OUR BLOGS HAVE MOVED!

 

The new web addresses that you need to use from now on to access the Wayfarers and Cheam and Morden blogs are as follows:

mwwayfarers.blogspot.com
cheam-and-morden.blogspot.com

The best way to access the blogs is via our main website swlondonctc.wixsite.com/ctcswlondon which you can bookmark for future ease of access. Please note that the Beginners blog address remains the same.

Previously, these blogs have been administered by a past member of the club who has acted as sole Admin. Whilst being grateful for this past member’s work, the committee feel that it will improve management and increase resilience to bring these blogs within the control of the club and as such we have created 2 new blog sites.

The future administration will be by a minimum of 2 current active members of the club on behalf of the Committee. They will have new web links but to all intents and purposes will look and feel just like our existing blogs. You can still view all the historical blogs going back over the years since their creation on the new blog sites.

The biggest task ahead now is to sign members up to be authors on the new blogs. We need to do this in batches and we will start with those Ride Leaders who are leading rides in the next month. The rest of the membership who were blog authors previously will then be invited to sign up over the following months, followed by members who have recently requested to be authors. And should you wish to post something before you are invited to sign up, please contact Tim C or Simon L.

So what do individual members have to do now - nothing! Just bookmark the website and use this to access the blogs.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email me.

~ Sue Foster: Sue.foster39@gmail.com

C&M Ride Sunday 8th June.

We shall start at The Granary Cafe, Polesden Lacey with lunch at The Assembly Rooms, Epsom as advertised on the Rides List. Afternoon Tea will be at the Canbury Secret Cafe, Kingston.

Looking forward to seeing you all on Sunday.

Jennie  

Plans for 15 June - C&M ride to Oxford

Dreaming Spires

On 15 June, I'm leading a ride to Oxford, unless the weather or trains are dreadful.   It will be an adventure, and we are guaranteed to get home late, so here is an outline.

• 11s at Staines (The George, as per rides list).   Option to start early, maybe 10.30, but I don't want to put off people who have further to travel to get to the start.
• About 50 miles, all on road, 2000 ft of climbing.  It's a lovely route and an excellent destination!
• Weird lunch arrangements:  pit stop at Marlow (20 miles) and late lunch at an excellent cyclist-friendly pub in Watlington, The Spire & Spoke. (30 miles, after the main hills, so maybe 3pm)
• See a few of the sights, then a re-hydration stop at a pub in Oxford
• Train home via Reading & then by various routes to Richmond/Dorking etc. (£20 to Dorking with a railcard.)  You are supposed to have a cycle reservation on many (not all) trains from Oxford, but I don't recommend this because it doesn't seem to be enforced and I cannot predict what time we will arrive at Oxford.
• Bring lights for the ride home from the station.

What could possibly go wrong?   If you are feeling adventurous, I hope you will join me.

Ride Report - Sunday 1 June 2025

 

It was, I'm afraid, the usual shambolic mess we have come to expect from this leader!   There was, apparently, some sort of route, but the leader was unable to load it to his appliance!   No doubt sensing trouble, Geoff G, Tony H and Graham H wisely turned for home after elevenses.   Loyal member  Ray W had gamely arrived suffering with a heavy cold but was definitely not fit enough to continue the ride.  Ten more did elect to continue (I think they call it 'adventure tourism'),  We split in two and Andy C very kindly led the second group (and actually managed to navigate from the alleged route)!

How we got to Hayes is a bit of a haze!   And by some miracle, at a respectable time!   On reflection, since a lot of the route followed the Grand Union Canal towpath, it would actually have been difficult even for this leader to get it completely wrong, providing he turned the right way to start with!

Restorative lunches were enjoyed al fresco in a delightful and picturesque setting  at the Botwell Inn!  Nerves steadied, we set off again, starting with a detour to the impressive site of the old  HMV factory and warehouse complex, and attendant large dog, which is mandatory when in this area, followed by a return to the towpath.

There followed a bit of ducking and diving (not actually in the canal, although one would not put even that beyond this leader's capabilities), passing a 'great barn', before we landed up on the Heathrow western perimeter cycle route, as it were.  There were ample plane-spotting opportunities before the glamour of an international airport descended into the mundanity that is Ashford!

