Join Us For a Ride From Epsom on Sunday 19 Jan 2025

Sunday's ride on 19^th January will start from the Weatherspoons in Epsom.  We hope to leave as soon as possible after 10:30 am, and therefore we can meet up for breakfast or coffee or tea etc from 9:30 onwards.  

The ride will take us into quintessentially English countryside along the North of the Surrey Hills going through Great Bookham, Effingham and onto Clandon where we will stop for lunch at Edwins Garden Centre where they have a fine selection of hot food, cakes and beverages.  

The afternoon stretch will lead us onto Cobham where we can all decide where we would like to have tea/coffee and cake.  

For the most part the ride is flat but there are one or two steep hills to climb when we enter the Surrey Hills, notably High Barn Road and Ranmore Common Road...but we will ride at a an inclusive pace to ensure everyone has an enjoyable day out on this winter's day in the countryside.

You will find the route at https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/321863615

Sunday 12 Jan - An Uneventful Ride

What do you want from a ride?   Hidden lanes, surprises, views, a few interesting hills?  A decent distance, a bit of a challenge?  Sunshine is a must, of course.

The hardy seven (photo by Andy)

And then comes January, with its icy blast.   Those ideals are buried beneath the permafrost, and Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs is stripped right down to the basics.   Survival.  Sustenance.   Of course we could just stay beneath our duvets for the colder days of January, but for some, it's important to do some sort of a ride with friends.   We were gifted zero-ish temperatures with no sunshine by the weather men.  So the objective was for a boring ride in which nothing happened.   No falling off on ice.   No traffic-free, frosty roads.   No zooming down hills towards unknown hazards.   Preferably no frostbite.

These objectives were largely met for our ride to Windsor today.   A group of seven adventurers gathered in the far north of Twickenham.   Brian and Graham were only here for the beer, and went home again with a few miles and an attendance point under their belts.   The others followed me on a well-tested route around the north of Heathrow, through the villages of Sipson and Longford to get to Windsor.

Maddie trying to revive Andy

The offer of an indoor lunch at The Windsor Pie Cafe was rejected by a small balance of opinion, so we ate at Cinnamon Cafe.   All too soon it was time to go back out in the cold, and we went the flat way home; along the Runnymede cycle path and through Thorpe and Chertsey to Shepperton for teas and chat.   A lot of chat.   It was approaching sunset when we left.

I counted them all out, and I counted them all back in again.   A successful, uneventful ride.   Thank you all for your company, and thanks to David W for back-marking.  I hope everyone made it home and has now thawed out.   Let's do it all again next week.

Temperature chart

This Sunday's ride to Windsor

I had planned a highly exciting ride, but in view of the forecast cold weather, my ambition has been scaled scaled back to go on roads that should be ice-free.  I did a recce today after a very cold night, and there was no ice except for a couple of small frozen roadside puddles.  Lunch is at Windsor, either at Cinnamon Cafe or its sister establishment the Windsor Pie Cafe, which shares some of the same menu, plus pies!   And it's also indoors, with heating.   About 16 miles to lunch from Twickenham, and 14 back to tea at Shepperton.  The biggest hill is the climb up to Windsor Castle, although there are several serious motorway bridges to climb over.

You are warmly invited to join me for the ride:  11s at Twickenham Wetherspoons, The William Webb Ellis, which has bike parking just opposite, just outside the police station.   Wrap up warm.

 

Invitation to enter the 2024 Photo Competition

Attendance for all groups was high in 2024 and many have been off on other adventures too. So we hope that you have been busy with your cameras and phones and are keen to review your photos and send the best ones in for the competition.

Please submit your photos before the end of January using this method:

Visit this website: '2024 Competition Dropbox' and follow instructions to select and deliver your photos. This is what you should see:

N.B. When using this website to post photos to the Dropbox it is not necessary to sign up to, or log into Dropbox even if you are invited to do so.

Click on 'Add files' to select the source of your photos then select your photos (or folders), or if you already have your file list open just drag and drop photos from the list into the white box.
 
Once you have selected one or several photos fill in your name and email address then click 'Upload'.

Send an email to me, Tim, to provide this important information about each photo:

•           the photo filename (e.g. P1040276.jpg)
•           a caption which we will inscribe on your photo
•           the competition category (see below)

The rules and categories are simple. The full 'Competition Rules' document is available under the 'Information Hub' heading on our website.

Competition Period: Photos taken during the 2024 calendar year.

