Cycling group news and news archive

JULY 2008

Ride Report 1 July

10 of us (but sadly no ladies) started from The White Lion on a sunny morning (Frank, Jim, Dave M-H, Iain, Bob, John S, Russ, Martin, Ray and myself). We were due to complete one of the proposed sections of the Chiltern Cycleway so the route was mostly on road and certainly for much of the way quite fast with the occasional hill just to please Ray. Uneventfully we headed off for Wiggington past Champneys and then down to the A41 west of Berkhampstead where we stopped for our first casualty - Iain who not only was suffering from a bad back but also a bad knee. Iain asked to be excused to do his own ride and to meet us back at the pub.

We then headed for the Grand Union Canal and along the tow path for a mile or so leaving the canal at Dudswell. We were supposed to meet John C here but sadly just missed him. This section is not part of the CC but links 2 arms of the route. Back across the A41 we then turned east running on fairly quiet but well maintained roads parrallel to the A41 until just before Berkhampstead. We then turned towards Ashley Green, Orchard Leigh again on quiet roads and then to Ley Hill. We had completed almost 12 miles in just over an hour so we were making such good time that Ray pleaded for one of his famous 'other loops' this time going through Flaunden. At Flaunden (which is on the CC) despite a slight delay with a Russell puncture and then a temporary impasse between a tractor and several cars we headed down to the Chess valley for the straight ride back into Chesham. This is where first Jim had his puncture and then Russ's bike started to make peculiar 'bearing-like' noises. So those not involved in the mechanics just gazed at the river Chess for a while which was in full flow.

Time was now getting on so once the repairs were completed we dashed on the busy road towards Chesham and then back to the White Lion where we arrived just after 1:15 and unfortunately just after Iain had left having cut short his ride. Sorry Iain. We were as ever well looked after by the White Lion staff but because I was still on antibiotics I could not indulge in one of the excellent guest beers available and had to settle for orange squash on the rocks - it isn't a very good substitute. We had completed 28 miles in about 2 3/4 hours cycling time over a mix of fast, undulating terrain but very scenic terrain.

So sorry that we were not able to meet up with John and Iain and trust that your knee improves soon.

Regards all - Dave

Tuesday Ride Report, Dumb Bell pub, Old Shire Lane, Horn Hill, 8/7/08

This will be a short 'nobody died' style report since will now be busy packing for departure Thursday on hols!

On what should have been the best-weather day of the week. Steve, Pauline, Keith, Dave C, Richard, John S, Bob, Dave M H, Jim and myself made a nearly prompt departure from the Dumb Bell down Old Shire Lane bridleway. We were expecting John C but after waiting five minutes and receiving no message, decided that he was a 'no show' on account of the threatening sky! Despite all the recent rain, we made good progress along the recently cleared Old Shire Lane continuing across Tilehouse Lane, a section new to many. Past the Marble and Granite Centre along the canal to the Horse and Barge where Dave C chose to have his first puncture. I was rather severe (sorry Dave!) and berated him for riding on two too soft tyres, leaving him vulnerable to thorns! I believe he did agree in the future that if anyone found Dave arriving at a Tuesday ride with tyres not fully inflated, he would buy them a drink! We continued as planned, back to canal, leaving at Springwell Lock after which the heavens opened again. Very considerately, Dave M H and Keith chose to have simultaneous punctures, repaired in the shelter of a road bridge. The time budget being now much reduced, I cut out the final loop through Carpenters Wood heading for Chorleywood direct for Old Shire Lane when Dave C wheeled his bike in behind us with his second puncture - bad luck Dave! He told us all to go on to the pub leaving him to follow but no, we were a group and would stick together. That is, until some decided they couldn't wait, you now know who your friends are Dave! Eventually, we were all re-united at the Dumb Bell around 13.10 with just 17.3 miles on the clock in a riding time of 1h 54m, significantly shorter than my planned 23 miles. Rog (welcome back!) and Iain joined us in our conviviality at the Dumb Bell.

We were well looked after at the pub under new manager Tom with table laid ready for us. Value was exceptional, sandwiches plus curly chips, salad and a big bowl of coleslaw all for £3.25; Directors £2.95 and IPA £2.65. Service was not the fastest but pleasantly given.

