Elmbridge Cycle

Day 1
Seven of us (Angela, John, me, Danny, Steve, Simon and Stephanie) set off from Weybridge at 7am after first dipping our front wheels in the Thames. This is a tradition from the Coast to Coast route and although we would be cycling from the Thames to the Seine, we thought we could do the same thing.

One objective of day 1 was to reach Newhaven using only the Sustrans National Cycle Route network. For this reason we set off along route 4, which runs from London to Fishguard in Wales. We didn’t go that far though, just using it to get to Chertsey where we switched onto route 223, a newly established route that leads through Woking to Guildford.

We arrived at Woking Leisure Centre at 8:15, already 15 minutes behind schedule, where we met with the rest of the group, Ian and Helen on their tandem, and Barbara, Sandra and Lynda. The twelve of us then set off at a cracking pace to Guildford. Our first encounter with cows was at Riverside Park just before we reached Guildford. This was where we first discovered the effects of Sandra’s bright purple cycling jacket. Disturbed from their morning breakfast of fresh grass the herd of cattle bolted straight across our path very nearly taking out Sandra in the process.

Reaching Guildford High Street, which was largely deserted, we stopped for a photo opportunity under the clock, while the man at the Guildhall was busy putting out the bunting for the big wedding. Despite our fears that the forecast was rain, it was starting to warm up and the sun made it’s first appearance. Our spirits were high.

At the bottom of the High Street we reached the end of route 223 and switched on to Sustrans route 22. This took us to Shalford and the start of the old Guildford to Horsham railway line, which was axed by Mr Beeching in 1966 after 101 years of service.

In no time we were through Bramley, where the old station platform is still evident, and heading towards Cranleigh.

After a brief stop, we set off from Cranleigh, with the intention of reaching our scheduled coffee stop at Southwater by 11am. But this was when Simon had our first (and only) puncture. The path from Cranleigh is a bit rougher and the flint stones are not cycle friendly.

Simon was using very lightweight race tyres and a flint chipping made a quarter inch gash in the wall of his tyre. The deflation was explosive. Luckily we had a ‘boot’ which we used to reinforce the tyre wall from the inside, allowing Simon to get enough air pressure to carry on riding – at least temporarily. However, he didn’t want to risk another puncture and so he and Steve decided to take the road route to Shoreham.

Now down to 10 people our next stop was Southwater Country Park. The sun was shining brightly by now and the enormous cakes served in the cafe were just the energy boost we needed. There was no TV at the cafe but we got word from the ladies serving there that the wedding dress was gorgeous.

The next section of the route along the railway path was particularly rough. Ian and Helen felt it would be too much for their tandem and elected to take an alternative road route. Barbara, Sandra and Lynda took off with them as well, preferring the few extra miles to the rough and bumpy path.

At this point we were now three groups all converging on Shoreham with a rendezvous at a pub which we vaguely thought was on the outskirts of Shoreham and was called something like The Windmill. In the back of my mind I worried about all the things that could go wrong with each group and how we were going to pull everyone together again.

My worries were unfounded. The pub turned out to be named The Amsterdam (close enough!) and we all arrived within about 10 minutes of each other, including Simon and Steve who must have sprinted all the way after getting their puncture repaired. It was now 2:30pm, we’d lost time all along the way, but with only 25 miles left to do, we had plenty of time to reach Newhaven.

Avoiding Shoreham High Street we zigzagged through the back streets of the town towards the sea. This was street party territory. Everyone was enjoying themselves and waving as we passed. We quickly reached the long spit that forms Shoreham harbour. Here we turned east toward Hove and Brighton and straight into a strong headwind.

We reached Brighton by 4pm. The streets were full of people in Royal Wedding Bank Holiday party mood. We stopped here for an hour while Simon found a bike shop and got some new tyres. While Simon was getting fixed up we all sat on the promenade with ice creams and watched the world that is Brighton on a Bank Holiday go by. Sandra entertained us all by teaching pigeons how to eat chips. One developed an interesting technique of throwing the chip over the back of it’s head – not very effective as the next pigeon would steal it before it could turn around.

Leaving Brighton at 5pm, we passed the marina and started to climb up towards Rottingdean. The wind strengthened as we gained altitude.

With fully loaded packs and 60 miles under our belts the headwind and the proximity of heavy trucks and busses made the going very tough. We were all finding it hard and there was plenty of climbing to do to reach the top of the ridge where the road then swooped down into Newhaven.

