Our congregation was made up of Dave, Philip, and a welcome return after several weeks absence, Henry. Our route took us up past Botley Hill Farm, the pastures of which were alive with sheep and baby lambs.  And along the Pilgrims Way where the blaze of acres of yellow rape seed stretched away on either side. Spring is definitely here now!

Past Chevening, thru the old and quaint village of Chipstead and a short bit of the A25, took us to Bessels Green. From here we had a series of long and steep climbs, following country lanes which lead us to the very top of  Sevenoaks.  Here lies the old parish church and graveyard of St Nicholas, opposite the main entrance to Knole Park with its famous and historic Knole House.

As we locked up our bikes, by excellent timing John and Meike also arrived. After a sociable chit chat ranging over a range of topics, most of which had some connection to bikes and cycling!, it was time for the photo shoot before setting off on our return ride home.

And guess who has got a new bike. Yes its me! A bargain that I could not resist in the Evans bike sale to replace my well used Muddy Fox Courier. The Muddy Fox, after over a dozen years of hard use (club runs, time trials, foreign tours, etc) needed a major refurb.   Pricing this up, with all the necessary new parts, would cost at least as much as my new replacement. So the new bike, with its sale price tag, was the obvious choice.

Next Thursday (23 May) we are off into the Surrey Hills, leaving from Tesco at 10. Destination is  The Place to Meet  tearoom at 33/5 High St Lingfield now that Browsers has closed down. This tea room is also open on Sundays, see their web site at http://www.tptm.co.uk/
Des.

A few weeks back Stuart asked what plans club members had for this summer.  To date nothing has been volunteered, so to start the wheels rolling:

This year’s continental tour for us (myself, Tom Vaz with his 2 boys, and my son Paul) is a meander along the Rhine and Mosel river valleys. Or not to exaggerate, part of them as they stretch a very long way!
Our bike holiday is a circular, 10 day tour, joining the Mosel at Trier in Germany, cycling down river to just south of Koblenz, then crossing over the Hunsruck mountain range to Boppard on the Rhine. From there we cycle up the Rhine as far as Bingen, then over the Hunsruck again, to Bernkastel on the Mosel, enroute back to Trier.

My very first cycle tour was a similar tour of these two rivers, led by John T and accompanied by Meike, Jack and Joshi. On that occasion we flew by Ryanair to Frankfurt-Hahn. This airport is only about 20 miles from Bernkastel, however taking bikes on planes is now a lot of hassle. So this time we are letting the high speed train take the strain. Only 2 hrs by Eurostar from St Pancras to Brussels!
Eurostar have a very comprehensive and informative website, covering just about every possible query.

Eurostar can be expensive but by booking early (tickets become available 3 months in advance) we got the price down to only £39. That is very good value! It is also wise to book the bikes in advance.  As a party of 5 we got the bikes carried for £22 each. A total of £61 all in.

From Brussels we take a train straight thru to Luxembourg city. This shorter part of the journey takes an hour longer than London/Brussels! Passenger and bike tickets on this train can be booked a month in advance, so we have not yet done this. From Luxembourg to Trier  (using a bike route suggested by ViaMichelin) is 34 miles.  Leaving St Pancras on the 8.04 train we should be in Trier by evening time.

We have booked overnight B&B at Trier for both our first and last nights on the continent. As on previous foreign tours, where advance booking has been considered to be wise, we have used Booking.com as there is no charge if we should have to cancel for any reason.
For the rest of our trip we will pick our B&Bs as we go along. There are normally plenty of “Zimmer freies” along the Mosel and Rhine, so this should not present a problem.

The travel plan, allowing plenty of time for site seeing, goes something like this:
Sat :  Trier to Bernkastel = 70k/44 mls – for overnight stay
Sun : Bernkastel to Cochen  = 64k/37 mls  – overnight stay
(Berkastel and Cochen are famous must see places!)
Mon :  Cochen to Lof  = 28k/17mls – Here we cross over the Mosel by a local bridge and take the L207 over the Hunsruck to join the Rhine at Boppard = another 17k/11ml – for overnight stay.
Tue :    Boppard to St. Goar, only 35k/22 ml  to allow visits/sight seeing at both places.
Wed:    St Goar to Bingen = 31k/19 mls – for overnight stay
Thur :  Rest day in and around Rudesheim (other side of Rhine by ferry)
Fri:     Bingen to Mulheim = 80k/50 ml – for overnight stay back on the Mosel
Sat :     Mulheim to Trier = 62k/35 ml  – for overnight stay
Sun:    Cycle to Luxembourg,  trains to Brussels/London. Arrive back in UK, late evening.

