Plans for Sunday 24th Nov 2024

Sunday is forecast to be a good deal warmer than midweek and dry once Saturday's rain clears away - no doubt this will change but hopefully stay fine for us.  

The ride will start from The George, Staines, to make the most of the available daylight hours. It will be a short flat ride to an early lunch via Wraysbury, Datchet and Eton Wick to The Crocus Garden Centre at Dorney Court, which seems to be an old C&M haunt but was new to me. There are bicycle stands available immediately outside the GC. The route is on all road plus a short stretch of tarmac'd off road. 

After lunch it becomes a bit more undulating as we head through Fifield and Windsor Great Park, and then back to flat as we make our way south of Egham and through Thorpe and Chertsey towards tea at The Ferry Shepperton, 20 miles on roads and gravelled/tarmac'd cycle paths. 

Three things........

1) I was advised to reserve a table for lunch which I have done - so will need your confirmation of attendance by 6pm on Friday. Anyone undecided on Friday is still welcome to join but runs the risk of having to sit outside! 

2) I am happy to lead a group from the south side of Kingston Bridge (by TK Maxx) leaving at 9.10am sharp - please WhatsApp me if joining. 

3) I'm aiming to be at tea between 3pm and 3.30pm but do bring lights for your journeys home and in case we get delayed. 

Ride with GPS route is here: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/49094569 

Komoot route is here: https://www.komoot.com/tour/1933994248   

I hope the weather is kind and you will be able to join me.

Short Sunday Tide

Yes, small group though we band of three were, a very enjoyable and stress free repeat of my recent B ride lead.  We set off under sunny skies and took it easy though Richmond park to Roehampton gate and enjoyed plenty of on and off road through to Putney, stopping for lunch in Bishops’s Park. We locked our bikes securely, since this was the site of 2 famous bike thefts on an all day Saturday ride a year or two ago.

Bikes safe, we continued to -and over - Hammersmith Bridge and onto Barnes where Geoff, our back marker, left us.

Adventuring on, we Hardy pair made it token Bridge for a Banksey ibex viewing and on through various backdrops of Tony’s childhood, which was a treat to hear about. Syon Park was as lovely as ever, but our plans to follow the river back to the Hampton were scuppered by a phenomenal high tide from Richmond to Twickenham. Quite dramatic! Tony took the lead through the mean streets of Twickers to Fulwell and Hampton Hill where we parted ways - happy and ready for another glorious autumn day to cycle through.

Mady

Sunday 17th November 2024

If you're reading this & went to North Cheam for a 9am start.....my humble apologies.

But I suspect no-one did having read my previous blog post, but where was the rain?

North Wales apparently where it probably rains quite alot anyway.

Nine assembled at The Nonsuch Inn all with the intention of at least riding to Godstone.

And you know that delay waiting for everybody to stop gassing & get on their bikes meant Simon spotted a large crack in the head tube of his Dawes bike & he was forced to abandon the idea of joining us.

Foxley Lane took us to Purley & the A22 south along which Bernard punctured.

A (galvanised) nail evidently, & we reconvened at the "Ann Summers" roundabout.

Ann Summers has 144 retail stores & sells 2 million "Rampant Rabbits" (whatever they are?) a year!

We took the delightful lane up past Woldingham school, then a fast descent to The Flower Farm at Godstone for a one 'o clock lunch, saying goodbye to Dave W & Keith.

After lunch, up to Tilburstow (The Enterdent), South Park, Cuckseys Lane, Henshaw Farm to Philanthropic Road.

We were making our way to Wray Common Road & Wray Lane where there is a worrying signpost.

Whilst not up there with Whitedown, Tanhurst, Barhatch & the like, it's still pretty steep, especially near the top.

Just when you're starting to enjoy the view & wondering what all the fuss is about, Wray Lane kicks up considerably as you curl around to the left, nearing 22% for 200 metres or so.

Well earned tea stop at Junc 8 café.

Thanks to Dave W (backmarking), Dave V (Reigate Hill pic/backmarking), Diane, Alan, Keith, Sabine & Bernard (Reigate Hill pic #2) for your company.

Pre-Christmas Clear-out Opportunity - Calling for C&M Logo'd Kit!

