Sunday 31 March 2019

A cool and overcast start didn't deter no less than Ged, Graham, Bob, Ed, Lilian, Brian B, Paul, Terry and me from assembling at the revamped Clandon Garden Centre for elevenses.   Suffering from a cold, I curtailed the planned ride to lunch and we took a fairly direct route over the Merrow Downs track then through Chilworth and Wonersh and along the romantically named 'Sewage Works Path' to Wetherspoons, Godalming.   The pub was eerily quiet for a Sunday lunchtime and appeared to be the only place in Godalming you wouldn't go to for Mothering Sunday celebrations!

The service and food were all the better for that, and we left replenished and ready to tackle the rigours of the return ride.   Or so we thought!   The steep climb up to Mount Browne and the nagging head wind all the way back made it a much more gruelling ride than usual.   We left two at Guildford station and two more headed for Clandon.   Five made it to tea at Ripley but only two stopped.  Thanks to all for your company and to Terry for back-marking.

Confused By All These Changes To The Programme?

Then you're not alone!   But here is some certainty to hang on to - a reminder that the elevenses venue for Sunday 31 March has been changed from Squires, West Horsley (as per printed rides list) to Clandon Park Garden Centre.   All other details, including, unfortunately, the duff ride leader, remain unchanged. 

And remember, the clocks go forward by one hour on Sunday 31 March too!

Please pass this information on to any member blissfully unaware of this farrago because they are fortunate enough not to have a computer!

Date change: Swapping the rides on 7 and 14 April

Advance notice that Tony and I are swapping the planned rides for April 7 and 14th.   So the new plan is

• April 7: Tony leads from Dorney Court Garden Centre
• April 14:  Simon leads from Walton, Riverhouse Barn Cafe

The rides list has been updated but the paper Sou'Wester is now out of date.  Please could you pass this info onto those who don't have online access?

Pete's pics

11s at Effingham

Newdigate church

Happy drinkers

Pete's lunch

More happy drinkers

Happy eater

Another happy eater

Pete and Ann

Sunday March 24th

Despite an overnight frost, thirteen arrived at Effingham Vineries on what turned out to be a sunny, almost windless day. Leaving Maureen, Bob and Richard to 'do their own things', ten set out for Ranmore via Hogden Lane. When approaching Dorking we had to negotiate queues of worthy citizens at the council tip entrance (a problem on Fri-Sun incl now but the tip may close in September so locals will have to drive to Leatherhead). Heading south through Dorking we tunnelled under the A24 at the North Holmwood roundabout then proceeded along the closed (weekdays only) Inholms Lane. Turning right at Four Wents pond brought us to the A24 again, under which we tunnelled to use the cycle path, shortly tunnelling again then taking Newdigate Road to ...Newdigate.

Not having been to The Six Bells for a while we were happy to sit outside in the sun and wait, not long, for our food which was quite good (e and oe). The return route to Dorking was via Parkgate, Shellwood Road, a practice run down most of Root Hill followed by a gentle climb up Tilehurst Lane thence to Denbies where most stopped for a cuppa.

Thanks to all for your company, especially Simon for tec and others for corner marking.

Terry

One point: Maureen, Bob and Richard.
Two points: Lilian, Ann, Dave, Graham, Ed, Pete B, Simon, Vic, Paul and Terry.

Lunch 24th March.......

.......will be at The Six Bells, Newdigate (not via Henfold Hill).

Terry

Advance Notice - Change of Elevenses Venue for 31 March

The Elevenses meet for Sunday 31 March will now be at Clandon Park Garden Centre not Squires, West Horsley as per the printed rides list.   Clandon Park GC is convenient for Clandon railway station and there are no engineering works planned on the line that day!  The return ride from lunch will also pass within a mile or so to the north of Clandon station.

This change is for Sunday 31 March and the meeting point for Terry's ride from The Vineries Garden Centre on Sunday 24 March is unchanged.

St Patrick's Day 2019

After weeks of high winds, Sunday was much quieter with a constant stream of overtaking cyclists on the way to 11s at West Horsley where Dave and Bob were ensconced. By 11 we were ten.

We went up past Sheepleas to the top of Combe Down then down into Shere (Bray is still up for let/sale). From the railway bridge it was east along Hook Lane then south down Jesses Lane where Dave stopped in a failed attempt to clear the gap betwixt tyre and mudguard. At usual Peaslake's was crammed with MTBers as we continued to Ewhurst thence Walliswood.

I hadn't booked as a full length ride seemed unlikely during Saturday's storms. Most had to settle for a bowl of chips; apologies to all! We weren't alone as casual visitors all suffered the same fate.

Dave (in Ewhurst), Vic and Keith had departed separately for home so only five remained to head up Weare Street and into Capel where the Petes turned off right for Newdigate. Close to the Beare Green roundabout I was crackered but Terry obliged by taking over the lead. They were soon gone from view but it mattered not as Terry suffered a slow in Punchbowl Lane. Surprising all five(! thanks to PB's broken chain) of us were reunited at the A25 where we went our separate ways.

