Contents:

Selected items transcribed from the original printed copy:

HELLO , WELCOME TO THIS NEW ADDITION OF THE CLUB MAG.  THE FIRST ADDITION I EDITED WAS CERTAINLY AN EYE OPENER  I JUST DIDN'T REALISE HOW MUCH WORK WAS INVOLVED IN GETTING A MAG. OUT.  BUT MY EYES HAVE BEEN OPENED TO WHAT IS INVOVLED AND I HOPE YOU WILL SEE THE IMPROVEMENTS IN THIS ADDITION.  I DO HOPE THE MISTAKES INTHE LAST ADDITION DIDN'T SPOIL YOUR ENJOYMENT OF THE MAG.

I HAVE INTRODUCED A COUPLE OF NEW IDEAS IN THIS ADDITION WHICH I HOPE YOU WILL ENJOY.  THE FIRST ONE WILL BE A SERIES OF ARTICLES ABOUT A PROMINENT BUILDING OR MONUMENT IN THE COUNTY, HOPEFULLY I'LL BE ABLE TO ACCOMPANY THE ARTICLE WITH A PICTURE.  THE SECOND AND MAJOR ADDITION WILL BE THE INCLUSION WITHIN THE MAG. OF A SUPPLIMENTARY MAG.  THE TITLE OF THIS MAG. IS 'THE WEST SURREY CONSERVOR' WHICH SHOULD LEAVE YOU WITH NO DOUBTS ABOUT IT'S CONTENT.  THIS MAG. HAS BEEN BORN BY MY GROWING CONCERN AND LOVE FOR OUR COUNTRYSIDE AND IF I CAN MAKE YOU A LITTLE MORE AWARE ABOUT THE INCREASING PRESSURE ON OUR PRECIOUS COUNTRYSIDE, THEN I WILL BE A LITTLE HAPPIER.  AFTER ALL WE AS CYCLIST, I'M SURE PREFER TO CYCLE IN THE COUNTRYSIDE.  SO WE SHOULD BE VIGILANT ALL THE TIME ABOUT THE DESTRUCTION OF THE COUNTRYSIDE.

ANYWAY ENOUGH PREACHING FOR NOW;  READ THE MAG. AND I HOPE  YOU ENJOY IT .

Our 50-mile reliability ride is on April 29th.  At the time of writing, details have yet to be finalised, but the outline route is as follows.  Starting from Guildford, ride out through Albury and Peaslake to Holmbury Hill, then follow the old '50' route backwards through Wisborough Green and Dunsfold to Pitch Hill, and then make for the finish at Shalford.  Details from Roger Philo, Worplesdon (0483) 233381.

The Woking Bikeathon in aid of the Leukaemia Research Fund is also on April 29th.  The course is a figure of eight with each "circle" approximately 13 miles.  Entry forms from Marguerite, Woking (0483) 763289.

"Doctor Bikes" are wanted for the above event.  Any offers?  Contact Marguerite (above), or Chris, Chertsey (0932) 565765.

Easy Rough Stuff weekend with Harry and Marguerite on the Isle of Wight, May 5th - 7th.  Book now - only 4 places left!  Contact Marguerite.

Harry, the new Wayfarer, has now been on his first tour.  Guess where he went? The answer's in the magazine.

Our sponsored ride on May 13th is in aid of an all-purpose lightweight wheelchair for David Statham - total cost in the region of £1,400.  By train to Worthing (bring your Railcard if you have one) and ride back to a Sausage Supper, or ride both ways.  There may also be a 25-mile afternoon ride.  Details and sponsor forms from Ian, Egham (0784) 462246,  or Marguerite.

Sausage Supper after the above at the Paddocks, Gambles Lane, Ripley at 6.30pm.  Cost - £3.25.  Also raffle in aid of the above.  Tickets for both from Marguerite.

Ladies Weekend on the Isle of Wight, May 19th - 20th.  Low mileage, easy pace;  cream teas highly recommended!  Book now to Marguerite.

Congratulations and commiserations to Gillian Smith on reaching 50 years on February 5th.

