Fleet Mucky Mayhem

Ride Diary

On ALL rides we stop every 15-20 mins, so folks can grab a drink, a quick bite, adjust clothing etc.

GENERAL INFO:

DESTINATION:	Bisley, National Shooting Centre (NSC)
DISTANCE:	27 miles
OVERALL TIME:	3.5 hours
DEPARTURE TIME:	09:30 Regular meet point (Google Maps )

GUIDANCE:
Easy going along towpath, Cafe at NSC, Bisley.

NOTES:
9 went.
09:30 Start
Cool to start, but improved.
Towpath was wet and muddy, but not too bad, going was medium.
11:00 - 1 hr 30 mins, arrived at NSC Cafe. Cafe was busy as there was a shooting event on, we were forced to sit outside... but the cafe owners offered us free tea and coffee refills! as always a great breakfast, good price!... uphill on way back! lol
13:15 - 3 hrs 45 mins, back in Fleet, 27 miles, no issues.

PHOTOS:

GENERAL INFO:

DESTINATION:	Woking
DISTANCE:	36 miles
OVERALL TIME:	4.5 hours
DEPARTURE TIME:	09:30 Regular meet point (Google Maps )

GUIDANCE:
Easy going along towpath, H.G. Wells statue, Martian Alien Tripod sculpture, Cafe at The Lightbox Art Gallery.

NOTES:

6 out today. A cool start and slight breexe/headwind out. Towpath was very firm/quick going. The Aquaduct over the Blackwater Valley Bypass was closed, so we improvised a deour around to rejoin the canal at Ash.

Arrived in Woking approx 11:25, usual pics with H.G Wells...a wander the Warhammer shop...lol, then to the Lightbox cafe which has new management and the menu is being revised/added to ...but no breakfast, bacon/sausage sarnies today...apparently they will be added

Departed Woking 12:30

Arrived in Fleet approx 14:25 (37 miles)

Total riding time : 3 hours 30 mins

Overall time : 5 hours (includes all stops)

PHOTOS:

GENERAL INFO:

DESTINATION:	Weybridge
DISTANCE:	48 miles
OVERALL TIME:	7 hours
DEPARTURE TIME:	09:30 Regular meet point (Google Maps )

GUIDANCE:
Easy going along towpath. All options for shorter rides and trains from Brookwood (14m), Woking (18m), Weybridge (24m)

NOTES:

5 set out from the meeting point. We collected one more near Sainsburys! Further along we collect 2 more ....so there were 8! At Ash Lock, one departed, back to 7!

The Aqueduct and the rest of the towpath was all open.

Arrived in Weybridge at 12:40

Cafe Enzo was excellent and looked after us, great food and coffee!

Departed Weybridge at 13:30

Stop at Mytchett canal cafe for Ice Creams.

Back in Fleet at 16:40 (Overall time 7 hrs 10 mins, Ride time 4 hrs 45 mins). No mechanicals

Perfect weather, towpath dry, dusty and fast rolling

PHOTOS:

GENERAL INFO:

DESTINATION:	Devils Punch Bowl
DISTANCE:	26 miles
OVERALL TIME:	5.5 hours
DEPARTURE TIME:	09:30 Regular meet point (Google Maps )

GUIDANCE:

Organiser/leader: Rob

Mixed terrain, off road as much as possible along part of the historic King Alfred’s Way. At the end we stop at the Devils punchbowl cafe at the National Trust, Hindshead. Make our way to Haslemere station, to get the train back from Haslemere to Fleet via Woking, this will require a change of trains!

Please note: this route has a considerable number of challenging climbs, this is NOT a 'typical' style Mucky Mayhem route.

FYI: Please carry enough fluids for 4 hours... the guide is 500ml per hour... hence please carry 2 Litres minimum! There are no known point to fill up along the way, please do not rely on others carry water for you!

NOTES:

Departed 09:31

A total of 8 started the ride, including 2 ebikes

The weather was ideal and plenty of stops to allow for fuel and hydration. Stunning views out across the ridge at Frensham, where we found a collection of spent bullet cartridges! Additionally the view across the punchbowl made the roughly 3km long climb absolutely worth it.

