As Autumn advances, some cyclists dig out the mudguards and shoe covers for those ‘winter miles count double’ rides. For others thoughts turn to plans for trips to warmer climes. Forge marked the falling of leaves with our first ‘Tour de Forge’, a ride designed to bring the Friendliest Cycling Club in South-West London together on the road and over coffee. A great multi-stage day out into the Surrey Hills, beautiful with multi-coloured autumn leaves, gave us all the chance to ride – and eat cake – with fellow members who would usually be on very different rides. As an added attraction, riders could win prizes for good deeds, to be decided on Forge’s very own wheel of fortune.
Sunday 3rd November dawned dry and mild, if pretty grey. A fantastic 45 riders, nearly a third of our membership, gathered in Kingston Market place to hear the briefing from Luke M, driving force and our ringmaster for the day, and picked their opening routes.
The first leg took us out to Heartwork, near Holmbury St Mary. 6 groups riding across the 3 route choices. Stronger riders got to go a little bit further and climb a bit more on the way. Fortunately we did not all arrive at exactly the same time, and the café showed its own long-distance stamina, serving us all as well as other clients who showed admirable patience.
Next up was the choice – to take on Leith Hill and stretch the climbing legs on the way to Box Hill? Or take the short-cut? Quite a few riders opted to change groups and went for Leith Hill and the exhilarating descent down into Dorking. In line with Forge’s normal Sunday practice, we made sure groups stayed together – nobody was dropped or left behind. A real chance for racers and social riders to ride together.
Box Hill provided the last of the day’s real climbs for most groups, with a chance for more coffee, cake and a change of group at the top. Then it was a familiar route back to our spiritual home at The Norbiton, via a chance for the sprinters to show off their top speed around the famed ‘Hook roundabouts’.
An equally impressive large group reported back for hop and other based recovery drinks, lunch, and a chance to find out who had won the prizes – socks, bidons and free drinks and pizza. Another great chance to compare notes and get to know some new fellow club members. Conversation was lively – and we had the added bonus of a chance to catch up with a club member who had recently moved abroad.
A great time was had by all and the effort of the organising team of Luke M and Henrik W was clearly appreciated in the turn-out. Special thanks to Olivier’s Bakery in Kingston and Bonvivan Café in Teddington for donating prize vouchers. And thank you to our on-the-bike photographers, ToBo, Gabor, and Jemma!
We plan to repeat this event regularly to help deliver our ambitions to be friendly and inclusive – and to have a great time cycling together through the glorious countryside of Surrey.
