Now that pandemic rules have eased, activity is ramping up from our new base at The Bear Esher which is just a short ride to the Surrey hills. The landlord has been very welcoming and able to provide a great meeting place (early morning coffee is available) for large numbers of Dittons Velo cyclists.
Group rides are still limited to 6 riders but we are finding that larger groups will split up, then follow the same route to coffee and back for a beer (or two)!
We are looking to expand as a club and new members are welcome.
Thanks to Robin for organising a great evening out at the Lee Valley Velodrome. We were a little depleted, 25 were due to go and 15 turned up, but that didn’t stop the fun!
After the initial starter nerves, everyone was zooming round the track and enjoying it. The coach had us doing ‘getting used to the track games’ – getting up the bank and riding shoulder to shoulder which included cuddling each other in side-by-side twosomes on our bikes, thus getting us used to jostling for position in the heat of the DV track battle. This last exercise was not to everyone’s taste, and is definitely not one we’d try in the Surrey Hills!
We ended up by chasing each other, going as fast as we could, and the 2 hrs went by far too quickly. Who would have thought going round in circles without brakes would be such fun, and at the same time such hard and thirsty work (unfortunately there was no time for beers afterwards).
To help you complete the 2022 segments I have created some route files for download. They are grouped geographically and ordered by distance usually two at a time. I have tried to minimise the climbing to the segments to save your legs!
Click on a route below, which links to Strava for you to then star the route, which should then load onto your Garmin or Wahoo.
In freezing conditions, during Storm Arwen, 35 moustachioed members of the club set out from The Bear, Esher to three other Youngs pubs in Surrey. Only two riders completed the full 64 mile course to the Red Barn in Lingfield. Most visited the Dolphin in Betchworth and the Chequers in Walton on the Hill for a welcome hot drink before returning to the Bear for something stronger!
The landlord was please to be able to donate £400 to the Movember Foundation.
Three routes taking in three other Young’s Pubs in Surrey
Long – 64 miles 3500ft (102km 1050m) Includes the iconic Box Hill to The Red Barn at Lingfield via The Dolphin, Betchworth and returning via The Chequers at Walton on the Hill
Medium – 42 Miles 2500ft (67km 750m) Out via Leatherhead to the Dolphin at Betchworth and back stopping at The Chequers, Walton on the Hill
Short – 28 miles 1400ft (45km 420m) to The Chequers and back
Supported by Young’s Brewery
Moustache compulsory (real or stick-on). Silliest socks, fancy dress/old clothing and classic bikes encouraged.
Free refreshments at the three pubs on the routes and back at The Bear.
DV members please sign up on FB events so we have an idea of numbers.
Since we have a new Club HQ a modification of the Winter Loop course was required. Most of the route is unchanged, but it now ends at the top of Lammas Lane in Esher (a sting in the tail).
New for 2021. As a way of encouraging more variety of routes and distance, is our list of coffee stops. The challenge is to visit as many as possible over the year. Take a photo and upload to our Facebook page with the tag #dvcoffee.
Hidden away near the Drift Road in Cranbourne not that far from Legoland it is situated by fishing lakes.
Dan says, “Lake Side was proper old school caff, excellent for bacon sandwiches on white sliced. Catering to fisherman and builders predominantly. Babs begins the counter serving. Constant queue of people. No matching crockery. Mustard jars with little spoons. Huge slabs of cake. Big cafetière for the 4 of us to share. Safe bike parking. Worth booking via FB as only a few small tables. A favourite of Chiswick CC who we met. Menu over the counter. Fridge with padlock. All-round it was a very enjoyable blast from the past. View was of fishing ponds!”
Situated south of Crawley at Handcross, West Sussex.
Clashcity says, “Very friendly and well organised, loads of space to park your bikes up, plenty of room inside for social distancing. Coffee pretty decent but not exceptional, option for wine and beer (!) Toasted sandwiches great, cake choice limited but nice. Overall a really good option, especially in winter, not far from Faygate”.
Claire’s comment “Tasty and moist lemon drizzle and a nice toastie too!”
