GO50 CYCLING JAN-MAR 2015

GO50 CYCLING: JAN -MAR 2015 draft

The GO50 programme aims to introduce people in the 50+ age group to a healthier lifestyle and the benefits of regular exercise. Walking or cycling with others - socialising as you exercise - adds significantly to the beneficial effects. Regular exercise can: improve balance and flexibility; lower blood pressure; defend against heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes; help maintain cognitive function; reduce depression and anxiety. GO50 activities are free, but a donation is very welcome. We suggest a donation of £2 per person. If you are a taxpayer, we can reclaim the tax on your donations at no extra cost to you, as long as we have your signature and permission to claim Gift Aid. Ask the leader for details. No advanced booking required - just turn up at the start and join in. GO50 activities are led by experienced volunteers who will meet you at the start and lead the way. No children or dogs, please. Use pub car parks only if you intend to use the pub afterwards. Please be aware of your own fitness levels and, if in doubt, consult your doctor before starting a new exercise programme. Postcodes given are nearest available to the start and may not correspond to the exact starting point. (T) indicates accessible by public transport. Travel information available from Traveline on 08712002233. In the event of extreme weather, phone the GO50 office before setting off. Leaders reserve the right to cancel an activity if they feel that it is unsafe to proceed. We recommend that all participants carry contact details with them in case of emergency.

GO50 Cycling is a programme of organised off-road riding. All rides meet 10am, start 10.15am and last approximately three hours. For your own safety and comfort please bring a bike suitable for off-road cycling. Wear a cycle helmet (strongly advised) and suitable clothing. Bring waterproofs, a drink and a snack. Ride lengths are between 10-20 miles. Grading: (1) = Easy, (2) = Intermediate, (3) = Challenging. Grade 1 suitable for those who have done some cycling. If you have any doubts about your off-road cycling ability, we recommend you try a Grade 1 ride first.

Fri 2 JAN: Bocketts (2) 14m Hilly ride, taking in Denbies Vineyard, Norbury Park. Not too muddy.Meet Geoff at Bocketts Farm. TQ152549 / KT22 9BS

Mon 5 JAN: Aldershot (2)Meet John D at the Aldershot Garrison Church car park, just off Farnborough Rd (SU853511 / GU11 1QA). This is an easy level 2 ride, with a banana break at Fleet Pond. Lunch taken at the Royal Arms, Heath End, GU9 9AX

Wed 7 JAN: Shamley Green (1)14m An easy ride using tracks, quiet lanes and the Downs Link. Meet Gerry at Shamley Green. Please park, with consideration for residents, around the green or along Hullbrook Lane. TQ032438 / GU5 0UB

Fri 9 JAN: Gomshall (3) A fairly hard, fast ride. Not technically difficult but a couple of steep climbs. Meet Kevin at The Compasses, 50 Station Rd, Gomshall TQ089479 / GU5 9LA. Park in car park behind the pub.

Tue 13 JAN: Reigate : (3)Skim to Skim via Reigate Heath, Walton on the Hill & Headley. Some nice single track and interesting descents. Could be a bit of mud. Meet Gwyn at Skimmington Castle pub, Bonny’s Rd off Flanchford Rd, Reigate. Park in CP behind the pub. TQ238497 / RH2 8RL

Thu 15 JAN: Bookham (1) 16m Quiet roads, hard tracks, Wisley Airfield, Pyrford Lock. All weather ride. Meet Geoff at Ye Old Windsor Castle, Little Bookham. TQ128 539 / KT23 3AA

Fri 16 JAN : Earlswood Lakes (1) : (2) 19m Long ride, initially on N21 towards Horley & back via Smallfield & Outwood. Mostly level tracks with some road cycling. Meet Frank at Earlswood Lakes car park – height restriction at entrance. TQ270483 / RH2 7QB

Mon 19 JAN: Shalford : (1)A gentle scenic ride along tracks and quiet roads. Queen Victoria pub across the road afterwards (GU4 8BY). Meet Jack at the Scout Hut, Shalford, close to A281/A248 roundabout. TQ001471 / GU4 8DBA.