We've had some requests for C&M logo'd kit, but currently have none in stock. So before we go trotting off to the printers with what could be a very small order, I'd like to know if anyone has any C&M kit in new or good used condition which they would be happy to part with, either free to a new owner or in exchange for a modest sum (to be agreed). 

If you have such kit languishing now unloved in your wardrobes and drawers, please email me (dianelporter@hotmail.com) with:

• the type of item 
• condition
• size

Equally, if you're looking for an item you can let me know now, so that I can start marrying up supply and demand. I'll gather up your responses and take it from there. 

Thanks everyone! 

Diane - C&M Chair 

Some photos from the archives.....

IMPORTANT - Changes to this Sunday's ride - 17th November 2024

Hi folks,

In light of the wet weather due on Sunday, the following will now be the plan:

Elevenses - North Cheam (The Nonsuch Inn - Wetherspoons) departing 11am.

Lunch - Flower Farm,Godstone.

Tea - Junc 8, Reigate Hill (or Walton-on-the-Hill if raining).

Routes:

Garmin:

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/319127112 - am

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/319428506 - pm

Komoot:

https://www.komoot.com/tour/1953215503 - am

https://www.komoot.com/tour/1953234852 - pm

I hope you're able to join me.

Ride Report - Sunday 10 Nov 2024

 

I've just seen I can try Google Gemini artificial intelligence, so , providing I can remember my password, this may well be the last ride report I ever actually pen myself.  You may therefore expect better quality ramblings from now on!   Or perhaps you're already looking at a a deep fake....?

Anyway, I digress.   It was a typical Remembrance Sunday morning - cold, overcast and miserable.  It wasn't actually foggy but it made me recall a Remembrance Sunday morning in my childhood when there was very thick fog.   On the valve radio, Wynford Vaughan-Thomas was commenting from the Cenotaph and the guard's band were lingering over the Nimrod variation.   The service once over, I went out with my dad, on foot since we had no car, likely to get some fags (for him, that is, not for me).  I came back with a packet of Callard and Bowser's butterscotch, then one of my favourites.   Mais où sont les bonbons d'antan, as the man almost wrote!

To return to the subject, it was 'implacable November weather' (as another bloke wrote) but that did not deter Dave V,  Diane, Steph, Terry, Andy, Brian, Keith, Jennie, Clive, Graham and, surprisingly, me from gathering for a convivial elevenses at a very cosy Vineries Garden Centre!   It was hard to drag ourselves away but we were ready to leave promptly at 11.00, pausing for two minute's silence before actually setting off.   

We left Dave V and Graham at the Vineries and set off into the gloom, taking an improbable route through the implacable weather - we reached Horsley station via some pointless back-doubles, then took the railway path to West Horsley and headed for the Ryde Farm track.  I had promised no unsurfaced tracks, and, strictly speaking, kept my word, although in truth the broken up concrete of the first part of the farm track resembled an earthquake zone!   Miraculously there were no casualties!   Brian disappeared into the gloom after this, off to quality control the new Wisley Lane bridge works!

We fended off some implacable drizzle and at length we reached Guildford where Steph left us.   Wetherspoons wasn't too busy for a Sunday lunchtime and service was quick.  Unfortunately, wifi and the internet were both too slow to use the app and we had to suffer the ignominy of going to the bar to order!   I envisaged countless university students all around us lazing in bed in their garrets while artificial inelligence was busy writing their essays and assignments for them, just in time for the start of the new week, and draining the internet of power.  Walk to the bar, what a humiliation!

After lunch Terry left us.  It continued implacable and the rest of our dwindling group headed off in the direction of Jacobs Well, crossing the Brutalist concrete footbridge which is inexplicably juxtaposed with a pub proclaiming itself to be 'the Wooden Bridge'!

The ride continued and we were fortunately spared any 'events'.    Clive and Keith wisely left us on the outskirts of Woking.   The rest of us plodded on to tea at Walton bridge.  We didn't pass a single sweetshop en route, just as well since C & B's butterscotch has long since disappeared!   The implacable in pursuit of the unobtainable, as someone else might have said!