There is much to see and do along these rivers which are renown for their castles and very old, traditional towns and villages. For example Boppard with its 100 year old Hunsruck Mountain Railway, the steepest in Europe. Plus ferry crossings or longer boat trips. The famous 400 foot deep gorge by the Loreley on the Rhine near St. Goar. And last but by no means least, the famous fine wines of this region!

The Rhine is famous for its many castles.

  And the town of Cochen on the Mosel is not to be outdone!

Cycling along the river side cycle paths are an easy pedal. However as you can see from the above photos, those who seek a bit of hill climbing have plenty of opportunity by cycling up the valley sides. And we do have to climb over the Hunsruck mountain range, twice!

For those who might be new to cycle touring, a much asked question is ” What do I need to take?”. It is certainly something that I wanted to know and a comprehensive packing list can be found here  http://anerleybc.org/turnbull-tours/
The internet is a valuable resource with lots of useful websites on cycling in the Rhine/Mosel areas. This one has a useful,navigable Google map of the the cycle route from Trier to Koblenz, with another page showing distances between towns/villages along the river. Also links to tourist information sites including B&B.

Can’t wait for the off, at end of June!
Des.

YOUR TOAST!!!!

Was the accompaniment to the late and lamented arrival of du pain chaud which was supposed to be part of le petit déjeuner budgette (£2.99 with tea). Not that the new found waitress was going to take any nonsense from a mere band of bicyclists.

Twelve of us (or with Tacey possibly a Baker’s Dozen) had, once agin, made it to East Grinstead’s finest greasy spoon via Ann Summers (Whyteleafe) and ‘not the Brickmakers’ Crowhurst. There inevitably we fragmented into instant returnees and the temperance division leaving just four to sample the delights of …

… at Colemans Hatch. Was it the Harveys or the sun that connected bestiality and bicycling?

Here sporting the latest in designer pannierware is a beast to be reckoned with. What did they contain? Could it be Sussex’s loaded answer to the brandy bearing St Bernards? Or were we in Kent? It all got a bit hazy. Not helped by watching Gina’s battle scarred ‘stag’ Pearson rearing up to seriously intimidate Jeremy’s and Tacey’s steeds.

Back via Lingfield and Marden Park without incident and just beating the late afternoon rain showers. Over 50 miles!

Philip had an appointment to keep so it was arranged that he would get the train to Tattenham Corner, arriving at 11.38. This determined the tea stop – Annie’s – at Leatherhead as we should then be able to get there shortly after 12 noon. I then had to work out a route, leaving Purley at 10, to arrive at the Tattenham Corner as near as possible to 11.40.  I would like to claim that it was my excellent judgement, but luck did play its part!  As we rolled up at the station we saw the train coming in so neither Philip nor us were required to wait about in the blustery wind. The “we” being myself, George, David and Mark Hancock, now of course joined by Philip.

But we original four had done a fair few miles before this rendezvous.  Leaving Coulsdon we climbed up Portnalls Rd to the high ridgeway at Chipstead, then took the turning off to Mugswell, or is it Monkswell?  Well actually neither. Its original name was Magswell, named from the well of St Margaret.  The well being a feature, the feature of the Well House Inn.

The present day pub was originally three small cottages which date back to the mid-1560, when Henry VIII hunted deer in the adjacent Kings Wood. But we did not linger for a cup of holy water or even a pint of the devil’s brew as we had an appointment to keep.  Following a big loop which took us over Headley Common and into Ashstead, then on the outskirts of Epsom we climbed Chalk Lane upto the Grandstand on the famous Derby race course and over the Downs to its famous Corner, and our meeting point.
Arriving at Annies, just after 12, it was full with lunch time diners, but meeting up with John and Meike we had the back room area all to ourselves.  

No new faces on this Thursday Ride, but we did have a new bike. Or rather, George had a new bike. A very nice, and hardly used by its previous owner, Boardman Pro, high-end fitness bike.

Next Thursday we meet at Shurguard at 10 and head off to the crypt tea room at Sevenoaks parish church. Another favoured place for  home made cakes and a cuppa at bargain basement prices. But then you would expect that in the church’s basement!

 Roll Out The Barrel ( or is it roll in?)

For quick and smooth gear changes the gear cable requires the correct amount of tensioning. This is dependent on fine tuning of the cable length via its adjuster.  Adjusting the cable length is a simple matter of turning the adjustment barrel  by the correct amount and in the correct direction.  The photo below shows a Shimano rear derailleur with the adjustment barrel marked. Note that the Shimano barrel is spring loaded and notched where it sits against the main housing. To turn, pull the (black) barrel away from the main housing, towards the rear of the bike.  The notches allow accurate turning of the barrel in small, quarter turn increments. 

