Sunday 26th November 2006

High water everywhere sent in short sharp bursts summed up this day. As the rain lashed down, I pitied those who had far to travel but by 0845 it eased and I had to be off. At the Bridge, Ed, Jake, Steve and I were joined by Stephanie (Sat/Wed rider) on a new Thorn complete with several hundred pounds' worth of Rohloff Speedhub. My intended route (NCN 4) was ruled a non-starter weather-wise. So we went Giggs Hill Green, Esher sewage works (nearby and getting wet), Walton and Weybridge stations before a hailstorm hit us beside the canal. Andy and Bob were ensconsed in Tesco's and soon we were joined by the Squirrels (passing through). The late arriving Pam and Terry meant a delayed restart of 1130. I tried Bittams Lane and Homewood Park to Stonehill Road where once again the heavens opened. Through Mimbridge was awash but at Horsell it was back to suburbia and comparative safety. We climbed onto Hook Heath then down to Mayford and over Pyle Hill and into Jacob's Well. A sprint beside the A3 lead to Potter's Lane where Send Hill was a final obstacle before the Saddler Arms in Send Marsh. The already arrived Bob, Simon and Jen had a spot by the fire and soon set aside garments started to steam gently. We were away by 1430 hours taking the obvious route via a dryish Cobham Tilt to Stoke D'Abernon in only 30 minutes! Here we added Anne to the party. Again we lingered until the bolting of doors and the clearing of tables told us it was time to go our seperate ways, naturally under increasing blue skies. Less than 50 miles but hard won.

Bike for sale

Someone rang from:

Cartels Auctioneers
2 Tanners Court
Middle Street
Brockham RH3 7NH
01737 844646

to say they had a "Tifosi Megatube" bike for sale - from the web, a lowish spec racing number so probably not much interest to any of us.

Should we name and shame the "cyclist" on p55 of Cycling Weekly 09/11/06!

Sunday 19th November 2006

What an absolutely beautiful day!
Riding south of Dorking, the morning mist hovering above the fields lit by an ever so bright sun was a picture, if only I had my digital camera. Everywhere you looked, the countryside looked magnificent with a hundred shades of brown on the trees set against a brilliant blue sky. Autumn is a wonderful time of year to be on a bike.
Twelve out today, thirteen if you include Bob, all arriving in dribs and drabs at the Blu Moon cafe in Beare Green. It always amazes me how this out of the way place survives but it does and we are thankful for that. A mug of coffee (instant) 70p and staff that are "easy on the eye"ensures we continue to visit.
Keith took us via Capel and Weare Street to Holmbury St Mary where lunch was consumed on the green. Most indoor eaters had soup but naturally Ian had to go one better with a full size fish of some description. The arrival of a lunch party meant we had nowhere to sit, so we hit the road.
Mrs North, with Mr Hill some way behind, decided the local 1 in 5 needed climbing so after saying farewell we parted company. That left Keith, myself, Pete, Daphne, Mike, Roger, Ian, Terry and the two MTB Petes to climb up to Leith Hill, Coldharbour and the 36mph decent to tea at Denbies.
Six remain and tea/cakes get the Ian "I'll pay for that" treatment. So when he gets dropped in Leatherhead we all show signs of anxiety and a certain amount of guilt but can't help feeling that his generosity is perhaps better spent repairing his clapped out bike.

Sunday 12th November 2006

This morning we venture north to a Central London destination but first we make an unscheduled stop at Cafe Nero in Wandsworth which proved popular with coffee junkies but personally I would of been happy with Sainsbury's 85p filter but was closed due to late opening. We left as the place was filling up with late risers and headed over Wandsworth Bridge to ride on the shared path north of the Thames to Lambeth Bridge where we encounted slow moving traffic caused by the Remembrance service on Whitehall. Continuing south of the river to Upper Ground and north over Blackfriars Bridge past Old Bailey to lunch on public seating outside Barts Hospital. In line with the 11's spot the pub was also shut so we settled in the Rising Sun close to Smithfield Meat Market.
After a phone call to Wimbledon Windmill cafe to check closing time, Graham took over leading going west to Fleet Street, Trafalgar Square, The Mall & Victoria to rejoin the earlier route back over Wandsworth Bridge.
The cafe was, perhaps not suprisingly, very busy probably due to the decent weather which meant we were able to sit outside.
The threat of rain and fading light caused us to go our separate ways and sure enough the wet stuff did fall before the Masari reached the dry.
Today's attendees: Pete, Daphne, Graham, Ed, Steve, Anne & Jake with Bob at 11's.
Total miles: 35
Price of a Latte in Cafe Nero: £1.90


The date of the C&M's annual lunch is 11th February 2007. Declare your interest to Steve Gordon (steveandann61@tiscali.co.uk & 020 8398 2775). More details published shortly.

Website of the week:
conrad-direct.co.uk
Click on home/leisure
4 white LED front lamp £6..20
5 red LED rear lamp £3.99
P&P £5.99

From the Archives

Updated C&M Rides Nov-Dec

Golden Beeches Weekend

The Golden Beeches Weekend was attended by Lisa & Pete & Carolyn Beer from the DA.
10:30 on the Saturday found over 100 enthusiastic cyclists at Lacey Green, at the Millennium Hall, having tea & cakes before starting on an assortment of rides to suit all abilities, from families to long-distance riders. We chose the medium level of 47 miles led by leader John and rearguard Sue. Lanes, plus a section of the Phoenix Trail cycle route took us through Thame and on to lunch at Waterperry Gardens. Afterwards we negotiated the hill up to Brill Windmill for a short photo session before wending back to the headquarters for a meal of bangers & mash and bread & butter pudding, all prepared by the South Bucks DA team of helpers. A quiz followed, then to finish a slide show on SW Ireland presented by John Gosnell.
Sunday dawned mild and sunny & at 9:30am 10 groups, including an off-road party for today, moved off. Our group meandered past Chequers, towards 11's at Startops End by the canal. Following the canal past seven locks & reservoirs at Tring, into Tring and past the Walter Rothschild Zoological Museum and zig-zag on minor lanes past Lee Gate - with memories of C&M hostel trips past - and back to Lacey Green for 2pm Lunch. Still bright sunshine and then home.