60+miles door to door. Clearly my legs need more miles and fewer hills.
1 Point: Bob, Ed
2 Points : GFH, Ann, Dave, Keith, Petes B and F, Terry, Vic

Cheam and Morden March 17th

Lunch stop at Walliswood

CTC Tri-Vets Event - 19 June 2019

You are cordially invited to join CTC South West London on Wednesday 19 June for the 2019 Tri-Vets ride, with three choices of ride length from 50 km to 100 miles. The entry cost of £5 includes refreshments at lunch and at the end of the ride.

The Triennial Veterans ride is a CTC challenge ride organised by various CTC member groups around the country. To quote the CTC:

“This is a fun challenge which CTC groups have taken part in since 1928, our Golden Jubilee year and to encourage those aged 50 and over to have a go at riding 100 miles within a 12-hour time limit.

The rides are also a great sociable occasion, with many groups choosing to include a sit-down lunch stop and refreshments along the way. For members, it's a chance to catch up with old friends, make new ones and discover new routes to ride.”

2019 event

2016 Tri-Vets

CTC South West London is running a Tri-Vets ride in 2019, following our first Tri-Vets in 2016, which was well received despite unhelpful weather. It will follow a similar format, starting and ending (and stopping for lunch) at Brockham Cricket Pavilion, with options of 100 miles, 100km or 50km. You don’t have to be a veteran (defined by the CTC as aged 50+) to ride, although badges are available to veterans completing 100 miles within 12 hours.
Most people choose to ride in a led group, with groups starting between 8am and 11am. The routes are rolling rides based on the Surrey Cycleway: scenic, with little technical difficulty. Lunch and tea at the Pavilion, and pubs and cafes on the routes for those who need a little more.

Entry costs £5, payable in advance and the event is limited to 80 riders, so please email Simon Lambourn first to secure a place, then send the entry form and payment.

More info:

• Event details including routes
• Riding groups
• CTC/CUK website info, including other Tri-Vets events

R I D E C A N C E L L E D

Due to the very strong gusty winds I have cancelled the ride today. I started out to 11s and didn't get far as I was blown across the road 3 times. It is unsafe.

Richmond and Bushy parks are closed due to high winds.

Tony..

Sunday March 2 2019 Stoke D'Abernon and no further

Nays at Stoke D'Abernon had it so we dispersed our various ways. I travelled home a good five mph faster than on my outward journey with a bonus of no rain.

The intrepid four were: Graham, Dave, Tony and Vic.

The 2019 UCI WorldTour calendar:

15-20 January: Santos Tour Down Under (Australia)
27 January: Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race (Australia)
25 February-2 March: UAE Tour (United Arab Emirates)
2 March: Omloop Het Nieuwsblad Elite (Belgium)
3 March Kuurne-Bruxelles-Kuurne (Belgium)
9 March: Strade Bianche (Italy)
10-17 March: Paris-Nice (France)
13-19 March: Tirreno-Adriatico (Italy)
23 March: Milano-Sanremo (Italy)
25-31 March: Volta Ciclista a Catalunya (Spain)
29 March: E3 Harelbeke (Belgium)
31 March: Gent-Wevelgem in Flanders Fields (Belgium)
3 April: Dwars door Vlaanderen - A travers la Flandre (Belgium)
7 April: Ronde van Vlaanderen - Tour des Flandres (Belgium)
8-13 April: Itzulia Basque Country (Spain)
14 April: Paris-Roubaix (France)
21 April: Amstel Gold Race (the Netherlands)
24 April: La Flèche Wallonne (Belgium)
28 April: Liège-Bastogne-Liège (Belgium)
30 April-5 May: Tour de Romandie (Switzerland)
1 May: Eschborn-Frankfurt (Germany)
11 May-2 June: Giro d'Italia (Italy)
12-18 May: Amgen Tour of California (United States)
9-16 June: Critérium du Dauphiné (France)
15-23 June: Tour de Suisse (Switzerland)
6-28 July: Tour de France (France)
3 August: Clasica Ciclista San Sebastian (Spain)
3-9 August: Tour de Pologne (Poland)
4 August: Prudential RideLondon-Surrey Classic (Great Britain)
12-18 August: BinckBank Tour
24 August-15 September: La Vuelta Ciclista a España (Spain)
25 August: EuroEyes Cyclassics Hamburg (Germany)
1 September: Bretagne Classic - Ouest-France (France)
13 September: Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec (Canada)
15 September: Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal (Canada)
12 October: Il Lombardia (Italy)
15-20 October: Gree - Tour of Guangxi (China)
22-27 October: Presidential Cycling Tour of Turkey (Turkey)

Maybe of interest.