See you all on Dave C's ride at the end of the month.

Ray

PS Watch ITV4, 7.00 pm every evening for excellent round-up of progress on 'Le Tour'

Ride Report 3 July

Nine of us gathered under grey skies at my house at 10:30 yesterday. Iain brought along Paul Greenough for Paul's first ride after his retirement the previous Friday. The group was completed by Tom, Roger, Peter, Ken, Gordon, Edna and me. Five of you arrived by bike - good effort.

Departure was delayed by our first shower, with everyone rapidly putting on their wet gear only for the rain to stop a minute later. The first shock to me was the closure of part of the Ebury Way for pipe laying - I checked this on Wednesday and it was open - honest. There was a well signposted diversion and plastic netting had been placed over grass in the playing fields next to the Ebury Way and we managed to complete the diversion with minimum delay.

We reached the track through Margeholes Woods in fine weather and were just about to emerge from the woods when the heavens opened. Wise counsel in the group recommended we stay under cover of the trees until the rain stopped, and so it did after a few minutes. For the second time we removed the wet weather gear we had just put on.

At Estree Aerodrome I was explaining that I had only once seen a plane take off over my head despite many previous visits when a plane came into view at the end of the runway. Then, blow me, another blighter took off. I'd like to report that like London buses these rare events come in threes, but I don't think the low flying helicopter counts.

We reached the Three Horseshoes at Letchmore Heath just after 12:30 where Barney joined us for lunch. There was a fair selection of beers and food, the service was good, and we sat outside in the sun. A very cheery landlady wished us on our way. After avoiding the dangers of wandering pedestrians in Watford high Street some riders peeled off to take their direct routes home leaving four of us to return to my house. About an hour later it rained again here, we were very lucky with the weather.

We eventually covered 18.4 miles at an average speed of 8.9 mph. On the almost identical ride I led with the Thursday group in July 2007 we did 18 miles at only 8.3 mph - you are getting fitter. I am also pleased to say there were no punctures, bike failures or major mishaps on this ride.

I hope to ride with the Thursday group again when the start point is convenient to me and when you can lay on a hot sunny day.

Regards - John

Ride Report 10 July

On Wednesday it rained very hard all day and I was becoming very worried about the weather for the ride on the following day, but Thursday morning it was lovely blue sky, clouding over during the day but it luckily stayed dry throughout the ride. Seven of us met at the car park in Princes Risborough Chris, Barney, John, Roger, Ken, Peter and myself and set off at 10.30hrs along the lanes towards Bishopstone which were reasonably traffic free. After crossing the Haddenham-Aylesbury road where Ken and Barney took a shorter route to the pub for lunch we entered the Waddesdon Manor estate stopping briefly to admire the Eythrope Park lake before climbing up through the tarmac bridle way to leave the estate at Upper Winchendon. We took a slight diversion to Neither Winchedon where we stopped and visited a lovely old church which still had enclosed wooden pews. Back on the bikes we made good progress towards the lunch stop expecting that Ken and Barney would already have arrived but caught up with them a mile before the pub, Barney had suffered a chain problem and had also stopped for a coffee break. We arrived at the Three Horseshoes Pub at Towersey on time and enjoyed a good lunch at our reserved table which was good as as soon as we had arrived several other parties came in for meals. On the way back a few of us diverted through Bledlow, stopping to visit Bledlow church, another fine old village church and then the Lyde gardens, a secluded garden, landscaped by the Carrington Family 25 years ago.We arrived back at the car park about 15.20hrs having covered just short of 29 miles.

Mike

Ride Report 15 July

The weather was very warm and muggy with clouds threatening a big storm as we set off from the car park with our cars packed into a tiny space to leave room for any walkers - there were none!

We were warm when we set off but the first 1 mile is a very steep 50 metre climb - the only time I have had to stand up on my pedals.

Seven set off from the car park - Jim, Les, John S, Keith, Bob, Dave MH and myself and we rendezvoused with Russell at the top of the hill - we could not give him any flack for wimping out on the first hill as he had cycled 12 miles from Amersham to join us!

