Early in the year, Russ Mantle, a Farnham Road Club member, well known in the south for his successes as a racing cyclist, joined the West Surrey rides and, although still retaining his interest in the competitive side and occasionally riding in timed events, he became a regular D.A. supporter, later that year being elected to the committee.  Since then, Russ has continued to be a regular rider, an excellent photographer, map-reader and runs leader and, becoming Runs Secretary in 1969, has kept that office right up to the present time most efficiently.  The '65 '50' only had 8 riders, Don Field being the only one to beat four hours and, in spite of notices in local schools, plus publicity in Woking, Horsell and Guildford, not one new rider responded.  Eleven members helped to marshal the Vets' Ride and Russ Mantle won both the map-reading and speed-judging events.  Ian Child was married and new-comers included Doug Kempson, Brian Charman, Bob Naris, Alan Lonslow, Norton "Paddy" Shea and Ken Bolingbroke who livened up a club run along the Basingstoke Canal by falling in.  Roy Richardson was also in evidence as well as a young lady who became known as "Little Miss Muffet".  Len Steel came to a meeting and explained the proposed new West Surrey boundaries which would exclude the postal districts of Surbiton, Chessington, Leatherhead and Dorking.  The Horsell scout hut was used for the first time for a slide show in the Autumn and 6 members spent a week-end at Marlborough youth hostel.  Owen Brown offered to foot the bill for producing the dinner tickets and did so for several years.

The D.A. became affiliated to Woking Youth Organisation but this was discontinued after a couple of years.

Dan Hadfield, riding in the Norwood Paragon colours in the Catford 24 hour event, came second with a staggering 453½ miles and there was further excitement in September as the Wayfarers crossed Hambleden Weir - a woman passing through the lock tumbled from her boat into deep water, quickly to be hauled out by the lock-keepers.  The free-wheeling event was still being held on Chobham Ridges, with Owen Brown the winner, while the hill-climb was up Whitmore Vale to Grayshott, Jim clocking fastest time.

Bernard Reeves led the October joint run with the Kentish Wheelers and the Cricketers at Turgis Green was hard put to it to provide 27 hot lunches and, later that month, "Smudger" Smith's run along the Basingstoke Canal near Crookham resulted in two riders taking an unplanned dip.  At the Annual Dinner, John Fisher of the East Surrey D.A. was the principal speaker and, as well as the usual appetiser run, several members spent the three days' break climbing among the snow-capped peaks within sight of Snowdon.

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Web page by Chris Jeggo.  Last revised:  9 January 2005.