Sunday, 12 May

West Clandon – Godalming – Effingham 

 

What betterplace to be at 9.15am on a bright Sunday morning in early May than sitting on a bench outside Wetherspoons in Leatherhead, anticipating a cycle ride into the unknown?  So also believed a quintet of cyclists (Janice, Lilian, Dave S, Ray and Vic), ready for whatever the leader might throw at them. While Jeff favoured the diretissima approach, Janice preferred a maximum mileage to elevenses. Ever attentive to a lady’s expectations, Jeff therefore improvised a loopy route via Ray’s home at Fetcham, Effingham Junction, Ockham and E. Clandon, before a stretch of our beloved A246 to the GC at W. Clandon.

Dave W and Don were already half way through their breakfast, before we were joined by the ever- ebullient Pam and the  ever-reliable Terry. Jake and her KPRC clubmates put in an appearance, before disappearing to continue their exertions.

The more leisurely C&M contingent twiddled off (sadly abandoned by Ray), for the climb to Newlands Corner. Here, the group were thunderstruck when the leader swerved off the tarmac through the car park and on to the rocky, muddy, root-infested Drove ‘Road’, the only way to reach Guildford Lane. Somehow we lost Dave and Vic. Dave was waiting for us as we emerged from the woods. A pretty downhill took us along Halfpenny Lane to Blacksmith Lane, where somehow we met Vic cycling towards us. He can explain how far better than I can.  A stretch of A248 took us to Christmas Hill, where Janice’s rapacious hunger for miles incited a longer loop than planned to Bramley.

Crossing the Horsham Road we glided blissfully (well, Vic and I did) along Snowdenham  Lane and Thorncombe St., before we branched off west up Allden’s Hill, to pause near the top to enjoy the glorious views of so far unravaged Surrey countryside. Rough and ready Heath Lane took us past Lutyens Land, before a descent to the more functional shape of the Wetherspoons known as Jack Phillips, for lunch at Godalming.

Out return was a familiar and humdrum route via the A3100, Meadrow, haunted by CTC ghosts of Cotterell House, to the cobblestones of Guildford High Street and the A245, for a relaxing tea-time at the vineries in Effingham, whence I made an early departure. The weather smiled on us and I hope that one and all got home before the rain and enjoyed a pleasant ride.

Jeff

Capel Sunday Teas 2013

For those with a sweet tooth, the ladies of Capel will be tempting the dissolute to destruction with their irresistible display of cakes for every taste, on the dates set out in their programme for 2013. You can print off the programme from Google Drive should you wish. Fortunately I am impervious to such temptation.

Jeff

Ancient and Modern

The Old and the New

Just for Andy. Pity the old connectors don't fit presta valves.

Sunday 5th May 2013

It's been a while but today I was in good spirits for a jaunt down to the Sussex borders.
It was a delight to pick up a new member Lilian (far right in pic) in Leatherhead but I was soon "£$%^&*()! due to a puncture just after Givons Grove.
So we were the late arrivals at Rusper Golf Club........aww gawd we were here last week!!!....................yep I didn't realise (doh).
Just a tad warm in the greenhouse that's their conservatory so I was keen to get going to lunch.
The route to Maplehurst is a real pleasure,particulary the St Leonards Forest  and the lanes to the west of Lower Beeding.
A real hamlet with a crossroads where we find the White Horse.
All dined alfresco with the food arriving briskly.
The brief sunny intervals allowed my head to turn a reddish colour ............nice........ouch!
I took a decision (with all in agreement) to take the bridleway in Nuthurst that goes uphill to Sedgewick Park.
The recent "resurfacing" meant the majority rode this handy short cut to avoid Copsale.
On the outskirts of Horsham,another puncture for me so Jeff took the helm whilst I struggled to inflate the borrowed tube...........thanks Ed.
A resident noticed me and produced a Park Tools track pump no less :-).......but I was about to make things worse.I was clueless to know how the valve connector should be when it's in a "locked" position.
In the process I managed to wreck Ed's tube so I was forced to mend the previous puncture.
But with nearly 90 psi in the mended rear tyre I flew along to join the others at Capel.
A piece of the lemon drizzle in the system and we went our mostly separate ways.

Sunday, 28 April

 Rusper - Barns Green - Dorking

Welcome to Dave Stott

Congregation outside the Church of St Nicholas

Dribs and drabs arrived at a sunny but still chilly Rusper Golf Club, to form two foursomes with one reserve, Mike Morley, who stayed for the tea and company before taking his leave. We welcomed a newcomer, Dave Stott, who had found his way by car. Two TFBs, Pete and Simon, arrived in a lather, having already taken part in a local sportive, before swinging off for Rusper. Forewarned of the indisposition of our planned leader, Ed nobly put his experience at our service and offered to lead us to Barns Green.