More distant options were offered, but, unsurpisingly, most jumped at the chance to get themselves free of the leader, and chose tea at Longacres, Shepperton!

Thanks all for your company, and for putting up with it all, and special thanks to Andy for his help.

The Tinkerers - An Everyday Story of Cycling Folk!

The story so far - Graham having been unable to proceed with his planned, train-assisted ride to Lasham on 18 May, you will remember that Andy very kindly swopped his lead from 1 June to fill the gap.   Meanwhile, we had hoped Graham would be able to lead his Lasham ride on 1 June, but, sadly, it's got to be postponed again, to take place later in the summer, fingers crossed!

That leaves a gap for this coming Sunday, 1 June.   It's a while now since we met for elevenses at The Pheasantry, Bushy Park (and it's not scheduled for July or August), so I suggest we meet there.   The Botwell Inn, Hayes, reached via a trundle along the canal towpath, is a possible lunch stop, followed by a 'planespotters' special' return to tea at Walton Marina.

Ride Report - Sunday 25 May 2025

 

News that I was leading today's ride at short notice obviously hadn't reached Andy, Niall, Pam, Liz, Christina, Keith, Tony, Ann and Graham, who before they turned up, completely unsuspecting, at old C & M favourite, the Golden Cafe, Addlestone, expecting a properly-led ride!  Gina had even made a heroic, train-assisted effort to join us at the start.

To their credit, they hid their disappointment well when they discovered the horrible truth, and only Graham actually turned for home.  For the rest of the group it was the usual shambolic performance from me.    I had the idea that if we rode straight into the rather strong headwind, it would likely take us in roughly the right direction to start with, then we could ask a passer-by for directions.   I duly wetted a finger, and held up in the air, and we were away!  Some places we passed through looked vaguely familiar, and, at some length, after a pointless slog up yet another unnecessary climb, a sign told us we were at Windsor Great Park.   At last, at the top of another rise, a spectacular panoramic view of Slough opened up to our right.   By good luck, as I admired the cooling towers, I noticed what I could just make out what I thought was Windsor Castle hidden in the foreground.   That was the signal for us to alter our bearing slightly to the north, and head downhill, and, by some miracle, we arrived at the Cinnamon Cafe just after 1.00pm!

After nerves had been settled, and giant buns and copious jacket potatoes had been consumed all round, it was time to head for home.   Questioned about the return route  and likely refreshment stop, I tried to be vague.    Not surprising since my idea this time was to try to keep the wind behind us all the while, and hope we ended up in the right general area.   Don't try this at home, dear reader, but the trick worked for me once again, and, after some time had elapsed, we found ourselves, as if by magic, at Shepperton Lock.   I'm not one for riding my luck, and beat a hasty retreat before I could do any more damage, leaving the others to recover, and revive themselves over tea and cakes.

The moral of this tale - it's best never to join a ride led by me, but, at all costs, avoid riding with me on a calm day!  Many thanks to all for putting up with it, and for their company, and thanks to Andy C for very patiently back-marking all day.

Update - Sunday 25 May 2025

The strating point for Sunday's ride remains the Golden Cafe, Addlestone, as planned, but there is a short-notice change of leader, and the lunch stop will likely be changed. I will confirm details in the next few days

Squires Garden Centres

 Breaking News! Squires Garden Centres are moving to an app based loyalty scheme for free hot drinks. But until the end of May, providing at least ONE stamp is on any card they will give a FREE beverage to the card holder but only until the end of the month. Dig out those loyalty cards for a freebie!

Sunday 18th May 2025

 Sometimes, certain conditions can make off-road riding more than acceptable....in fact quite enjoyable.

Today those conditions were met with what the Daily Telegraph described this spring (so far) as having more sunshine than the whole of last summer !

Four met at Squires, West Horsley for this hastily arranged change to the programme where the conversation flowed until 11.30am & we bid farewell to Carolyn.

Dave & Alan then followed me to the "concrete road", a link to the A3 & Jacobs Well. 

From there we cycled west to Wood Street to pick up the Christmas Pie trail to Wanborough Hill & lunch at Puttenham where we waved to Dave as he continued to Guildford.

£6.95 for all this! Wetherspoons prices at the Good Intent.

The journey home included NCN 22 to Watts Gallery & the chalk track heading to Guildford, perfect for a photo op. 

