Carpenter marque ride, 12thAugust 2018
Our third ride for all those interested in the Carpenter marque. Richard Williamson had offered to lead us through the quieter lanes of Surrey. We met by the church in the lovely old village of Brockham.
The weather forecast was dire, the low clouds lowering. All the same 6 couriers braved the predictions. 3 Carpenters: Richard brought the steed he’d bought from Geoff Nagle; Jean-Paul Burch rode the fixed wheel bike he used last year; I rode ‘Trigger’s Broom’, bits still traceable back to my ‘60s club days. And 3 guests: John on his pre-war Saxon Twin Tube, Chris on the ‘70s Peugeot he’s owned from new, Andrew out on his resplendent Mal Rees with its eye-catching drillium chainset. Several bikes were sporting hastily fitted mudguards. No need. The rain gods smiled benignly down on us and let us pass unhindered.
The route was lovely. Quiet, leafy Surrey lanes, gently rolling terrain. The miles whizzed by as we chatted away. A good reminder of what riding was like before the world jumped headlong into motor cars. Our route took us via Newdigate, Capel, Ellens Green, to our CAKE STOP at the Milk Churn in Rudgwick. There we optimistically settled under a sunshade…. and down came the rain. No matter, the banter went on unabated. No sooner had we refueled when the skies relented – so we joyfully hopped back our steeds for a different route back via Ockley. Richard’s bike showed everyone how to boss it over the only hill we encountered. Chris’s Peugeot did long pulls at the front of our peleton as J-P’s legs were whizzed round by his fixed gear. John’s Saxon was determined to place age before beauty as the bikes all galloped for Brockham. Andrew chuckled as his Mal Rees surveyed the shenanigans from a safe distance. “Where’s the sign?” Called Chris. “Ha ha! We just passed it” I gasped, gamely clinging on.
Sanity returned. We sat on a bench, recounting the day’s heroics. Courtesy of the Brockham church hall there was more CAKE for those that wanted it.
Thanks Richard for a great day out. Oh, and thanks – in eager anticipation – to J.P. who bravely offered to organize our next outing. Keep 11/8/2019 free!
Richard Williamson ’61 Carpenter 5340
Jean-Paul Burch ‘62 Carpenter 5371 fixed wheel
Peter Bedingfield ’55-’68 Carpenter 4912, Williams/Campag GS
Chris Rees ’74 Peugeot PR10L (owned since new!)
John Bedingfield ’39 Saxon Twin Tube
Andrew Percival ’61 Mal Rees, Stronglight/TA/Campag