6:30pm, the first day over. 70 miles completed (except for the Woking lot who had ‘only’ done 60 miles). We checked in to our respective hotels, the Premier Inn which was standard and the Newhaven Lodge which was delightful. Both were fully accommodating of our bicycles and gave us a friendly welcome.

The last member of our group Chris was due to join us here and was already checked in at the Premier Inn when we arrived.

As we all sat down to dinner there was a flash of lightning, a clap of thunder and the heavens opened. We’d dodged the weather today, but with our group now numbering 13, were we going to continue to have luck on our side?

Friday sees a dozen cyclists, members of the Elmbridge Cycle Group and a few from the Woking Cycle Users Group, doing their best to avoid the Royal Wedding by setting off for Paris.

We are using mainly off-road Sustrans routes from Weybridge to Newhaven before taking the ferry to Dieppe. Then we follow the Avenue Verte and French country lanes to the edge of Paris and thence to the Eiffel Tower. We expect to arrive Monday morning.

My son and I are raising sponsorship for the Weybridge Sam Beare Hospice. If you’d like to support this cause we have a page where you can donate: http://www.justgiving.com/george-danny-cycle-to-paris

We’d like to thank the here.

WHAT YOU CAN DO: It is CRITICALLY IMPORTANT that as many as possible send in Letters of Support for the diversion of the existing path.

DEADLINE: The deadline is the 6th May 2011.

EMAIL: letters can be sent by email to andrew.saint@surreycc.gov.uk

POST: The address to write to is:

Countryside Access Team (ref DP/3/1/50),
Room 365,
County Hall,
Penrhyn Road,
Kingston-upon-Thames,
Surrey KT1 2DY

WHAT TO PUT IN YOUR LETTER:

A letter needs to have your name and address and state clearly that you SUPPORT the proposed diversion. It then needs to address two key points:

1. That the diversion is no less convenient for you

2. That the diversion does not significantly reduce your enjoyment of the path

It is important to think only about the diversion of the footpath, not its future upgrade to a bridleway/cycle path. The issue here is purely the diversion of a footpath.

Here are some ideas to help you on the convenience test:

• The diverted section of footpath is approximately the same length (yes, really!) as the existing footpath.
• The original footpath runs through a floodplain and then through a busy mechanical farmyard. The diverted section of footpath runs above the floodplain and out of the farmyard
• The diverted section of footpath will have no stiles or kissing gates on it (the original has) which makes access difficult for the less-abled, elderly and children.
• The diverted section does not run through an active stock field, including a (legally allowed) bull.

Here are some ideas to help you on the enjoyment test:

• The original footpath means getting wet feet when there is flooding.
• The original footpath is only 1.5-2m wide, where the new one will be 6m (when upgraded to bridlepath)
• The original footpath is partly fenced both sides by chain link, stock fence and electrical tape (section in the trees plus field). The diversion has an award-winning wildlife hedge on one side.
• The diverted route has views to Ranmore; the original route has few views to the hills (they are blocked by the hedge)
• The original footpath has approx. 1/3 of its length over non enjoyable terrain: the shaded, chain-link fenced, overgrown section with the rubble underfoot together with the farmyard section. Only around 428m of the path are what an objector could describe as a ‘pretty path by the stream’ [but see next]
• The original footpath is not ‘enjoyed along by the stream’ – the route walked runs nowhere near the stream, even though that is the actual right of way. Practical enjoyment of the stream as demonstrated by usage comes primarily from FP113/BW109 which crosses the river at the Lince Lane bridge. These are unchanged by the diversion order.
• The diverted section does not run through an active stock field, including a (legally allowed) bull.
• The original section has 200m of uncomfortable rubble to walk over, which is painful for small feet and difficult for the less well-balanced to stay balanced on. The diversion is on soil, which is more enjoyable to walk on.
• The original section includes some 200m of original river bed (the river has been diverted uphill slightly) so that when it floods, it rushes down first into this section at some speed. This is why there is the rubble – the top surface has been scoured away. This section both floods to a non-trivial depth and tends to stay flooded once flooded; it is impossible to walk around due to the fencing either side.
• People have been seen walking along much of the proposed route already (even though they shouldn’t) which indicates that it’s a good route

AN EXAMPLE LETTER

By email to andrew.saint@surreycc.gov.uk (or by post – address above)

Dear Mr Saint,

Re: Proposed Diversion of Footpath FP111

I am writing to SUPPORT the diversion of this footpath.

