Shooting Star ‘Hospice to Hospice’ Charity Bike Ride ~ Sunday 29th September 2013

By on 5 July, 2013   /   Blog posts  
Dear Nick,
I am emailing to ask you to help us spread the word of the Hospice to Hospice Bike Ride which is back for its second year, with new and exciting routes, including the cycling mecca, Box Hill! All we ask you do is forward this email to your club members and display the attached poster on your club noticeboard.
At Shooting Star CHASE, the families we support have to face very difficult situations. They all have a child or a teenager who is not expected to reach their 19th birthday. We are committed to caring for these families; we are there for every step of their journey, sharing the good times, and helping them through the tough times with practical and emotional support. With no guaranteed government funding we must raise £23,000 a day to continue our vital service.
The annual Hospice to Hospice Bike Ride will take place on Sunday 29th September. No matter what your fitness level, you can choose your challenge – cycle 70, 50, or 20 miles. This year, the bike ride will be starting and finishing at the beautiful Painshill Park, Cobham.
Entry fees include a t-shirt, training information and advice, refreshments along the route, commemorative medal and the opportunity to start and finish within Painshill Park.
This event is a great opportunity for friends, family, colleagues, or club buddies to get together, enjoy a great experience and raise money for a very special local cause!
For further details about Shooting Star CHASE or for any further information regarding this event please visit www.shootingstarchase.org.uk/hospice2hospice. Alternatively you can contact us at events@shootingstarchase.org.uk or call us on 01932 823100.

Kindest regards
Emma Willshire

Challenge Events Fundraiser

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Alps 2013

By on 5 July, 2013   /   Blog posts  
For the second year running, a group of West Surrey riders (Peter Hackman, Don Gray, John Findlay, Bob McLeod, Geoff Smith jnr, and Nick Davison), plus a “guest rider” from the flat lands of Norfolk (Robin King), ventured out to France for a week’s cycling and carbo loading. This year, after the previous “toe in the water”, a more adventurous trip was arranged, partly based on the beautiful location of Annecy, and taking in some classic climbs in the Haute Savoie region. For some strange reason, the group entrusted me to 

organise the basics such as hotels and route, on the feeble premise that if I could (usually) lead a group successfully in the Surrey lanes, then France would be more of the same, provided we remembered to ride on the right.

We were again indebted to the wonderful support provided by Ian Young, who transported our bags from hotel to hotel, and was also on hand to provide practical support when needed, such as when John suffered an explosive front wheel blow out, both inner and outer, on a fast descent; a new tyre was soon supplied.
We took in climbs such as the Col du Granier, Mont Revard, Col de la Forclaz, Col du Semnoz, and Grand Colombier, and records showed that in 7 days we climbed over 42,000ft. One highlight was certainly when we were having a look at the route for this year’s L’Etape, which Don will be riding, and on the descent of Mont Revard we noticed the Sky team cars, followed soon after by the entire Tour de France Sky team who were clearly recceing this key stage. We stopped at the next village to refuel (this descending can be so tough), and saw the team also taking a break (albeit not gorging on the cakes, as we were), so we were able to have a quick word with Chris Froome and others; we neglected to pass on any tips, but hope that Chris still manages to win the Tour.
The final section of the entire tour ended with an epic 10 mile descent back into Nantua, all top gear and line astern; very similar to the Sky team, just that even downhill we were probably averaging 10 mph less than them when on a flat team trial.
John Murdoch
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Farnham Group Ride ~ 2 June 2013

By on 14 June, 2013   /   Blog posts  

The Farnham group enjoyed a gentle seaside ride from the outskirts of Chichester via bye-roads, lanes, fields and off-road paths to Bosham. Arthur writes:

The Farnham easy riders also enjoyed the South Coast last week end under our illustrious leader from Haslemere – the same who also lead the underwater Farnham ride around Bosham harbour two years ago! This year’s ride included a wide range of activities from road riding to cyclo cross, off road riding and even maritime activities. Do check out the notice boards beside some of the tracks!

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Companion(s) wanted on a trip to the Pyrenees

By on 3 June, 2013   /   Blog posts  

Chris Jeggo is planning a cycling trip using the Bike Express to the Pyrenees and is looking for one, two or more people to join him on a not too strenuous tour in the region. The trip will start in Lourdes on 30 August and finish there on 15 September. The itinerary is flexible, but will include some Tour de France cols.  Staying in small hotels and B&Bs.

Contact Chris on Tel: +44 (0) 1483 870218 or email him at chris@jeggo.org.uk if you’re interested or want to hear more about his plans. 

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Sunday Ride ~ 2 June 2013 ~ To Bognor

By on 3 June, 2013   /   Blog posts  

A beautiful day in early June, in good company, destination the seaside: what more could one want! The group today consisted of Chris J, Clive, Anne, Julian, Chris B, Mark and Peter H (leader). Tim (on the right) rode with us to coffee and then returned home. In Bognor we met up with Don but he didn’t ride with us.

 Outside the cafe in Petworth on the way south

 Ready for a nosh on the seafront near Bognor
 Heading west after lunch, destination Chichester
 And here we are, doing what all good cyclists should do – walk 
through the pedestrianized area
 A new discovery for me – the cycle path north from Chichester

 And so at last to tea in Midhurst
 Chris descending Bexley Hill

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