How about Rough Stuff in North Yorkshire and the Lake District at the end of July, beginning of August.  Contact Ian (above).

On Boxing Day Ken Bolingbroke went to the Little Chef at Sunninghill instead of the one at Old Windsor!

Join the Easy Rough Stuff rides on the fourth Sunday of every month, 9am Woking Station (south side), or the Mountain Bike rides on the first Sunday of the month, 9am Guildford Station.

Would you like a weekend away from it all?  Try a Greenings weekend.  Highly recommended for friendliness and good food.  July 7th & 8th based in Dorchester, or maybe Andover's quiet lanes attract you on October 6th & 7th.  Phone Chris Greening on 04867-2193.

Roger Philo, having successfully ridden from Land's End to John O'Groats two years ago, now wants to ride from St. Davids on the Welsh coast to Great Yarmouth on the east coast.

Home Counties Rally at Overton, Hampshire, May 5th - 7th.  W. Surrey members will be lending a helping hand during the rally - nothing very taxing.  Booking forms and details from Chris Jeggo 0932-565765.

Does any waterproof gear keep you totally dry?  If so, please let Marguerite know.

Come to Cheltenham on March 24th & 25th.  You could go to the CTC National Dinner and Dance on the Saturday night, join some of the rides, or join Chris at the DAs Conference.  Phone 0932-565765 for details.

Unemployed?  A day off work?  Retired?  Or just a Housewife!?  Join the Mid-week Wayfarers on Tuesdays.  Just turn up or phone George on 0932-843285.

If you are looking for a place of interest to visit, I have a mountain of leaflets that you are welcome to borrow.  - Marguerite.

CTC Open Days:  Sundays June 3rd, Sept.9th and Dec.9th.  Other days may crop up in between.  Study "Cycletouring".

On Wednesday January 31st Gillian damaged her Achilles' tendon.  We all hope that she is now well on the way to recovery.

DA Jerseys have gone up in price.  Long sleeves now £14.50, short sleeves £13.50.  Track tops £16.50.  Printing on any of the above, £3.85 extra.  Club badges £2.25.  Orders to Marguerite by April 8th please.

As I write these notes we are enjoying a better than average spell of weather for the time of year, which certainly adds to our cycling pleasures.  The catkins and spring bulbs all appeared early, and the magnolia outside Chobham church is now a magnificent display.

Some days recently have been so mild and sunny that we would be grateful for them on the day of the '50' towards the end of April.  This event seems to enjoy more than its fair share of good weather (in the same way as the "Tour of the Hills" seems to attract more than its fair share of rain!) so I am eagerly looking forward to it.  This year's route uses much of the old (pre-1989) route, but cuts out the boring first section through Mayford, Old Woking and Send.

The CTC National Rights & Planning Conference takes place in Reading on Saturday 21st April, from 9.30 am to 5 pm.  It is free to members and includes lunch and refreshment.  I am going in the morning, but have a previous engagement in the afternoon, so I am keen that at least one other DA member should go.  Contact me for further details.

"KM150" is the title of the international cycling festival and rally to be held at Drumlanrig Castle near Dumfries to celebrate the invention of the pedal bicycle by Kirkpatrick Macmillan in 1840.  The event caters for all sorts of cyclists, with touring rides in the beautiful Dumfries and Galloway countryside.  The dates are 26th May to 3rd June, and I have an information pack giving full details.

Congratulations to Tony Bond on winning a posh Italian frame in a "Cycling Weekly" competition.  He is well pleased with it, but reckons that a British-built 531 frame is every bit as good for quite a bit less money.

This year the Home Counties Rally is back to what has proved to be the more popular weekend, that of the May Day Bank Holiday, 4th - 7th May.  Before N. Hants DA agreed to organise it they asked us if we would be willing to help, and we replied that we would be very happy to provide runs leaders.  Well it now turns out that they have enough runs leaders, but need a few bodies at the site for jobs such as re-arranging the hall for the film show after the Sunday evening meal.  Nothing so arduous as to put you off attending.  If anything, pitching in and helping on that small scale adds to the enjoyment of the rally.

