Sunday January 31 Inverarish

Uploaded under duress

FNRttC February 26th to Brighton

For details see

http://www.cyclechat.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=53819

Apologies for the delay in posting but I've been away in the Highlands more precisely Raasay.

Savethectc

Future of the CTC

DANGER

Dear All

How aware are you of the proposal of the CTC head office to change the constitution of the CTC from a Membership organisation and convert it into a full blown charitable trust?

Have the reports and proposals been circulated to Member Groups to consider and discuss? The network is there across the whole country, but has not yet been used.

Have you seen and read the Report on the proposal by John Meudell, CTC Councillor, on the SW London website? Look up the 'savethectc' link on the Hilly 50 webpage. Click on 'Hilly 50 Blog', then click on the 'savethectc' link in grey on the right.

Have you looked at the debate on the CTC Forum? It is red hot! There is also a link to the full Forum debate on the savethectc page

Do you understand what this means for you as a member?

How aware are you of the vituperative debate that has been raging about what this would mean for members?

Do you care?

If you do, it is time for you to:

• find out what is happening
• decide for yourself what you believe is the purpose of the CTC - who it is for.
  
• make sure you get a proxy vote and have it cast in accord with your belief in what you think the future of the CTC should be
• know that the result will be decided by your proxy vote, or failure to use it
• the proposal will require, I believe, 75% of the votes of those present , including proxy votes
  
• a failure to vote is as good as a vote in favour of the change, which cannot be reversed.
  

This fundamental change to the role, independence and future of the CTC as a member organisation will be voted on at the AGM, to be held on 15 May 2010. You know how many people attend AGMs. Did you attend the SWLondon AGM? A very small number of activists can decide the future of 62,000 members. We can anticipate a blitz of propaganda from the head office and some council members to promote their proposal. The Feb/March issue of Cycling carries for and against arguments from opposite sides of the debate (see pp 36-37).

Please consider for yourself the weight of the arguments for and against this momentous proposal , make up your own mind, and make sure that you vote. The future of the CTC as a membership organisation that represents YOUR interests depends on your vote.

Don't be a sheep - be a lion!

You have 100 days!

Here endeth the first lesson.

Jeff

Thanks from KCC

Very many thanks for the huge amount of signatories for our petition to keep, at least for now, the contra-flow cycle lane on the bridge in King Charles Road. It helped us reach 207 signatories and it trumped the counter petition of the opposition. The Surbition Liaison Committee decided after lenghthy debate and comments to retain for 6 more months the cycle lane and then review it again after that.

Once again many thanks from the KCC and from myself as well. We have a Bread Pudding Challenge Ride on Sunday 14th February if you or any of your group are interested?
Kind Regards
John

Easter Tour

I am a definite please for the easter tour to the Isle of Wight. I do not mind where we stay and i am happy to share a twin or triple room or a single room if that is all that is available. Whatever is easier and simpler to arrange. Please book me in and let me know as soon as money is required.
I would not be able to cycle there in one day at the speed of Ann and Steve but if anyone is interested in going Thursday to Arundle or littlehamton i would certainly like to join them please. Otherwise i will make my own way there.
The comment about Ryde being a binge drinkers paradise does not bother me if there is a reasonable prospect of a good beer somewhere which is not too noisy which i am sure would be the case
Sounds as if i missed the annual dinner, sorry but I have just returned from Patagonia!
My Thanks to Steve abd Ann for organising another Easter Tour.
Best wishes and Happy new year to all
Ian

Easter 2010

Hi all.
I strongly recommend the Overstrand for Easter, you will not be disappointed.
The breakfasts were excellent, and the staff are very friendly.
And the local IOW brew was available too. Hic!
What more could you ask for.
Look forward to it.
Pete Beyer

C & M Lunch

Thank you Steve for organizing a most enjoyable lunch and occasion thanks also to Simon for a splendid photographic display. Lisa Terry & I were intrigued to find that over the years the standard of C&M club riding has not changed as we were left behind on the run in to Horton and left to find our own way after Epsom Hill!
From Pete

31 January 2010

Annual Lunch at Horton Golf Club

Snow and ice on Walton Pond

A date to remember - last day for tax returns and the annual gathering of the Cheam & Morden clan. Numbers swelled at the assembly point of Leatherhead Wetherspoons, before grouping outside for the ride to Horton GC. Is that Garden Centre or Golf Club?