His route was well chosen to avoid Horsham and was mostly on pleasant lanes, guiding us to lunch at the Queen’s Head. The service, food and drink were good, with a table to ourselves. On leaving we made a small diversion to Itchingfield to visit the 12^th century church of St Nicholas. Spiritually refreshed we then returned via The Haven and Rudgwick to Newdigate. At this point Dave returned to collect his car at Rudgwick, the TFBs set off for Box Hill and the rest headed for Dorking. Despite a tempting offer of tea at the Parkgate Tea Room, Ed opted for the Leisure Centre. I can recommend the Go Pro recovery drink, not available in most tea shops.

Then it was home for Terry and a sprightly canter along the cycle path to Leatherhead, with the parting of the ways at Ashtead. Many thanks to Ed for an effortlessly improvised and excellent springtime ride.

Jeff

Sunday teas on the greens

This year, Brockham church will be providing teas on the green every Sunday from May 5 to October 6 and also Bank Holiday Mondays.

North Holmwood church will be providing teas on the green starting on Sunday 23 June - no further details available.

Terry

Sunday, 21 April

Walton on the Hill

Tanhurst Farm - Staplefield - Parkway Tea-Rooms

Having recently been left standing on the start line, Janice was most concerned at 8.55am to find herself alone with the ducks at Walton on the Hill. Mike M appeared to reassure and the punctilious leader arrived as the gong was striking nine. Helene completed the quartet.

At Tanhouse Farm - pic courtesy of Ray

Tanhouse Farm

We set off at 9.15 for Tanhurst Farm, a novel venue for mid-morning tea and somewhat closer than usual. However, the straight line between two points was bent to create a sinuosity or two via Brockham, Roothill and Gadbrook, before heading south through Parkgate and Newdigate for an early arrival at Tanhurst Farm, where Bob awaited us, with some KPRC also in attendance. With time to relax, we sunned ourselves and stretched our legs as our number swelled to double figures. Three planned an early return, to leave an eager eightsome to set off for Staplefield.

The unwonted sunshine may have gone to the leader’s head, as he pressed on at an exuberant pace. Sunstroke is no excuse and he offers his remorse. Rusper and Faygate flew past, though the climb to Colgate was rather more sedate. Paul led the charge along Grouse Road to Hammer Pond, where granny gears asserted dominance. Then it was an undulating spin across the A23 to Slaugham and our destination Staplefield. With lunch in sight, the leader nearly caused disaster at the cricket green by overshooting a left turn and braking so hard that Janice was nearly forced to convert two solos into a bicycle made for two, her lightning reactions and squeal of horror just saving the day. Jeff really should know better.

At The Jolly Tanners, Staplefield

Lunch was at the Jolly Tanners, the lunchtime tavern adopted by Terry’s hostel group the previous Wednesday. This is an independent pub with good food and a very fine array of ales. The landlord recommended the porter, a good choice, though I am not so sure about the 4.9% abv, which did have a delayed reaction later in the day. We dined in sunshine, while Janice sought to rearrange the seating arrangements on her new cycle to provide a more accommodating ride.

Tank with Pete, the Tadworth Tiddler

The climax of the day was to have been Capel, but the ladies have reduced their opening days, to widespread disappointment. After lunch a quick climb to Handcross unwittingly left Terry to help a deflated lady. He soon had Helene reflated and the group reassembled to descend on Pease Pottage, Colgate and Faygate, easier down than up. After Rusper the group zoomed ahead to Newdigate, where it was halted by a tank outside the Six Bells. With Capel off the agenda, tea became the subject of individual choice, as riders went their separate ways. Brockham we found to be a construction site, so Terry kindly offered tea and cake to Helene and Jeff at his home in Dorking. Our grateful thanks to the understanding Mrs L. Mileage 65. Many thanks to one and all for your company and your tolerance.

Jeff

Where are we going?

The Plan for Tomorrow's Ride to Staplefield.

For those who like to know in advance where they are being led, tomorrow's ride starts with feeding the ducks and cygnet at Walton on the Hill pond at 9am. We shall allow a decent recovery period for those still breathless or otherwise delayed, before heading for an earlyish elevenses at Tanhurst Farm, just south of Newdigate. Lunch will be at The Jolly Tanners at Staplefield. Unfortunately, the ladies of Capel will not be displaying their olympic, cake-baking talents at the Church of St John the Baptist. Subject to the outcome, if any, of an impromptu commitee meeting, tea will therefore be further north, at Dorking or Leatherhead. Please bring your own weather.

