Woking Mid-Week Wayfarers – Laurie Mutch writes

The Grade 3 ride on Wednesday 24th September starts at Ripley at 09h45, with tea at Bocketts Farm via Effingham Common and Bookham. We then head due south to Newdigate and Rusper and south-east to Warnham and Rowhook. Lunch will be at the Scarlett Arms at Walliswood. The return to Ripley will put to the vote at lunch but the direct options are via Shere or Abinger Hammer, then Combe Bottom and East Clandon. Overall, quiet roads, 50 miles with a few nice climbs.

Weather wise it looks set to be a good day, max temperature 18 degrees with the possibility of a short rain shower over lunch – bring a light rain jacket.

 

Refer Landranger 187, and GPS downloads available (email: laurie.mutch@btinternet.com)

 

Look forward to seeing you all.

 

Laurie

Lights to be Seen, and Lights to See.

pat daffarn

 

 

 

Pat Daffarn writes. . . .

LIGHTS TO BE SEEN are so that cars don’t take you out – start with reflectors on pedals, rear and front, they are very effective, then add flashing lights front and rear.  Flashing allows car drivers and other cyclists to differentiate cyclists from distant cars.  Legally the reflectors and lights must be fixed to your bike and can be enhanced with reflective clothing.

LIGHTS TO SEE are so you can steer round objects and holes on and off road – more bright (and expensive) than Lights To Be Seen, however good cycle lights can be used for other tasks – sailing, skiing and around the home, so when you decide what you want, consider all the other uses it may have, which makes it more affordable.  A good LIGHTS TO SEE comparison  is on the Wiggle site, 12% discounted in the CTC shop, but do shop around.

You might like to read Chris Juden’s post here, or his more detailed technical post here.

Pat

 

 

 

 

Chawton ride Wed 10 Sept

Neil Eason Savills Garden

 

 

 

Neil Eason writes . . .

 

Another sunny and warm September day greeted a mix of 18 G3 and G4 riders. The route through the N Hants lanes provided some stunning vistas, quite a few hills(!) and some notable landmarks including Jane Austen’s house, Ropley Station on the Watercress Line ( our steam buffs/nerds lingered far too long here but it was magic! ), and the Civil War site of the Battle of Cheriton.

image

IMG_2279

IMG_2273

IMG_2278

The Bucks Head at Meonstoke on the River Meon proved to be an excellent choice although it was noticeable that the first climb after lunch was taken at a somewhat more sedate pace than normal!
image 2
Thanks to all who participated in a very enjoyable trip – let’s do it again next year!

Neil

Are You Being Followed?

Louise Gagnon

 

CTC wings logo

 

Louise Gagnon writes . .  .

 

 

The CTC has many long honoured best practices that have stood the test of time.

One of them is that at junctions, each rider should check that there is still another rider following, and, if not, wait at the junction.  Makes sense and this is why we have also put this good advice in our Group Riding Guidelines as well (Art.20).

image3

 

image4But what if the person in front does not heed this time honoured CTC practice?

Well, an empty junction with many options – such as this one – is what you are likely to find yourself confronted with.  Bah, humbug!

image5Of course, this is a whole lot of no fun, specially if it is a cold winter…

Lost leaders

But if it is summer, sunny and 22C, you can always do like the infamous lost 5 riders (all ride leaders as well): enjoy the sun, take a “selfie” and wait for the main pack to come and get you.

A bit of humour and good cheers but please heed the precious CTC time-honoured practice of making sure you are being followed – and make sure to brief new riders as well.  Thanks!