Saturday 24th December 2011

A nice leisurely start for everyone as the ride is a 10am meet at Ewell's Green Man,although your section secretary managed to go to NC......& Richard had us down for Ryka's for 11's.But it was the servery at Boxhill we were heading via the rather expensive houses in Ewell Downs Road/The Green where it's typically "4 beds,4 baths,4 receps" and an asking price of £1.2 million.Why would a house need 4 bathrooms?

We pedalled over Epsom Downs,Langley Vale up to Headley and arrived at a little after 11.15am to meet amongst others Ian,Pete Beyer & wife,Irene & most importantly,my mother & father who with no arm twisting whatsoever,provided the gathered with warm mince pies & bread pudding fresh from an oven in Dorking

The intention for the short ride to lunch was Westhumble,across Bookham Common then Downside to The Old Plough at Stoke d'Abernon.But the majority decided that the previous day's considerable amount of rain and/or the 20% incline of Bagden Hill was enough to persuade them otherwise.

As it turned out,it was maybe just as well because I managed to get lost on the way!

Bookham Common is the Bermuda Triangle of Surrey but Terry and myself emerged unscathed to find some tucking into mushroom soup.

After an hour or so,we all went our separate ways and for me I had time to buy some (rare) food bargains in Sainsbugs.

Merry Christmas!!!!

(unless your reading this sometime in the coming days in which case........hope you had a good one :-)

Sunday 18th December 2011

It has been a great idea to meet at differing locations this autumn rather than at the aesthetically challenged North Cheam junction of the A24.
This Sunday I met Steve and Andy at the Oaks Park café.
We decided to have a coffee before setting off.
Although not in keeping with the spirit of the discussions at the AGM there was on this occasion good reason – as the temperature had dipped below zero during the night this would leave a little more time for the ice to melt.

With our caffeine boost we pedalled up to Woodmansterne thence to Coulsdon, across Farthing Downs to Chaldon. By and large any ice that had formed had melted but there were a few frosty patches around Spring Bottom Lane to keep us, so to speak, on our toes – we want to keep our collar bones intact for the festive period. No such concerns along the A25 and by the time we reached the Oxted turn-off the rising temperature ensured a frost-free pedal to meet up with Ian and Terry for elevenses at Morrisons.

Setting off through Oxted old town we joined Tandridge Lane. Then along Croydonbarn Lane turning off to Horne and the only hillette on this leg to take us to the windmill at Outwood and on to our lunch stop at Wasp Green.

By now the temperature was falling and the sun paling and there was some discussion as to whether to stop for tea. Generally the feeling was to go straight home. Pedalling up Markedge Lane we saw a rainbow. But this was not good news. Pausing at Fanny’s Farm for a breather we decided not to stay for tea. This was a good decision. The sky soon darkened, at first drizzle and then a short sharp hailstorm as we cycled down Hazelwood Lane.

All in all a good December ride for probably the first Sunday with an average seasonal temperature compared with the hitherto mild autumn this year. For me, from Balham, the mileage recorded was 62.

From Mike.

Sunday, 11 December 2011

Fairoaks Aerodrome - Cheapside
(Walton Bridge on way home)

Sunday 11th December 2011

Sunday 11th December 2011: Kingston Bridge-Fairoaks Aerodrome-Cheapside Thatched Tavern-home

A good day out in what turned out to be dry weather. But marred by the ride leader’s two back wheel punctures.

From Kingston Bridge, five of us cycled to elevenses by a mainly direct route, with minor scenic diversions at Shepperton Marina, Walton Lane and Victory Park.

I discovered my first puncture of the day just before we were due to start from elevenses. So it was nearly 11.45 when we left Fairoaks and cycled, on largely car-free roads, via Burrowhill and Windlesham to Sunningdale where my second puncture occurred. We managed to pump up the flat sufficiently for me to reach the Thatched Tavern at Cheapside near Ascot at about 1 p.m.

My grateful thanks to Terry and Jeff for their mechanical help. Jeff sacrificed part of his lunch hour to patch one of my inner tubes and then sacrificed more time to refit a rear brake pad (I had trouble releasing the brake mechanism on my non-standard brakes, so had to push the wheel and tyre past the brake pads to get the wheel back into place. This dislodged one of the brake pads and it proved difficult to refit it securely.)

After a good lunch, we left the Thatched Tavern at about 2.15 p.m. Soon afterwards, the group divided. Some went through Windsor Park to Egham, while others followed the leader through the Wentworth Estate and on into Chertsey. Most got home as or before darkness fell.