Then after some more hills we climbed out of Speen onto our first off road the excellent if occasionally muddy Lilly Bottom Lane up to the Pink & Lilley pub where we rested pretending to be interested in the mega mansion being built there.

A fast descent and then across the plain on the route of the Icknield Way to Wain Hill. Bob was complaining because I made us cycle down and then up the hill via the Lions of Bledlow rather than the quicker straight ahead route. However as I pointed out it is about the journey not just getting back to the pub which we could have reached an hour ago by turning left after Loosely Row.

The climb up to Wain Hill was easier due to the smooth track washed clean by so much previous rain. Then onto the well known Ridgeway section in very good condition. Many brownie points were earned when we all stopped to allow two horses to pass on the widest section the Ridgeway and the rider was so pleased because she was on a very nervous horse who had never seen a bike before!

No one managed to cycle up Crowell (cruel) Hill and were able to blame the rough track but it was too steep for cycling - we were all embarrassed to be overtaken by a jogger!

The climb up was rewarded by a fast technical descent through Venus Woods and then onto the splendid bridleway to Radnage. A short steep walk up across the field in an incredibly overgrown bridleway brought us to Bledlow Ridge and then the fantastic downhill and the easy bridleway back to Saunderton and the Golden Cross pub.

Here we were joined by Roger in his deckchair summer shirt and shorts looking very much like a man on holiday - tanned and fit from three cycle rides per week and about time he retook his rightful place on the Tuesday group.

Lunch was good and relatively cheap with fish & chips and ham & eggs replacing the usual baguettes as cholesterol was not on the menu that day!

Lunchtime discussion was political and heated and started with a discussion about Margaret Thatcher's state funeral - and I did not know she had died (she hasn't) and whether we were paying too much tax under Gordon Brown - surprisingly Roger thought we should be paying more tax! (well he will be when he next taxes his Audi 4X4!)

Frank Auton

Ride Report 17 July

On what was a cool, grey but dry day (apart from a short light shower), eight of us gathered at the Waterside Centre at Wokingham, North Reading for a combined Thames Path and southern Chilterns ride.

A few obstacles needed to be overcome early in the ride - to get the bikes over the bridge over the Kennet, where it joined the Thames and then to cross the Thames over Caversham Lock and Weir (without getting wet), rather that chance our luck over Caversham Bridge. As we passed beside the Thames we were fortunate to see the annual counting of the monarch’s swans (Swan Upping) – see http://www.thamesweb.co.uk/swans/upping2.html. At Caversham Bridge we headed off towards Mapledurham on a very quiet and sometimes rough track. Here we encountered a monkjack deer ambling along the road, somewhat oblivious to us.

Just past Mapledurham, Barney and Gordon struck off on a shortcut to the pub at Sonning Common whilst the rest of us continued via Goring Heath, Woodcote, Checkendon and Stoke Row to join with the others at the Butcher’s Arms at Sonning Common.

After some excellent food (well recommended) and some liquid refreshment, we headed back towards the start via Binfield Heath, Playhatch and Sonning, where we rejoined the Thames Patch for a two mile stretch back to the cars.

This was a very enjoyable route with predominantly gentle climbs and some good downhill stretches.

The riders were Barney, Roger, Gordon, Edna, Chris N, Chris F, Richard and myself.

Peter

JUNE 2008

Tuesday Ride Report 17th June Fox & Hounds

It was perfect cycling weather as 12 of us namely Lesley,Hazel, Bob, Dave C, Keith,Jim, Russell, Martin, Ray, John C, John S & myself made the gentle climb to the top of Bottrells Lane, at which point we had our first puncture, which took half an hour to sort out, a tyre lever having been left in the repaired tyre!!!. I heard someone comment that they were glad that Keith wasn't a surgeon, and had not been operating on them.