Thanks to all for your company and to Steph for back-marking.

Plans for Sunday 10 November 2024

As billed, we'll be riding from elevenses at Vineries Garden Centre, Effingham to lunch at the Rodboro' Buildings, Guildford (aka Wetherspoons), then back to tea at Walton Bridge.

15 miles out to lunch and 15 miles back to tea.   No big climbs will be involved and while plenty of paths will be used, they are all surfaced.

In view of the early dusk and recent gloomy conditions I'm aiming to get us to an early lunch at 12.30 pm so we can get back to tea by 3.00 pm and all reach home before nightfall.   For this reason we will be leaving elevenses punctually at 11.00 am (bearing in mind the traditional one minute's silence for Remembrance Sunday).  

Please arrive in plenty of time to order your elevenses refreshments as on this occasion leaving at 11.00 am will really mean leaving at 11.00 am, not at 11.00 am starting to get ready to leave!!!

The route is here https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/318301732

Sunday 3 Nov - to Uxbridge

The ride started with grander ambitions to reach Ruislip Lido, but was shortened to fit the available daylight.   A sizeable majority assembled before 10 at Bushy Park, for a bonus ride to 11s, catching the sight of Mogden Sewage Works on the way to the Stables Cafe at Osterley Park.  Of fourteen at 11s, a lucky thirteen joined the ride.

Very stable geniuses

The ride itself was assembled from a multitude of lockdown rides done by myself and Tony Hopkins during Covid, seeking out usually interesting and sometimes impassable new routes.   It's surprising how much green space you can find in London if you go looking.  There was plenty of green, and a bit of 'blue' (if you call canal water blue).   We crossed the canal three times - work that one out! - and three rivers (Yeading Brook and Rivers Pinn & Crane).   Southall, Yeading and Hillingdon were the backdrop, and suddenly we were at the top secret Battle of Britain Bunker at Uxbridge for a few photos and perhaps a bit of time for reflection about earlier generations, ahead of Remembrance Sunday.

Top secret

After lunch at the Good Yarn, it was a pretty simple route back to Sipson and along the north of Heathrow before heading down through Hounslow Heath and Crane Park on the way to tea at Bushy Park.    Thanks to everyone for your good company, and many photos, to Tony, Diane and David W for variously co-leading or back marking, and to Tony for inspiration for many bits of the route.   Next summer, all being well, we'll attempt to make the next step northwards to Ruislip Lido.

Change of plan for ride on this Sunday 3 Nov

Three things to note:

1. 11s is still at Osterley Park, the Stables Cafe.
2. If you're not sure how to get to Osterley Park, I am happy to lead a bonus pre-ride from the Teddington gate of Bushy Park (at the end of the main road through the park), leaving at 09.45 sharp.
3. It's come to my attention that the nights are drawing in, something which I had not foreseen when I planned my ride.  So I've shortened the ride, giving you a better chance of getting home in the light.   We will go to a different Lido instead, before lunching at a local Bistro, The Good Yarn in Uxbridge.  Tea will now be at Walton on Thames, which I think will be more convenient for people to get home from.

I do hope you will be able to join us!

Not this one.

Sunday 27th October 2024

I arrived at The Coronation Hall (Surbiton) to find Dave, Niall, Diane, Sabina & Bernard at the lookout point with bikes in full view.

Over the next 25 minutes we were joined by Simon, Graham, Tony, Martina, Keith & Madeleine.

Ten set off leaving Niall (front brake issue) & Madeleine to do a recce (for a future ride B group?)

The recce........an almost essential part of leading these days, although back in the day we never bothered.

Taking a wrong turn or getting lost was all part of the fun...but some navigators were better than others.

Step forward Graham & Dave.

Most of the route knowledge pre-Garmin was from doing the same routes countless times until even the front wheel knows which way to turn.

Over the years my knowledge has dwindled & I too rely on a route planner & Garmin.

But as Graham quite rightly pointed out at lunch "it's not a route I would of chosen".

Indeed, even with my route plotted on a device, I still managed to overshoot a turning & required Dave to bail me out as I didn't have a clue of how to correct my mistake.

We passed Brooklands museum & the Concorde in the grounds.