All the popular traditional ingredients are provided - a selection of rides including some visits to places of interest, a barn dance, a film show by Geoff Newey, plus a "Cyclists' Special" train ride on the Watercress Line.  Those of us who have already booked are looking forward to an enjoyable weekend.  Won't you join us?

At a recent meeting the Committee wondered whether the AGM would be better attended if it were held at a different time of day.  During an extended elevenses, perhaps, or lunch, or threeses?  Let a Committee Member know your views.

I have received a very pleasant letter from Les Warner, thanking the DA for electing him a Vice President.

The Committee is concerned about the low, spasmodic attendances of the Hardriders.  It was felt that some members were put off going to the start or elevenses by the possibility that they might find themselves without company for the day, so it was decided that the Hardriders and Intermediates would share some starts and elevenses for a trial period.

Keith Parfitt has been elected to serve on the Leisure and Countryside Committee of the CTC Council.

I may well go for a Youth Hostel tour over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend.  Possibilities being considered are Wales, the West, and the Isle of Wight.  If you would like to join me, contact me soon, because hostels will be very busy that weekend and will need to be booked early.

Stop Press  Gillian is recovering well from her Achilles tendon injury.

Audrey Hughes' enthusiastic review ("Cycle Touring & Campaigning" August/September 1989) of the above-titled book, written by Mike Rabbetts and sub-titled "A History of the De Laune Cycling Club", persuaded me to buy a copy, which I have now read with much enjoyment.  Audrey's review says it all, so I shall just whet your appetites with a few extracts from the book.

"They were allowed to rejoin the voyage at the next lock, where a foolish youth called Bob Prosser opened the gates and was given the same treatment.  But Bob was not taking it lying down, and there followed a shore-to-boat and boat-to-shore mud-slinging attack.  We in the boat were in a most uncomfortable position.  Whereas Bob was able to dodge our bombs, we could do nothing except take cover in the bottom of the boat.

"In spite of repeated efforts to keep Bob out of the boat, he finally managed to get back, and work was then started to clear the boat of wreckage.  So it was that we sailed round the home bend with great dignity and a full crew.  We paid our fee - and it was quite a bit - and disappeared before the owner could find out about the mud that was left in the launch."

Introduction:  THE FOLLOWING STORY I HOPE WILL CONVEY TO YOU SOME OF THE LOVE THAT I POCESS FOR CYCLING ON THE TRACKS.  ALTHOUGH I HAVE OWNED A MOUNTAIN BIKE FOR NEARLY FOUR YEARS IT IS ONLY OVER THE LAST YEAR THAT I HAVE SPENT MORE AND MORE TIME OFF ROAD.  ALTHOUGH IT MAY BE MORE TIRING TOO CYCLE OFF ROAD, THE ADVANTAGES IN GETTING OFF ROAD FULLY MAKE UP FOR THE DISADVANTAGES.

