Sunday 27 November 2022

A damp start so it was no surprise that we were but five (Bob, Dave, Robert, Simon and me) at the Vineries. Briefly we were joined by two Beers (who had other plans). 

09/10 was Spoons Woking; seven weeks later we would be back. Dave's route had gone West so today's would go East to see the first of the M25/A3 "improvements"  - the clear felling of swathes of trees ahead of next year's nesting season. Isle Of Wight, Downside, The Black Swan, Ockham Bites and the A3 footpath (of sorts) led us to the RHS footbridge where there are now clear views over to the airfield.

This signpost (left) was missing at Muddy Lane then came Pyrford's Lock and  Common.  In Maybury a first left under the railway led  to lunch at 1230 after a dozen miles. Within 15 minutes  Pam and Tony arrived having cycled from Addlestone so four was six. There's a new menu (read string of price rises). 

After a leisurely but egg-less lunch our standard route (minor detour through Sheerwater's town centre redevelopment) brought us to Walton Bridge where we dispersed. The dark but dry skies had persisted until around 1500 by which time I was within a mile of home.

PLEASE NOTE - Change of Elevenses Venue for Sunday 27 November 2022

On Sunday 27 November we will now meet at The Vineries Garden Centre, Effingham (instead of The Queen Stage).   Graham has very kindly devised a route to take us on to lunch at Woking.

If you're disappointed we won't be going, as published, to The Queen Stage, then fear not - we are due to have lunch there in a couple of weeks anyway!

Ride Report - Sunday 20 November

 

Bob, Mark, Diane, Sabina, Bernard, Keith, Terry, Graham and Brian joined me at elevenses on a lovely sunny morning.   All of us except Bob set off to follow the route Simon had devised to take us to The Royal Oak at Brockham, where Simon, who had been due to lead but was unexpectedly unable to ride with us, had also booked us a table.   The lovely route took us over Headley Heath, down Pebble Hill and around Betchworth and Leigh, in territory but rarely visited these days by the C & M. 

Our departure from elevenses had been uncharacteristically punctual and at lunch we were surprised to be joined by Ray and Rachel, who had arrived at elevenses just after we had set off!   Of lunch I will just say that my packet of crisps was excellent!    It had clouded over by the time we set off for home, and, once we had cleared the today rather mushy Coach Road we hastened along as fast as we could to try to out-run the rain.   Unfortunately, it struck just after we had gone our separate ways at Leatherhead.   Recently it seems that no ride is complete without at least a short spell of rain!

Thanks to all for your company, to Simon for doing all the organising, and to Graham for back-marking all the way.

Sunday the 13th of November

Bushey Park for 11's saw a good turnout, It was 13 altogether, including a not often seen Richard Delaware, it was nice to see him. I had planned a shortish route, about 17 miles altogether to lunch at the Alisa Tavern, Twickenham. A lot of the route I hadn't used in years and a lot of when I used to run.

Cobblers Walk to Kingston gate, and then back roads to Broom road and onto Teddington lock and across the river. Then left onto Riverside Drive and through Cut Throat alley and onto the pleasant off-road of Ham Avenues to Ham common.

Then Richmond park, bushy as you would expect on a Sunday with mini Peletons flying everywhere. Out of Richmond gate and down Queen's road to the path by Richmond lodge. This leads to a very pleasant path through Sheen common, just be careful of the tree roots.

I had planned a slight detour to view the Wembley arch from Berwyn road in North Sheen, but the weather was against us, it was visible on Friday when I reccied. On to the Thames and over Chiswick bridge and Dan Mason Drive to the Promenade, but turning left into the very long but wide alley that leads to Burlington Lane. At this point I realised that we were behind schedule, so a change of route was called for, so into Stavely road and a brief stop to view the memorial to the first V2 rocket that landed in England in No 5 Stavely road. Killing 3 people and injuring many more.

 

On now by a directish route to Kew bridge and along Brentford high street, Syon park and back to roads to lunch. Fully booked inside but they had an outside Marque and booths with heaters, it was nice to see Simon join us for lunch after his morning duties in the band at the Remembrance ceremony in Twickenham, much banter and then time to move on. A request for a tea stop was called for, so a short ride to Marble hill park cafe ensued. Numbers by now had dwindled and only 6 sampled the delights. Again more banter and touring tales from Ed delighted the group.

 

All good things must come to an end and off we departed before dusk really marred our final miles home. A great crowd and lovely to see so many out.

 Tony..