Ride Report for Sunday 29 January 2023 - a Tale of Two Wetherspoons!

 

I begin by apologising if I omit to mention anyone who was out on today's ride but I have forgotten about!   New Malden starts are still an experiment for the Cheam and Morden and I never expected to see quite so many out to elevenses, let alone on the ride, on yet another cold, gloomy Sunday!

The Watchman, New Malden proved to be a good gathering point - not too busy and with plenty of seats near windows to enable an eye to be kept on bikes locked to the railings just outside.   However, all good things come to an end and all too soon it was time to hit the road for a rather quirky route to Putney, the main objective being to avoid climbing Wimbledon Hill!   So it was that we progressed through Motspur Park, Cannon Hill and Merton Park to reach the back streets of Wimbledon, then on through Wimbledon Park and Southfields to Wandsworth where we followed first the river Wandle then the Thames to Putney Wetherspoons.

The last time we lunched here was on a very hot summer Sunday when we sat in the shade on the riverside terrace with a gentle breeze to cool us down, got served reasonably quickly, and said 'it's nice here, we must come again'.   For some reason there was no appetite today for all fresco dining and we had to find tables indoors.   It was quite crowded but there were enough seats (it was also almost as cool indoors as out).   The real problem came with serving delays - we arrived just after 12.30 but did not leave until just before 2.00, quite a long delay for a Wetherspoons.

Anyway, at least everyone got their food, and, after dodging through the Putney traffic, we set off homewards via Richmond Park where we split to go our different ways home.

If I have it correctly, Maureen, Ray, Pam and Dave V were at elevenses but not lunch.   Simon was at lunch but not elevenses.   Bernard, Sabina, Diane, Lilian, Ed, Keith, Ged, Dave E, Graham, Tony and I managed the Wetherspoons double, along with Jeremy on his first Cheam and Morden ride!  But I may be wrong, it was confusing, and the cold may have dulled my perceptions!

Many thanks to all for turning out on another dismal winter day, special thanks to Tony for back-marking, to Ged for navigational advice and background information, and Dave E for leading a sub group back towards Hampton Court.

Plans for Sunday 29 January 2023

Sunday's ride will begin as planned at The Watchman (Wetherspoons), New Malden.

However, the lunch stop has now been changed from The Pommelers Rest, Bermondsey to The Rocket, Putney. 

The online rides list reflects this change but if you have a printed version, please note the change.

IMPORTANT UPDATE - Sunday 22 January 2023

Sunday's weather forecast is now worse, and there is a severe weather warning out for freezing fog until 11.00 am tomorrow in all the surrounding area (Leatherhead, Cobham, Banstead etc)!   I don't think many of you (if any) will be tempted out in such conditions but, regretfully, I think it would be sensible for us to cancel tomorrow's planned ride.

Plans for Sunday 22 January 2023

The weather forecast for Sunday is currently for slightly less cold conditions but there may well still be icy patches about.   

The plan remains for us to meet at The Vineries Garden Centre, then ride to lunch at the Rodboro' Buildings, Guildford but this will be reviewed at the end of the week, especially if the forecast changes.

Any updates will be notified via our blog and WhatsApp group.

Oop north to Hedgerley - 15 Jan

It is only January but I decided to aim for Hedgerley for lunch.    Could we make it there and back before sunset?   The day dawned cool but sunny, a nice change after all the recent downpours.   A good turnout at Staines for elevenses:   David and Jennie, Pam, Dave Ellis, Diane, Sabina and Bernard as well as Pam, David W, Graham and myself made a decent crowd.   David J had something even more important than cycling to do, so he left us after 11s, as did Graham.  The remaining eight set out towards Datchet, where Pam decided to migrate south for the warmer climes of Shepperton.    

The White Horse in Hedgerley was very busy, with a lot of walkers I think, but we found a table in a marquee with two heaters, and were served pretty promptly.   All finished by 1.30pm and back on our way to face the lovely 12% downhill into Hedgerley, only in the other direction.  Sabina was a bit worried about her e-bike as the battery was down at 44%, so she decided to walk up the hill to try to preserve it.   It's a newish bike and it seems it might need a bit of tweaking.   Maybe it's not designed to work in such northerly parts?   