ANOTHER GLORIOUS SUNDAY DAWNED BRIGHT AND WARM.  I ROSE EARLY AND WAS SOON BOARDING A TRAIN AT MY LOCAL STATION.  I CHANGED TRAINS AT WEYBRIDGE.  I GOT OF THE TRAIN AT WOKING AND WENT TOO BUY A TICKET?  NOT HAVING SEEN A BRITISH RAIL EMPLOYEE SINCE I HAD GOT ON THE TRAIN AT MY LOCAL STATION .  I PURCHASED A TICKET FOR SHOREHAM EVEN THOUGH I WAS UNSURE IF THIS WAS TO BE MY FINAL DESTINATION.  AS I TRAVELLED DOWN TO HAVANT I LOOKED AT MY MAPS AND DECIDED THAT I WAS GOING TO GET OF THE TRAIN AT DURRINGTON ;  CLIMB ACROSS THE DOWNS AND THEN CYCLE UP THE DOWNS LINK PATH TO GUILDFORD.  I WAS SOON IN HAVANT AND DIDN'T HAVE TOO WAIT LONG FOR MY CONNECTION.  ½HOUR LATER I WAS IN DURRINGTON AND WAS MAKING A FINAL CHECK BEFORE SETTING OFF.  I MADE A FINAL STOP AT A LOCAL NEWSAGENT TO STOCK UP ON MY STORE OF FLUIDS AS EVEN AT THIS TIME (10.35) IT WAS WELL AND TRULY WARM, WARM ENOUGH FOR ME TO PEEL OF THE TRACKSUIT TOPS THAT I HAD ON OVER MY SHORTS.  I WAS SOON ON MY WAY AND AFTER A SHORT WHILE I TURNED OF THE ROAD ON TOO MY FIRST TRACK OF THE DAY.  THIS TRACK WAS BETWEEN HIGH HEDGES SO THERE WASN'T MUCH TOO BE SEEN.  BUT AFTER A SHORT WHILE I CAME OUT FROM BETWEEN THE HEDGES AND SEEN AS I HAD BEEN CLIMBING STEADALY FOR THE LAST TEN MINUTES;  TO A GLORIOUS VISTA OVER DURRINGTON TO THE SHIMMERING SEA.  AFTER TAKING IN THE VEIW FOR FIVE MINUTES I TOOK OUT MY CAMERA TO TRY AND CAPTURE THE SCENE FOR POSTERITY.  (UNFORTUNATELY THE PRINTS DIDN'T DO FULL JUSTICE TO THE SCENE) I SET OFF AGAIN AND AFTER A FEW MORE MINUTES OF CLIMBING I WAS OVER THE TOP.  THERE FOLLOWED A SHORT DOWNHILL SWOOP WHICH TOOK ME OVER A MINOR ROAD.  I WAS SOON CLIMBING ONCE MORE BUT ONLY FORA SHORT DISTANCE AS THE TRACK I NEEDED TO TAKE ME DOWN TO THE A24 CAME UP ON MY RIGHT .  AS AS SPED DOWN THE TRACK I ROUNDED A CORNER AND NEARLY RUN OVER TWO PHEASANTS WHO WERE HAVING A NICE QUITE WALK IN THE COUNTRYSIDE, WHO WAS THE MOST SURPRISED IS QUESTINABLE.  I QUICKLY AND CAUTIONSLY CROSSED THE A24 AND WAS SOON ON THE NEXT TRACK.  AGAIN THIS TRACK TOOK ME BETWEEN HEDGEROWS RESTRICTING MY VEIW ;  BUT I WAS SOON OUT FROM BETWEEN THE HEDGES.  THE TRACK IN FRONT OF ME WAS CLEARLY DEFINED CLIMBING UP THE DOWNS AND IN THE DISTANCE STOOD CHANCTOBURY RING .  I PUSHED THE GEARS DOWN LOW AND STEADALY CLIMBED THE HILLSIDE.  THE LOW GEAR HENCE THE LOW SPEED GAVE ME PLENTY OF TIME TO GAZE OVER THE SURROUNDING COUNTRYSIDE AND OBSERVE LITTLE THINGS LIKE THE VARIOUS BUTTERFLIES AND BIRDS , THE POPPIES AND CORNFLOWERS WAVE IN THE BREEZE ( WHAT LITTLE THERE WAS) AT THE EDGE'S OF THE CORNFIELDS .  AFTER ABOUT TWENTY MINUTES I FINNISHED THE CLIMB AND ARRIVED AT CHANCTONBURY RING.  I DECIDED THAT I WOULD STOP HERE AND HAVE SOME LUNCH, SO I PUSHED THE BIKE AROUND THE SIDE OF THE RING AND FOUND A SUITABLE SPOT TO EAT MY SANDWICHES.  AS I SAT EATING MY SANDWICHES FROM MY VEIWPOINT ON TOP OF THE DOWNS ;  WITH A BRILLIANT PANORAMA STRECHOUT BEFORE ME, THE SUN BEAMING DOWN, THE BIRDS AND THE RUSTLING LEAVES THE ONLY SOUNDS DISTURBING THE PEACE , I FELT AN INNER PEACE RADIATE THROUGH MY BODY AND KNEW THAT THIS MOMENT WAS ONE OF THE REASONS THAT I ENJOYED USING MY MOUNTAIN BIKE TO GET OF THE ROADS ONTO THE TRACKS.