Jeff

Sunday, 14 April

Burnham Beeches - Penn - Staines

 

Pam Alan & myself met Tony at Colnbrook village and waited for Graham to bring the rest of the peloton i.e. Paul, Ed and Jeff, when we proceeded to ride to Burnham Beeches where Vic was waiting. We left in glorious sunshine, all cursing we didn’t listen to the weatherman as we were overdressed, via Littleworth Common, Berghers Hill, Broad Lane to Forty Green, where we had lunch in the 900 year old pub “The Royal Standard” the oldest freehouse in England; see description on the C&M blog. After lunch we continued to Lude Farm where Vic hit a pothole and had an instant puncture.

 Down to the A40, straight over to Wooburn Green and then up the long slog of Windsor Hill, after which we had a nice ride down Cliveden Road to Dorney, Eton, Wraysbury and Staines, where tea and cake were served at Irene’s.

Weather really warm, a lovely day, super company. Thank you one and all.

Irene

Sunday 7 April 2013

Henfold - Cranleigh - Dorking

The piscatorial lures of Henfold drew a shoal of lycra-scaled mermaids and mermen to the bait of bacon sandwiches. For some however, appetites sated, the lure of Dunsfold dimmed and they melted away as Ed gathered his much reduced shoal of endangered species, to lead them through Newdigate to Capel and Ockley. Here we flouted the usual 'heads down and thunder on' convention to stop to visit the Church of St Margaret, Ockley, the present building dating from the early 1300s. The bells are considered one of the finest peals in Surrey and were cast at the Whitechapel foundry in 1701, the tenor bell reputedly a model for America's Liberty Bell. You may not have known that!

Having left Henfold very late, by the time we had passed Forest Green and Ewhurst, 1pm was just a memory. We therefore decided to dine at the Little Park Hatch at Cranleigh, rather than within earshot of Jeremy Clarkson at Dunsfold. Having waited for our lunch, our speedy return was via a very functional A29/A24 to Dorking and Denbies, where some lingered and some pressed on, to savour the sweet comforts of home.

I hope to rectify the absence of any pictorial record when I have cracked the enigma code of photographic transfer from mobile to pc. At present it is in invisible format.

Jeff

Trenchermen Take Note!

I'm instructed to provide you with this Sunday's menu and a little of the pub's history. I'll be leading from Kingston Bridge to Colnbrook where a familiar face or two will be lurking in the bus shelter at the far end of the High Street.

Saturday 30 March 2013

Despite incidents at Caen Hill, Farleigh Hungerford and Penleigh, we covered most of the planned ride - a modest and very chilly 45 miles. Praise to Daniel and Paul for getting to Imber when the rest of us headed for the warmth of the hotel. After reliving childhood memories, Irene and I used the farm track between Westbury and Bratton thus avoiding (most of) the B3098 which everyone else took.

 

Easter Sunday Night

The end of 2013 le tour de Vizes turned out to be free drinks in the pub. The Landlord was celebrating 5 years as publican & the first drink was free! Daniel took a shine to the bar staff one of whom took a shine to my hat. Saffy the dog took a shine both to Jen & me! Guess what it was a bitch and recognised tallent when it saw it!

Dinner on Tour de Vizes

A resounding thanks to Ann & Steve for yet another great Easter Tour. It was good to have Peter Southworth join us from South Bucks CTC & you are invited again next year! Dinner was taken on Friday & Sunday night at the Castle Hotel.

Devizes & Bradford on Avon

More from the Easter Tour

Easter Tour Devizes

Some highlights from 2013 tour. Familiar white horse, Devizes to Westminster canoe marathon, Daniel inspecting monument & "The 3 Musketeers"

C&M Sunday Ride - Easter Sunday - End of Lent

Boulter's Lock - Hedgerley - Walton-on-T

An auspicious day. Clocks put forward one hour to give us more evening light; Easter Sunday and early traffic on the roads to Kingston Bridge was light; despite a crisp frost, the roads were dry and mostly ice-free; for those who had just spent forty days in the wilderness, today marked the end of a self-imposed Lenten fast. So it was that three ladies and five gentlemen (let’s give Simon the benefit of the doubt) converged on Kingston Bridge. Has the word ‘lady’ really become a term of offence and disrespect to the female of the species? So I was informed this week on Woman’s Hour.