Wed 21 JAN: Forest Green: (2) 14mtaking in Ockley, Walliswood on a mixture of bridleways and minor roads/tracks and passing through open countryside and farmland. Meet Nick at the Parrot pub car park, Forest Green, just off B2126 Ockley Rd, opposite the forge. TQ129412 / RH5 5RZ

Fri 23 JAN: Peaslake : (3) Popular with fans of single track: climb Holmbury and Pitch Hill, great views and superb technical descents. Lunch at Hurtwood Inn (GU5 9RR). Meet Tony at the car park, 300 metres SW of Hurtwood Inn, Peaslake. TQ084446

Mon 26th JAN: Merstham (2) 16m Re visit the North Downs using Sustrans NCR21. A wonderful Winter ride via E Surrey bridleways. Refreshments at Woldingham. Meet David H at Inn on the pond Merstham RH1 4EU TQ 301516

Tue 27 JAN: Thursley (3) Hard packed sandy and rocky trails with challenging climbs over Hindhead. 12 - 15 miles. Meet John J at Thursley Village Green. Nearest postcode GU8 6QA. Lunch at The Mill, Elstead. GU8 6LE.

THU 29 JAN: Ripley (1)14m To Weybridge via Brooklands. A revised route for the winter. An easy ride but there may be some mud on the canal towpath. Meet Gerry at Ripley Green. TQ054570/GU23 6AN.

Mon 2 FEB: Bushy Park (1) 12m Along towpath by Hampton Court Palace to Kingston, then onto Ham & Richmond Park returning via Teddington. Lunch at Kings Arms or Pheasantry. Meet Barry at Diana Fountain car park in Bushy Park. TQ159693 / TW11 0EW

Thu 5 FEB: Tilford (2) 12m. Undulating terrain taking in Hankley Common, then trails skirting Frensham Common and Bourne Woods. No major hills, but some steady climbs. Steepest climbsare ontarmac. Possible mud patches. Meet Maggie at Stockbridge car park, Tilford Rd, Tilford. SU876427/GU10 2DD

Tue 10 FEB: Mogador (2)15m To Fanny’s Farm and back via Banstead Heath and North Downs.Mostly smooth tracks and roads. One moderate gravel climb. MeetGwynat the Sportsman pub, Mogador. TQ239532 / KT20 7ES

Thu 12 FEB: Tunnel Hill : (3) Technically challenging ride over the hills and through the woods between Tunnel Hill and Basingstoke Canal. We make some use of specially made bike paths. Meet Jack at Potters Pub, Mytchett Place Road, Mytchett. SU893549 / GU16 6DD

Mon 16 FEB: Box Hill / Denbies (3) Challenging ride via Denbies to Ranmore, onto Polesden Lacey, returning along North Downs Way. Meet Barry at Rykas Car Park Box Hill. TQ171521 RH5 6BX. Lunch at Stepping Stones pub.

Wed 18 FEB: Leigh: (1) 14m: Easy ride around the area south of Leigh much on road to avoid the mud. Meet David L at the Seven Stars, Bunce Common Rd, Leigh. TQ217472 / RH2 8NP

Fri 20 FEB: FrenshamRoad Ride (3) (If icy roads are forecast this will be run off-road. I will Email everyone a few days before if changed). Quiet Surrey and Hampshire lanes. No killer hills but plenty of good climbs and descents at a brisk pace to keep warm. 20 - 25 miles. Meet John J at Frensham British Legion GU10 3BJ (park at rear). Lunch at Holly Bush, just across the road (same post code).