Preface:  "THE WAYFARERS GO FOR EASY RIDES!"

IT WAS SOON THE WEEKEND ONCE MORE AND I DESPERATELY WATCHED THE WEATHER FORECASTS AND PRAYED THAT WE WERE GOING TO GET A DRY WEEKEND FOR A CHANGE.  WELL MY WISHES WERE BLESSED BY THE GODS, AS THE FORECAST FOR THE WEEKEND WAS FOR A DRY SPELL.  I SCANNED THE RUNS LIST AND DECIDED I WAS GOING TO JOIN MARGUERITE AND THE WAYFARERS FOR THERE RUN TO GOMSHALL MILL AND THEN LEAVE THEM AT COFFEE AND RUN ROUND PART OF THE NEW ROUTE FOR THE 'TOUR OF THE HILLS' AND THEN HOPEFULLY MEET THEM AS THEY CAME OUT FROM DINNER.

I MET THE WAYFARERS AT WOKING AND WE WERE SO ON OUR WAY TO GOMSHALL.  I THOUGHT OR I ASSUMED THAT WE WOULD HEAD UP OVER THE DOWNS VIA NEWLANDS CORNER.  BUT I WAS WRONG, WE HEADED UP OVER THE DOWNS VIA COOMBE BOTTOM.  AFTER COFFEE I SAID GOODBYE TO THE REST OF THE GROUP AND PRECEEDED TOWARDS THE DOWNS AGAIN AND SEEN AS THE MOST DIRECT ROUTE UP THE DOWNS WAS VIA WHITE DOWN THAT WAS THE WAY I WENT.  AT THE TOP ITURNED RIGHT AND HEADED ACROSS RANMORE  .  AT ST BARNABAS CHURCH I TURNED TOWARDS WEST HUMBLE.  AS ICAME INTO WEST HUMBLE I WAS A BIT APPREHENSIVE ABOUT HAVING TO CROSS THE BUSY A24;  BUT I SHOULDN'T HAVE WORRIED AS THERE WAS A CONVIENT UNDERPASS TO GET TOO THE OTHER SIDE.  THE NEXT PART OF THE TOURROUTE WAS UP BOX HILL.AS I GOT TOO THE TOP , I PULLED OVER TO TAKE IN THE VEIW SPREAD OUT BEFORE ME AND AS I DID SO I THOUGHT WELL THAT WAS A NICE EASY CLIMB, EVEN MARGUERITE COULD MANAGE THAT ONE.  I PROCEEDED ALONG THE THE TOP OF THE DOWNS AND DROPPED DOWN TOWARDS THE A 25 VIA PEBBLECOMBE .  I CROSSED THE A 25 AND THREADED MY WAY THROUGH THE MAZE OF LANES TO THE EAST AND SOUTH OF DORKING.  AS I WAS MAKING MY WAY THROUGH THE LANES I GLANCED AT MY WATCH AND DECIDED IT WAS TIME TO HEAD FOR THE PUB IN OCKLEY WHERE THE WAYFARERS WERE HAVING THEIR LUNCH.  I ARRIVED AT THE PUB WITH ABOUT TEN MINUTES TOO SPARE SO I USED THE RESPITE TO HAVE A BITE TO EAT.  THE WAYFARERS RELUCTANTLY JOINED ME OUTSIDE ;  WE WERE SOON OFF AND I BEGAN TOO WONDER WHAT THE WAYFARERS HAD HAD FOR LUNCH ,  BECAUSE THEY WENT OFF AS THOUGH THEY WERE ON A LEG OF THE TOUR OF BRITAIN.  THEY HEADED TOWARDS LEIGH HILL AND I SHOULD HAVE REALISED THEY WERE GOING TO GO OVER IT AS THREE OF THE SANER MEMBERS OF THE GROUP PEELED OFF AND SAID THEY WERE HEADING BACK THROUGH EWHURST.  WE WERE SOON IN THE LOW GEARS AND CLIMBING.  AS I STRUGGLED TO GET UP THE HILL I GLANCED UP TO SEE CHRIS DISAPPEARING OVER THE BROW OF THE HILL AS THOUGH MATHEW WASN'T THERE.  I JOINED THE GROUP AT THE TOP AND AS I GATHERED MY BREATH WHILST ROUTES WERE DISCUSSED , I WASN'T REALLY PREPARED FOR THE NEXT ANNOUCEMENT.  WE WERE GOING TO DROP OF THE SURREY HILLS VIA ABINGER COMMON AND THEN CROSS THE NORTH DOWNS VIA WHITEDOWN ;  AS GERRY HADN'T BEEN THAT WAY BEFORE!  ONCE MORE I STRUGGLED TO GET UP THE HILL, AND AS I GATHERED MY BREATH AT THE TOP I REALLY DID HAVE MY DOUBTS AS TOO WHICH GROUP I WAS OUT WITH.