Arriving at Devils Punch Bowl cafe, Hindhead approx 13:00, just under 3 hours ride time.

5 headed to get the train back from Haselmere, while three Muckies opted to cycle home.

Arrived back in Fleet (by Train 15:15)

Only three minor “offs”.

PHOTOS:

GENERAL INFO:

DESTINATION:	London
DISTANCE:	56 miles
OVERALL TIME:	7-8 hours
DEPARTURE TIME:	09:00 Regular meet point (Google Maps ) NOTE EARLIER START

GUIDANCE:
Towpath out to Weybridge, Wey navigation to Thames path. Lunch stop at Hampton Court, then into London, the last few miles are slow going and some of there is a very small amount on road. Train back from Waterloo.
Make sure you have plenty opf fluids and snacks
Plenty of opt out points - Brookwood (14 miles), Woking (18 miles), Weybridge (24 Miles), Hampton Court/Surbiton (32 Miles)

NOTES:

09:00 Depart

A cool, overcast day, it had rained the previous night and thus there were some puddles and mud!

9 set out from Fleet, a quick comfort break at Mytchett Canal Centre approx 10:00

Arrived at Woking, approx 11:00, 2 headed to the Railway station as planned. 7 headed onwards.

12:40 at Hampton Court for lunch at DISH Cafe, excellent food and tables reserved for us. One more joined us, so 8 headed onwards

A detour was required as the Thames Path is out of action around Kew Gardens

No major mechanicals, but at least 4 stops to top up the air on one rear tyre! Doh! Then we had a chain off and jammed

Other points to note...Water bottles! Please have suitable water bottles, both in volume and design and if using hydration packs, please test out before the rides

17:00 finally at Waterloo and a dash for the train, we got on the 17:12

Back in Fleet after 18:00 ..another epic Muckies adventure completed!

PHOTOS:

GENERAL INFO:

DESTINATION:	Guildford
DISTANCE:	38 miles
OVERALL TIME:	7 hours
DEPARTURE TIME:	09:00 Regular meet point (Google Maps ) NOTE EARLIER START

GUIDANCE:
Mixed riding including Tarmac, a fun challenging ride! This is not the usual near flat ride!
Clockwise loop to Guildford, via Ash, Pirbright, Guildford
Lunch stop at Watts Gallery
Then onto Farnham and Fleet
Make sure you have plenty of fluids and snacks

NOTES:

09:00 Depart

A warm overcast day.

Amazing turn out, 10 folks set out from Fleet.

At Mytchett ranges, the Red flag was flying, so we skirted the perimeter of the ranges, it was overgrown and not ideal, consider using the road in future

11:10 at Guildford, where Natalie headed for the train station (as planned)

As always the climb out of Guildford is tough going!

We arrived at Watts Gallery for lunch just after Noon (Departed about 12:50), where another joined us for his first ride with us (Simon)

Lunch was okay, but the menu was limited and also they automatically add a 10% service charge, which is not ideal!

About 4 miles after leaving Watts Gallery, our new rider Simon had an 'off' and damaged his wrist, Barney played Nurse, Simons' wife was contacted and came to collect him (approx 80 mins delay) and go to Frimley Park Hospital

A few miles further on and Dave decided to take tree hugging to new levels....on level ground he hit a tree stump, head over the bars and hit the ground face down and spread eagled with legs either side of the stump. Somewhat battered and bruised, with dented pride, he was able to carry on.

Back in Fleet after 16:00 ..another epic Muckies adventure completed!

No mechanicals.

PHOTOS:

GENERAL INFO:

DESTINATION:	Hampton Court
DISTANCE:	64 miles
OVERALL TIME:	8 hours
DEPARTURE TIME:	09:00 Regular meet point (Google Maps ) NOTE EARLIER START

GUIDANCE:
Towpath out to Weybridge, Wey navigation to Thames path, then to Hampton Court for Lunch and coffee.
Make sure you have plenty of fluids and snacks
Plenty of opt out points - Brookwood (14 miles), Woking (18 miles), Weybridge (24 Miles), Hampton Court/Surbiton (32 Miles)

NOTES:

09:00 Depart

Biggest turn out yet! 14 started out! Amaxing!