Your photos must all illustrate a connection to cycling by depicting a bicycle or cyclist for example, or some obvious cycling association.

You may submit two photos in each category:

  6.1. Male      one or more male cyclists
  6.2. Female    one or more female cyclists
  6.3. Action    cyclist(s) in action
  6.4. Scenery   scenery or landscape
  6.5. Building  buildings, architecture
  6.6. Humorous  funny or amusing
  6.7. Group     any mix of male and female cyclists

Note that the award for a winning photograph in each category will be given to the photographer who took the picture, not to the model(s).

This method for submitting photos should work with any device (PC, Apple, iPad, iPhone, Tablet or Android phone) but if it doesn't work for you, please let me know so that we can address the problem. It does depend on you being able to locate the folder in your phone, tablet or PC where you store your photos. It does not require you to install the DropBox software.

This is the best way of sending photos. Please note that some methods of transmitting photos, such as WhatsApp, shrink the photo before sending, diminishing the quality of the original photo as it is in your camera or phone.

We're looking forward to seeing your photos. Note that this year Andy and I will be collaborating to organise the competition.

~ Tim and Andy

January, 2025

Ride Report - Sunday 5th January 2025

Much like the Inuit having many words for snow, the C&M have their own numerous references for rain - and we were soon sitting by the fire in The Edmund Tylney reminiscing about previous wet rides - David W, Andy, Clive and I, along with Brian who came not intending to ride (and not looking particularly upset about it). Simon and Maddie arrived subsequently, and we decided on a slightly late departure while hoping the rain might ease.

Before the Two 'Spoons ride became a One 'Spoon ride

I floated the idea of a shorter route, but some were up for the original plan to head to Woking via Fetcham, Downside, Ockham, around Wisley and through Pyford - nothing spectacularly innovative but a nice route along familiar lanes both before and after lunch. The first motion to pass by the Ponds coming out of Leatherhead was denied, as we were running late, but the second motion to amend the route over Bookham Common was welcomed to avoid a muddy stretch. Simon kindly offered to point out the giraffe, which some of us were unaware of, and we continued on until I remembered that I didn't want to ride to Woking in the rain and persuaded everyone that Ripley would be much nicer / more sensible. By now time was against us and I don't think anyone minded too much.   

I forget exactly where we encountered the first flooded road, or how many there were, but we got through them all ok until we came to Rose Lane just before Ripley where two things happened - David punctured and a chap in a large-wheeled jeepy thing cheerfully told us that there was a 2-foot deep flood on the road ahead. Andy wasn't having it and decided he would press through it into Ripley to get a table in Pinnock's while the rest of us (bar David needing to fix his puncture) took a detour, on which Maddie then also punctured. Fortunately she was able to continue on to Ripley where Andy was mission accomplished and Simon "helped" fix the puncture. Service was quick but it was still 2pm before we left, continuing the Plan B route in intermittent rain through Pyrford, West Byfleet, New Haw, Addlestone and Weybridge, to The Boathouse at Walton Marina. It's a rare ride where all but one makes it to tea, so I'll take that as a win.

Andy's victory wave

The Survivors

Thanks everyone for coming out on a wet day with flooded roads, to Simon for back-marking and puncture repair service, and to all for your inputs and good humour as it all went a little pear-shaped. 

Plans for Sunday 5th Jan 2025

This Sunday the yellow weather warning remains in place until midnight, however the Met Office forecast currently is for much warmer and wetter weather than today (Friday). 

So I will present my original plan to ride from The Edmund Tlyney, Leatherhead to The Herbert Wells, Woking, in our first Two Spoons ride of 2025 - no doubt there will be more! It will be mainly on-road apart from the usual stony route across Bookham Common, a distance of approx. 16 miles to lunch, and a further approx. 11 miles all on-road to tea at The Boathouse, Walton Marina.  

Nothing too exciting or challenging. If the weather is too unpleasant I'll have a shorter route waiting up my soggy sleeves. 

Komoot route is here: https://www.komoot.com/tour/1969074849?share_token=aqDTSCb3ePfy8iKcUkOZpIKnHiKA1ckoDwsenBySENTaQsft1D&ref=wtd

Ride with GPS route is here: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/49385868 

I do hope you can join me. 

How far did you ride in 2024?

Your 2024 mileage totals please

Please forgive the cutting and pasting from last last year's request 😕:

This is a request to submit your mileage totals for the last twelve months (1st Jan. 2024 to 31st Dec. 2024) for consideration towards the annual awards for the greatest distances cycled. Your scores will be entered into the Big Spreadsheet where, since the dawn of the 21st century, the precious records of your accomplishments in the club have been maturing.