There were 13(?) of us at elevenses, but some went straight home. Attendees on the ride from elevenses to lunch were Carolyn, Irene, Nancy, Pam, Stephanie, Graham, Jeff, John, Terry.

John Gould

Sunday, 4 December 2011

Redhill Aerodrome - Fickleshole - Oaks Park

We made a two pronged approach to Redhill Aerodrome, one from N.Cheam (Andy and Grant) and one from Tadworth (Stephanie and a coughing and spluttering Jeff). The Tadworth flight path was via Chipstead, Merstham and Cormongers Lane – a novelty to Steph, whose grandmother, I learned, was a customer of Fullers Earth. We converged on the aerodrome café and were joined one by one by a number of lone wolves. The mess was crowded, a magnet for the local constabulary, Epsom RC and a large party of breakfasters filling one room. The C&M contingent was: Steph, Andy, Bob, Daniel, Grant, Graham, Mike, Terry and Jeff.

With time for a bacon baguette and reflection on the next leg to lunch, all options seemed to offer an exhilarating ascent of the North Downs, to be missed by some with suddenly pressing domestic luncheon duties. Thus it was that nine became four, with Andy, Graham, Mike and Jeff heading off for them thar hills.

With Fickleshole not a million miles away there was no rush. After S. Nutfield we took two farm tracks: one licit – Henshaw Farm, and one I am advised not so licit – Cuckseys Farm, to reach South Park Lane and up to Tilburstow Hill. Past Godstone Farm we took Love Lane and Bulbeggars Lane to Church Town, where we really should have paused to admire the exquisite St Mary’s Almshouses.

Our focus, however, was to cross the A25, A22 and M25 and embrace the swelling, sensuous contours of Gangers Hill. To a man they took our breath away and left us flushed and quivering at the summit. We then had time to gather our strength along The Ridge to Clarks Lane, a northward plunge down Beddlestead Lane and the sharp reminder of the power of gravity at Hesiers Hill. From here, it was no more that a tootle to our target, the White Bear at Fickleshole, where we arrived as the bell tolled one.

The pub was full of Sunday diners, but with not a sandwich in sight. Bread and soup met our simple needs. After lunch, Graham made an early start for home as the rain began to fall. The rest set off and were briefly tempted by the beckoning N21, High Hill Road; but the mud, the incline and the wooden sign which read: ‘STEEP DESCENT. EXTREME CAUTION’ dissuaded even the most adventurous from sure disaster. Tarmac won the day, so it was Scotshall Lane to Farleigh, Croydon High and Croham Valley Rd to S. Croydon. A twist and a turn took us past Whitgift School and along Pampisford Rd to cross the Purley Way and meet Foxley Lane. It was then just a gentle rise along the A2022 to Oaks Park, still in daylight. The Tea Rooms close at 4pm, but we enjoyed our tea and cake before heading home in the drizzle and early December gloaming.

This was a first visit to these tea rooms and will not be our last. We meet there again at 9.15am on 18 December to start our ride to Oxted and Wasp Green.

Jeff

Sunday 27th November 2011

At the rear of the Bricklayers Arms,some fine specimens soaking up the November sunshine.



The comical signpost in Blackheath village............normally,according to a passing resident,removed for the winter months.

Sunday November 27 2011

Improbable when I awoke, this turned out to be another glorious day of a glorious month - I couldn't go wrong just had to let the colours do the talking. A trio headed south through Ewell and Stamford Green to Leatherhead then turned north-west to Stoke D'Abernon where Bob and Andy were settling in. In ones and twos they came until there we were in double figures; Paul and Colin Q being the last just as we were leaving.

After sliding over the Tilt and past the growing alp of the nascent M25 Service Station we heard but met no dogs on Dirtham Lane. The noticeable wind disappeared as we hit the trees and hills of Surrey. Mike and Paul were waiting at the top of Coombe Bottom, on fixed so unwilling to tackle roughstuff. For a change we went via Albury Heath - no Irvingites (as expected), the  landfill ever taller. Farley Heath where Daniel of Guildford joined us was a final obstacle before lunch at the Bricklayers Arms.

Because it's there, Lordshill Road lead us back across the main road towards Blackheath. In Chilworth a left in front of the  still under wraps Percy Arms then right up past the alpacas (for those who knew where to look!) got us to the top of  misnamed One Tree Hill. Just four galloped to the second Squires of the day in West Horsley. Be warned, roadworks before the Newlands turn-off means for a while you'll be mixing it with  the A25 speedsters! Under 60 miles door to door and home in semi-light.

Andy's Swansong?

Photo from TerryAndy playing chicken with a swan. Who'll quack first?

Sunday 20th November 2011

Basingstoke Canal beyond Woking.