Concorde Delta Golf never entered service & was used for training & spare parts but it was 50 years ago this year, when it took its maiden flight from Filton to Fairford & 20 years ago when it arrived at the museum in pieces to be restored.

Brooklands did bid for one of the seven BA Concordes after they were retired in 2003 but were unsuccessful.

Also on show, a Wellington Bomber that was recovered from Loch Ness in 1985, one of only two that remain from the 11,461 that were built.

Incident Report - Diane's rear derailleur cable breaks.

Three choices.

1. Carry on the ride with two gears - one high & one very high.

2. Ride to a bike shop.

3. Ride to a train station.

Or find a random stone & wedge it in the gear mech so that the chain is forced to a bigger rear cog.....hence easier to ride.

Thanks to Simon & his ingenuity, Diane was able to continue without further incident.

At lunch, Astelet café in Send, Dave left us but we were joined by Terry.

Keith was aware of a rear slow puncture in Ripley but after a quick pump we made our way to the new Wisley Bridge.

Due to open on 11th November 2024.

"A view through the lens" is a youtube channel that gives drone footage of the bridge & is updated frequently.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6e0zJgchGVk

Seven stopped for tea at Squires, Stoke D' Abernon.

Thank you to Simon for backmarking & everyone else for their company.

Happy Halloween!

Thanks also to Simon & Sabine for the photos.

Info re: Sunday 27th October

There is no secure parking outside W'spoons, Surbiton so we use the cycle racks/street furniture on the other side of the road.

18 miles to lunch.

In the afternoon, we check on progress at the new Wisley Bridge before its provisional opening date of Monday 11th November.

The new cycle sign is already in place:

9 miles to tea.

REMINDER: Sunset is at 16.42.

Hope you can join me.

Sunday 20th October - C&M vs Storm Ashley

The first named storm of the year coincided with our ride from Dorking to Leigh.   The weather forecast was dire: heavy rain and strong winds.   It was hard enough just getting to Dorking against the wind and in lashing rain, but six hardy adventurers either forgot to look at the forecast or else decided to brave the odds anyway.   We dripped and shivered in the air-conditioned cafe at Waitrose, drinking lashings of coffee and watching lashings of rain through the picture windows.   Repeated checking of the weather forecast didn't seem to improve things, but they did seem to predict a slight lessening of the torrent around 11.30.   David W left us to do his own thing while more coffees were called for, as we delayed our start time.  There were debates about whether Ranmore Common was becoming slightly visible through the rain.  Eventually we just had to go out and brave it.   After all, we were already wet - how much worse could it get?

Look cheerful!

Brian on the phone to the Met Office;
Ranmore Common in the background? 

In fact, it wasn't quite as bad as it looked - more steady rain than monsoon.   We had voted to shorten the route from my gorgeous 19 mile route via Partridge Lane and The Mount by as much as possible.   After about six miles we were a bit surprised to arrive in Leigh, and the rain had nearly stopped.   The Plough was warm and welcoming, and we spent an enjoyable hour discussing all and sundry, including many happy memories of our good friend Ian Appleton.  But alas, the rain had returned with a vengeance.   Weather apps were consulted and once again we decided to delay our departure with another coffee.   More chat, and eventually we left.   Hurray - the rain had stopped again, more or less, and we enjoyed a wind-assisted ride back to Leatherhead for tea.

Long lunch at The Plough

Thanks to all the hardy heroes who turned out today, for your company and stoicism in facing the elements, and thanks to Diane for back marking.   The ride was only about 17 miles from 11s to tea, but each mile was hard-earned.  Brian informed me that his average speed for the whole ride, including stops, was 4 mph, which may be a record of sorts.  Ten bonus house points (but no extra attendance points) for all!

Heroes  (photo: Andy)

Sunday 20 Oct info - Dorking to Leigh

The Dorking sinkhole

Sunday's ride will be as advertised on the rides list:   Dorking Waitrose to The Plough, Leigh. 

