Elmbridge Cycle

The next Elmbridge Cycle Group bike ride will be this Sunday 8th June at 11am.

The weather forecast looks disappointing but it might improve by the weekend.

As usual we’ll be meeting outside the Hand & Spear pub, near Weybridge Station at 11am. We’ll be heading east to Ashtead. Heading out towards Downside, Fetcham and then skirting Leatherhead. We’ll be trying out the newly opened Bike Beans cycle cafe in Ashtead. We’ll return via Ashtead Common, Oxshott and Esher Common, so there’ll be a bit of slightly off-road riding if its not too wet and muddy. There’s a detailed route map here: http://bit.ly/Ly5IAx

The ride will be about 25 miles at a leisurely pace.

If you want to come, just turn up at the Hand & Spear at 11am.

The next ride after this will be on Sunday 12th August.

The next Elmbridge Cycle Group bike ride will be this Sunday 13th May at 11am. Apologies for the late notification, it’s been a busy week.

The weather looks promising so lets all keep our fingers crossed for some sunshine. As usual we’ll be meeting outside the Hand & Spear pub, near Weybridge Station at 11am. The route will follow the river downstream to Hampton Court, across Bushy Park, through Teddington and Ham to Petersham. Lunch will be at the delightful teahouse at Petersham Nurseries http://www.petershamnurseries.com/teahouse.asp Our return route will cross Richmond Park to Kingston and then follow the towpath to Hampton Court and then back through Molesey and Walton.

The whole route will be about 25 miles. There’s a detailed map here: http://bit.ly/JKyCw7

If you want to come, just turn up at the Hand & Spear at 11am.

The next ride after this will be on Sunday 10th June.

Round the Hogs Back Cycle Ride

Martin Taplin would like everyone to know about the Round the Hogs Back ride that he runs each year. This year it is part of National Bike Week and the Guildford Summer Festival. It will take place on Sunday 24th June, starting in Guildford at 9:15am. It’s a circular route of about 25 miles at a leisurely pace with stops for coffee and lunch. If you are interested please contact Martin on 01483 504926 for further details.

Bike Wanted

I have been contacted by someone who is looking for a small framed (44cm) road bike. If you have one that you want to dispose of, that matches this description, please let me know.

The next Elmbridge Cycle Group bike ride will be this Sunday 8th April at 11am.

Because it will be Easter Sunday we are going to do something a little different this time. We’re going to have an Easter Egg hunt. I’ll explain the full details on the day, but briefly you’ll be riding in two’s or three’s and will need to navigate to a various interesting places around the area where there will be some kind of “easter egg” to find.

There will be no fixed route, but expect to cycle around 15 to 20 miles or so depending on how many short-cuts you know or can find.

The start will be at the usual place, outside the Hand and Spear pub near Weybridge Station at 11am. We should finish back at the same place by about 1:30pm. If the weather is kind then the Hand & Spear are promising to have their barbeque fired up, but my hunch is that we’ll be having lunch indoors.

If you want to come, just turn up.

The next ride after this will be on Sunday 13th May.

Results

All teams did very well, finding quite a few easter eggs and all managing to get back to the Hand and Spear in reasonable time for lunch.

The results were:
Winners: Steve and Barbara – 24 out of 26 easter egss
2nd: Andrew and Carole – 20 easter eggs
3rd: Norman and Lesley – 15 easter eggs
4th: Richard and Sue – 14 easter eggs
5th: Sandra and Louise – 13 easter eggs

Congratulations to Steve and Barbara and well done to all the teams for such a good effort.

A question was asked at the Elmbridge Local Committee meeting on 28th November 2011:

Question 3 : Dave Arnold
Can the Local Committee confirm that the chicanes removed from Oatlands Drive will not be replaced after the Olympics?

The Chairman will give the following response:

The chicanes were removed for the Olympic Test Event that took place on 14th August this year. There is a requirement from LOCOG that the road is to be clear of chicanes again during the men and women?s road races in 2012.

The intention is to put back a temporary measure at the two ends of the build out locations. The temporary measure is a slimmer version of the original build out, but is bolted down and can therefore be removed easily before the events in July 2012.

SCC are currently working with the Police, Road Safety Officers and Local Members to come up with a long term solution which helps reduce the speed of traffic but does not discourage cycling in Oatlands Drive.

Nonsense
This is, of course, nonsense. The coucil has not reinstated anything, and nor will they between now and July. This statement is patently wrong.

Apparently the verbal response at the meeting was that the chicanes would not be reinstated at all. Despite this the above statement was approved as an accurate minute of the meeting.

I wouldn’t be suprised if the chicanes are reinstated after the Olympics. Watch this space…

The next Elmbridge Cycle Group bike ride will be this Sunday 11th March at 11am.

The route this month will be relatively short at 18 miles, and will head eastwards through Chertsey to St Anne’s Hill, then on to Egham before circling back though Thorpe, along the Monks Path which lead to Chertsey Abbey and then back to Weybridge. Lunch, for those that want it, will be at the Hand & Spear on return to Weybridge. See below for details of the River Wey Action Day event that will follow on after lunch.