Tue 24 FEB: Headley (2/3) 12m Heathland and some single track around Headley, Walton & Mickleham. Steady pace. Meet Mike at The Headley Hills pub (formerly The Cock Inn) in Headley. TQ205548 / KT18 6LE

Thu 26 FEB: Walton on Thames (1) Meet Geoff at the The Weir, Walton on Thames. Leisurely ride up the River Thames and Wey. TQ094665 / KT12 2JB

Mon 2 MAR:Bookham (3 & 1) Meet Kevin & Geoffat Ye Old Windsor Castle, Little Bookham. TQ128 539 / KT23 3AA. Two rides. EitherPolesden Lacey & Ranmore (3) A fast but not too hard ride. Will include one technically challenging and very enjoyable downhill section if the weather is good. Tea stop at the Pilgrims Cycles. Or Wisley via Bookham Cmn & Effingham Junction (1) 15m Across Bookham Common to Chatley Semiphore Tower, then a run down the runway at Wisley airfield before returning via Ockham. Mainly flat but a few rises and some roads. May be muddy in places. Both rides start from The Windsor Castle.

Wed 4 MAR:Stoke D’Abernon Road Ride (1/2)16m Ranmoor Common, Ripley, Pyrford and back. Couple of good climbs, coffee at half way point. 11m Meet Geoff at The Running Mare, 45 Tilt Road Cobham KT11 3EZ

Fri 6 MAR: Richmond Park & the Thames : (1) 16m Mainly flat ( 176m ascent/descent) with short section of busy road in the middle. From Richmond Park to Mortlake Bridge via Barnes common, thence Thames towpath past Kew to Kingston. Wonderful views. Meet David L at Pembroke Lodge CP, Richmond Park. TQ186728 / TW10 5HX. Lunch at Lass o’ Richmond Hill, Queen’s Rd, TW10 6JJ

Tue 10 MAR: Tandridge (3) 16mUp and along the North Downs & back. Scenic climbs, interesting descents. Coffee stop half way. MeetGwynatThe Haycutter pub, 69 Tanhouse Road, Oxted, RH8 9PE. At Broadham Green about 1m south of A25 at Old Oxted. TQ390514

Thu 12 MAR: Elstead (1/2) 12m.Mainly off-road, sandy heathland tracks across the local Commons. Includes short slopes and some single-track. Meet Maggie at Elstead Mill. GU8 6LE

Fri 13 MAR: Aldershot (1) 10m A gentle paced ride with good views in the local countryside. Meet Sue at the Aldershot Garrison Church car park, Farnborough Road. SU853511 / GU11 1QA

Mon 16 Mar: Old Coulsdon (2) 12m Meet Frank at The Fox, set back from the road on Coulsdon Common. Ride down the hills and back again. TQ318569 / CR3 5QS

Wed 18 MAR: West Horsley (3) 15m Hilly ride along tracks and some quiet roads taking in Sheepleas & North Downs. Meet Tony at King William IV pub, The Street, West Horsley. A246 from East Clandon, left at roundabout down The Street. TQ080536 / KT24

Fri 20 MAR: Crane River Valley: (1) 15m Flat ride (147m ascent/descent) across Bushy Park to Hampton Wick, up Crane river to Teddington & Richmond and back along Thames towpath. Some busy roads in the middle. Meet David L at the Pheasantry car park, Bushy Park. Off A308. TQ160693 / TW11 0EW

Tue 24 MAR: Newdigate (1) 14m Tracks and quiet roads to Holmwood Common. Meet Gerry at the car park behind the Six Bells TQ197420/RH5 5DH

Thu 26 MAR: Friday Street (3) 10m Technical ride for experienced, confident riders. Meet Mike at Friday Street car park. Turn off A25 at Manor Farm, Wotton into Hollow Lane. After 1m turn left into Friday Street Rd. Car park is ¼m on right (watch out for low entrance height). TQ126457 / RH5 6JR. (Lunch at The Volunteer, RH5 6PR)

Mon 30 MAR:Shalford : (2)14m A ride through scenic countryside south of Guildford. Queen Victoria pub across the road afterwards (GU4 8BY). Meet Jack at the Scout Hut, Shalford, close to A281/A248 roundabout. TQ001471 / GU4 8DB

GO50, Age UK Surrey, Rex House, William Rd, Guildford GU1 4QZ, , 1

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