Priory Farm in relation to Bletchingly, Redhill, Merstham and Fanny's

Jeff

Sunday 30th September

Lovely day, set off from Banstead, down and up again, past Fannies, through Merstham, left at Hawthorne school bridleway, then left and right and on to Betchworth, down the main road to the tea shop at Godstone.  Joined here by two fat boys (Pete & Pete), Richard and Jeff and Bob and Ian!   Minus Bob we then headed south up Tilburstow Hill, continued South and particularly enjoyed Chithurst Lane which joined up with Dowlands Lane at the end, then down the side of the Hedgehog pub, over Crawley Down and to the Crown for lunch where we were briefly joined by Graham.  Lovely return to Fannies for T.
Thank you Ed. 

Sunday Autumn Equinox

Knockholt – Episode II

Ed finds some cold comfort

Richard chose the direct route to Knockholt via the 1:4 North face of Cudham. I approached from the South along the Pilgrims’ Way and Westerham Hill and was surprised to find the trio of Naiads (Stephanie, Ed and Richard) still lingering and gently steaming at Green & Pleasant. S. headed home with her usual bright smile, while Richard revised his lunch destination to the Windmill at Sevenoaks Weald.

Another pub bites the dust

We arrived spot on 1pm to find only a brimming skip outside another skeleton pub, its spirit elevated to the great brewery in the sky. Here was the parting of the ways; Richard and Ed to Riverhead and the Lone Ranger South in increasingly heavy rain towards Bough Beech, in a vain effort to meet up with Daniel.

White van man takes to the waves

We passed unseen at Edenbridge, where D decided to lunch, while I resisted all calorific temptation and challenged the flooded lanes, hidden potholes and hostile motorists to head for home. It was cold and very wet but in some ways really quite enjoyable. On reaching home, the distance ridden seemed more than the 60 miles reported by Cateye. The damp squib was no hot water for the shower. Are there no limits to self-discipline?

Jeff

Sunday 23rd Sept.
A lovely run to Knockholt, only a slight splattering of rain.  Was pleased with my return route, particularly at Hawley's Corner where I took the "private road", Chestnut Avenue, which got me to the top of the road out of Westerham without losing any height.  Then a straight run to Woldingham, Caterham, Coulsdon.  Unfortunately the rain got heavier and  on my last uphill to Banstead my chain broke, I walked to the top, persuaded the bus driver of the S1 to let me on with bike and got bus to Sutton and train to South Merton so home safely.  Steph

16 September

 Tour of Britain 2012

 As everyone was flashing cameras, I thought that there would be lots of pics on the blog.

Here is something to fill the gap

Sunday 9 September

Guildford - Henley - Hindhead

 Superb late summer ride through  glorious and rolling lush  countryside in Surrey, West Sussex and Hampshire. 
This is of the very best that England has to offer.

Sunday September 9th Henley West Sussex

Having frightened off some, we were but seven at Wetherspoons Guildford for breakfast. Four (Bob, Daniel, Janice, Jeff) had ridden; three (Irene, John and the author) had come by train. Leaving Bob behind, we started with the familiar (very familiar to some) Shalford, Bramley, Hascombe and Dunsfold. Then it was terra incognita as we skirted Shillinglee and crossed the A283. Here John took a shortcut to Haslemere whilst the rest headed along the first undulating green tunnel. By Lickford and its still closed pub (offers to: C Evans c/o BBC) we were back to square one heightwise. Now started the climb of the ever steepening Bexleyhill. Its 17% roadsign was hotly debated (Daniel's toy said it was 34%!; our two most senior riders felt it merited a close inspection on foot). And thus we arrived at the Duke Of Cumberland from the south. I know of no finer situated pub and don't they know it.

One hour later and with wallets noticeably lighter we headed back turning west towards the  onetime TB sanitorium. After a short roughstuff section we were at the Woolbeding Common viewpoint. With stepladders it might have yielded extensive views but today all I could picked out was the Butser Hill mast. Three miles of downhill followed but by Elmers Marsh cruelly the road began to climb and continued so through Liphook, Bramshott, Headley Down (of Led Zep fame). In Grayshott Daniel needed cash and the Editor, bananas and Lucozade.

All settled for a calorie laden slice (two for our trencherman) of cake at Hindhead's NT cafe. As anticipated the splendid cyclepath as far as the Sailor's Memorial was full of mobile bollards but the next 2 1/2 miles were walker-free so speeds approached 40 mph as we turned to Thursley and Elstead.  Charterhouse and Loseley were familiar and soon it was all over. Guildford saw the editor joining the train travellers.
 

A very warm day so thanks to all those green tunnels. Around 55 miles but more importantly 4000+ ft of climbing (suspect; flat battery!)

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).

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

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

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