A bit of off-road by Stanwell Moor to avoid the M25 roundabout turned out to be the low-light of the ride, as there were maybe a dozen motor-bikers zooming up and down in the mud, with very little regard for anyone else.  We emerged shaken but unscathed, but by now Sabina's battery was less than 20%, so we rode slowly to try and eke it out.    By Ashford it was down to 11%, so a train home seemed a good idea.   Luckily, this was one of the rare days when the trains were actually running.    It was only 3.15 or something, so we had the idea of a cup of tea and a cake - and found a very welcoming cafe near Ashford Station, ChaiiCoffee, a perfect way to round off the day.   Thank you to all for your most enjoyable company, and to David W & Jennie for back-marking.

Tea stop in Ashford

Weird lighting installation.
Tea comes out of the tap on the left.

Ride Report - Sunday 8 January 2023

Despite the forecast for wet and windy weather, an intrepid 9 cyclists - Tony, Pam, Dave W, Simon, Sabina and Bernard, Lilian, Ed and Keith - joined me for elevenses at Squires in Stoke D'Abernon, plus 2 cycling friends who came to wave me off on my first official CTC ride as leader. 

Pam and Tony had other plans for the day, so 8 of us set off just as the first heavy shower started. We followed the usual route to Downside, bumping into Colin Quemby on the way who gave us the news that Shirley is unfortunately back in hospital, we wish them both well. Keith left us in search of a longer dry ride, I hope he found one, while the remaining 7 pedalled on, crossing Bookham Common towards Fetcham. A small discussion about mud resulted in a slight detour, after which we picked up the lane down to the River Mole behind Fetcham train station. The sun came out briefly for a photo stop on the second bridge, we were then on our way via Randalls Park and the back streets of Leatherhead, Ashtead Park and Epsom to lunch at Wetherspoons where we were joined by Bob. The service was quick as usual despite the place being rammed. 

As the skies were dark again we decided to move the afternoon tea stop closer, with many deciding to head for home instead between the showers. Sabina, Bernard, Simon and myself cycled to The Old Moat across the Horton Park estate, and holed up there for a time. Luckily the sun came out once more just after we departed for home, and we were treated to a lovely rainbow.

Thanks to all the brave souls who came out today and humoured me, and to Dave for back marking. 

Plans for Sunday 8 January 2023

It is my pleasure to invite you to this Sunday's ride, which will begin at the Cobham Squires Garden Centre (confusingly in Stoke D'Abernon - 85 Stoke Rd KT11 3PU) where the café opens at 10am on Sundays. 

We will loop around familiar lanes to Bookham Common, then follow a long stretch of stony path across the Common as far as Fetcham, before taking a further similar off road track across the River Mole to bring us into the back of Leatherhead, and then staying on tarmac for the rest of the ride. All stretches were rideable today apart from two very short muddy sections - if these haven't dried out during the week then they are quick to walk and we have time on our side. 

The lunch stop is at Wetherspoons in Epsom High Street, after 11.5 miles. After lunch those wishing for some tea and cake can join me for a further 7.5 miles into Esher, where we can try getting into the G!ro café or anywhere else serving the same. 

Planned route is here: https://www.komoot.com/invite-tour/1003012402?code=m6v6gr-RecwMnrvnWboRicILbJ_i-NGqxqEILrBgdufyqjIep8. If that doesn't open for you then I can email the GPX file. Or you can wait for the surprises on Sunday.   

Sunday 1 January 2023

 

In contrast to the past four Sundays, the weather was reasonably mild (despite the strong wind), sunny, and dry, to start with at least, for our first ride of 2023.

After a slow start SWLDA riders began to gather in increasing numbers.   There were too many to remember them all, but among Cheam and Morden regulars present were Diane, Lilian, Ed, Tony, Pam, Graham, Simon, and Keith, with occasionals Paula, Steph, Gill, Daniel, Dave V and Christina (accompanied by Pliny, no less!).

Helen, Paul J and Pete B were among riders from other sections.

Lovely to see you all, thanks for your company, and happy cycling in 2023!