No issues on the way out.

11:00 Woking LightBox for a comfort break

12:40 Hampton Court and Dish Cafe. As usual, excellent menu and brilliant service. Some folks had 2 meals!! ...or a meal and cake! lol

One person was unlucky enough to have ridden trhough dog poo and somehow had it on her neck ....yuk...and top...she got cleaned up in the loos!

13:50 we finally gathered for the return trip. 2 headed off to get the train back (as planned), down to 12. Minor 10 mins delay as people did not stay together and thus we thought one was missing, but was ahead. Please everyone, keep track of everyone...it causes issues otherwise.

There was a headwind alongside the River Thames, slow progress.

Another person left us a few miles after the cafe...down to 11

14:45 at Thames Lock (just before Weybridge) ...so nearly an hour after the cafe to do just 7 miles.

Around 15:45 we arrived back at Woking, where the one eBike with us had an issue of a loose chainring and had to call for a lift home - SWR refused to let it on the train. We stopped for more coffee and comfort break! Now down to 10

Approx 16:15 we headed off...Just before Ash Lock ...a left hand Crank Arm fell off a bike...we managed to do a temp repair to get him home.

PHOTOS:

GENERAL INFO:

DESTINATION:	Reverse Guildford loop+
DISTANCE:	53 miles
OVERALL TIME:	8 hours
DEPARTURE TIME:	09:00 Regular meet point (Google Maps ) NOTE EARLIER START

GUIDANCE:
Mixed riding including Tarmac, a fun challenging ride!
Anti-clockwise loop to Guildford, via Caesars Camp, Farnham
Lunch, coffee at Yvonne Arnaud Theatre cafe
Then follow the Wey Navigation (approx 12 miles) towards Weybridge, pick up Basingstoke canal for the return
Make sure you have plenty of fluids and snacks
Opt out points - Guildford (20 miles), Woking (36 miles)

NOTES:
Cancelled due to the bad weather forecast, heavy rain and thunderstorms expected.

PHOTOS:

GENERAL INFO:

DESTINATION:	Guildford to Shoreham-by-Sea
DISTANCE:	76 miles (Max)
OVERALL TIME:	10 hours
DEPARTURE TIME:	08:30 Guildford Railway Station, Main entrance (Google Maps )

GUIDANCE:

Old disused railway line route, minimal tarmac, mainly flat going.

Three options for rides : 1. Ice Cream Run : Ride to Southwater Country Park Cafe - 21 miles each way (42 total)
2. Sails and Rails : Ride to Shorham by Sea, see the sails/boats and catch the train back, approx 38 miles
3. Full Monty : Guildford to Shoreham-by-sea and return ....76 miles!

Many options for shorter rides, cafe stop at 21 miles, thus folks can return from there. Various options for trains back to Guildford. All can be catered for!

Things to note :
> Ensure that you are carrying enough water, aim for 0.5 litres per hour of riding, ideally have 2 litres of water.
> Ensure that you have suitable snacks and take them onboard at every opportunity, do not wait until you are hungry!
> We need to maintain a reasonable pace of 10mph all the way there and back, otherwise we are riding in the dark...and no, we do NOT want to be riding in the dark!

The schedule:
- Depart 08:30
- Approx 10:45 Coffee stop, Southwater Country park (21 miles). Coffee, cake and ensure that you FILL your water bottles
- 13:00 Sat on the beach at Shoreham-by-Sea and eating. Please bring picnic lunch, we do not go to a cafe.
- 14:00 or earlier, we need to leave the coast and head back
- 15:40 Coffee stop, Southwater Country park ..it closes at 16:00! Again FILL your water bottles
- 18:30 Fingers crossed we are back in Guildford!