There are two shiny trophies, one for the woman who has cycled more miles than any other woman and one for the man with the highest mileage amongst the men. Having two separate prizes for persons of each gender might sound a little quaint. But that is our tradition and while the prize money attached to these two awards remains identical for both winners nothing is likely to change.

And we have a special award, the Mark Roy Trophy, for the person recording the largest increase in mileage over the previous year. So anyone who has posted their mileage for both 2024 and 2023 is eligible. 

To summarise the rules, your miles must have been clocked up whilst riding your bicycle, tricycle, tandem or eBike on or off road. Mileages achieved on turbo trainers, Watt bikes or any other static contraption don't count. We know that this is something of a blow to members who have been riding through virtual alpine landscapes with Zwift or Rouvy but we are only considering miles actually, rather than virtually, travelled.

For the competition, contenders for the prizes must be regular riders in the club though we are happy to collect mileage data for everyone who is a paid up member of CTC South West London. And we wish to continue recording mileages for our several members who ride eBikes.

If you are curious at all about how many miles you ride in the course of a year please start recording your distances for 2025 in a diary or spreadsheet.

Just one word of warning; several riders who use a GPS enabled device such as a Garmin, or smartphones running apps like Strava or RideWithGPS have experienced rides when their devices stop communicating with the satellites, sometimes for quite a while, and this can lead to totally unreliable data. So please verify the accuracy of your data. The evidence of this known problem is a long straight bee-line between two points on your ride where you know the road really had many twists and turns.

Fixie Dave's Garmin nodded off for a while with this result!

In my opinion this is not a problem which is specific to Strava or other phone app but is to do with the phone and its own software, memory resources perhaps. This erroneous data can also accumulate if you have hopped on a train with your bike but forgotten to stop recording 😏. Fancy doing that!

Please write to me with your total mileage:

Tim Court (Associate Bean Counter*)

We hope to be able to present the prizes in our traditional awards ceremony at the Annual Lunch, this year on Wednesday 5th March.

A very Happy New Year to you all and if you haven't been collecting your mileage scores please start now, from January 1st 2025.

The Bean Counters need your numbers!

~ Tim C

*Nota Bene: The Bean Counting team has now now doubled its number of staff and we are pleased to advise you that Mick Arber of B Group has flown through his apprenticeship and is now embarking on his new career in our Bean Counting Department. 

Sunday 29th December 2024

 Today we went north into the "Big Smoke".........freezing fog, mist & murk more like, so when eight appeared at North Cheam for a early departure, I was pleasantly suprised.

Most had four layers or more but Daniel was caught out by the low temperature & shivered most of the way round but Geoff was able to help out in the glove department to save on frost bitten fingers.

Nine became ten after the "welcome" ? hill of Cottenham Park Road (sorry Lilian, I know you would beg to differ).

Drivers (mostly) kept to the 20 mph speed limit along Parkside & we descended to a traffic free Putney High Street.

Fulham Road took us to West Brompton & then up to the cavernous Tesco at West Kensington.

Ordering was quick & easy using big screens that I'm more used to seeing in McDonalds (not that I ever go in McDonalds).

By the time we were ready to leave, numbers had swelled further to fifteen (Steph arrived shortly after this pic was taken).

Lunch was due east but we were to ride north & complete "a lap" of the Regents Park outer perimeter road which Komoot calls a "highlight", probably due to its wide pothole free surface, lack of traffic, road furniture & stuff to slow you down.

Bring on the fast men (& women).

Passing London Zoo, I pondered what the Zebras thought about the cold, sadly they looked too miserable to be bothered.

A Garmin malfunction caused a minor delay but we were soon in Hyde Park dodging the many pedestrians heading for the "Winter Wonderland".

Ice Mountain:

This indoor spinning rollercoaster gives you a thrilling experience of the Arctic as you ride through mountain caverns, meet the resident penguins and see dazzling northern lights.

"Not my cup of tea" says Sabine.

On reaching Trafalgar Square it appeared we hadn't lost anybody so just after 1pm, lunch was served at Kozzy café in the back streets of Holborn.

This was the bit I most feared because as the place was "walk in" only, the ride could of gone seriously pear shaped at this point.

But somehow everyone got seated, fed and I sensed a general feeling of satisfaction amongst the diners.

Photo credit Simon

A few of us stopped for a NT tea at the Potting Shed café (Morden).

