CHANGE TO PROGRAMME FOR SUNDAY 2 OCTOBER 2022

Sincere apologies for yet another short notice change but in view of a rail strike the day before, the rearranged London Marathon and planned climate change protests (!!!), our ride to Bermondsey on Sunday 2 October has been postponed until 23 October.

The ride on Sunday 2 October will now start from Morrisons, Weybridge and head to lunch in Windsor, either at the Cinnamon Cafe, or The Windelsora as preferred.

Apologies once again!

Ordanary Racing

 The Last Race

A Grand Day out

 Hillingdon Track  Ordanary Racing

Well, what a turnout, 15 met at the Peasantry in Bushey park for the ride to Hillingdon cycle track to watch the Ordinary (Penny Farthing) cycle racing. It's not a great distance and the route I took was predominantly off-road, to avoid the traffic. Off-road is obviously slower but a more pleasant ride.

The lunch stop was at The Botwell Inn, a Wetherspoon pub in Hayes town, only 1.2 miles from the track. It was warm enough to sit outside and we were soon tucking into our vittals. We left the pub in good time and got to the track where racing had started early. It was great to see such machines in action and going at a great speed around the track.

The event was organised by the Pickwick Bicycle Club, the oldest cycle club in the world, based in East London. Nearly 2 hours were spent watching the racing and admiring the machines and chatting to the owners. One chap even travelled with his bike from Germany!

The route back was shorter and still involved some off-road. No tea stop was required and at Fulwell the group started to disperse. A great group and a grand day's ride and a rare opportunity to witness such an event. Thank you all for joining me, and thanks to Simon for back marking.

Tony.

 

 

Sunday the 25th

A ride to Hillingdon cycle track to watch the Penny Farthing racing.

11's at the Pheasantry,  Bushey park.

Lunch will be at Wetherspoons,Hayes, about 1 mile from the track. We will need to leave lunch no later than 1.45

The racing starts at 2.0pm

Tea TBD

Its a not a long ride to lunch with some good off road.

Tony..

Norwesters take a different route

Sunday the 18th of September

The Old Moat at Epsom was the 11's for this Sunday's ride. I arrived with Pam to find a crowd already partaking of various fare.

The lunch destination was the Sportsman at Mogador. Ed, Maureen, Pam and I decided to forego the pleasures of Chalk Lane and head to Charlton and the Harrow pub for lunch. We headed to Esher via Claygate, Molesey and over Walton bridge, the edge of Shepperton and onto lunch. Prior, the landlady welcomed us and even greeted me by name, she remembered me having taken the b's there earlier this year.

Lunch was good and soon served. As usual plenty of banter, then alas time to go, no one opted for a tea stop, Pam headed West, while Ed, Maureen and I headed East and along some nice off-road cycle paths, we parted company at Hampton. As the coffee machine at the Harrow was out of order I headed into Hampton Hill for a coffee at the Black Olive, my usual breakfast restaurant, for my afternoon tea stop, Being a regular, today my coffee was free, nice end to the day.

 Tony..

 

Up, Up and Away to Mogador - 18 Sept

Was it the first chilly Sunday of autumn?   Long sleeves for all eleven at elevenses at the Old Moat, Epsom.  It was warm enough to linger outdoors and chat, before six of us took off for Mogador, leaving Bob, Maureen, Pam, Tony and Ed to hold the fort (or was it the moat?).

I had struggled to find a flat route to our lunch destination at The Sportsman, Mogador, because it's on the North Downs, so a hill was required.   After a loop-the-loop around Epsom we climbed steadily and then rather sharply to Walton on the Hill.   After admiring the pond, which still has a little water in it, we crossed the golf course by a route less favoured by Diane due to plentiful roots and stones, and arrived in one piece at the pub.

Pic courtesy of Dave Ellis

Brian had to be home by lunchtime but luckily we were early, so he had time for a pint (don't tell his wife) before setting off homewards.  The menu at The Sportsman was a bit tricky having many expensive options. but luckily they had Scotch Eggs and a few other side dishes, and the hut was serving bacon butties, so I think we all found something suitable.

After lunch, we went to admire the view from Colley Hill before returning across the golf course, on the more favoured route, with a few large puddles covering the whole track, forcing us to ride on the hallowed turf of the golf course.   Up to Box Hill, because it was there, and then down to Leatherhead for tea.   A nice day out in good company - thank you all.

I met Ed on my way home, who told me that he, Maureen, Pam and Tony had gone on an alternative ride to Charlton village, so there were two C&M rides today.  Impressive!

Sunday September 11 2001

21 years ago will stay with me forever. I was headed for Sleeperzzz hostel Rogart, final training for an unscheduled Across America ride part II (5 days). With new password and plane tickets, days later I flew to SF with a choice of 27 seats. Greyhound and 100 miles of desert road brought me back to Eureka NV where part I had ended abruptly in June. 

2022 was rather less memorable. Early morning mist had largely dispersed as I headed for Lammas Park Staines where Bob was seated. Two became four with the arrival of Pam and Canadian Robert then six (Gemma and t'other Dave). 

Traffic was heavy on the Wraysbury road until we continued past the station and into Horton. The Colnbrook A4 roundabout "improvements" saw us weaving carefully through a stationary mass of motorists. With no recce NCN61 was joined close to Langley station. Langley Country Park led us to the dual A412, never pleasant but down and across got us to Black Park. Flooded Chapel Lane provided a brief "we've never been here before" moment. The B416 was busy so we used the parallel Duffield Lane to reach the Fox And Pheasant from the west. Though warm my roast was probably cooked well in advance!

The return was all too familiar : Fulmer, Genevieve ford (flooded), Pinewood, Iver, Old Slade Road. The eastern A4 queue stretched beyond the incinerator and so more weaving were needed to enter Colnbrook down Mill Street. Junction 14 was noisy with regular visitors, some sporting helmet liners! We went various ways in Ashford. 50+ miles door to door - a fine day for cycling.

PS Be sure to carry a machete if going via Moor Lane

Sunday September 11 2022 Change of 11s

I'm not expecting a large crowd so I'm moving next Sunday's 11s to Lammas Park Staines, a more manageable mileage (13 rather than 18) for me.

Happy to start outside TK-Max on Kingston bridge at 0930 - please email if interested.

Lunch unchanged but we'll pass Langley and Black parks, both of which have cafes. Notionally tea could be Notcutts Staines.

Changes to our September/October Programme

Please note changes to to the programme.   The online rides list has been updated and supersedes the printed version.

25/09/22 - Ride changed to meet at The Pheasantry, Bushy Park for elevenses.  Destination will be  'ordinary' racing event organised by the Pickwick Club at Hillingdon Arena.

9/10/22 - Ride will now meet at The Queen Stage, Effingham with lunch at The Herbert Wells, Woking.

16/10/22 - Ride will now meet at The Golden Cafe, Addlestone, not Heather Farm, Horsell, other details unchanged.

Ride Report - Sunday 04/09/22 (Stoke d'Abernon and Epsom)

 

Bob, Diane, Simon, Mark, Tony, Terry, Ed, Maureen, Graham, Geoff and I met for elevenses at Squires, Stoke d'Abernon.

Maureen made her own way home from there but the rest of us continued to lunch at Epsom.   The route I had planned took us across Bookham Common, then Ashtead Common passing The Wells.   Diane kindly offered to navigate us on a different route into Epsom via the Stew Pond and Stamford Green and displayed a natural talent for leading!

After lunch at The Assembly Rooms we went our separate ways home.   Thanks to all for your company, to Simon for back-marking, and to Diane for navigational assistance!