Hi Stragglists,
 
We are still very much immersed in playing the numbers game. With some towns and cities having to go back into lockdown due to spikes in the virus within their communities the likelihood of a gathering of more than six cyclists still looks a long way off.
 
Pinnock’s and Manor Farm Tea Room
During the lockdown the owners of one of our favourite cafés, Pinnock’s in Ripley and the Manor Farm Tearoom in Farnham have been busy redecorating and are open for business once again and are on the Eat Out to Help Out scheme from Mondays to Wednesdays.
 
The Way Ahead for the Stragglists
Groups One and Two did a great job at getting to and from Shalford whilst keeping their distances, at least during the coffee stop as the pictures show. During these uncertain times the two groups have diligently arrived at the Angel, split the numbers if necessary, to go out on rides of about 50 miles but it has been an opportunity for others to take advantage of the situation and offer longer rides especially during the summer months. Within Group One there is a large diversity of age, ability and ambitions so there’s not a better time to have splinter groups who can converse via WhatsApp and everyone’s requirements can be satisfied. Together with cycling information there can be a flurry of banter on Group One’s WhatsApp group so I’m proposing to set up a new group which I will call ‘Stragglist Angel Rides’. This will be a banter-free group and ONLY for those Stragglists who specifically wish to gather at the Angel at 9.00am on a Sunday (or from Zizzi’s if a Windsor ride is arranged). As this will be a club ride, club kit would be preferred but as some riders don’t have club jerseys it’s not essential. If you have a route you would like to take people on then you can post it on the group page and invite others to join. If more than six want to ride then the group can be split. If you are part of Group Two’s WhatsApp group you don’t need to join this new group as Group Two’s no nonsense posts mainly concentrate on Sunday and occasional mid-week rides with the addition of the odd piece of cycle related information. It works so well it’s made me quite envious of its simplicity. Hence this new group proposal. If you would like to be added to the Sunday Rides group please let me know via email raycockle@ntlworld.com, text on 07831311680 or to me on WhatsApp. I won’t reply to the requests but add you to the list.
Because communications via WhatsApp have been working very well and, hopefully, this new group will only help to simplify organising rides I have decided, at least for the time being, to suspend sending out the weekly blog. I might send out the occasional email but the WhatsApp groups are catering to everyone’s requirements. If any ‘splinter groups’ wish to wear club kit please do so but let’s all continue to practice what the Stragglists are known for: courtesy and consideration. I will continue to upload pictures to the Stragglist Flickr page so click on the pictures above and store the link for future views.
 
Enjoy the rest of the summer. Keep in touch and…
 
Happy cycling,
 
Ray