Sandwiches consumed,the group is in a happy mood :-)



"The BEST bacon sandwiches in Surrey" according to a Facebook post................better not tell Jeff ;-)


Thanks to Picasa's tuning & effects because the original suffered a strange green tinge :-(



Some of the artwork at Ockham Bites.I spot a Grey Heron,Mallards,a Moorhen or is it a Coot?
Shelduck,Mute Swan & Great Crested Grebe ..................... oh and a Coca Cola sign.

Sunday, 20 November 2011

By the Way

On Sunday, Andy was our Tracy Emin of the camera. His photographic record will follow. In the meantime, I should perhaps note that something or someone did cause Graham some very considerable distress. We do hope that he is now himself again.

***

Despite Pam assiduously avoiding the black stuff, some agricultural digging was required at lunch to remove the combination of mulch and towpath that created the usual leverless brake inside my mudguard.

Tim's route / Kingston-Staines-Wood St.Village-Ockham

Sunday 20th November 2011

Notcutt's Garden Centre, Staines was our venue for 11s's and eight cyclists left there, only minutes after 11am, for their ride to Wood Street Village for lunch. Don and Alan joined us for part of the route and we left Bob, Dave, Bill and Margaret at the centre to continue chatting!

It had taken me a while to decide on route to lunch but all was well on the day! We started off by going through Laleham and Chertsey. To Ottershaw via the lanes, cycle path along side A320 to 5roads roundabout, and then to Horsell to join the Basingstoke Canal to Hermitage Road/Blackhorse Lane, then more lanes to arrive at The Royal Oak in plenty of time for our 1pm booking! The pub only serves roasts on a Sunday, but by prior arrangement the landlady had prepared a tray of sandwiches for our hungry group! Graham and Jeff incited a lively chat, mostly about the CTC, with Irene, Terry, Tim, Andy, Brian and myself!

Our return journey was not very imaginative....via A3 cycle path! One always has to be aware of the early closures of cafes etc. on a Sunday, especially now the days are so much shorter - hence we took tea at Ockham Bites, a most convenient place from which folks can make their own way home. It was one of those rare occasions when all those at lunch were also there for tea!

My thanks to Irene for offering to be back marker and my thanks to Tim for the route maps.

Pity it was so dull...but we cannot change the weather!!! I had a great day - regardless!

Cheers all Pam :) :)

Sunday 13th November 2011

En route to Addlestone,we call on Ed convalescing after his tumble 2 weeks ago.






A matching toe-clip is currently unavailable.






Ready for the off..............

Sunday, 13 November 2011

Addlestone - Callow Hill - Hersham

Welcome to Nancy
with grateful thanks for rescuing me from the mud!

Sunday 13 November 2011

Having been introduced to new lady Nancy (welcome Nancy, hope you can join us on a regular basis) and sampled Addlestone Tesco's culinary offerings (the coffee was awful) I led westwards through Rowtown and Ottershaw. All was quiet at Fairoaks as we passed before turning north into Old Chertsey Road, then via imaginatively named Accommodation Road (not a b and b or Travelodge in sight) and Kitsmead Lane leading shortly to Virginia Water. Turning right into Gorse Hill Road led to this morning's mildly challenging off-road section, Hollow Lane, after which it was a short stretch of road to lunch at The Rose and Olive Branch, Callow Hill. Here there was a very good choice on the menu and our orders appeared quickly.

After lunch a quick descent of Prune Hill led to Thorpe Lea and soon the cycletrack alongside the A320. A quiet ride through Penton Hook led to the somewhat more challenging Ferry Lane after which we headed for Chertsey Bridge, but turned onto N4 across the Meads. Through Weybridge on quiet sideroads we approached Squires Hersham Garden Centre (via Grotto Road and Burwood Park), where after refreshments we went our separate ways. An amazingly mild November day for cycling, with plenty of autumn colours to be admired.

Good to see photo of Ed, taken this morning, and later to get his text enthusing over JDW lunch.

Terry

Sunday, 6 November 2011

On the way from Woodcote to the DA AGM at Walton on the Hill

Sunday 30th October 2011

Hoping Ed makes a speedy recovery.I'll just mention a few points as raised at the AGM.
1.It looks like the Annual Lunch will be on 5th February 2012 at the usual place (Horton CP GC) but this is not definate and more info will become available in due course.
2.Easter Tour 2012 will be in the Bournemouth area and is likely to be Hotel Collingwood.
Tripadvisor reviewers seem to like their stay with most rating it either excellent or very good,you can see the report here:
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g186262-d193335-Reviews-Hotel_Collingwood-Bournemouth_Dorset_England
3.One member felt that 11's were becoming 12's with sometimes lengthy periods sipping tea.Whilst I would admit it may be the case occassionally,I don't consider it to impact on the rest of the day's ride.Suffice to say if you are a leader,please consider others and leave refreshment venues promptly,thankyou!
4.There was a request for the annual ride to the seaside to return after a short absence.Destination likely to be Shoreham although Ferring,Climping,Durrington & Worthing have all been achieved in years past.
5.Hilly 50 date is provisionally 10th March 2012.Graham has requested help as attendees continue to rise and previous helpers have moved on (Simon Legg).

