Have your say - before 1st November

Not for the Silent Majority

Surrey County Council Draft Cycling Strategy  Consultation and Questionnaire

Dear All,

Surrey County Council has published a Draft Cycling Strategy for the period 2014 - 2026:

http://www.surreycc.gov.uk/roads-and-transport/roads-and-transport-policies-plans-and-consultations/roads-and-transport-consultations/roads-and-transport-consultations-in-surrey/surrey-cycling-strategy-consultation

 

The consultation period ends on 1st November. This document contains a wealth of worthy and laudable objectives and how they might be achieved. It is well worth a read:

 http://www.surreycc.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/685264/Surrey-Cycling-Strategy-Consultationv3.pdf

There is also a survey/questionnaire which we are invited to complete online before 1st November. www.surveymonkey.com/s/Individual-Consulation.  This does give you the chance to say what you would like to be done to improve cycling in Surrey. Please look at it and take the time to complete it. Do not rush it as it gives you the chance to state your own views on cycling  and what might be done to encourage and develop cycling and cycle safety in Surrey. It is worth giving each question some thought  before clicking on 'continue'. Do give your views, whether it be on cycle lanes, particular road hazards, potholes or whatever.

Speak now or forever hold your peace.

Jeff

Sunday, 13 October

Runnymede

There was no one in sight when I arrived at Kingston Bridge but joy was short lived as first Stef then Ed showed up. The consensus was continue so we splashed along my standard route to Runnymede. Perhaps I should add more or less as briefly we pay our respects to General William Roy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Roy). From Hampton we continued through BP and Ashford to Staines and Egham where t'others were caught at the first level crossing. Soon we were heading down Hummer Road and across the A30 to the Runnymede road. Dave W was going out as we were going but seated in the comfy leather armchairs were Irene and Pam.

The thought of continuing never crossed our minds so after a decent interval back it was with a following wind (and the continuing heavy rain). Home just after one and 32 miles.

 

Graham

Next Sunday October 13 - Tea Stop

 Change of tea stop

 For those out next Sunday, leader Irene has notified us of a change of venue for afternoon tea. Instead of being at Savill Garden, tea will now be at The Old Staines Café. I don't know where this is, other than in Staines, but if we follow our leader's back wheel, I'm sure that it will lead us there.

Jeff

Sunday 6 October

 Buckland - Lamb's Green - Capel

Terry & Co - before the Stowford Press kicked in.

Sunday 6 October

Nine met at Buckland Squires for 11s but this became six after a few miles. We briefly headed west on the A25, soon turning south into Old Road. Sandy Lane led to Wonham Lane and the sight of many deer. Past Wonham Mill, now apparently expensive dwellings after years of neglect. We crossed the A217 into Lonesome Lane where the teddies watched our progress from their balcony. We rejoined the A217 to Povey Cross where we turned right towards Charlwood. Taking the Ifield Road we soon passed The Gate, our planned lunch stop but now closed and continued to The Lamb at Lambs Green. Here we dined well on child's portions which were quite adequate. After a leisurely break Terry, John G and a tub of flowers gave an impromptu demonstration of 'Domino Effect'.

A leisurely ride to Capel via the 'usual route' saw us arrive at the church at exactly 3pm - what timing ! After studying the vast display of cakes and goodies (some even purchased two!) the next most important thing was Dave's multi-bulging rear tyre. Hope you got home safely, Dave!

Overall a leisurely ride in dry, comfortable and frequently sunny conditions - how many more will we enjoy before winter ?

Terry

Sunday 29 September

Westerham - Dormansland - Fanny's Farm Shop

After lunch at the Old House at Home

Quiz: What is unusual about this sign?

Pete points out an old quarry tunnel

Question time

M&S on Sunday morning found an early queue of a resurgent Lilian and two TFBs ready and eager to go Westerham, reached by a series of ups and downs. Down to Banstead Woods, up to Chipstead, down to the A23 Hooley, up to Caterham on the Hill, down to the A22, up to Warlingham and Botley Hill before the final swoop on Westerham, where Bob and Dave were already settled in the Tudor Café. After some time off the bike, Lilian’s legs were complaining a little. With his wallet safe at home, the leader was not tempted by the pheromones of bacon sandwiches, though he welcomed a pay-day loan from Dave.