 

Notwithstanding, all happily followed Dave’s lead across the sun-lit Thames towards our Thames-side mid-morning destination at Boulter’s Lock near Maidenhead. With the river as our guide and the altimeter firmly stuck at sea-level, there was barely a ripple in the road surface to slow our progress through Sunbury and past Shepperton Studios to Staines, Runnymede, Windsor, Eton Wick, Dorney and the Fat Duck at Bray. Somehow, Dave managed to steer us across the Bath Road without our noticing to a well-earned bev and bun at Jenner’s Riverside Café by Boulter’s Lock. Here we were joined by a bemused foursome who, for some reason, had been waiting for us at Boulter’s Lock Café. How could there have been any doubt?

Refuelled, we left a swollen Thames for the gentle climb into Taplow, turned East just short of Cliveden to enjoy the narrow lanes of Littleworth before a short circuit along the A355 and beside the M4 took us up and down to Hedgerley and the whinny of the White Horse.

With a good choice of sandwiches and a bewildering selection of beers for those so inclined (my choice was a very tasty Churchill’s Pluck), we were soon being gently roasted by the volcanic heaters beside our table in the tented extension. By the end of the meal there was more lycra on the floor than on our shoulders, as well as the spleen we had vented on such objects of our discontent as our unworthy inheritors of the ‘rotten boroughs’ and in particular the dimwits now devaluing the BBC. How far down can dumbing-down go? Much further still it would seem.

What better therapy for discontent that the steep climb out of Hedgerley and then the mostly downhill glide through Fulmer, past Pinewood Studios, Shredding Green, Poyle, Stanwell, Ashford and Charlton back to the banks of the Thames at Walton. With the Garden Centre at Upper Halliford already shuttered, we took what cheer we could at Dino’s amid the building works of the reincarnated Walton Bridge. Our thanks to Dave for taking advantage of the extra hour of daylight and giving us an excellent and what for some may have been the longest ride of the year, my Cateye reading 83 miles.

Jeff

BST GMT

Don't forget that the clocks go forward one hour at 1am this Sunday morning. If you are out for a ride, don't get left standing on Kingston Bridge and  wonder where everybody is. The Royal Museum Greenwich has some QI facts.

Jeff

24 March 2013

 North Easterly Bites at Ockham

What is that bird on Terry's shoulder?

Vic and Terry sit it out in the hothouse at Ockham Bites, after Alan, Irene, Pam and Graham beat a tactical withdrawal.

On getting home, Jeff discovers his front mech iced up; explains why it was a bit sluggish. On the way out, the rims iced up.

Sunday 24 March 2013

There was snow on 'them thar hills' (Box and Ranmore) and in the air when I left home this morning. By the time I reached Ockham Bites and joined Irene, Pam, Alan and Graham sheltering indoors it was fine but cold. Soon Vic and Jeff arrived and after refreshments, chat and destination discussion it was decided to return home. Meanwhile the Bites had become a meeting place for large dog owners (ie owners of large dogs), most numerous being Alsatians, Labradors and Husky/Husky variants. Snow was still falling gently south of Leatherhead on return.

I checked out part of my proposed route last Thursday and found one road being resurfaced (not before time, there was also a water main to be repaired but we could have squozen by) but the wallows on the  Drove Road leading to Newlands Corner were almost impassable due to mud, certainly not rideable. I stopped to clear mud from mudguards etc and one three year old walking by with her Mum wondered if my chain had broken.

My last lead on January 20 was also 'snowed off'' - I am next scheduled to lead in June - perhaps the weather will be a little more seasonal ?  

Terry

Sunday, 17 March

Banstead - Westerham - Home

No problem, Andy, and you have our sympathy. How on earth do you make yourself sleep if it doesn't just happen?  Any contact between pillow and head knocks me senseless. Same with a cushion on the sofa and the television; a real Micky Finn. I wish I could give you some of my sleep! It was very thoughtful of you to let us know. Given today's weather, you may well have been guided to the right decision.

A fabulous five gathered outside the shuttered M&S in Banstead High Street: Helene, Steph, Geoffrey, Jeff and Paul. A hastily formed coalition rapidly failed to come to a decision about how we might best navigate our way to Westerham. Steph forced the issue by getting into the saddle and cycling off. We duly followed her lead to Coulsdon, Farthing Down, Chaldon and Caterham on the Hill, at which point Jeff took control of the compass. Having passed St Trinian's at Woldingham, his choice of Haliloo Valley Road was not greeted with universal joy (hullabaloo rather), by those with greyhound rather than granny gears, for whom a chevron does not arouse the same degree of excitement. He therefore had to maintain a safe distance along Croydon Road to Botley Hill. At this point, gravity took control and the ladies showed their mettle by sweeping ahead in a cloud of spray and showing their tails all the way into Westerham, before stopping outside the Tudor Café, beneath the glowering stare of Churchill's statue on Westerham Green.