See you at the renamed "Ashtead Garden Centre" for a disciplined 11's stop on Sunday.

Ed Sharp - injured

Jen Mitchell reports that Ed has broken his Ankle! Having spoken to Ed this evening it seems that his fall on Walton Heath after leaving the Sportsman was more serious than he realised. It seems that in falling off his bike he ended up facing the wrong way with his foot still strapped in. This morning it was very swollen and he asked Jen to get some medication. She took one look at it and took him straight to Epsom Hospital where he had an X-ray which showed a break. They have given him an elasticated boot and he will visit the Fracture Clinic later this week for a prognosis. A familiar story to me in the last 2 years. I would expect Ed to be off his bike for some weeks. We all wish you well and a speedy recovery Ed.

It seems as if we should call the 30 Oct "Black Sunday" after I was clipped by a speeding motorist who came straight out of a "T" junction and almost whipped me up as he crossed the road clipped and bent my pannier hit the kerb and sped off at high speed without stopping. I was 6 inches from serious or fatal consequences! Thank goodness we were not in a group or anyone behind would have been mincemeat. An incident report has been filed with the Police but with no witness or vehicle number plate there is little to go on!

Sunday, 30 October 2011 - AGM

Merstham - Mogador - W. Ewell

All paths lead to the AGM

SUNDAY 23rd OCTOBER 2011

Another Sunday when Graham kindly led from Kingston Bridge to 11s's at Runnymede where I, Pam, leader of the day arrived just before 11am. Our destination was Taplow, just over an hours ride, hence there was no rush to get away. Even so, Jeff had not arrived by the time we left so we thought he may be having the day off but that was not the case for he arrived at lunch just after the group!
Our outward ride took us through Old Windsor, over the railway lines to Datchet, onwards to Eton (good views of the college via this route), across the common at Eton Wick (back wind!) and instead of going direct to Taplow we approached via Burnham Village, Gore Road and Hitcham Lane to the Oak and Saw public house. Pete Mathews and Bob were already there and 12 of us sat down to lunch/drinks in the garden...it was that warm!!
Our route to 3s's at the Riverside Arts Centre was via the Jubilee river, Datchet, Horton, Wraysbury, Staines and Shepperton. We arrived in good time to relax and chat before dispersing for home!
Thank you Irene for looking after the 'rear end'! It was a lovely day and my thanks to all for being there! :) :)

Sunday, 23 October 2011

Runnymede - Taplow - Walton on Thames

Welcome to Malcolm Dancy

Lunch the Oak & Saw, Taplow

Pete Mitchell Remembered

Courtesy of Surrey Mirror Group Newspapers.

Last C & M visit to Capel 2011

Sunday, 16 October 2011

Hookwood - Warnham - Capel

First C&M overground crossing of the rail-track at Warnham

Daniel in reflective mood in the Capel churchyard

Sunday October 16 2012

Having failed to lay out winter gear in advance, I missed the start! Foggy and chilly("I can just about feel my toes") in Kingston become sunny and only slightly less chilly by the Zoo and so it remained to Hookwood. Ten were ahead of me but two full English indicated I wasn't that late. Ed's group had come by way of Epsom, Pebblecombe, Leigh and a left at Norwood Hill.

Leaving Paul and Bob at 11s, we passed through Charlwood, climbed to Rusper before descending beside landfill site and brickworks. Pedestrians (today meaning us) can now use the level crossing (rather than the underpass) at Warnham station. Thus we arrived at the Sussex Oak to discover Daniel tucking in a roast. With only six miles to tea, lunch provided an opportunity (fully taken) to sample a range of ales and it was almost 1430 when we left.

Returning past the Royal Oak, we reached Capel church five minutes late and fuller than usual thanks to a choral something. We dined alfresco; Daniel even managed a nap (and 4 cakes - I thought I was greedy!). Sadly it was the scheduled 2012 Capel teas for C&M. 64 miles door to door.