Photo credit Madeleine

Thanks to Clive for back marking on his 3rd C&M ride - today with his son George, various corner markers & to use a favourite phrase by Dave W - thanks for putting up with it all.

Finally, I wish all C&M riders past & present & casual blog readers a HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SAFE NEW YEAR !

IMPORTANT - Changes to this Sunday, 29th December

 Hi all,

The ride starts from North Cheam (Lavender Corner Post Office) at 9.20am (a little later than published).

Elevenses is at the Tesco, West Kensington (Junction of Cromwell Road/Warwick Road).

There are plenty of bike racks & it may be possible to see your bike from the café.

Upon entering, immediately look for the stairs on the right where the café is located on the first floor with the toilets on the next floor up.

The recently opened café has a ordering system not unlike McDonalds where you choose from a screen prompt.

NOTE, the store doesn't open until 11am although the café opens at 10.30am.

Lunch is at Kozzy café Fast Break in Red Lion Street, Holborn where the owner Cindy will be pleased to serve us.

Tea is at the National Trust café, Morden Hall Park.

PLEASE NOTE, in areas where cycles & pedestrians share space ie, Hyde Park, please take care.

Routes:

NC - Tesco   https://www.komoot.com/tour/1991121772

Tesco - Kozzy café    https://www.komoot.com/tour/1992693916

Kozzy café - NT café    https://www.komoot.com/tour/1992701453

I look forward to your company.

Sunday December 22 2025 - Old Moat To Spoons

At the start riders were in double figures but half were there to test a new tandem plus Ed meaning only eight signed on the official ride.  Oh the shame of it - a day's total of 17.5 miles, a ride's total under 10 including 2 miles for a view of a wooden seat (search this blog for better views). As can be seen from this map the rest was edge of suburbia. 

Bright and breezy to 11s; "fresh" for the last two miles home. 

Christmas cards for all

Pete Mitchell's seat (approx TQ1862)

.

New Year's Day Elevenses Meet 2024

🎄

Everyone from all SWLDA sections is welcome at the Cheam & Morden Section's traditional New Year's Day meet at Colicci Cafe, Roehampton Gate, Richmond Park on Weds 1 January.    Arrive at any time from early on until midday and you'll be in good company!    

Wednesday 'B' group riders who are interested in a possible ride starting from the Epsom/Ewell area to Richmond Park and back should contact Madeleine Shearer for further information.

Apart from that, no formal group rides to or from Richmond Park are currently planned but it's never too late to volunteer to lead an inbound, outbound, or round trip ride!   A lunch stop is not compulsory!

Seasons greetings in the meantime, and don't forget that the C & M don't stop for Christmas - we do have a ride planned for Sunday 29 December too!

Oops!

 Call it old age. I posted this on the Midweekers blog by mistake,  Now removed! 

 Sunday's ride is as advertised from Old Moat to Spoons Surbiton. It's likely to be breezy but brief (under 15 miles).  No ride pm indeed I may not stop for lunch.  

A lot calmer than Tu/W in Kings Lynn so I'll try to arrive early (for me) at OM. 

Ride Report - Sunday 15 December 2024

Well, I've said it before and I'll no doubt say it again (it saves my little grey cells from the undue wear and tear original thought might risk), but a North Cheam elevenses meet always brings Cheam and Morden members out of the woodwork from all directions!    This occasion was no exception but had also the feel of a reunion as it was very pleasing to have both Richard and Ed join us, along with a few other faces we haven't seen recently, but which were most welcome!

If I have it correctly, I was joined for the rest of the ride to lunch by no less than Niall (many happy returns to him), Simon L, Brenda, Christina, Geoff, Neil C, Diane, Gina, Andy C, Keith, Maddie and Steph (I think I'm one name short there - apologies if I've overlooked anyone)!

(NB - Route shown above includes section from Walton-on-Thames to North Cheam which was not part of the official route)

I must admit I was taken a little by surprise by the size of the group joining the onward ride to Ockham Bites, and parts of the route weren't ideal for such a large number.  Nevertheless, with the help of Simon, Neil, Geoff and Andy, any difficulties were overcome!   

It was a day of three inaugurations for the C & M, the first being a traverse of the newly-resurfaced (well, partly, anyway) bridleway, New Road.   This proved itself to be just about tolerable for riding in what has been quite a wet autumn and early winter, but it is a pity some attention was not given to the rather gloopy turn-out onto Fairoak Lane!