Be prepared, have plenty of water and snacks. The Full Monty is 8 hours of riding and 10 hours start to finish.

If you are considering opting out at any point, please ensure you know the nearest Railway stations etc and how to get back to Guildford.

NOTES:

08:35 Depart... five minutes late to someone not ensuring they had a bike rack correctly installed

9 folks set off, one person had a cold - folks this is not ideal on such a long ride

There is always someone that forgets something... lol this time it was me, I left my handlebar bag bag in the car... containing my sandwiches, crisps and extra energy gels/bars... doh!

Shortly after getting underway, a longer stop was required to put air in a tyre (not checked before starting out).

The ride surface was good and quick. Rob opted to take the lead and managed to go the wrong way... lol thankfully only a few metres

11:10 Arrived at Southwater Country Park cafe.

Coffee, snacks and loo break, waterbottles were topped up, plus I bought a sandwich to have on the beach!

11:40 Departed Cafe

This section proved taxing for two newer riders (one with a cold), so we educated them about 'drafting' which certainly helped a bit! - following closely behind other bike will mean that you use less effort!

13:35 Finally at Shoreham beach

A couple of very relieved folks to finally be on the beach. Only one person went for a paddle, the rest fed, chatted and recovered

14:15 Departed Shoreham - 3 headed off to catch a train, the other 6 headed back to Guildford

Good steady progress on the return, although it had warmed up!

16:05 Arrived at Southwater Country Park Cafe

Fuelled up and topped up waterbottles, icecreams for some and definitely some very weary folks now.

16:30 Departed Cafe

We had delights of 'climbing' over the sealed up tunnel near Baynards (Cox Green Road)... most of us trudged up it and gathered our breath at the top... once setting off Rob then went the wrong way again (hopeless as a homing pigeon!)

I had to quickly hop off the bike to relieve some cramp and an SIS Gel (thanks Rob) helped and longer stop to stretch out... then all good to get back.

19:05 Back at Guildford Station... slightly later than planned, this is the issue with this ride, all minor delays accumulate... but hey we were back in daylight, so a result. Another terrific DDOTTS event, well done everyone! Overall the riding time gave us an average of about 10mph...which is our standard pace on all longer rides, the delays were due to longer time on stops

No Mechanical issues, a win!

PHOTOS:

GENERAL INFO:

DESTINATION:	Winchester
DISTANCE:	40 miles
OVERALL TIME:	6 hours
DEPARTURE TIME:	09:00 Regular meet point (Google Maps ) NOTE EARLIER START

GUIDANCE:
Towpath, cross country, some tarmac. Return by train Winchester to Fleet. This is certainly a challenging ride on old drovers tracks.
Make sure you have plenty of fluids and snacks

NOTES:

PHOTOS:

GENERAL INFO:

DESTINATION:	Reverse Guildford loop+
DISTANCE:	53 miles
OVERALL TIME:	8 hours
DEPARTURE TIME:	09:00 Regular meet point (Google Maps ) NOTE EARLIER START

GUIDANCE:
Mixed riding including Tarmac, a fun challenging ride! Anti-clockwise loop to Guildford, via Caesars Camp, Farnham Lunch, coffee at Yvonne Arnaud Theatre cafe Then follow the Wey Navigation (approx 12 miles) towards Weybridge, pick up Basingstoke canal for the return Make sure you have plenty of fluids and snacks Opt out points - Guildford (20 miles), Woking (36 miles)
Make sure you have plenty of fluids and snacks

NOTES:

PHOTOS:

GENERAL INFO:

DESTINATION:	Woking
DISTANCE:	36 miles
OVERALL TIME:	5 hours
DEPARTURE TIME:	09:30 Regular meet point (Google Maps )

GUIDANCE:
Easy going along towpath, H.G. Wells statue, Martian Alien Tripod sculpture, Cafe at The Lightbox Art Gallery.