The roads this year were clear of snow, though snow did fall on the descent to Leatherhead. After 150 yards, the group was split by traffic lights and never fully recovered. The MTBers soon got a head start by cycling up the steps to cross the M25, to reunite with the on-road cohort led by Steve. Then side roads, lanes and cycle paths to the outskirts of Epsom, where the elastic stretched again and more than one way led to Horton. Was that a reproachful glint I noticed in Pete's eye?

With some already in the warm, the Derby Suite soon filled. The bloodstock present ranged from thoroughbred to clapped out hack like me! Rarely do you see so many C&M together in one place. Then the start gate lifted and all set to to lunch and conversation, enjoyed by one and all. A vote of thanks was given to Steve for organising the event. We should also not forget the year-long effort put in by Andy as Runs Sec.to organise the weekly rides, without which there would be no Cheam & Morden! Thanks too to Andy's little band of helpers, who support him as ride leaders!

Well fed and watered, the group then prepared to go their separate ways, some lingering for the display of photos of past rides and snowy scenes, put up by Simon. Then home for an early shower, the distance inconsequential and the calorie statistics revealing an alarming excess of input over output. But then, it is just once a year, isn't it?

Jeff

DA Barn Dance 2010

The DA Barn Dance and Prize Presentation 2010

Sunday January 24 2010

Not cold, not wet, not windy so a good day for a January ride.

From the North Cheam start, we took a Wayfarers' way through Tolworth, Long Ditton, Hersham to Walton where Ray caught us on the bridge. Two tables were full when we arrived at Notcutts Laleham so on the restart an original three had become ten. Wraysbury was before Datchet where the level crossings were closed so the playing fields of Eton and the College itself were revisited. A trundle west on NCN 4 led past the old YHA hostel to the Swan Clewer where our motley crew quadupled the customers(excluding a mutt). Whilst most sampled the only thing on offer, a stewy soup and roll, I went in search of a late abode of Michael Caine and Jimmy Page at the end of Mill Lane.

After a short reverse NCN 4 (watery in places) led up into the Park and out at Bishopsgate. Virginia Water, Lyne and down the hill delivered us to Tesco Addlestone where after refreshment we separated. No mileage - flat batteries!

Sunday 17th January 2010

After endless days of freezing temperatures, things were getting back to normal in my locality so the Sunday Clubrun had a good chance of taking place.
At NC I found Keith, John, Graham, Ed & Mike waiting for me to lead via the suburbs of south London to the hills of Kent.
Jeff joined us at 11's and in bright sunshine we continued east to Twitton for (liquid) lunch. A delightful spot with fine views of the weald from the pub garden.
A partial route re-trace...... High Elms, Keston, Coney Hall and the familiar "three-half penny wood" course to the tea stop at Coombe Wood.
This particular place has featured on runs lists as far back as I can recall........ anyone remember the chinese man, his abacus and homemade jam doughnuts?
Nowadays, leather "sink in" comfy chairs & Sunday papers are the rule.


Apologies to the members who made an effort riding out to The Cap in Hand after reading my last post, in particular, Pete Mitchell who put the word round................ I failed to turn up, still in bed.

Sunday, 17 January

High Elms Country Park and Twitton

11's at High Elms and admiring the view on the way home

2009 Mileage Totals

The full 10 year listing has now been revamped (sorry about it's non-appearance last year) and can be viewed by clicking here - click the words. If anyone has a record of their mileage which can fill in the blanks and would like to have it added, please email it in or leave a message - not forgetting the year for which the mileage applies! - on the answer-phone.
From Pete Mitchell

NOT beaten by the weather.........

Tomorrow, I will still go to NC at 9am........ but go to The Cap in Hand W'spoons, Hook for early 11's then home.
It's just a social occaision and to get a little exercise.

Sunday 3rd January 2010

"You going down the main road?".........well Ed, I wasn't going to but since you have concerns, I'm happy to. Literally, A24 all the way to a closed Blue Moon cafe at Beare Green..... awwww now what?
Whilst Bob was "writing a note" to inform latecomers, I checked out the Esso garage a short distance away.
A few moments later we were sharing the four seats, but happy that hot drinks & hot food was in abundance.
The temperature was barely above freezing but the sun did manage to lift spirits and my decision to move lunch to Friday Street, Rusper (Royal Oak) was a winner too.
No food on Sundays but a fire and comfy chairs......... we were contented.
A puncture for me on the return, however - catch them....... I couldn't.


A blog on snow riding....... http://arcticglass.blogspot.com/


As I write,outside the snow is "deep and crisp and even" so unless there is a thaw, or partial thaw I do not intend leading to Westerham on Sunday (Mike is away).
I will post on Saturday with a new 11's.