Guildford Cathedral, only completed in 1965 & Woking over my left shoulder

Down The Mount & up the cobbled High Street, we were soon back on the NDW to tea at Newlands Corner.

"Toilet humour" at the Plucky Pheasant.

Yummy Lemon Drizzle with a view.

There has been a café here for over 60 years, & is popular with cyclists & walkers, both Alan & myself have fond memories.

Originally called "The Barn" it is now The Plucky Pheasant.

Cathy Garthwaite and Christina Collins met as mums at their children’s school. Cathy had a background in hospitality and Christina in retail merchandising and they both shared a passion for delicious tasting food. They opened their first café The Speckledy Hen in Shamley Green in 2012, followed shortly by The Dabbling Duck in 2013 and most recently The Plucky Pheasant in 2018.

Thanks & nice to see Carolyn at 11's, Dave for his continued support & especially Alan for his company all day.

Tri-Vets 2025

 

 

The Tri-Vets event will be held on the 18th of June. 

There are details of how to book your place, including a link to an online registration form, on our website.

Click here for full details

This event is generally very popular with our CTC SWL members and for our guest riders from other clubs. Places are limited so please sign up soon 🙂.

~ Mick Arber

 

Changes To The Planned Ride on Sunday 18 May

The train-assisted ride from Church Crookham to Lasham has had to be postponed at short notice and will now take place later in the summer.

There will  be a replacement ride for this Sunday, and details will be posted on the blog asap.

Apologies for this short-notice change which is due to unforeseen circumstances.

Cheam & Morden - Some history....

Ahead of the AGM on Sunday, I've been looking through the archive from 1944, although Colin Q informs me the "North Cheam Section" as it was called then was started in 1939.

Some years are missing between 1939 & 1943 & the early nineties.

1944 - Earliest AGM in my possession

1947 - Sub-Section “Wayfarer” formed

1949 - Section renamed “Cheam & Morden”

1949 - 60 present at AGM - Morden Park

1965 - Pete Mitchell General Secretary & Treasurer

1967 - Richard Delamare Runs Secretary

1968 - Additional Section Wayfarers formed

1972 - Bob Eberhard Runs Secretary

1983 - Club run competition (attendance) & Puncture competition introduced free lunch/inner tube as prizes

1988 - Andy Coxhill Press Secretary

1998 - Post Christmas lunch (from December to save money)

2004 - Graham Hill General Secretary

2006 - Andy Coxhill Runs Secretary

2008 - Formal group – CTC Cheam & Morden

2008 - Hilly 50km raised £474.20 on £2 entry fee (remains in account at present)

2009 - Puncture/annual lunch prize abolished

2016 - Tony Hopkins Runs Secretary

2019 - David Ward Runs Secretary

2021 - Annual Lunch abolished  

I'll be bringing along to the AGM the following:

Minutes from a commitee meeting in 1946 requesting "methylated spirit stoves" for a ride to the coast.

An agenda from 1950 that had ten positions to fill.

A photocopy of the CTC Gazette which they reported a circulation of 200 copies of the Sou'wester also in 1950.

A press photo of Bob Eberhard's campaign to change a council's plan around Epsom station.

Pete Mitchell's ingenious way of recording attendance in the late eighties.

A "Welcome to the Cheam & Morden Section" handout from 1999.

A map of all the rides in 2004/05.

Ride Report - Sunday 4 May 2025

 

The last time the Cheam and Morden met for elevenses at Windsor Farm Shop Cafe (last summer), it was very hot and we were longing for a cooling breeze.  How things change - this time we were huddled up trying to dodge the chill north-easterly wind!  Thirteen of us had made the long trek to royal precincts (was that an omen?).  Carolyn, John and Niall, no doubt wise to the perils of rides led by me, elected to return straight home, while Simon, Alan, Dave E, Andy, Ruth, Sarah, Pam, Robert and Ann gamely elected to join me on another of my dreaded 'bike adventures'!

We duly set off via Windsor, Bray, and the rather exotically-named Furze Platt, Pinkneys Green, Stubbings and Burchett's Green.   There were no incidents on the way to lunch except for a pannier which dropped off because of a pothole!    We eventually got the wind behind us a bit and soon gained the (truly rather sweet) Honey Lane, passed old C & M favourite, the Dew Drop Inn, and then picked up the forest track leading to Pudding Hill, then it was a short uphill to Velolife, new old C & M favourite (if you see what I mean)!