NOTES:

PHOTOS:

GENERAL INFO:

DESTINATION:	Bisley, National Shooting Centre (NSC)
DISTANCE:	27 miles
OVERALL TIME:	3.5 hours
DEPARTURE TIME:	09:30 Regular meet point (Google Maps )

GUIDANCE:
Easy going along towpath, Cafe at National Shooting Centre (NSC), Bisley

NOTES:

PHOTOS:

GENERAL INFO:

DESTINATION:	Bisley, National Shooting Centre (NSC)
DISTANCE:	27 miles
OVERALL TIME:	3.5 hours
DEPARTURE TIME:	09:30 Regular meet point

GUIDANCE:
Easy going along towpath, Cafe at NSC.

NOTES:
4 went.
09:30 Start
Towpath was wet and muddy, it made for slow going.
11:00 - 1 hr 30 mins, arrived at NSC Cafe, great breakfast...uphill on way back ! lol
13:00 - 3 hrs 30 mins, back in Fleet, 27 miles

PHOTOS:

GENERAL INFO:

DESTINATION:	Woking
DISTANCE:	36 miles
OVERALL TIME:	4.5 hours
DEPARTURE TIME:	09:30 Regular meet point

GUIDANCE:
Easy going along towpath, H.G. Wells statue, Martian Alien Tripod sculpture, Cafe at The Lightbox Art Gallery.

NOTES:
5 went.
09:30 start
The weather was good, but again the towpath was wet and muddy.
12:20 - 2 hrs 50 mins, arrived at the Lightbox cafe, great coffee and food!
We had one mechanical which was dealt with whilst at the cafe!
14:20 - 4 hrs 50 mins back in Fleet, 34 miles, 3hrs 15mins riding time, 10.5 mph average

PHOTOS:

GENERAL INFO:

DESTINATION:	Weybridge
DISTANCE:	48 miles
OVERALL TIME:	7 hours
DEPARTURE TIME:	09:30 Regular meet point

GUIDANCE:
Easy going along towpath. All options for shorter rides and trains from Brookwood (14m), Woking (18m), Weybridge (24m)

NOTES:
5 set out, we met one more on the way, 5 and half ? :)
09:30 start
We had a comfort stop at Mytchett Canal cafe.
12:30 - 3 hrs to Weybridge, we walked through the High St (traffic was heavy !) to Cafe Enzo, great menu and the food and coffee was very good and reasonably priced!
On the return, another stop at Mytchett canal cafe for tea and ice cream!
16:20 - 6 hrs 50 mins, back in Fleet 48 miles in total, approx 4hr 40mins ride time, 10mph average

PHOTOS:

GENERAL INFO:

DESTINATION:	Winchester
DISTANCE:	40 miles
OVERALL TIME:	5-6 hours
DEPARTURE TIME:	09:00. Regular meet point

GUIDANCE:
Towpath, cross country, some tarmac. Return by train to Fleet.

NOTES:
6 started out, only 5 made it back!
A lovely sunny day.
Initial stage out on towpath to Greywell. various off road sections are connected with some road sections.
The off road sections were 'challenging' and seem to become progressively worse, many sections churned up by 4x4s and off road motorbikes.
About 17 miles into the ride, on one off road section...downhill, gully like, rock strewn...one of us ...(that'll be me, Andy), lost it and hit the deck hard, slamming into the rock floor. I was then grateful for the first aider training of others and I got the joys of an ambulance ride back to Basingstoke hospital - don't worry my bike was fine! :)
The original ride was abandoned and the 5 riders made their way back to Fleet on the most direct route with a food stop and just one mechanical.

PHOTOS:

GENERAL INFO:

DESTINATION:	London
DISTANCE:	56 miles
OVERALL TIME:	7-8 hours
DEPARTURE TIME:	09:00. Regular meet point

GUIDANCE:
Mainly towpath out to Weybridge, Wey navigation to Thames path, then into London. Train back from Waterloo.