Sunday, 3 January 2010

Once in a Blu-Moon

Playing the game of find the 11's. Report and pics to follow from Andy

Jan 1st

Pics & info from Mark Gladwyn

It was cold and frosty but at Ewell found 28 brave souls full of good spirits ready to follow the mysterious tracks & alleys by the River Hogsmill & private roads to the cafe at Roehampton Gate where the numbers swelled to over 36 friends and acquaintences before splitting into various ways, 28 ended up at the home of Frank & Françoise to a wonderful afternoon of food, drinks, warmth and a video of Brittany Holiday 2009 downstairs with the whole years blog pics upstairs (450 pics). A big thankyou to Frank & Françoise plus helpers for a truly memorable occasion
From Pete Mitchell

Sunday, 27 December 09

Hookwood - Lingfield - Fanny's

Ed led a small but resolute band, determined to fight the Xmas flab, from the N. Cheam home-base to the Tesco Emporium at Hookwood. Bob, as ever first to arrive, awaited the laggards: Ed, Janice, Keith, (apparently sweeping up Mike at Walton), and lone rider Jeff. After a lengthy stay over an inflation busting breakfast, Mike beat an early retreat with his photographic memory of the ride, while the rest, bar Bob, struck out behind leader Ed en route for Lingfield. Bob had his ways to get in front of us! The day was dank and dark but rain-free; the ride untroubled by hillettes, took us smoothly to the Old Cage at Lingfield, quiet on our arrival.

There was soup, sandwiches and beer to sup for some, until we glimpsed the Lone Rider of the Apocalypse, Andy, gliding past outside, first one way, then another. A bellow halted him, but he broke his bread in the Lingfield Cage before joining his companions.

Another lengthy stay before we set off again, the tea-time venue changed from Redhill to Fanny's Farm Shop. Janice and Keith soon disappeared, the threat of a lightless sundown looming. Bob went his way and the rump rode on to Fanny's. Markedge Lane revealed no trace of the top of Andy's bell, shaken loose on the outward journey.

After Fanny's warm, enveloping embrace, it was lights on and into the gloaming for the final homeward furlong. Our thanks to Ed for an enjoyable and relaxing ride with a modest 38 winter miles to add to the tally.

Jeff

Sun.27Dec09 Hookwood 11's

The Hardy 3 from North Cheam + me met @ Walton Pond

Breakfast, with Bob 1st to arrive and Jeff with leader Ed. I then departed for more partying in Acton !! What?

Sunday 20th December 2009

Call me foolish,ambitious,crazy..........point grabbing.........some did make it Reigate Morrisons.
Thanks for your company Bob and Merry Christmas to one and all.

Picture a snowy Priory Park,Reigate.

20 December 09 - Snow. No Show

Oh, dear!

Call me unadventurous, over-cautious, a wimp, a big girl's blouse, a scaredy-cat, but I am still not going out on that! Apologies to Ann and Steve, but the lure of mince pies and good company around the fire could still not overcome my sense of self-preservation!

P.S. Mark seems to have cracked the proplem with snow tyres - see the MWW blog!

Sunday's ride - 20th December

With the current icy conditions and deep frost forcast for overnight, Steve is re-considering the plans for tomorrow. He plans to go to North Cheam to see if there is anyone there, but possibly not to Reigate for 11s. (I haven't checked what the runs list actually says).

Anyone wanting to minimise exposure to the elements tomorrow is welcome to head directly to Ann & Steve's for tea.

Lisa

Jan 1st Ride

The ride starts from The Spring Tavern at Ewell 10.00am. NOT AT North Cheam

Sunday December 13th 2009

After recent rides, Sunday came as a pleasant surprise - bright, partial cloud, cold, very occasional light showers. Just four at the start so we took a direct Lower Sunbury, Shepperton and Laleham route. In dribs and drabs others arrived finally making ten to sample Irene's mince pies. It should have been eleven as Richard was seen passing on the towpath at least twice; Irene went a-searching but must have frightened him off!

Middle Hill led into the Park and out the other side to the Peanut. Then familiar roads took us to the Cricketers at Winkfield where we were greeted as old friends and found the public bar armchairs much to our liking. On leaving seven dropped to five as we hurried past Ascot racecourse and Cheapside in gloom to Blacknest Gate and Sunninghill. A few spots of rain greeted us as we joined the Xmas throng at Tesco Addlestone where there was a parting of the ways. Short and distinctly not stressful.