Delicious toasted sandwiches were duly consumed and we set off for home.    Less interseting place names this time - only Bottle Lane and Shottesbrooke stand out!    Progress was good to start with, but we gradually turned back into the wind, and tired legs quickly became even more tired!   Despite this, we still reached tea (at Great Cockcrow Railway) well before 4.00 pm, and were met there by Tony H, now back on his bike after a short absence.

Thanks all for your company, and for putting up with it all, and many thanks to Simon for back-marking.

Do Join Us on Sunday 4 May!

 

Sunday's ride will take us from elevenses at Windsor Farm Shop Cafe (Datchet Rd, Old Windsor SL4 2RQ) to lunch at Velolife cyclists' cafe, Warren Row (RG10 8QS).

It's about 16 miles to lunch by a route we haven't used on a Sunday ride for some years (if ever), and about another 20 back to tea at Great Cockcrow Railway, Lyne (changed from Staines as per original rides list).   There will be some climbing, amounting to about 900 ft of height gain, but nothing too serious!   There is some off-road riding, but nothing too rough, and no mud is expected!

The image above gives an idea of the route which I will post up later after final checks.

You're more than welcome to join us but please note that we'll be leaving elevenses promptly at 11.00 am, so allow plenty of time to get to Old Windsor!

Sunday 27th April 2025

 As April 2025 comes to an end, it would be no suprise to me if it broke records for sunny days, but not necessarily warmth......until today that is.

A stunning day, where shorts & short sleeved jerseys were the order of the day.

Eleven met at Knights Garden Centre café outside, at the bottom of Pebblecombe Hill, a popular place that today was bathed in warm sunshine.

Leaving Lorraine, Dave & Audrey, we made for Earlswood Lakes for a short toilet stop (sorry folks).

Onward to Smallfield where due to a misunderstanding, Dave & Diane broke away from the pack to be reunited at lunch.

The Archive Cyclist's café is like no other.    

Largely unknown to most, it's on the busy A264 east of Copthorne where you'll find bagels with various fillings, but not much else due to the three cycling clubs who'd polished off the cake offering.

Dave & Audrey had kindly arrived earlier to nab the tables & chairs on our first visit in 2025 to Brockham Church for their tea & cakes which always ticks the boxes, but for Bernard, it was merely somewhere to wash his hands after "tackling" a deep cut in the rear tyre & inevitable puncture.

I was happy to assist & provide a spare tube after several failed attempts.

Thanks for a great day!

                                            

C&M Easter Tour 2025 to Canterbury - ride reports

Many thanks to Lilian for organising a superb Easter Tour in Canterbury.   This year was the first year that the tour split between on-road riders (at Canterbury) and the Kingston Phoenix gravel riders, most of whom went to Salisbury.   We missed their company, but we still had a large group of friends to enjoy the weekend with, and we welcomed quite a few riders who were enjoying the Easter Tour for the first time.

The weather was kind to us, and thanks to Pete B and Helen we enjoyed some superb riding on the quiet roads over the weekend.

The ride reports and some photos are available on the Tours blog here:

ride to Canterbury · Pete's Saturday ride · Sunday ride · ride home

There may be an additional report for Helen's Sunday ride: I'll add this later.

Changes to Sunday's ride 27th April from Betchworth

Elevenses remains unchanged (Knights Garden Centre, Betchworth)

Lunch is now Snowhill,Copthorne https://www.thearchive.works/ - a cyclist's café.

Tea remains Brockham Church.

https://www.komoot.com/tour/2184238021

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/349253428

Ride Report - Sunday 20 April 2025 (North Cheam & Mogador)

 

With many C & M members away on the Easter tour, for the rest of us it was just a skeleton service today - quite literally that, because I had put together the bare bones of a route, although it would probably have been better left buried, preferably in a an unmarked grave!

Mention of my name on the rides list failed to deter Niall, Michiko (on, we think, her second ever C & M ride), Bernard and Sabina from joining me for elevenses at The Nonsuch Inn.   We duly set off together, bound for lunch at Mogador.