Soon it was time for the up of Hosey Hill and the down to Crockham Hill and Marlpit. From now on it was level as a billiard table as we meandered through Staffhurst, Crowhurst and Haxted, before heading for Dormansland and the Old House at Home. Warm enough to eat outside, we took a casual lunch before heading for Lingfield, Blindley Heath, Tilburstow and Bletchingley. Here Lilian’s legs insisted on a change to train assisted, while the rest continued on to Merstham and a very welcome Fanny’s Farm. After tea, cake, rest and relaxation all headed off for home, where the leader's mileometer recorded a modest 55 miles.

Jeff

Tour of Britain weekend 21/22 September 2013

Epsom Downs Racecourse.The (new) grandstand was open to all.

Team buses arrive

Alex Dowsett signs on

Wiggo queues to sign the stage map to be later auctioned for charity

Cav heads back to the team bus after signing on

Riders ready for the off

Team buses leave the start

Opposite Tower of London (outside Wetherspoons ,The Liberty Bounds)

Andreas Schillinger from Germany

Federico Canuti (Italy) & Juraj Sagan (Slovenia)

10 laps and a breakaway quickly forms

The Liberty Bounds (football free zone,with two screens broadcasting the the race)

Last lap and Helene keen to get some action on her mob

The "Cheese Grater" left and the "Walkie Talkie" right nearing completion

Last Lap video

Tour of Britain Epsom Downs Grand Depart

Steve Gordon inspecting the Sky Team  bikes at the Gra nd Stand Epsom Downs. See also KPRC blog for more!

Sunday September 15 2013

Five became nine at Newlands Corner after the shortest route from Cobham (past The Hautboy, over Hunger Hill and down West Clandon).

The dire weather forecast sent four packing. And I took no chances by dropping down to the Silent Pool before veering towards Bramley. The only significant climb was that out of Thorncombe Street to discover more road spending, the descent into Godalming (more or less complete).

Prompt service at The Jack Phillips saw us heading for home(!) just after one; thoughts of Capel teas banished for at least two weeks. After Farncombe, we split; three heading for the A25 and two for the A3.
A downpour before Ripley saw me donning a cape; naturally it stopped before we crossed the aerodrome. After a final split in Cobham, it was dry roads until I reached the royal borough (meaning the Met Office forecast was spot on).

55 miles door to door; plenty of cyclists about - disturbing most passed me with ease.

Sunday, 15 September

Newland's Corner to  Godalming

 The Famous Five (4 + 1 behind the lens) at the Jack Phillips, Godalming.
Graham authoritatively informed us that Jack Phillips was the radio operator on the Titanic. Not still transmitting, but his legacy lives on through Wetherspoons.

I leave it to others to identify the pressure group picketing Wetherspoons. At first I thought that it was the Salvation Army, then Morris Men, then I took the Fifth Amendment.

Tour of Britain live feed coverage

ITV 4 are taking a live broadcast each day.

http://www.tourofbritain.co.uk/tv/coverage.php#.UjYLNFeP1h9

In addition,this website:

 http://www.frombar.com/

gives British Eurosport's live feed (with audio) for those who are frustrated with ITV's frequent ad breaks.
Click on the "cycling" tab.
There are occasional "pop-ups" but just look for the small "x" in the right hand corner and these can be removed quickly.

Sunday 8th September 2013

Four of us rode a favourite lane (Lonesome) to a favourite cafe (Waitrose Horley).
Free drinks all round?....................well not quite but the message is get a MyWaitrose card.

http://www.waitrose.com/content/waitrose/en/home/mywaitrose/splash_page14.html.html


I overshot a turning on the way to Tandridge so a fairly ok stretch of roughstuff was included on the way to lunch.
We lost Jeff on the way but we were all reunited at The Barley Mow together with the rare sight of Bob at a location beyond 11's.
After a flatish ride in the morning,the delight of Chalkpit Lane lay in front of us on the way to tea at Farleigh.
I suffered a rear tyre puncture at the top so we sent Ian on his way along the main road.
Tea was taken in cramped conditions in the church hall courtesy of the cool and wet conditions outside.



51 miles.
Mostly cool and wet,particularily around lunchtime when we avoided a beefy shower.

Sunday, 1 September

Cranleigh - Balls X - Dorking

Sunday September 1 2013

Richard doesn't; I couldn't leave a blog page empty so here's a precis.

Eight rendezvoused in Cranleigh, each with a tale to tell. For Bob, it was the Downslink from Guildford. The rest had to find ways round, under and through the wire cage which separates Ewhurst from Cranleigh (google Bookhurst Road for more). With prior knowledge I played safe and came the lumpy way via Coombe Bottom and Farley Green. For the benefit of the Runs Secretary, £2.20 buys you a paper cup of tea plus DIY toast!

