Welcome to

Destination > Bisley, National Shooting Centre (NSC)
Miles > 27
Overall time > 3.5 hours
Depart > 09:30 Regular meet point

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GUIDANCE:
Easy going along towpath, Cafe at NSC.

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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

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Destination > Woking
Miles > 36
Overall time > 4.5 hours
Depart > 09:30 Regular meet point

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

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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

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Destination > Weybridge
Miles > 48
Overall time > 7 hours
Depart > 09:30 Regular meet point

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

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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

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Destination > Winchester
Miles > 40
Overall time > 5-6 hours
Depart > 09:00 Regular meet point

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

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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.

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Destination > London
Miles > 56
Overall time > 7-8 hours
Depart > 09:00 Regular meet point

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

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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!

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Destination > Guildford
Miles > 38
Overall time > 6.5 hours
Depart > 09:00 Regular meet point

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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

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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.

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Destination > Hampton Court
Miles > 64
Overall time > 7.5-8 hours
Depart > 09:00. Regular meet point

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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

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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!

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Destination > Guildford to Shoreham-by-Sea
Miles > 76 Max
Overall time > 10 hours
Depart > 08:30 Guildford Railway Station, Main entrance

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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!

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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! :)

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Relive the adventure here.

Destination > Reverse Guildford loop+
Miles > 53
Overall time > 7.5-8 hours
Depart > 09:00 Regular meet point

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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

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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 !

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Destination > Woking
Miles > 36
Overall time > 5 hours
Depart > 09:30 Regular meet point

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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.

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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!

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Bike types:

• Mountain (MTB)
• Gravel
• E-bike
• Hybrid
• Cyclocross
• Road - possible for skilled riders with appropriate tyres!

NOTE: Please have a Bell fitted, we ride on towpaths and other areas where there are walkers/joggers etc…a bell is the best way to alert them.

Depending on the time of year and the length of the longer rides, it is recommended to have a set of front and rear lights and certainly use front and rear mudguards when it's wet/muddy ...so most of the year! LOL

Tyres are a very personal choice, please understand that most of the time we are NOT on tarmac.

For those new to off road riding, tyres that are more designed for off road riding will inspire more confidence...eg Mountain/Gravel knobbly style tyres

For more experienced riders they tend to know what they can ride on.

A point to note, when in the autumn/winter/spring periods ...there is likely to be more mud, hence knobbly tyres give more grip!

As always, if in doubt, please ask in the WhatsApp Group chat.

We usually have 2 loan bikes available. Please ask and we can arrange for you to use one of these and ensure it is the best fit possible for you.

There is no charge to borrow a bike, we want more people to join us!

We recommend that you also bring the following:

• Bell
• Multitool
• Spare inner tube(s)
• Pump
• Tyre levers
• Inner tube patches

NOTE: Please have a Bell fitted, we ride on towpaths and other areas where there are walkers/joggers etc…a bell is the best way to alert them.

Depending on the time of year and the length of the longer rides, it is recommended to have a set of front and rear lights and certainly use front and rear mudguards when it's wet/muddy ...so most of the year! LOL

To start with…absolute no. Wear what you are comfortable in.

To improve comfort, consider:

• A helmet - riding off road there are often low branches. We advise that a helmet is worn. If you need to borrow one, we might be able to help.
• Padded cycle shorts - improves comfort on rides over an hour.
• Padded cycling gloves - reduces vibration in you hands.

After that, there is endless choices!

FYI : Decathlon shop offers good quality kit for sensible prices.

Although we plan to stop along the ride at a cafe, it is highly recommended you carry the following:

Fluids - 1 or 2 bottles (as large as will fit on your bike). These can be filled with water, juice, or an energy drink. If you don't have room on your bike, consider using a small backpack with a couple of bottles or a hydration pack.

Also, ensure you top these up along the route when you have an opportunity. Remember, if you start to feel thirsty you are already starting to dehydrate.

Foods - It is a good idea always to have some form of emergency rations to hand. These can be energy/oat bars or simple things like Jelly Babies or Haribos.

Note - that well-trained athletes can only carry up to 90 minutes of energy supplies in their bodies and you see them regularly eating and drinking.

If in doubt just ask in the WhatsApp Group chat.

We are NOT a club, but rather a group of local cyclists who love to get away from the busy roads on our bikes and enjoy the company of other like minded people.

We stay in touch and reach out to each other via a WhatsApp Group - please feel free to join us, and we look forward to seeing you along a towpath soon.

Additionally we have a once a month social meet in a local pub on a weekday evening for food, drink and a chat. These are held in the week after our longer rides, again all arranged via the WhatsApp Group.

NOTE : Please have a Bell fitted, we ride on towpaths and other areas where there are walkers/joggers etc…a bell is the best way to alert them.

NO, we do not use Strava and have no plans to use Strava or publish Strava routes. Our rides are social events, not training rides or races.

Generally GPX files are not provided as we are typically riding along the towpaths. Only where we feel the need to have GPX files will we supply them.

Off-road, Cross Country (XC), Adventure, Exploring riding for fun, easy-paced (average 8 - 10mph) and social.