The route is mainly on quiet roads, however there will be a couple of off-road sections (Chertsey Meads and Monks Path) but not any deep mud or serious potholes. The planned route map is here: http://bit.ly/wFkI0Z

The start will be at the usual place, outside the Hand and Spear pub near Weybridge Station at 11am. If you want to come, just turn up.

The next ride after this will be on Sunday 8th April, which is Easter Sunday.

River Wey Action Day, This Sunday, 11th March

Following up on last month’s successful action day, there will be another one this Sunday. It will start at 2:30pm at Seven Arches Approach which is round the back of Weybridge Station. The main activity will be clearing fallen branches and debris that has cluttered the paths between Weybridge Station and Brooklands. This is a great way to use a couple of spare hours and really makes a difference to the attractiveness and accessibility of this previously neglected area.

Chobham Ride, Sunday 25th March

This is a plug for a ride organised by Evans Cycles in two weeks time. It’s part of their popular Ride It! series and comprises a marked route of 15, 30, 60 or 90 miles. They charge £12.50 but the rides are well organised and they provide plenty of refreshment stations and mechanical support, so the cost is well worth it. I believe that our neighbours, the Woking Cycle Users, are planning to turn out in force for this one, so I think we ought to make a good showing ourselves. If you want to take part please book yourself on at their website http://bit.ly/yXEgGo and meet at the Chobham start point at 09:00am. Let me know if you sign up, I’ll make sure we don’t leave without you.

Our February ride is imminent. This Sunday, 12th February, at 11am.

This month we will be heading north east to Teddington. Our outbound route will take us through Lower Sunbury, across the back of Bushy Park and through Teddington as far as the Thames. We’ll have lunch at the Anglers before crossing the river and following the towpath to Kingston. Then we cut through Thames Ditton, East and West Molesey to Walton and back to Weybridge. The total distance will be a tad over 20 miles and is on road or good quality paths. No mud or potholes, so roads bikes will be the best choice. There’s a full route map here: http://bit.ly/yMn9Wa

The start will be at the usual place, outside the Hand and Spear pub near Weybridge Station at 11am.

If you want to come, just turn up. If the weather is bad the ride will still be on, no matter how bad it is, unless its dangerously icy.

The next ride after this will be on Sunday 11th March.

River Wey Action Day, 19th February

Attached is a flyer about the River Wey action day on February 19th. In conjunction with Thames21.org,uk there will be an action day to pick litter and maintain the paths and river banks in the area around Seven Arches Bridge at the back of Brooklands. All volunteers are welcome. Read this flyer for details, no prizes for recognising anyone in the picture.

Oatlands Cubs

For the last two years Oatlands Cub Scouts have been looking after a section of the cycle route along the towpath between Weybridge and Walton. Several times a year the cubs turn out, often supported by a good number of parents, to pick litter along this lovely section of the Thames. The first time they did this they collected 16 large bin bags of litter!

Organised in conjunction with Sustrans, this activity helps the cubs to achieve their Community Challenge, Promise and Global Conservation badges. Oatlands Cubs, led by Simon Davey, are the first cub pack in the country to form an association with Sustrans to help maintain part of the National Cycle Network.

Diamond Jubilee Ride – Normandy

The organisation for the ride, on the Diamond Jubilee weekend, to Normandy is taking shape nicely. The plan has changed a little and we will now be taking the ferry from Poole to Cherbourg for four full days of cycling around the Normandy peninsular.

There’s still space for two or three more people although the ferry and hotels are already getting booked up for this time of year. The cost for ferry and hotels will be roughly £250 per person, sharing a room. The itinerary is as follows:

Friday 1st June. Either a) cycle to Poole, which is about 90 miles or b) take an evening train or c) take an earlier train and tootle around Poole harbour for the day. Overnight stay at the Holes Bay Premier Inn in Poole.

Saturday 2nd June. Ferry from Poole to Cherbourg, departing 07:00. Cycle from Cherbourg eastwards along the coast to Barfleur and then to Utah Beach, then turning inland to Carentan. Distance about 55 miles.

Sunday 3rd June. Cycle from Carentan to Bayeux, possibly visiting Omaha beach. Distance about 35 miles. On arrival in Bayeux there should be sufficient time to see the Bayeux Tapestry for those who want to do that.

Monday 4th June. Cycle from Bayeux to Saint Sauveur le Vicomte crossing the Marais du Contentin national park, an area of wetlands and moors. Distance about 60 miles.

Tuesday 5th June. Cycle from Saint Sauveur le Vicomte to Cherbourg. Distance about 22 miles. Ferry from Cherbourg to Portsmouth, and train from Portsmouth arriving Weybridge at 21:43.

If you are interested please let me know as soon as possible.

The first bike ride of the year will be this Sunday 8th January.

This month we will be heading North West through Staines and Stanwell Moor to a stretch of the Jubilee River at the back of Eton. From there it’s back through Windsor to Staines, past Thorpe Park and the back of Chertsey. This is a longer ride than some at 30 miles, but a lot of it is on-road so the going will be good. There’s a full route map here: http://bit.ly/AqCT6Y

The start will be at the usual place, outside the Hand and Spear at Weybridge Station at 11am. There will be a lunch stop somewhere in Windsor. The weather forecast for Sunday seems fair at the moment.