All went well for the first few miles.   I had warned of some off-tarmac sections, but nothing could have prepared us for Fairlawn Road, so-called, which, on the map, appears to neatly cut off a corner and avoid Banstead.   In reality, it was just a succession of deep, flinty ruts!  I reckon it has been specially constructed to provide extra perimeter security for the two prisons on one side of it!

Anyway, there were no casualties, and the next part of the ride was on tarmac, albeit pointing upwards most of the time, until we reached Reigate Hill.   Here we met further unsurfaced stretches, of variable quality, but were rewarded by great views despite the gathering cloud.   

It seemed a long distance before we regained tarmac, although, in reality, it was only a couple of miles, and once back on metalled roads, we were soon at The Sportsman for lunch.   The pub was fairly busy but service was friendly and efficient and our departure on the road for home was not delayed.  Well, I say 'road', but there was the slight matter of the Walton Heath track.   I guarantee you could find mud here in the severest drought conditions, and today was no exception!

The rest of the ride back to Epsom was a breeze, except for the small matter of the railway footbridge we took in lieu of the defunct and much-missed Castle Road bridge.   The nearby substitute bridge is very steep, and, despite the hastily-installed bike ramps, difficult for heavier bikes and electrics.

Needless to say, it being Easter Sunday, normal tea stops were all resolutely shut, so we went our separate ways home.  Thanks to all for your company, and for putting up with it all in such good spirits!

Attendance Last Year

 

Changes to Rides Programme on 13 April and 20 April 2025

Please note the following changes.   The online rides list has been updated but printed versions will still be showing the originally planned rides.

Sunday 13 April - No ride leader had volunteered for this date, but Tony has now very kindly offered to lead a ride for us from Fat Boys Cafe, Poyle to lunch at the Battle of Britain Bunker at Uxbridge.    Please note change - elevenses meet no longer at the Nonsuch Inn, North Cheam on this date.

Sunday 20 April - For those not on our Easter Tour, we will now be meeting for elevenses at the Nonsuch Inn, North Cheam (please note change from Stables Cafe, Osterley Park) with lunch at The Sportsman, Mogador.   The ride from Osterley Park to Northolt is postponed until later in the summer.

Ride Report - Sunday 6th April

Sunday's ride to Dorney Court was well attended, with 17 cyclists arriving at The Pheasantry in Bushy Park for elevenses. Perhaps it was the sunshine, the slightly-but-thankfully reduced ENE wind or a seldom-used venue which brought out the masses, or perhaps the promise of a largely flat ride? 

I can see very few blog post entries referring to Dorney Court - the last one seems to be Sept 2020 - so perhaps that's why it appeared on the list of rides to be led last November, except that it was even windier on that day with Storm Bert spoiling the plans. With hindsight, we needed the extra hours of daylight to fully enjoy more of the lanes which loop around Windsor.    

David W had very helpfully pre-arranged to sub-lead, so we were able to split into 2 perfectly-formed groups of 8, with Sue not coming any further. 

"Stand still while I count you".....

I led the first group out through Lower Sunbury, Ashford and Stanwell, where the decision to go over or under (the M25) had to be made! The track was fine enough to cycle but it wasn't clear from the road how many interesting characters might be playing down there - in my group just Paul wanted to see what we were talking about so Simon boldly led him through, while I believe the second group all went under. No mishaps reported and Pam even had an apology from one chap who realised he had passed her a bit too closely!  

Gradually the traffic lessened as we came through Horton and Datchet, after which we followed the Jubilee River Way for the last 3 miles completely traffic-free as it delivered us almost straight to the Crocus Garden Centre where we had a reservation. It was a good lunch and served quite quickly, once we established who to order from. 

Jennie gets the giggles beside the Jubilee River

As David W had not stopped for lunch, and Graham and Keith were making their own way back, we were down to 13 cyclists. Simon kindly offered to take over the sub-lead role and we otherwise kept the groups intact. It was definitely warmer now as we tackled some gentle ups around Fifield and Winkfield, and through the Windsor Great Park which was its usual quiet and glorious self between Cranbourne Gate and Bishop's Gate. Finally, following a route Pam had once shown us to avoid Egham, we came through Chertsey and onto The Ferry at Shepperton, where - is this a first?! - everyone stopped for tea! 

