Change of 11's

11's change for Sunday the 30th. 11's will now be at cafe Bonjourno, Hampton hill

Cafe Bonjourno Link

(Non) Ride Report - Sunday 23 April 2023

 

The recent run of awful weather still shows no sign of relenting and the forecast for today was particularly discouraging!   In the event, (at least for most of the time) today didn't turn out to be quite as wet as had been forecast, but it was still a very indifferent day for the time of year!   Aside from the weather, given the Hilly 50 the day before, reactions to booster jabs, late nights, and so on, it would have been no great surprise if no one else had ventured out to elevenses, so it was a great pleasure to be joined by Robert, Pam, Tony, and Liz.

There was no great appetite to continue as a group to lunch so we made our separate ways from Addlestone.   I wasn't planning to go to Pirbright, our planned lunch stop, but I did end up passing through it.   I didn't stop so don't claim a point!

Thanks all for your company and we will hope for some more spring-like weather soon!

Sunday April 16 2023

Sunday's ride is: Addlestone-Pirbright-Ripley around 25 miles. Both pubs in Pirbright have gastro aspirations. The Yurt Cafe is a separate part of the Cricketers serving hot drinks and snacks at gastro prices. There's no shops so you could BYO and feed the ducks. 

Well the recce didn't go well! Close to Fox Corner the left crank came loose. The bike limped three miles to Pirbright Station stopping regularly to have its pinch bolts tightened. Back home I found and fitted a replacement crank bolt so in theory it's back in service.

A test run and Saturday's Covid jab might mean no time for a second recce. Mud is definitely ruled out. I can make no promises about the Worplesdon Station underpass....

AGM 2023

When I arrived at the Old Moat, I found 15 regular C&M'ers. "Best day of the year so far" was a common sentiment so we settled on a picnic/AGM in Richmond Park. Eleven (Ed, Tony, Alan, Simon, Terry, Robert, Dave W, Pam, Maureen, Anne and GFH) were keen to attend. The rest (Diane, Bernard, Sabine, and Bob) had other ideas.

Early morning inspection ruled out off-roading so Ed led us through West Ewell to the Hogsmill River. Here a change of leader saw me steering the group through Malden Manor and Berrylands to the Stanley Picker Gallery. Across Fairfield and east along the newish London Road cyclepath came next. Here some raided Asda, and later others pop into the Coop. The picnic site was close to Kingston Gate. The AGM started promptly at one and was soon over leaving time for leisurely tea 3/4 mile away in Latchmere Road Rec. 

A very modest 19 miles door to door.

Easter Tour 2023: Exposé and Photo Special

This year's Easter Tour to Bournemouth was organised by Steve and Ann with their usual attention to detail,  including excellent weather for the weekend.  Forty-six came for the weekend at the Hotel Collingwood, with Keith staying at a hotel two doors down the road, after places filled up pretty quickly.  As usual there were a mix of road riders and trail riders, with several partners joining us for the social attraction of the weekend, plus of course the option to spend time around Bournemouth.

This report covers the road activities.

Le Tour de Purbeck

Mass start

On Saturday Pete Beyer led us on a surprisingly hilly ride around the Isle of Purbeck, with lunch at a renowned pub, which I was unfortunately unable to visit due to the mutiny.  But more about that later.

Chain Ferry stage

Details of the ride were a closely-guarded secret.  About thirty of us (estimates vary) set off along Bournemouth sea front, a few miles to Sandbanks and the chain ferry to Studland.  A scenic route which we later learned was only 'undulating' took us west to within sight of Corfe Castle, then north to a nice cafe at the Arne RSPB reserve.  Lovely.

Looking back towards Poole Harbour and Bournemouth

Then it was on to the mountain stage of the tour.  We headed south over several mountain ranges towards the fabled pub.