(Photo courtesy of Andy)

The main event of the day, the C & M's first official traverse of the new Wisley Bridge, had to wait until after lunch, where Terry joined us.   Ockham Bites was busy but everyone that needed refreshments managed to get what they wanted and it was fortunately a mild and bright day, ideal for sitting outside!

Some headed their own ways home from lunch, but a hardcore group led by me headed the short distance to the bridge and took it by storm!   It made for a much shorter and easier ride back to Walton, even more so because we inaugurated use of a mysterious path (well, I've always wondered where it went, anyway) leading along the base of the old banking at Brooklands for where turned out to be quite a short length, but cunningly avoiding the busy shopping centre area.   With the brisk wind behind us we soon reached our destination.

Many thanks to all for you company, and for putting up with it all (!), and particular thanks to the helpers named above.    See you all again soon!

Revised Plans for Sunday 15 December 2025

Sunday's ride will start as billed from The Nonsuch Inn, North Cheam.   However, our lunch stop will now be at Ockham Bites (not The Pomelers' Rest as billed).   I was planning a rather quirky outbound route of almost 20 miles to include at least one crossing of the new Wisley Lane bridge, but now I learn that New Road, Claygate has been re-invigorated, and appears to be rideable again in winter conditions,  there are new possibilities and I may make some slight changes!

In any event, it will still be a longish ride to lunch and a much shorter route back to tea at Walton Bridge so all can get home in the light.

All welcome!

Sunday 8th December 2024 - Storm Darragh

Trying desperately to put a spin on it.

It wasn't THAT bad.

I mean yes it was cold, but it's winter fgs.

It was raining....but only light & intermittently, so it felt like it wasn't raining at all (joking).

A crowd (3) met at Oaks Park extended café indoor seating area.

Amid the constant yapping of dogs, we considered our options.

Go home or go on.

"Once you're out, you're out" was being echoed......so onwards we went.

Keith's intention was unclear (he left us shortly after) but Diane & myself continued east through Purley, Mitchley Hill & with the wind behind us made good time to find the road closed going toward Westerham.

But we were going no further.

The sawing of the tree into bits was well under way, but we headed inside for lunch.

When we emerged, the grabby, lifty truck had removed the logs & the road had reopened.

On the return there was a further incident on Featherbed Lane & a police presense (rta - petrol on the road). 

Tea was taken as planned (Coombe Wood).

Thanks to Keith but especially Diane for keeping me company.

Roll on summer.

Revised ride for Sunday 8th December

 

My efforts to resurrect the rides from years past (with an earlier start & ride to a

further out 11's) have been abandoned....at least until the Spring.

Storm Darragh may affect my plans for Sunday but in any event, 11's will be at Oaks Park, Carshalton.

Lunch will (hopefully) be either Warlingham or Woldingham (Knights GC) to be decided on the day.

If the the weather isn't as bad as the're saying then it's possible (in agreement with folk) we'll make Westerham (my original plan).

It would be nice to get to Coombe Wood for tea but we'll see.

Hope you can join me. 

Ride Report - Sunday 1 December 2024

 

It was one of those day when you wish the weather forecasters would give up using super computers and just go back to seaweed.   Or may be artificial intellingence would do a better job, to pick up that theme up again....  Anyway, a bit of patchy light rain was expected, quickly clearing through.   Of course, it didn't do what was expected and, after a largely dry start we got increasingly heavy and persistent rain!

Tony, Steph, Colin G, Graham, Steph, Robert and Maddie are made of sterner stuff than to be put off by a liitle bit of rain and duly assembled at Cafe Barbera for elevenses.   I'm not made of sterner stuff, but I had to be there to lead the ride, so no effort of will or strength of character was required on my part!

Anyway, all of us except Tony (who sagely decided to head for home) set off on my shortish route to Epsom.   However, while the route might of been short on distance, it seemed to take forever as my gloves progressed through damp to wet and I cursed myself for not bringing a spare pair!  And a helmet cover or jacket with a hood.  Never trust weather forecasts!

That was just a state of mind and in reality it didn't take us too long to reach the shelter afforded by The Assembly Rooms.   Ann had arrived before us and reserved just the right number of seats.  It wasn't too busy and there was no queue at the bar.  Wetherspoons festive fare was duly consumed in abundance!

It was still raining steadily when I set off for home, but, as it goes with that sort of day, it dried up and the sun suddenly started to shine brilliantly just as I turned the last corner before my road!   You couldn't make it up although AI might be able to!