After a trouble free ride past Three Households and Seer Green, we entered a bridleway taking us into Cleare Craft Wood & Bottom Wood before dropping down into Marrods Bottom, at which point we realised 2 of our party were missing! but after some un successful re-tracking by Russell we decided that they would find their own way back and continued on along Penn Bottom before climbing up to Penn and then back down towards Woobern Moor through Gatemoor Wood, it was then a steady climb up Ridings Lane, through Forty & Knotty Green, then into Netherlands Wood & Sandels Wood before a nice decent back to Marrods Bottom again. At this point we had our third mishap of the day ( they always come in three's ) when Russell punctured, after this we had a sharp climb up towards Coleshill, we then decided because of all the delays we would miss the planned circuit of Hodgemoor Woods and took the road back to the pub, where Dave & John S were waiting pint in hand having had a nice un-planned ride of their own.

We sat in the pub garden and had a very nice lunch in the sunshine, reflecting on what had been an eventful, but enjoyable ride.

Richard

Twelve riders met on Thursday, 19th June 2008 in the car park (TQ 092 967) in Cassiobury Park, Watford.

The weather was overcast, but dry, and very good for cycling. With the exception of one or two muddy patches, the surfaces were dry.

Two riders took a fully paved route prior to lunch, whilst the main group rode on the canal towpath, past Rickmansworth, to West Hyde then on road to Newland Park. The next section was on the bridleway which runs to the east of the park, then on road through Chorleywood to the village of Chenies. At Chenies, we took the lane (now closed to vehicles), past the ford and cress beds to Sarratt Bottom, then up the steep hill to Sarratt and onwards to lunch at the Cart and Horses, Commonwood. After lunch, we all went on the bridleway by Gyffes Farm and Model Farm to Langlebury, them on road to Whippendell Woods where we went on the newly defined cycle route through the woods to the canal bridge in Cassiobury Park.

The route taken by the main group was c.16 miles from the start point to the luncheon venue and was reasonably demanding by "Thursday Group" standards. The distance ridden after lunch was c.5 miles.

Unusually, we had four breakdowns; a puncture, two chain related problems, and a damaged mudguard.

Richard Henry - Ride Leader

Tuesday Ride 24th June 08

Summer at last - well John Chapel considered it warm enough to risk taking his top off in the car park - but was soon persuaded to put it back on. Anyway with sun tan lotion applied as necessary John C, Steve & Pauline, Hazel, Leslie, Russ, Jim and Dave MH set off at 10.00 sharp. The first part of the ride took us on a toll road past Ashridge College and on downhill to just above Berkhamsted, before turning to take a somewhat wandering route across the golf course, coming out finally onto the intended B road only 300 yards off the aiming point!

The next section off road saw a minor mishap when my rear wheel failed to bunny hop a small branch and I, with little dignity, fell off into a small, but conveniently sited patch of Clarkian mud. After exhausting Leslie's cleanwipes we continued - still downhill, by now much to some amazement or worry, to Aldbury. Pushing the bikes uphill towards the Bridgewater Monument there was a minority suggesting a coffee stop, but when it came to taking a level bridleway or completing the push to the cafe at the top the idea seemed to fade!

Then by road and bridleway via Ivinghoe to the north side of the Beacon and a long drag up across the flank of Ivinghoe Beacon before coasting to Ringshall. The sign saying Little Gaddesden 1 mile was a great tempation for half the group - and in the event they may have been right! Skipping this easy option and continued straight on. Just as we left Dagnall, Russ suffered a puncture - something he had been fearing all morning and had prepared for with two spare tubes. Russ's front wheel has taken to shreding tubes around the valve, so a reinforced mend was used with the new tube having its valve pushed through a patch to give extra protection / cushioning.

Off again over some pretty rough grass and across corn fields where the bridleway was a small fraction of the statutory 1 metre - next mishap, my chain broke. Three links lighter and a lot of help from Steve with parts supplied by Leslie we moved on - completing the remaining mile to the pub - arriving 45 minutes later than if we had taken the signed shortcut, for just 2 miles extra riding!

The pub was fine, except they don't do tabs outside - so after some debate over whether we had had enough fresh air and the evident mathematical complications of paying half the tab before lunch - that was OK because we were indoors when ordering and then paying individually for second drinks because we would then be out doors, or having someone go indoors ....... you get the point - we ate indoors.

Russ I hope you got home without further trouble

Rgds, John S