Because of thick fog, lights were needed on the way to a Pirbright start and, in March, a newly married Ripley member, Martin Purser, gave a fascinating slide show at Horsell describing the eleven month tricycle/camping tour he and his wife made across several countries in South America, all the more remarkable as, prior to the tour, Mrs. Purser had not cycled at all.

Kathy Parfitt and Garry Lockwood were among the new-comers and the 23 March witnessed an unexpected influx of new riders among them being Clive Williamson, George Upton, Gordon Appleby, Clement Collins and Dave Bell, the latter on an extraordinary bike covered with electrical gadgets.  They all turned up at Chobham for rides into Buckinghamshire with tea at Chertsey and most stayed to become regular supporters.
 

Chobham 23 March 1975

There was snow in early April but several spent Easter in Devon and Cornwall.  Good weather blessed the "50", Mottisfont was again the choice of Thursday Nighters for their Spring week-end and, in May, there was another sponsored ride organised by Gareth Keller in aid of "Action Research for the Crippled Child" when nearly 90 completed the 50 mile circuit from Woodham and over £416 was raised for the charity.  An early start was needed for a ride to Brighton to see the cycling time trials that preceded the start of the Tour of Britain "Milk Race".

A joint run with the K.W.'s started from East Grinstead and, led by Frank Lake, the 17 participants rode for an hour to Forest Row but then the leader (who was deputising for the organiser) lost his way and the cavalcade found themselves back in East Grinstead.  However, the Kentish village of Cowden was reached for lunch as arranged.

For the second successive year, George Alesbury won the evening speed-judging event on the Fairoaks course and, in June there was a meeting with Portsmouth D.A. members when there were 40 for lunch at Axford.  On the same afternoon, trying a bridleway to Binsted, the party became involved with nettles and barbed wire before a sunken muddy track brought them to their goal 20 minutes late for tea.

Another visit to the Bluebell Railway and a sausage supper at Gracious Pond came later in the month.  The "rough-stuff" event was at a new location on Pirbright Common and, in July, 16 were on a hostelling week-end to Arundel and more supported the Club's Birthday Rides based on Shrewsbury.  Hartley Wespall post office appeared as a tea place and there was a hostelling August Bank Holiday in East Sussex and Kent with nights at Blackboys and Guestling.

In September, the 100 km reliability trial was combined with the Tourists' Trial during which Russ Mantle had a spill needing treatment for multiple gashes and a dislodged tooth but he made it to the Tongham tea.  Six Thursday Nighters enjoyed a week-end based on Maiden Bradley when they visited the National Trust grounds of Stourhead, and Dave Wells returned, having missed the glorious summer by leading parties of walkers and cyclists in Iceland in very indifferent weather.  In October, 21 rode in the hill-climb with 25 in the free-wheeling and, late in the month, a new rider with the Wayfarers managed to fall full-length in the river Kennet as the party rode along the tow-path.  He was quickly hauled to the bank and while his saturated clothes were stripped off, members rummaged in saddle-bags and produced enough sweaters, water-proof leggings etc. to re-clothe the shivering victim.  Sockless and in sodden shoes he gradually warmed up during the afternoon.

Subjects at a Horsell slide show in November ranged from Iceland to Yugoslavia.  Ray Craig led nine on a hostel week-end to Cranborne and, two days before the annual dinner, Bob Naris, an old and respected member, was involved in a fatal accident in Guildford.

The Dinner saw 86 at the Cotteridge Hotel with Les Warner as guest speaker while Marc Smith, as the youngest member present, made his debut as presenter of the traditional bouquet.

Mid December produced a record attendance of 30 on a hostelling week-end at Truleigh Hill on the South Downs and there were 53 to the Christmas tea at Tongham.

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Web page by Chris Jeggo.  Last revised:  25 December 2004.