 Before you turn the adjustment barrel, make sure you have diagnosed the shifting issue correctly. In most cases the reason you reach for the adjuster is because the rear derailleur starts hesitating when shifting onto larger cassette cogs (lower (easier) gears). This is caused by the gear cable having stretched a little.
However, once in awhile you might run into the opposite problem: hesitation shifting onto the smaller cogs (higher gears). One thing that can cause this is someone overtightening a new shift cable during installation (or incorrect subsequent adjustment). Too much cable tension can be as bad as too little.

Wait, don’t turn it yet!
 There are two more crucial things to get straight.
 1.) You need to be sure you are turning the adjustment barrel in the correct direction.
 2.) You should only turn it in 1/2-turn increments, then check the shifting to see how you are doing before turning it more.
If you count and keep track of the turns, you can then simply return it to where it was and start again if you happen to turn it the wrong way.

Okay, NOW you are ready to make the adjustment.
While standing behind the bike and looking down at the rear derailleur, to fix the most common problem – hesitation shifting into lower gears (larger cogs) – turn the adjuster anticlockwise.  For the rarer problem – slow shifting into higher gears (smaller cogs) – turn it the other way, clockwise.

To help you to remember which way to turn the adjuster, he is a tip.
If the derailleur is slow shifting toward the spokes (changing into a lower gear), turn the adjuster toward the spokes.
If it’s slow shifting away from the spokes (changing to a higher gear), turn the adjuster away from the spokes.

Checking your adjustment

Have a friend hold up your bicycle if you’re not lucky enough to be working on it in a repair stand, and test the shifting to see how your adjustment worked. Usually with only a full turn or a turn and a half you can add enough tension to a stretched cable to restore perfect shifting. When it’s right, each shift/click of the lever will move the chain quickly onto the next cog and there will be no noise or rubbing in any gear.
If there are two of you, one person can shift and pedal by hand and the other person can sight the derailleur and listen to tell if the chain is dead center on each cog, or see if you need to turn the adjuster one notch more.
In most cases, fine-tuning the rear derailleur with the adjustment barrel takes only a few minutes at the most, and quickly puts a smile back on the rider’s face. So have fun with this important adjustment.

There are a number of reasons, other than cable stretch, which can cause more serious gear changing problems. These are due to wear and tear, damaged parts, or lack of maintenance.  Cable adjustment alone, will not fix these problems!  This short item is about correcting cable stretch or fine tuning an incorrectly set cable adjustment.

This item is an edited version of one which appeared in a Road Bike Rider newsletter .  These weekly newsletters have many interesting and informative articles on various bike related topics.

Guest leader loses flock

Was it seven or eight I led confidently down the Brighton Road picking up a stray ex-capt’n in Coulsdon?

We lost our first follower on Farthing Down. Was my pace that hot? On through Chandon and the great descent (and a small ascent) to Bletchingley were we re-assembled thus:

Bletchingley is, of course, the venue for our annual downhill freewheel competition. Last November’s cancellation due to rain encouraged us all to do it impromptu. Gina pipped Jeremy by a short toeclip to claim the prize.

Off to the right of this picture at Outwood we passed the Bigfoot Ride to Brighton …

And on without incident to tea at Tulley’s Farm. This leading lark is a piece of cake (chocolate) I munched. But then there was evident mutiny in the ranks as you can see below …

Gina was planning on continuing to Brighton. Ewa was trying to find a route to see a relative in Haywards Heath, Jeremy fancied a pub in Horsted Keynes whilst I was planning to retire to the Brickmakers Arms in Crowhurst. Eventually four of us set out southward whilst t’others turned for home. Hope they made it.

Jeremy roared up the hill to Turner’s Hill with the rest of us in pursuit. I turned the corner to see the red flash disappearing up the hill towards Ardingley. By the time I got to the Sharpthorne turn off he was out of sight. The obvious way was to the left but Ewa needed to carry on straight. Why had not the bu**er not waited? Worse there was no sign of the other two behind me.

What to do? Well when all is lost – have a drink. So guessing which pub Jeremy might be headed I cycle on alone passing those wooden ducks on the way. It was a precious ride in the first blush of spring able to appreciate this year’s countryside.

Got to the pub. No Jeremy! Oh Dear …

Then both of them rode up with a mutual look of confusion. Turned out the red flash wasn’t Jeremy. I had left a bemused bunch at Turner’s Hill. Well there’s no problem that a pint or two doesn’t make better.

I stuck resoloutely to Jeremy’s back wheel for a great ride back that, coincidentally took us past the Brickmakers. Or rather not for the building was shut. Just a FOR SALE notice replacing the sign that had marked a refuge for many a sodden Anerley Ride. RIP.

