I am scheduled to lead the Grade 3 ride (not long and not hilly!) on 27 Aug. This ride is currently scheduled to depart from Pinkney Green. In light of the very low participation of Grade 3s on this ride last year, the significant commitment expected of ride leaders as compared to riders who may decide to opt out at the last minute, and the difficulties of driving to the start point at peak London commuter traffic times, I will only lead the ride if a minimum of 3 other riders contact me to register their firm interest by Monday 25 Aug (01483 457739). Otherwise, I will lead a Grade 3 ride from the Chobham r’about. I will announce what the game plan is early on Tues 26 Aug via “Latest News”. Note: no change to the planned Grade 4 ride; it will happen as posted on the rides list. The Grade 4 ride leader, John Murdoch, has been known to adapt his ride if an eventual Grade 3 rider shows up at Pinkney Green.
I shall have the pleasure of leading the last of the Sunset Freewheelers’ rides. Let’s hope for good weather! All details available on website at http://westsurreyctc.co.uk/ride-groups/guildford-sunset-freewheelers/
Louise Gagnon writes . . . .
Who would have thought that (a) the awful weather forecasted 24 hours earlier could change so dramatically and so positively and (b) SPF factor 30 barely coped with the bright sun and 28.5 C ?!
Riders came out of the woodwork and eagerly joined the two Johns (John Murdoch and John Child) as they led memorable remote start rides down from Rowlands Castle.
The grade 3s led by John Child ventured thru Bosham, exploring the lovely lanes around the coastal area back to Chichester. A mere 47 miles given that we were “delayed” at the Bosham ferry crossing. We however made the best of this fallow time catching up with accounts of each other’s summer vacations. As one rider so accurately pointed out, such remote start rides truly bring out the “kid out for the day to play” in all of us; we were only 30 miles from home but it is as if we had landed on a foreign shore. A great day out!
The hazards of sun exposure?
Our back marker, Keith Stainer, fending off the damaging sun rays.
Do as you wish fellows, I am proof positive that beer and cool shades are the ultimate protectors!
Part of the remote start gang just outside Bosham.
There will again be two rides this coming Wednesday, with an “away” ride from Rowlands Castle to take advantage (we hope) of the fine summer weather in a lovely area. That ride will suit both grade 3 and 4 riders, with leaders being myself and John Child; we may combine the rides, depending on numbers and inclination. I nave not yet finalised any route, and as ever will adjust to suit, as best I can, the wishes of the group as a whole, but if the weather is good it would seem a shame not to head towards the coast. I plan to meet the train at Rowlands Castle (10.21 arrival) and ride from there to coffee at Stansted House.
There is also an advertised grade 2 ride from Ripley, but please note that Rico will be absent this week. With the experience of “his” group, I am sure that those who turn up will
enjoy a sociable ride, and not argue too much over the route to follow! – the Paragon Pub is the Percy Arms at Chilworth. It is also possible that there will be a grade 3 ride leader at Ripley, but as per the actual programme this is not guaranteed; to confirm, the grade 3 ride this week is from Stansted House.
enjoy a sociable ride, and not argue too much over the route to follow! – the Paragon Pub is the Percy Arms at Chilworth. It is also possible that there will be a grade 3 ride leader at Ripley, but as per the actual programme this is not guaranteed; to confirm, the grade 3 ride this week is from Stansted House.
(West Surrey CTC is a member of the Surrey Hills Society)
Message from the Chairman, Surrey Hills Society
Chris Howard writes….
Firstly, we have been asked by the National Trust Ranger at Leith Hill, Ruby Cole, to assist her in raising £6,000 for a newly restored drinking water fountain to be located by the Tower for the 600,000 visitors that come to this beautiful site each year, be they people, dogs or horses. The water fountain is to mark the 250th birthday of Leith Hill Tower. I think this is a very appropriate project for the Surrey Hills Society to support, and easily achievable. Ruby has already raised almost half of this sum but needs help to raise the balance.
Secondly, the Prudential Ride London/Surrey event takes place on 10 August and we have been given two free places for sponsored charity cyclists. Our two riders for this year are the sons of our newsletter editor, and long-time supporter, Diane Cooper. I do hope you will consider sponsoring our young riders who will be waving the Surrey Hills flag for us on this day. Whilst I recognise that a number of our members may have been adversely affected by the increasing popularity of cycling, this is nevertheless an opportunity for us to derive some benefit to the Surrey Hills. The Cooper boys are proud to be cycling the 100 miles on our behalf and are happy for us to donate whatever sum they achieve to go towards the water fountain.
Could I politely invite you to either sponsor the boys, Darren and Phillip Cooper via their Just Giving site at www.justgiving.com/thebrotherscooper or send a cheque made out to the “Surrey Hills Society”, direct to me at Green Grove, Sweetwater Lane, Shamley Green GU5 0UP, to support these three young people in their endeavours.
Thank you.
This is an opportunity for us to achieve a positive outcome from having the Cycle Race here in Surrey, an opportunity to help improve the visitor experience at Leith Hill and an example of the way that the Surrey Hills Society can add tangible benefits to the Surrey Hills AONB.
Yours sincerely,
Chris Howard,
Chairman, Surrey Hills Society