If you want to come, just turn up at Weybridge Station at 11:00am. If you have questions or need to contact me on the day my phone number is 0793-0320241.

The next ride after this will be on Sunday 12th February. In case you haven’t spotted the pattern yet, the rides will normally be on the second Sunday of each month unless that conflicts with something else.

Diamond Jubilee Ride – St Malo to Cherbourg

I am planning a big ride for the Diamond Jubilee double-bank-holiday weekend at the start of June.

Starting from Portsmouth on the evening of Friday 1st June, we’ll take the overnight ferry to St Malo. From there its 140 miles, over 4 days, to Cherbourg staying at small quiet hotels along the way. That’s about 35 miles a day with a chance to see the spectacular Mont St-Michel and plenty of glorious Normandy countryside. The return ferry from Cherbourg and train from Portsmouth will get you home by 10pm on Tuesday 5th June.

For the energetic there’s the option of cycling from Weybridge to Portsmouth on Friday 1st which is about 65 miles. For those who are not so energetic, or have to work that day, there’s an excellent and regular train service.

The group will be limited to about 10 cyclists and is likely to fill up quickly. The cost, for rail, ferry and hotels will be about £400 per person.

If you are interested please let me know as soon as possible.

After a break of a couple of months, due to pressure of work and the like, I’m pleased to announce that we are back.

This month’s ride is on Sunday 11th December. The route will be an old favourite, heading south-east towards Wisley, the old airfield and beyond. Click here for a map of the planned route. 15.42 miles.

The start will be at the usual place, outside the Hand and Spear at Weybridge Station at 11am. As the days are short, and the temperature likely to be quite low, the pace will be very fast 😉 No, seriously the pace will be dictated by the speed of the group, but the distance will be shortish, about 15 miles, with no stop for lunch. Instead we will retire to the warmth and comfort of the Hand and Spear for a latish lunch at the end of the ride.

If you want to come, just turn up at Weybridge Station at 11:00am. If you have questions or need to contact me on the day my mobile number is 0793-0320241.

The ride will be on whatever the weather, except if the roads are dangerously icy. Temperatures are forecast to be fairly low on Saturday, but warmer and sunny on Sunday. With no rain beforehand the roads are likely to be fine.

This month’s ride will be this Sunday 9th October.

The start will be at the usual place, outside the Hand and Spear at Weybridge Station at 11am. The route will be about 17 miles through Esher towards Oxshott and then back through Cobham.

It will be mainly on-road with just one off-road section through Esher Common. Some of the roads will be quite busy. There’s a map of the planned route here: http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/fullscreen/53250042/

If you want to come, just turn up at 11:00am on Sunday. We meet outside the Hand and Spear pub which is right next to Weybridge railway station.

Other news
Carole Frost from our friendly neighbours, the Woking Cycle Group, is keen to get as many people as possible to sign her petition about planned changes to a bridge over the Basingstoke Canal. It’s the wooden one next to The Light Box that links to the Brewery Road car park in Woking. You don’t have to live in Woking to sign it, just be an occasional visitor to the area. Please sign Carole’s petition, it’ll only take a few moments: http://petitions.woking.gov.uk/bridge/

The next Elmbridge Cycle Group ride will be in two weeks time on Sunday October 9th. More details about that nearer the time. But if you can’t wait then the Woking group are organising an all day bike ride this Sunday October 2nd.

Ian Wright will be leading the ride and has the following message:

Fellow Cyclists
If you are interested in a fairly challenging all day cycle ride, I am leading a ride following the Surrey section of the Olympic Cycle Road Race route for 2012 this coming Sunday.

The aim this year is to do the Surrey part of the Olympic Road Race Route planned for the 2012 London Olympics. This is around 50 miles and about half the ride is on fairly main roads, so do be aware of that if you are thinking of coming. There are two significant hills, the first up from East Clandon on Staples Lane and the second being the zig-zags up Box Hill from near the Stepping Stones. It is a challenging ride but a very good one and there will be a strong sense of achievement from completing the ride. We will probably stop for lunch at the café at the top of Box Hill.

The ride will begin from West Byfleet at 9.30 am and we will meet outside the car park for Waitrose on Station Approach.

The route can be found at www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/35572932 if you would like to study it in advance.

To join this ride you will need to be reasonably fit and your bicycle will need to have good brakes and gears to manage the hills and to be well maintained and in good order. However this is not a day for racing or marathon efforts so the usual rules apply in that no-one will be left behind. If you do find it too hard it will be possible to get a train back from Dorking before the second part of the ride.

Do let me know if you are definitely coming if only so that we don’t leave West Byfleet without you. However if you wish to join us at the last minute, that’s fine, but do make sure you are at the start point (by the car park for Waitrose at West Byfleet) by 9.30.

Thanks.

Ian Wright
Woking Cycle Users’ Group