Two things to note about the ride:

1. Major roadworks in Dorking mean that West Street is closed between Station Road and North Street.  (if in doubt, look at Google Maps and choose the traffic view).   It's best to approach Waitrose from the east (through the town).  From Terry: "I suggest not turning right off A24 into Ashcombe Road but to continue further on A24 to next turning right Old London Road (just past ped lights, filling station at junction). This leads to the High Street."  Bike parking is available down the side of Waitrose, outside the cafe.
2. The route to lunch will be between 6-18 scenic miles depending on the weather forecast.    From there, it's about 10 miles back to Leatherhead for tea.

I hope you can join us.

Sunday 13th October 2024

I had my £1.56 ready............"£1.04 please".

One pound four?

Wetherspoons coffee guess the price game & I failed.

I handed over £1.05, & waited for that penny.

Who waits for a penny?

Well me at least......I make my pension work for me which I started contributing to on this very site way back in 1978.

Replacing the counter shop (who remembers that?) in London Road.

My career in food retail came to an abrupt end in the building next door.....but enough about that!

Incidently, Sainsburys opened the current store in the mid-nineties & Wetherspoons redeveloped the site as we see it today.

Brocks, the firework company had a factory close by too.

So to the ride & we said goodbye to Graham, & Diane who had more pressing duties back home...ironing, but also recovering from her (successful) ride to the coast with the Beginners the day before.

Read here: https://swlctcbeginners.blogspot.com/

Colin G & Sue B heeded my advice & also went their separate ways.

Because today we went in search of climbs.

The first, a right turn off the A22 that climbs to Kenley's airfield where we spent a few minutes reflecting on past lives lived but mostly lost.

Motorised aircraft are banned but the airfield is used by Ministry of Defence for glider training which we witnessed today.

Dave left us shortly after & we descended rapidly to cross the A22 & commence the second climb past Woldingham Golf Club.

Slines Oak Road rises to the Limpsfield Road & earns its single chevron on OS 187 (1 in 7 to 1 in 5).

An explainer:

The gear I was using had 28 teeth on the chainring (front) & 28 teeth on the rear sprocket (largest).

A gear ratio in inches of 27.

https://www.bikecalc.com/archives/gear-inches.html

The higher the gear ratio the harder it is to turn the pedals, conversely the lower the number, the easier it is.

Bernard who had to get off was geared much higher but didn't have the muscle strength to turn the pedals.

After lunch at Seasons café in Knights Garden Centre, Chelsham we took a short detour to enjoy the view.

If I had decent photo editing software, I could put these pics side by side to create a panoramic single shot.

Dobbies, Woodcote Green provided afternoon refreshment & free tea to holders of their Club Plus loyalty cards.

Fast forward to Monday morning, thanks to Bernard's help, I successfully had my first perculator coffee!

Thanks to my supporters today on the coldest October 13th for 22 years.

Info re Sunday 13th October

In a change to the published paper copy of the Sou'wester, lunch will be at Knights Garden Centre, Chelsham.

Tea will be at Dobbies Garden Centre or Oaks Park.

From W'spoons North Cheam, we'll ride in a south-easterly direction to Purley then climb up to Kenley airfield, where the runway & some buildings remain from it's use during the Battle of Britain (1940).

A further climb via Halliloo Valley road & Slines Oak road to lunch.

On the return, a short detour to a viewing point over the valley should provide a wonderful photo opp.

A distance of about 25 miles (11's to tea) but with some punchy climbs to warm you up on what's likely to be a cold day.

Hoping to see you.

Ride Report - Sunday 6 October

 

Today there was yet another very welcome large turnout of loyal members at elevenses at Staines!  Despite the dismal weather, no less than Martina, Niall, Simon, Tony, Pam, Madeleine, Andy, Ray, Graham, Diane, Ruth and Gemma (apologies if I have omitted anyone) joined me at Wetherspoons.   Gemma and Ray were both, I think making welcome returns to the fold after several months' away (but we're always pleased to see them) and Pam was on her first ride after being grounded for four weeks through injury!

Anyway, the general plan was to re-enact our rather eventful ride of 7th January.  We all duly set off (in the opposite direction from our destination, Windsor, obviously)!    Disappointingly (or perhaps not), wild horses did not this time block our passage across Shortwood Common, but the difficulties of getting all of us through the two kissing gates there convinced me that this time we wouldn't be attempting to traverse the causeway across the Staines reservoirs, and, in particular, the stile at the far end!