Refreshed six went forth down Alford Road to the A281 and thence on to Dunsfold (where Dave flatted), Plaistow, (close to) Kirdford and finally The Stag at Balls Cross. There we joined an already seated and munching Terry in the garden. Despite a motoring / steam fair in the field opposite overspilling into the pub, we were soon served with portions which would have satisfied our trencherman had he not turned back at 11s.

During lunch it became clear that only Richard and Dave were for Farncombe. So the rest sped through Kirdford and past Brewhurst Mill and Baynards to Ellen's Green; the rest should be obvious. Terry kindly offered to be mum so five became four as we headed for Dorking West. To my surprise, just beyond Leatherhead Station I got within shouting distance of the Farncombe Two. We were turning in opposite directions so their route I know not.

To keep Virgin Media happy, the route to and from B****s Cross

Sunday 25th August 2013

I was awake well before 5am and with an early start in mind,I was up and about getting ready to leave home at 8am to arrive at Dorking Leisure Centre (9am) for the last long ride of 2013.
We left the 20 or so riders of the Dorking Cycling Club on their 2nd anniversary ride and took a familiar route to Wisborough Green (elevenses) including the delightful lane south of The Haven.

According to Wikipedia:
 "The actor and actress, husband and wife James Bolam and Susan Jameson, live in the village. Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour lives on a farm just outside the village".
The cafe in the village was pricey but the quality was good and served swiftly.

The road south to Fittleworth went up a 15% incline but afforded a lovely run down the other side,probably worth the effort.
A switch back lane took us via Coldwaltham and Rackham to Amberley.
We continued the short distance to Houghton Bridge (1.15pm).
Most were attracted to the alcohol in the Bridge Inn whilst Graham and myself enjoyed the views across to the South Downs from the Riverside Tearooms.
It was a job to get going after well over an hour relaxing but we eventually did.
After West Chiltington,we made good progress north to Barns Green then north east to The Conservatory cafe in Horsham Park.
The sizable portions of cake didn't seem to slow down the majority and as in previous weeks,I was tiring around Newdigate.
I limped home with Helene keeping me company.
I clearly suffer on long rides with typically 5 hours sleep the night before.

Wet morning..........dry,warm and sunny afternoon.
Around 90 miles.

I'm now off on a train ride to Amberley to retrieve my cape which I left hanging up in the garden..........doh!

Wisborough Green

Honey and jam mixed with water

Riverside tearooms

Horsham Park

Sunday 18 August

 Lunch at the Stag & Huntsman Hambleden

18/8/2013 Hambleden Lock

The unlucky few who did not make the crossing before the gates opened.

Next Sunday's Ride(18/08)

Early birds - read no further.

Rather than relaxing in the arms of Morpheus or Nyx, you can join Janice and  I at Kingston Bridge at 0845 (prompt). We'll try to catch up with the others at Dorney Court or, failing that, at Hambleden (note spelling). I'll be taking my usual roads so there may not be time for "full english", etc.

Graham

Sunday 11 August

                                                              Tea at North Holmwood

After light rain stopped and we'd helped Brian finish his chocolate cake seven of us set off from Henfold at a fast pace thanks to Ray joining me on the front. Fortunately for us he turned off just before Rusper and we followed the popular quiet route to The Red Lyon at Slinfold via Warnham and Broadbridge Heath. Service was a bit slow but we hadn't a long way to go afterwards and it was a fine day. Chris joined us here.

The return trip was a short, not too busy stretch of A29 to Buckman Corner then back to the lanes to The Haven, Bucks Green, Ellens Green, Okewood Hill and Capel. Major panic set in at Newdeigate (it was thought North Holmwood church would stop serving teas at 1600, it was now 1535) . Graham couldn't face a second consecutive cakeless Sunday so set off determined to arrive before closing time. We all arrived in good time to meet Daniel waiting for us and enjoyed assorted cakes and tea. Suitably refreshed we headed for Dorking and turning into Chalkpit Lane avoided the town centre and later made our own ways.

Distance for me home to home was 60 miles.

Ed

Sunday 11 Aug - Henfold

Still without JT in USA this happy bunch enjoyed tea & cake in somewhat drizzly weather at elevenses. Good to see them happy & Brian G thanks for sharing the generous portion of chocolate cake!