Next Tuesday, with agreement of the other riders, we plan to meet at Shurgard at 10 am and head off to Bridges in Edenbridge.

Yours Sandra

Today’s intrepid travellers were a little less in number than a Roman legion, being just me, Dave, and a welcome return after a winter’s hibernation, Philip from Forest Hill. It was a forested hill when the Romans last marched this way!
For Tuesday riders who might have forgotten, Philip is now re-starting his training for the Ride London 100 mile charity bike ride, so we expect to see more of him over the coming weeks. And to put a face to a name of this Canondale rider:

We soon crossed over Kent Brook which defines the county border between Surrey and Kent, and the rich pastures of this lowland area are dotted with some beautiful old farm houses, some of which date back hundreds of years. For example Moat Farm which is on the Surrey side of Kent Brook.

Going along the Pootings (that’s an unusual name!) towards Four Elms, we had a short stop when Philip had a front wheel puncture to fix.  After this it was only a 15 minute pedal into Edenbridge, the market town which grew up around the river crossing built by the Romans.  Our tea stop was at “Bridges”, a centre run  by local volunteers which guarantees a modestly priced cuppa, toast, and a selection of homemade cakes, etc.
Returning by a different route we were back at Purley shortly after 2 o’clock having pedalled an interesting and scenic 36 miles.

Next Thursday we meet at the Purley Tesco and head out along the North Downs, in a southwesterly direction to a destination in Surrey.

Ewa takes the lead …

Armed with nothing more than a pre-M25 ordnance map and a stack of post-it notes Ewa guest led us into the wilderness that is Newdigate. We swept up Portnalls and down Reigate Hill nine up (teachers can count). It was a lovely glorious day and Leigh looked as pretty as ever with the trees suddenly deciding that winter was gone and foliage was now obligatory.

Tanhouse Farm was our (and nearly every Surrey cyclists’ destination). Nevertheless the new regime there was upto the mark in revictualting everybody. We met up with Meike and John and Sandra also rolled up having made her own way to Newdigate.

A few pictures of the assembled multitudes and flowers …

Finally obligatory picture of a ‘bicycle’. Tom’s new snazzy featherlite Mekky.

We returned taking the Pixham diversion around Dorking and the ride mistakenly split into the two cycleways on either side of the A29. Which meant that half the ride didn’t know that some had stoped at the Westhumble pub. Thev remains reassembled and all but one decided that Box Hill looked a bit enthusiastic and headed back via Little Switzerland.

The Weshumblers, however, took the short cut up the hill for a really great day’s ride and that unforgettable view from the top across Surrey. simply stunning!

[The route map will be added shortly]

Of late Dorking has dropped off the mid-week ride list, principally because our favourite tea rooms have, one by one closed. However the memories of some years back suggested a possible place. One which was at least worth a return visit to see what it was now like. So off we pedalled, Kingswood, down  Pebble Coombe, Betchworth, over the River Mole, and along Wellhouse Rd to Brockham. We stopped here, by the village pump, for a group photo.

I mention above that we came into Brockham along Wellhouse Rd. It is only in recent times that the luxury of tapped water has been available at our homes. For example the artesian well that first provided tapped water to most of Purley was not dug until the beginning of the 20th century, and the 1867 Ordnance Survey map of Purley has marked the very few wells that then existed. So Brockham’s Jack and Jill would have gone to the Well House to get their pale of water.
The village pump (above) was a modern luxury to the locals when erected in about 1880/1890.  It would have provided a most welcome refreshment stop to early members of Anerley B.C, who at that time often cycled thru this village. No country tea shops then!      

Following in the wheel tracks of these early cyclists we continued westwards past the old school house, following the back lanes until the last climb up Punchbowl Lane and then down into Dorking.  Here in the town centre is the old parish church of St Martin, and in the modern church hall, our bargain tea room. Toast and jam, plus a big mug of tea, all for £1.10! Now that’s what I call Christian charity.

The journey home was up the now famous and much cycled, Boxhill.  When we  came to the junction with Headley Common Rd, we noticed that we were one man short. After a very short wait we espied a runner, who cyclocross style, was carrying his bike on his shoulder!

It was Dave, who with this amazing burst of speed, strength and endurance, soon caught us up. The man deserves a medal!
The problem was a rear wheel puncture caused by the innumerable potholes that now litter Boxhill Rd. Soon, fixed and reflated we were off again, heading towards Chipstead and the sprint for its 30 mph sign, won but only just by Mark on his Roubaix.

So that was the first of our new Thursday Rides. Next week we meet at Shurguard and pedal off into the border country of the counties of Kent and Surrey. Destination, Bridges at Edenbridge for tea.