Group 2 after it had reformed!   

Thanks to David W and Simon for sub-leading and to Jennie, Lilian and David J for back-marking. Photo credits to Sue, Simon and Pam. 

Plans for Sunday 6th April

This Sunday's ride will leave from The Pheasantry in Bushy Park, taking familiar and sometimes busy roads to get us past Heathrow. We can choose to go over or under the M25 roundabout (under is a dirt track, which was ok to cycle and empty on the recce), and later treat ourselves to a 3-mile stretch of the Jubilee River path which is compacted gravel. It's 21 flat miles to lunch at the Crocus Garden Centre, Dorney Court.

After lunch there's a bit more gravel path taking us to our crossing of the Thames. We'll pass through Fifield and Windsor Great Park, and back to The Ferry Coffee Shop at Shepperton for tea, a further 20 miles and with just a few low bumps coming into and through the Park.

It is a long ride (41 miles) and with some unavoidable busy roads on the way out and back, but with only 625ft of up. Dorney Court GC is an old C&M venue which I for one had never visited before my recces. The weather is currently forecast to be turning a bit cooler with that ENE wind only slightly less gusty than yesterday but it should be sunny all day. 

IMPORTANT: I've booked a table for lunch inside (due to the wind), so please let me know if you are intending to come and would like a table place by end of Friday. Everyone is welcome and any late deciders can take pot luck with seating or make other lunch arrangements, just that it does get quite busy there. 

ALSO: I believe I can share the route on Komoot with anyone wishing to see it, alternatively I can email the gpx file on request.

Route details - Sunday 30th March

Elevenses - Clunkers cyclist's café, Dorking.

Lunch - Notcutts Garden Centre, Cranleigh.

Tea - Squires Garden Centre, West Horsley.

UPDATE on road closure as of 28/03/25 - Coombe Lane is open with not a cone in sight & I don't expect work to start before Monday.

Morning route: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/341166370

Afternoon route: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/341167328

Hope to see you.

A mysterious ride to Woking Area - 23 March

After the glorious spring sunshine of recent days, today was a misty autumnal spring day; damp and cool with a threat of thundery showers.   I had been rather vague about the ride, and I wondered how many would turn out to Addlestone?   In the end, nine braved the elements and the unknowns of the ride, and all joined me for the ride, perhaps out of curiosity?

We were hoping to see Vic to celebrate him on his recent birthday, but he didn't join us; perhaps he was still blowing out the candles.    Happy birthday, Vic!

Model yachts at Goldsworth Park

It was billed as a ride from Addlestone to Woking - about five miles direct.   So it had to be embellished quite a lot.   In the morning we noodled around some of my favourite lanes in the Chobham area, graced Gracious Pond Road and minced along Mincing Lane before trying our luck at Pennypot ford (well, for one rider anyway).   Then it was off to the Woking area with a visit to Goldsworth park and the pond, a route that Graham had taught me many years ago, followed by a new (to me) route south and a new hill, Beacon Hill, taking us to Hook Heath, Mayford and Smarts Heath.

Crossing the Basingstoke canal

Lunch was at the secret location of Elm Farm, Sutton Green, somewhere I'd never been before, but I discovered that it had been a C&M elevenses venue in the past.   Shocking - they had nearly run out of toasties after a busy morning, but I think we all found something good to eat.   Niall was also shocked to find that the electric fence protecting the animals was actually switched on.

Don't touch!

After lunch

Ruth and Jan at the secret lunch location

Animals

The way home was more straightforward, trying to dodge the M25 diversion traffic as the M25 was closed.   Up to Westfield, around the south of Woking and then across to Pyrford Lock and Muddy Lane, which was blissfully quiet apart from birdsong.   Unusually quiet.  We were standing right next to the empty M25 bridge.   We managed fairly well to avoid the official M25 diversion, but we kept finding extra traffic on unofficial routes, so a bit of ducking and diving got us to Walton with a depleted group of six.

Tea stop at Walton

Many thanks to all for your company today and especially to those who took pictures and to David and Jan for back marking.

Statistics: nine riders, 32 miles from 11s to tea, 1100 feet of climbing, two commons, three heaths, two sewage works, one ford, one miniature railway and seven railway crossings; three stopped for tea