The current route runs through an active floodplain, a working farmyard, a field of animals, a dark tree-shaded track, with a stile and two kissing gates.

The diverted route is the about the same length, does none of these, and it has better views. It will be more convenient and enjoyable for me.

Yours sincerely,

Name and Address required.

DO YOU WANT TO SEE SOME READY-MADE LETTERS ? MORE INFORMATION ?

Go to http://www.facebook.com/WestcottBikePath – there are some example letters based on what people are sending in already.

(Many thanks to Liz Dobson for providing the material for this briefing)

Roger Troughton

Secretary, MVCF

Many people saw this article in the local newspapers recently:

Not so many noticed that the date of publication was April 1st.

While the blue tarmac and the levelling of the hills was an excellent April Fool’s joke, the fact that the Olympic Time Trials will go along Seven Hills Road is no joke.

Seven Hills Road is very unsafe for ordinary cyclists. There was a serious collision involving a cyclist on this road not long ago, but repeated calls to provide a shared use cycle path have been ignored by Surrey County Council.

It is not funny that we are expected to suffer the incovenience of road closures and disruption so that elite cyclists can use our roads, while us ordinary cyclists are at peril every time we do.

Seven Hills Road is a strategic route for cyclists. There is no alternative for anyone who wants to travel between Weybridge and Cobham. Yet it is very busy, narrow and mostly unlit. The hills cause cyclists to slow down and impatient motorists try to squeeze past, getting too close to the bike riders rather than cross the white lines.

It’s unrealistic to expect a rapid change in behaviour from motorists, the only sensible solution is to designate the already existing footway as a shared use path. This is a minimal cost option that would greatly improve the safety of cyclists and reduce the chance of future collisions.

The matter has been drawn to the attention of Surrey County Council on several occasions but they have failed to act.

The next Elmbridge Cycle Group ride will be this Sunday 10th April.

We will be heading east again this month. First to Chobham and then through Esher Common, Claygate and on to Kingston for lunch. The return will be along the Thames towpath to Hampton Court then Molesey and Walton.

The distance will be around 25 miles, and if the current weather holds then it’s going to be a glorious day and a wonderful ride. The map of the proposed route is here: http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/fullscreen/31003832/

The ride will take 3 to 4 hours depending, as always, on the length of the lunch stop and the pace of the group.

If you want to come along just turn up on Sunday at 11:00am. We meet outside the Hand and Spear pub adjacent to Weybridge Railway Station.

Update

There was a good turnout, beautiful weather and good food at the pub in Kingston. Here’s the group, by the river opposite Hampton Court Palace:

The next Elmbridge Cycle Group ride will be this Sunday 13th March.

This month you’ll get your full 25 mile money’s worth. We will ride out to Kingston, then through Richmond Park to Richmond where we will stop at one of the many pubs along the riverside. From there we’ll cross the river to Twickenham and then weave through the back streets to Crane Park and then onto the bike path that runs parallel to the A316. Parting from the A316 at Sunbury we’ll cross the river at Walton Bridge and route back into Weybridge along Oatlands Drive.

The total distance will be 24.8 miles so expect the ride to take 3 to 4 hours depending, as always, on the length of the lunch stop. There’s a map of the proposed route here: http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/fullscreen/29414802/ but no guarantees that we will actually stick to it.

If you want to come along just turn up on Sunday at 11:00am outside the Hand and Spear.

Our next ride will be this Sunday 13th February.

It’s time to head South East towards Ripley this month. Leaving from outside the Hand and Spear at Weybridge Station, we will start off along the Wey Navigation until Pyrford when we’ll do a road loop taking in Ripley and Wisley before lunch at The Anchor pub near Pyrford Marina. We’ll then find the back way into Byfleet and a quiet route through Brooklands returning to Weybridge Station.

The route will be a little shorter than usual, about 16 miles taking 2 – 3 hours or so depending on the pace of the group. We do plan to be back well before dark, but the days are short at this time of year, so we recommend you carry lights and wear hi-viz gear if you have it. There’s a map of the planned route here: MapMyRide but depending on weather conditions (and my navigation skills) the route may vary on the day.