NOTES:
7 went, a good turnout
09:00 start
10:55 - 1 hr 55 mins to The Lightbox, Woking (18 miles). Towpath was firm going, stop for food and coffee, approx 35-40 mins stop.
12:05 - 3 hrs 5 mins to Weybridge (24 miles) averaging 11 mph to this point.
13:10 - 4 hrs 10 mins saw us at Hampton Court (32 miles), from here the Thames path is generally in good condition and wide, there are occassional pinch points and can be lots of people, especially in areas with Rowing clubs by the river. It felt as if we were in open countryside for the majority of the way.
Progress slowed in the last 4 miles as the route sometimes left the river side and also the volume of people increased.
16:15 - 7 hrs 15 mins, we arrived at Waterloo, hopped on a train and headed back to Fleet!
17:40 - The train had us back in Fleet
Overall average 10mph, 57 miles logged
A great adventure for the day!

PHOTOS:

GENERAL INFO:

DESTINATION:	Guildford
DISTANCE:	38 miles
OVERALL TIME:	6.5 hours
DEPARTURE TIME:	09:00. Regular meet point

GUIDANCE:
Mixed riding including Tarmac, a fun challenging ride!
Loop to Guildford, via Ash, Pirbright, Guildford
Coffee stop at Watts Gallery
Then onto Farnham and Fleet

NOTES:
9 went, great to see more venturing out on the Longer Rides!
09:00 Start
A very varied and mixture of surfaces, different and challenging, mostly dry and hardpacked.
11:20 - Approx 2 hrs 20 mins to get to Guildford, 19 miles into the ride.
12:15 - Around 3 hrs 15 mins to Watts Gallery, 22 miles in. A lovely place to stop, the food and coffee was very good, but it took a while to arrive (an hour+).
14:35 - 5 hrs 40 mins to Farnham....after several hills and then there was the climb out of Farnham!
15:50 - 6 hrs 50 mins back in Fleet...38 miles
No major mechanicals
It was good to see that folks were taking fuel and fluid onboard at every opportunity and it seemed to help, no one seemed to be suffering at the end - a lovely, challenging ride - thanks all.

PHOTOS:

GENERAL INFO:

DESTINATION:	Hampton Court
DISTANCE:	64 miles
OVERALL TIME:	7.5-8 hours
DEPARTURE TIME:	09:00. Regular meet point

GUIDANCE:
Mainly towpath out to Weybridge, Wey navigation to Thames path, then to Hampton Court for coffee and food.
Option of ride back or to catch the train from Surbiton. Also options to get train at Brookwood, (14 miles) Woking (18 Miles) and Weybridge (24 miles) for anyone wanting a shorter ride.

NOTES:

Due to a Yellow weather warning for Sat 24/08, this was rescheduled to Sun 25/08.

09:00 Just one left from Fleet

09:30 (5.5 miles) A rendezvous at Ash Lock with Ally meant there were 2!

09:50 (9 miles) Frimley area and Spike was waiting for us, then there were 3! The going was generally good, even after the previously days rain, the towpath did seem busier than usual, but that might well be due to the day before being a wash out.

18 miles in and we were at Woking …I think it was new territory for Ally and Spike beyond this point

24 miles saw us in Weybridge and we were stood by the River Wey. We managed to convince Ally to press on to Hampton Court. The scenery is pretty spectacular as we ride alongside the River Thames, the path is wider and there are more folks out and about.

12:30 (31 miles) and we arrived at Hampton Court. Locked the bikes and headed into ‘Dish’ (well worth a visit)…we sat in the rear courtyard area and enjoyed a great Full English at a reasonable price! The ride out did seem like tough going and the head wind was worse on the return journey! As we rejoined the Basing Canal at Weybridge, sad to see 3 idiots (late teens/early 20s) with their fishing gear, but throwing stones/rocks across the canal at glass office build, they had cracked or smashed several large panes!

15:10 (44 miles) 2 of us played our ‘Get out of Jail’ cards and opted for the train back. As we walked through the town, we helped a guy who was struggling to refit and pump up a tube/tyre. He had the right stuff, but didn’t understand how his pump worked (I’d suggest that we all check and understand how to use the pumps we carry) and also couldn’t fit the new inner tube ….we left him happy and busy pumping the tyre up.