Useless stats - according to HQ, C&M has no members and only 3 (of today's 12) live in SWL being :

Barnes, Battersea, Clapham, Kingston, Lambeth, Merton, Mitcham, Morden, New Malden, Putney, Raynes Park, Richmond, Sheen, Streatham,  Surbiton, Sutton, Tooting, Wandsworth, Worcester Park.

Time of DA AGM. Correction to page 78 of Oct/Nov issue of Cycle

DA AGM - Date, Time, Place and Corrigendum

12.30pm

CTC AGMs are like busses - they all seem to come at the same time.

I'm sure that you all have the DA AGM indelibly marked in your diaries for 12.30pm on Sunday, 6 November, at Breech Lane Community Centre, Walton on the Hill.

Those who aspire to enter Mastermind with CTC AGMs as their specialist subject, will no doubt have noted with horror the incorrect time of 14.00 hours (no fault of the CTC) recorded on page 78 of the October/November issue of Cycle. The correct details were published in the Sept/Oct issue of the Sou'Wester.

There will be a short Cheam & Morden ride on that day, which will lead to Walton on the Hill for the AGM at 12.30pm, possibly to be followed by a bracing sasparillo at the Chequers.

Everybody will be welcome.

Jeff

Sunday 9th October 2011

With the roads damp after a short shower I set off for NC.
Just me and Ed to 11's so I decided to do a made up in the spur of the moment route.This involved the quiet route to Coney Hall via Coombe Wood & Three Half Penny Wood but not before sighting Jeff at "Fiveways" hastily back tracking after taking a wrong turn.
Mildish morning so outside we were and soon spotted by the "fortyplus" publicity machine.I thrust a S'ouwester in his hand and we left for the very short distance to Cudham.
We all enjoyed our sandwiches overlooking a sports field behind the pub in bright sunshine.
Daniel had joined us by now and new member Dave but it was 2.20pm and we needed to be somewhere.
I decided to take the track going west at Hawley's Corner to emerge at Tatsfield church.The first 30 odd riders had already completed by the time we arrived at the Bec.cc annual hill climb.But we all saw the main contenders and the worthy winner......just 15 years old.

Here he is in action............

Sunday, 9 October 2011

High Elms - Cudham - Titsey

Welcome to Dave Willmey

After lunch at Cudham

Congratulations to Andy, winner of Cudham Hill Climb
I fell off!

Congratulations to Germain Burton, winner of Bec Hill Climb (1.45.1)
16 years old!

Pete Mitchell - Funeral Arrangements

Pete Mitchell’s funeral arrangements - clarification below

Firstly Jake (& Gary), Simon (& Jen) and Lisa would like to thank everyone for all of their kind comments and messages of sympathy. You all know just how shocked we are, because you are too.

We are all agreed that we don’t ever want anyone to bite their tongue for fear of upsetting us, we would rather talk about Pete and cry than avoid mentioning him for fear of upset, so you will all just have to deal with it!

The three of us were certain of most things that he would have wanted, so:

The service will be held at Randalls Park Crematorium, Randalls Road, Leatherhead, Surrey KT22 0AG at 12:30pm on Thursday 6th October 2011.

Everyone is invited back afterward to Horton Park Golf Club, Hook Road, Epsom, Surrey, KT19 8QG – however if you think you will be joining us can you email or phone/text Lisa as soon as possible so that we can assess numbers. (There have been, and still are, a LOT of people to notify, so we have no idea how many will be able to make it there after).
Clarification: It is only the numbers who are coming back to Horton Park Golf Club that we need to know, if you are joining the ride to the crematorium but need to return to work after (or whatever) then we do not need to know that you are coming - we will just see you at Pound Lane.

All Kingston Phoenix members attending are commanded to wear Club Colours.

All cyclists attending are asked to wear cycling jackets whether you cycle or not, and your own club colours if you belong to another club.

Non-cyclists, family and friends, please don’t feel that you have to wear black.

All of our cycling friends are invited to join Pete on one last clubrun, leaving at 11:45am from Longhursts the undertakers in Pound Lane, Epsom, Surrey KT19 8RY and which will be followed by the hearse on the trip to Leatherhead. We will all cycle back to Horton after. This will happen even if it is tipping it down with rain - as the rain never put Pete off - so come prepared!

Any cyclists travelling by car to join the ride, should be able to park at the Golf Course

We are also convinced that he would have wanted any donations to go to the Phoenix – the legacy that Cis left for the club has kept her fresh in our memories - and the three of us also feel that we would like to instigate a perpetual trophy in his memory.

I’ll update this if there is anything I have missed.

Lisa

----

Sunday, 2 October 2011

Cobham - Burrowhill - Walton-on-Thames

Elevenses

The ford in Lovelands Lane

Lunch?

Tea