AS WE CYCLED OF IN THE GATHERING TWILIGHT I RODE ALONGSIDE MARGUERITE AND SUGGESTED THAT THE WAYFARERS MAY LIKE TOO CHANGE THERE NAME TO 'THE WOKING WAYFARERS HARD RIDERS GROUP'.

MOST OF YOU WILL PROBERLEY BE AWARE THAT OUR CHARITY EFFORTS THIS YEAR ARE AIMED AT ASSISTING DAVID TO PURCHASE A LIGHT WEIGHT WHEEL CHAIR .  DAVID AS YOU KNOW IS HANDICAPPED , BUT HE DOES NOT LET HIS HANDICAP HINDER HIM , HE LEADS AS NEAR A NORMAL LIFE AS POSSIBLE AND THE AMOUNT OF ACTIVITIES AND SPORTS HE PERSUE'S WOULD PUT (and does) A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE TO SHAME .  HE IS AN EXAMPLE TO US ALL.

THE DAY CHOSEN FOR THE RIDE's IS MAY 18th.  THERE IS GOING TO BE TWO RIDES , ONE OFF ROAD AND THE OTHER ON ROAD.  THERE MAY ALSO BE ANOTHER RIDE OF TWENTY FIVE MILES ON THE DAY.  WE WILL BE TRAVELLING TO WORTHING BY TRAIN ( I WILL TRY TO ARRANGE A VAN ON THE DAY TO TAKE THE BIKES BY ROAD TOO WORTHING IF ENOUGH PEOPLE ARE GOING TO PARTICIPATE) SO THAT THERE IS NO PROBLEM ON THE TRAINS ) THEN WE WILL SPLIT AT THE START TO TWO GROUPS ONE TRAVELLING VIA ROADS AND THE OTHER TRAVELLING VIA BRIDLEWAYS, BACK TO THE GAMBLES AT RIPLEY FOR THE SAUSAGE SUPPER.  YOU CAN TRAVEL :  IF YOU FEEL ENERGETIC :  BOTH TO AND BACK FROM WORTHING.

ON THE REVERSE OF THIS PAGE IS A SPONSORSHIP FORM.  YOU CAN EITHER PHOTOCOPY THAT AND USE IT OR ASK ANY COMMITTEE MEMBER OR RUN'S LEADER FOR A COPY.

I DO HOPE AS MANY OFF YOU AS POSSIBLE WILL MAKE AN EFFORT AND SURPPORT THIS EVENT.

ROUTE A (OFF ROAD) 42 miles

WORTHING TO THE GAMBLES VIA STEYNING , THE DOWNS LINK , NORTH DOWNS WAY , EAST CLANDON

(COFFEE SHOP IN STEYNING, PUBS NEXT TO THE TRACK AT WEST GRINSTEAD AND BAYNARDS PARK , LITTLE CHEF JUST OF TRACK AT WEST GRINSTEAD)

ROUTE B (ON ROAD) 40miles

WORTHING TO THE GAMBLES VIA STEYNING , ASHINGTON , ADVERSANE , RUDGWICK EWHURST , HOLMBURY ST MARY , SHERE AND EAST CLANDON.

(COFFEE SHOP IN STEYNING , TEA ROOMS AT ADVERSANE PLUS VARIOUS PUBS ON ROUTE)

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Web page by Chris Jeggo.  Last revised:  26 January 2006.