16:15 …finally home. Great riding companions and lovely views!

PHOTOS:

GENERAL INFO:

DESTINATION:	Guildford to Shoreham-by-Sea
DISTANCE:	76 miles (Max)
OVERALL TIME:	10 hours
DEPARTURE TIME:	08:30 Guildford Railway Station, Main entrance

GUIDANCE:

Old disused railway line route, minimal tarmac, mainly flat going.

This route is mainly flat going, however things to note :
> Ensure that you are carrying enough water, aim for 0.5 litres per hour of riding, ideally have 2 litres of water.
> Ensure that you have suitable snacks and take them onboard at every opportunity, do not wait until you are hungry!
> We need to maintain a reasonable pace of 10mph all the way there and back, otherwise we are riding in the dark...and no, we do NOT want to be riding in the dark!
> The schedule:
- Depart 08:30
- Approx 10:45 Coffee stop, Southwater Country park (21 miles). Coffee, cake and ensure that you FILL your water bottles
- 13:00 Sat on the beach at Shoreham-by-Sea and eating. Please bring picnic lunch, we do not go to a cafe.
- 14:00 or earlier, we need to leave the coast and head back
- 15:40 Coffee stop, Southwater Country park ..it closes at 16:00! Again FILL your water bottles
- 18:30 Fingers crossed we are back in Guildford!
Be prepared, have plenty of water and snacks. The Full Monty is 8 hours of riding and 10 hours start to finish.
If you are considering opting out at any point, please ensure you know the nearest Railway stations etc and how to get back to Guildford.

Many options for shorter rides, cafe stop at 21 miles, thus folks can return from there. Various options for trains back to Guildford. All can be catered for!

1. Ice Cream Run : Ride to Southwater Country Park Cafe - 21 miles each way (42 total)
2. Sails and Rails : Ride to Shorham by Sea, see the sails/boats and catch the train back, approx 38 miles
3. Full Monty : Guildford to Shoreham-by-sea and return ....76 miles!

NOTES:

08:30 Eight folks at the start point, although the start was still delayed by a few mins! The weather was pretty much perfect, overcast, but warm enough

We did the fiddly bit getting out of Guildford. Lots of help given to the tandem to lift and move it up/down steps and over gates.

George and Pauline (Tandem riders) dropped out for coffee at about 9 mile mark

The Super Six carried on ...although we had an unscheduled comfort stop at about 10 miles...the clock ticked on... and a few stops for pics ...we had to press on and hence were riding at around 11mph

10:50 (21 miles) we made it to the coffee stop at Southwater Country park

We headed to the beach! ...we had the mandatory puncture on the way

13:10 (38 miles) we arrived on the beach, Rob had a paddle ...the rest of us fed our faces

13:50 ...ish ...we started back ...after a few miles we turned off the route for an unscheduled coffee stop (maybe 15-20 mins?) ...Pam and Karen wanted to get a head start and carried on ...We did catch up to them within a few miles...we pressed on

15:40 (55 miles) We rolled into the scheduled Coffee stop at Southwater Country park again...we are all looking dusty! lol

18:31 ...we were in Guildford...pretty much bang on time! Well done everyone! ...a very fun and dusty ride! :) Note for next year…run this event earlier in the year to avoid the mud!

After the ride we found out that Steve had been busy getting his money's worth out of his train ticket...having got from Guildford to Woking ...he then got on a train back to Guildford.....just to do the Guildford to Woking section again ! ...Doh !