If you want to come along just turn up on Sunday at 11:00am outside the Hand and Spear.

Other News

The Olympics are coming to Elmbridge! Announcements are due to be made on Thursday. The main Olympic road race, on the opening day, will pass through Elmbridge on it’s way to Box Hill. The following map is our best guess of the route although nothing is certain until the official announcements later this week: MapMyRide.

There’s a new cycle shop in town! Pure Motion Cycles has just opened in West Byfleet: www.puremotioncycles.com. They are currently stocking bikes from two Italian manufacturers, Fondriest and Viner. It’s a new venture for two local cyclists Brad and Bijan who are keen to establish a good relationship with the local cycling community.

Lastly, there’s not much time left if you want to sign up for the Weybridge to Paris cycle ride on April 29th. We currently have a dozen people confirmed, and will be finalizing everything within the next couple of weeks. Let me know as soon as possible if you are interested, or talk to me on Sunday.

Please sign this petition to prevent Surrey County Council from removing a traffic island that was erected for the convenience and safety of cyclists using National Cycle Route 221 along the Basingstoke Canal. Follow this link to the petition: www.ipetitions.com/petition/fishwick-island/

“This refers to the traffic island by the Total Garage at Brookwood. This traffic island, which has become known as Fishwick Island (after Paul Fishwick who leads the Cycle Woking developments), is of assistance to any pedestrians or cyclists following the Basingstoke Canal towpath, particularly since the towpath downstream of the island is now on the North side of the canal rather than on the South side. Basically the island saves trekking down to the light controlled crossing at the nearby road junction to the South. That crossing usually involves waiting for 2 phases of the lights. Since the island was installed evidence shows that far more people use it than use the light controlled crossing.

Motorists objected to the island on the grounds that it caused an obstruction for Southbound traffic turning right at the lights into Connaught Road and also that some frustrated motorists went round the outside of the island which was clearly very dangerous. The council at a meeting of the Woking Local Committee in the autumn decided by a narrow majority that the island (financed by Cycle Woking money) should be removed but this has not yet been done. We recognise that there are difficulties for motorists but believe that some simple improvements would deal with these. We believe that the phasing of the lights could be changed which would ensure more cars pass Southwards freeing the right hand lane for more right-turning traffic and also that double white lines approaching the island would make clear that crossing to the other carriageway was forbidden.

Having considered these points we’d be grateful if you will sign the petition. It is our intention to present this to the next meeting of the Woking Local Committee on 9 February, but we need to let them have the completed petition by 25 January, so there is not much time. If you know of others, whether members or not, who use the island please ask them to sign the petition too.”

Please sign the petition: www.ipetitions.com/petition/fishwick-island/. Although the petition asks for your post code, to ensure that you are local, Fishwick Island is part of a National Cycle Route and so actually anyone is welcome to sign it.

The next Elmbridge Cycle Group ride will be this Sunday 9th January.

This month we’ll be heading north-west towards Windsor Park.

Leaving from outside the Hand and Spear at Weybridge Station, the route will take us along the Sustrans National Cycle Route 4 through Chertsey, Staines and Egham as far as the Bishopsgate entrance at Windsor Great Park.

The route will be about 20 miles taking 3-4 hours or so depending on the pace of the group. We plan to be back before dark, but the days are short at this time of year, so we recommend you carry lights and wear hi-viz gear if you have it.

If you want to come along just turn up on Sunday at 11:00am outside the Hand and Spear.

The next Elmbridge Cycle Group ride will be this Sunday 12th December.

The snow and ice will have cleared by Sunday, the forecast is for a balmy high of 7°C, before another cold spell sets in next week.

Leaving from outside the Hand and Spear at Weybridge Station, we’ll head for Claygate, then Hampton Court and then back along the towpath (or the road, if the towpath is too muddy) to Weybridge. Total distance will be about 17 miles and will take about 2 hours or so. Rather than stop along the way for lunch like we usually do, we’ll return to the Hand and Spear for about 1pm where we can then have a bite and leisurely Christmas tipple.

If you want to come along on the ride just turn up on Sunday at 11:00am outside the Hand and Spear.

If the weather is inclement, or you have put your bike away for the winter, please do consider coming along to the Hand and Spear at 1pm anyway. It would be nice to see many of the occasional cyclists who have joined us during the year. And if we don’t see you, have a very happy Christmas.