Here we found a welcoming party of Ian and Richard, with whom we shared a cocktail of peppermint tea, hot chocolate, tea and black coffee to wash down toasted tea cakes and bacon sandwiches. After chat and banter, a combination of cold, damp and common sense fostered a consensus that home might be a more sensible destination than the Old House at Home in Dormansland. So it was, and each then chose his favoured route to home and hearth. Rain came and went without relent all the way to the steaming hot shower and comforting noggin in front of the sputtering fire. A truncated ride gave a truncated mileage of 43 miles. I didn't even have the opportunity to unsheath the camera, but our decision to retrench was right.

Jeff

Insomnia & me

I have some explaining to do.
Last night I didn't sleep a wink.....literally.Not an hour,minute or second.
For that reason,I was unable to lead the ride today and pretty much explains my lengthy absence on and off since 2008.
It has taken control of my life and I together with the medical profession are struggling with solutions.
I apologize to the riders who were out to support me today.

Andy.

Capel Teas 2013

Thanks to Terry, we now know the dates:

Mar 10 and 31; Apr 1; May 5, 6, 26 and 27; July 7; Aug 4, 25, 26; Sep 15; Oct 6 and 27; Nov 17

Sunday, March 10

 West Clandon - Puttenham - Ockham

 The heights of Guildford

The Pilgrims' Progress

Sunday March 10 2013

To keep them guessing it was Sandown, Brooklands, then West Byfleet, Send and the long drag up to West Clandon's garden centre.

Not many miles separated us from lunch so eight were shown the undulating hills of Guildford with views of cathedral and castle. Close to Shalford I was lambasted for sticking to the road rather than a footpath (which incidentally ends with a flight of steps) - you can't win them all! After Charterhouse, the A3 marked the start of countryside but all too soon we were in Puttenham. As we arrived, Mike Fricker paused to say hello. Fortunately the mums of Puttenham dine late at the Good Intent and we squeezed in somehow.


The temperature had dropped and occasional somethings fluttered on the rising breeze. A direct route home was the answer but the NDW to Watts proved sticky, and the Hogback's track into Guildford watery. Now only the A3 cyclepath separated a remaining five from hot drinks at Ockham Bites - we were the only customers. A day for many layers and two pairs of gloves; even this proved inadequate and I was pleased to be home after 60 miles.

Hilly 50 Saturday 9 March 2013

Well done Ed & Graham for yet another great event. Graham advises that there were 104 signed on at start plus 4 latecomers. Despite the forecast the weather was not too bad and thanks very much to Ray Dare (& others?) for checking the course on Friday when the weather was not so kind. I am reliably informed that Ray was so soaked that he had to get in the bath and get warmed up before extricating himself from his clothes. Thanks also to Irene, Jake & Terry for helping out at the signing on. There were ques of riders at 9.30 and we were almost over-run but thanks to all riders for being so patient! I have to say Graham despite your apprehension that the numbers might be down you obviously did a fantastic job in getting the message out! Definitely an event to try and continue with so I hope you can stand the pace for another year. Thanks must also go to Ed for marshaling at Leith Hill, it was a cold and long job. Good also to see Mick Ayeliff at the top of white down and thanks for the shove just what the Dr. ordered! Great to see so many racing clubs take part particularly De Laun who if we had a puncture reward would certainly have won. I think I saw Geraldine more that 4 times as Merik and she passed me only to be overtaken again and again. Good also to see Amanda (KPRC) on new CUBE bike 1st time out & Stewart but alas they were not on the hilly 50. Pity there were not more KPRC riders supporting this CTCSWL event as they are the racing offshoot!

Hilly 50K

This was grey and overcast but far better than yesterday's torrents. It never ceases to amaze me that people look forward to our event each year. So perhaps I should not have been surprised when over 100 turned up (plus four latecomers who appeared as we were packing up). With Ed, Irene, Jake, Mike and Terry on hand, all were quickly signed in and sent on their way. Thankfully the road works encountered on Tuesday were gone so 1:47 was the time of the first one back. I'll have to believe him as we were still at the bottom of Box Hill!

Thanks also to Ray for his re-survey of the route on Friday.  

Sunday, 3 March 2013

Hookwood - Cowden - Godstone