PHOTOS:

Relive the adventure here

GENERAL INFO:

DESTINATION:	Reverse Guildford loop+
DISTANCE:	53 miles
OVERALL TIME:	7.5-8 hours
DEPARTURE TIME:	09:00 Regular meet point

GUIDANCE:
Mixed riding including Tarmac, a fun challenging ride!
Anti-clockwise loop to Guildford, via Caesars Camp, Farnham
Coffee/food stop : Guildford (Theatre cafe) with optional 2nd coffee/comfort stop at The Lightbox Art Gallery, Woking
Then follow the Wey Navigation towards Weybridge, pick up Basingstoke canal for the return
For any that want to opt out, train stations at Guildford, Woking and Brookwood

NOTES:
09:00 Five started out
09:15 The first ‘fun thing’ of the ride…a broken chain (Andy) …quick link snapped and also a plate on another linked broken. No option but to head home ….the rest headed to Poppys Café (lucky them). Replacement bike collected and arranged a meet point…we lost about 45 minutes!
We lost the route up Caesars camp and ended up climbing Brick Hill….not even Steve could ride it !
Many of the tracks were wet and muddy, slowing progress.
It was similar as we headed down Old Park Lane, many muddy patches.
The situation continued as we climbed and descended, water and mud, making it difficult to maintain any reasonable speed and difficult to get traction on climbs.
13:00 (20 miles, 4 hours) Arrived in Guildford, where we follow the rules and walked down “Porridge Pot Alley” only to get shouted at by an older women ….as she was late and in a hurry! …..maybe she was the White Rabbit?
The Café had a reasonable selection, we all stocked up!
13:45 Left the café and headed back out on the route. Steve decided to be sensible (very strange …lol ) and get the train back and protect his dodgy knee…so then there were 4 of us.
The Wey navigation track was narrow, rutted, muddy, wet and slow going ! Along the route we had a chain off (Neil) …and a fall into nettles (Karen) ….then issues with cramp set in for Spike.
We stopped at pub in Send (approx 30 miles) and Spike got crisps (for the salt), Neil opted out and headed home by road, then there were THREE ! Spike was suffering and we needed frequent breaks.
Just along from the pub, there was a tree down across the path and we had to clamber over.
Another few miles on and we found the path blocked by a herd cows …we had to navigate through and around
16:00 (32 miles, 7 hours) …12 miles from Guildford we finally joined the Basingstoke Canal
16:55 (36 miles, nearly 8 hours) At Woking we cut our losses and caught a train ! …a very eventful day!
17:25 …ish finally home ! Neil had punctured on his road journey home. So we all had had issues on the day! ….but the sun was out, the weather was good, great company and all seemed to enjoy!
Note for next year…run this event earlier in the year to avoid the mud!

After the ride we found out that Steve had been busy getting his money's worth out of his train ticket...having got from Guildford to Woking ...he then got on a train back to Guildford.....just to do the Guildford to Woking section again ! ...Doh !

PHOTOS:

GENERAL INFO:

DESTINATION:	Woking
DISTANCE:	36 miles
OVERALL TIME:	5 hours
DEPARTURE TIME:	09:30 Regular meet point

GUIDANCE:
Easy going along towpath, there is likely to be some mud and puddles.
H.G. Wells statue, Martian Alien Tripod sculpture, Cafe at The Lightbox Art Galley.

NOTES:
09:30 Start...well for 5 of us ...for Steve this proved 'challenging' ..lol....
We shared our live location as we were also meeting up with a new rider (Hi Jeico). We found Jeico at Ash lock and headed onwards.
Steve finally caught up with us just after Mytchett Canal boat centre (about 9 miles!)...and seemed a tad out of breath ...lol! he'd been chasing for 50 mins!
Just before getting to Woking, we had a minor mechanical ....a loose quick release allowed a rear wheel to drop out and lock up!
The mandatory pic of H.G. Wells taken and then to the Cafe.
The return journey was uneventful with various folks peeling off at points suitable to them with 4 of us arriving back in Fleet. The weather was ideal and a pleasant temp!

PHOTOS:

All dates for these rides are ONLY available via the WhatsApp Group .

Regular Meet Point: Google Maps .

Depart promptly at 09:30.

Ride Time : 90-120 minutes, 8-10mph.

If driving to Meet Point, the car park is a pay car park. Alternatively park for free on Dinorben Avenue (1 minute from start): Free Parking .

All easy going routes.

Aim to be back in Fleet around Noon.

All of these routes offer the option of a shorter ride, please ask for advice.

ROUTE: Caesars Camp

DISTANCE: Approx 15 miles