Thanks all for your company on such a horrible day!

Plans for Sunday 1 December

Sunday's ride will go ahead as planned (from elevenses at Cafe Barbera, Stoke d'Abernon to The Assembly Rooms, Epsom).   There were no volunteers to lead, so I'll lead to lunch.   If anyone wants tea and is going that way, I'll be passing near to Squires, Long Ditton on the way home.

We'll leave elevenses at 11.00 am sharp (NB, this is our actual departure time, not starting to get ready to leave time!) and do a shortish ride with the intention of arriving at The Assembly Rooms before it starts to get too busy.   If anyone happens to be going straight to lunch and could arrive at the pub before 12.30 pm and grab a couple of tables for us then that would be even better!

In the New Year we'll try a ride starting from The Assembly Rooms instead - details will follow.   In the spring I hope we can resume our very well attended, normal length rides from Cafe Barbera to The Assembly Rooms.   Cafe Barbera is an elevenses venue which has proved very popular with members and makes a nice change from visiting too many Wetherspoons!  And when temperatures are reasonably warm it's always possible to get a table for lunch outside The Assembly Rooms without the crowds!   It's a good lunch spot and invariably attracts a number of our members who aren't usually able to join our other rides for one reason or another.

Where Should We Lunch When in Epsom - Your Views Please!

For several years now we have had a regular (and very popular) ride every two months from Stoke d'Abernon to Epsom.  It's only a short way as the crow flies but it's been amazing to see how many different ways there are of stretching it out.... Anyway, the real idea behind the ride is not to test our route-planning ingenuity but rather to give us the chance to meet up every few weeks with a few long-standing members who wouldn't otherwise be able to join us on our rides.

Until now on these rides we have stopped for lunch at Epsom Wetherspoons (The Assembly Rooms).   It's nice to sit outside there in summer but in winter the inside can get very busy and crowded.   To dodge the crowds it has been suggested we try M & S cafe nearby instead.  But you wouldn't be able to get a pint there so another suggestion is that we stick with Wetherspoons but, in winter months, make sure we arrive early before it gets too busy.

Do you have any views on this please, or can you suggest another venue in Epsom town centre large enough to take us and serving the sort of lunch time fare we like?

Please respond on WhatsApp or e-mail me (cycledave23@gmail.com) if you prefer.

Ride Report - Sunday 24th Nov 2024 - Blowin' Bert Away

I'd heard the rumour days back. Some punk called Bert was blowing into town. Then came the tip off from a couple of dames - he'd shut down the Park. I was already mad and now I was madder. I stared long and hard into the bottom of my whiskey glass, and I put out the call. Someone had to draw the line, and this time it was down to me. 

Six of the best showed up at Local Hero next day, good guys one and all, I knew they'd have my back. One remained on watch and the rest of us headed South, to look him straight in the eye and run him outta town. Through them fancy neighbourhoods Esher and Oxshott, he tried throwing us off balance with some left and right hooks but no cigar, we got to Stoke D'Abernon Squires unscathed. One of the gang went on alone while the rest of us holed up for a time. Food came slowly, I could'a robbed a Bank quicker, but it was decent provisions and I had other things on my mind. 

We hit the road again, this time it was into Leatherhead and Lower Ashtead, then skirted the Common and made for The Old Moat. We had him then, just one more roll of the dice. Two left for home and the remaining three settled in for a time, chewing the fat. We own this town, and that's just how it's gonna stay.

My thanks to The Gang for their company, photo credit to Dave and thanks to Alan for back-marking all day. About 10 miles to lunch and 8 miles to tea in strong gusts of wind - well done all! 

L-R: Robert, Simon, Graham, Alan, Diane

L-R: All of Santa's Reindeer, Robert, Martina, Simon, Alan, David

Any way the wind blows doesn't really matter

   

VERY IMPORTANT - MORE CHANGES TO SUNDAY'S RIDE!

We are now advised that all the Royal Parks will be closed tomorrow due to Storm Bert, so the C&M will meet at Local Hero in Thames St, Kingston, just south of the bridge and close to TK Maxx. I'm hoping it will be fairly empty in Kingston tomorrow because of the weather, and will aim to get there early to secure a table. 

Bike parking is available outside TK Maxx and the use of strong locks has been recommended. 

There are a few options available for lunch, depending on how far we want to go. To be discussed over elevenses. 

No pressure to attend, please review the weather in the morning and do what is right for you. Also check WhatsApp for any last minute changes. 

Roll on Spring!