The rest of the ride was pretty tame compared with 7th January - not a single flooded road to negotiate, and no diversions due to closures!   We made it to the Cinnamon Cafe without incident, and the only 'event' on the way back to tea was the onset of drizzle!

Thanks to all for your company, and thanks to Diane for tirelessly back-marking throughout the ride!   Photo credits to Andy for the best picture!

Vermulens

A long time unused tea stop, had a coffee an donut this morning, and only £4

Tony..

Please Note - Plans for Sunday 6 October

We were planning to slip in an unscheduled, train-assisted ride led by Andy on Sunday, to get it in before winter began, but as it already has we're reverting to the ride originally planned, and the train-assisted ride will happen later!

So our ride on Sunday 6 October will actually be largely unchanged from the rides list (elevenses at Staines, lunch at Cinnamon Cafe, Windsor, tea at Shepperton) except that elevenses will be at our usual venue (The George) instead of Greggs as published.

Attendance - Scores on the doors thus far

 

Sunday 29th September - Ride Report

Café Barbera in Stoke D'Abernon is always a popular elevenses venue and today was no different, with twenty cyclists arriving for the ride or just for coffee and perhaps a little something. There was quite some confusion over the availability of the one toilet which led us to leave later than planned, but eventually we were on our way with fifteen riders - good to have David W back with us post holidays and to see Helen and Paul, Geoff and Carolyn.

Out-of-date out-of-service notice! 

The route took us over Bookham Common (where Audrey and David B and Tony left us), through Effingham and up to Ranmore Common via Hogden Lane. We were soon pausing on the downhill through Denbies Vineyard for a photo with dramatic skies and a sweeping vista below us. I count ten in the photo plus myself and Andy. 

Note to self: You have to travel by land train if you want bubbles with your view

The next challenge was Little Switzerland and Slough Lane, which all took in their stride but by the time we arrived at the top it was getting late. Graham, Keith and Brian peeled off at different points leaving nine to sail down into Epsom for lunch at The Assembly Rooms, where Tony was waiting with Ed and Colin Q - lovely to see them both. 

We ate outside as it was so busy, and so got to see some of the cars arriving for the Horse Power event (marking the end of the racing season in Epsom) in the market place today. 

Holy cyclists Batman! 

Maddie, Julie (on her first C&M ride), Linda and Andy being so close to their respective homes could not be tempted on to afternoon tea, and as such avoided the off-road and muddy sections through Prince's Coverts and beyond, but the rest of us - Sabina and Bernard, Martina, Simon and Tony (who sensibly went around) landed up in Claygate for tea at Laz Cafe. 

Simon looking remarkably clean despite
what he'd just cycled through

Thanks everyone for your company, good humour and sense of adventure! To Simon for back-marking all day and to everyone who helped to make it a lovely day of cycling. 

About 19miles to lunch and 7 miles to tea.  

Photo credits to Simon and Linda.

Info - Sunday 29th Sept

Once again the Café Barbera, Stoke D'Abernon to The Assembly Rooms, Epsom ride has come around and it is my pleasure to invite you to join me.

Before lunch, we will complete a 19 mile route with 2 climbs - Hogden Lane to Ranmore and Little Switzerland to Headley. All on-road apart from the stony stretches across Cobham Park and Bookham Common, and the descent from Ranmore through Denbies Wine Estate. 

Those wishing to take in only one climb may deviate at Westhumble, and those not looking for any climbs may deviate at Bookham Common. We'll also keep one eye on the ever-changing weather forecasts in case we all need to deviate! All are welcome in Epsom via whatever manner you choose to get there.

After lunch I'm planning a further 7 miles with some stony off-road to tea in Claygate - again, weather-permitting. Other options exist. 

Hope to see you on Sunday.

Sunday the 22nd September

Penny Farthing Racing

11's at the Pheasantry, Bushy park, Lunch at the Bothwell Inn, Hayes.

 

 Then onto Hayes track to watch the Penny Farthing racing. It's a great event to watch. There will also be a cycle jumble at the track.

Afternoon tea TBD

Tony