Hills

Fossils

More hills

Eventually at a place called Steeple, our leader's intentions were revealed.  We were to attempt the North Face of Swyre Head, previously untamed by road bikes.  The climb was only short, about 1/2 km but with 100m of ascent, and an extremely rough stony track.  Ahead of us, a long stream of bikes were being pushed up the mountain.  The legendary pub was just over the mountain,  reached by a 2km off-road track along the summit ridge and then a descent.

This is when the mutiny occurred.  A group of six remembered that they didn't want to climb another mountain.  I cannot reveal names in case of repercussions, but the mutineers plotted a flat route to the nearest pub instead.

Some of the mutineers

The loyalists clambered up the rocky slope, to be rewarded by panoramic views from the top, before traversing the ridge, fastening safety belts and descending to the pub, the Square and Compass at Worth Matravers.

The Ridge route

Summit photograph

The pub is just round the corner

Unfortunately, some others had heard about the pub, and it was packed.  Worse still, it had run out of the famed pasties, the only food on offer.   Julie and Daniel were lucky, the others, not.  

The Square and Compass, Worth Matravers

Shortly after this, Lilian punctured, and despite the assembled experts and many, many bike pumps, the replaced tube could not be inflated.   A faulty valve was to blame.  Time was now getting short, so it was every man and woman for themselves.  The group scattered in the return to the ferry, showers, bar, and much appreciated evening meal.   Not to mention the evening entertainment,  which was incredible, but off-limits for this blog.

It was a memorable, adventurous, challenging and outstanding ride in all sorts of ways.  Several people felt they had achieved something they didn't know they were capable of.  What more can you ask for?  Thanks to our leader, Pete Beyer for planning and leading us. 

Sunday ride to Wimborne Minster

Sunday's ride was a complete contrast to Saturday's expedition.  Steve had planned a more gentle route, to another excellent pub, but this time with food.   While the Saturday ride had mountains, ridiculous slopes, sheep poo, amazing views from high places across the south coast, Sunday's ride had an intimate charm with gentle climbs through blossom-hedged lanes, quaint villages, and the odd deer in the fields.  We set off through the expensive-looking West Cliff area of Bournemouth, and then had an extensive ride around beautiful Poole harbour.  

Poole

The Cowshed

Just outside Poole we stopped in Lytchett Minster for tea at a craft café, The Cowshed.  After a few purchases had been made, we meandered north and then back east to just outside Wimborne Minster before descending en masse on an unsuspecting pub, The Vine Inn at Pamphill, winner of a Camra award for the most unchanged pub interior.

Pub interior

We were soon queuing out of the door, which wasn't difficult as the bar could only hold about four people.   The sole lady serving calmly took our orders and served drinks, breaking off every now and again to serve the locals in the other room.   We were given a number and took our drinks out into the garden.  When food was ready, there was a knock on the window and a large number was put up the the window.   Simple and effective.

After lunch we had a short ride around Wimborne Minster, meeting up with a few of the group who had opted for lunch in Wimborne.   The return route was along a disused railway line, the Broadstone Way - nobody even blinked at the off road after Saturday's exploits - which led us back to Poole and a bit more harbour-side cycling before returning to the hotel along the sea front.

Wimborne Minster Minster

The hotel was excellent, with superb food and great service from the staff.    Apparently it was owned by a retired racing cyclist, and used to advertise regularly in the Vets' Time Trial Association (VTTA) magazine.   Since changing hands it seems to have maintained standards and was very welcoming to us cyclists.   Steve Gordon and Ann Bath organised the venue and bookings and it all ran extremely smoothly.   Many thanks are due to Steve and Ann for making it such a huge success.

Thanks to many people who contributed photos via WhatsApp, and to everyone for making it such an enjoyable sociable weekend.

Plans for Sunday 9 April 2023

Have a good time if you'll be away this weekend on the annual Cheam & Morden Easter tour!

As so many of the group will be away on Sunday, a large turnout for our normal ride is not anticipated!    However, the elevenses meet at The Rodboro' Buildings, Guildford (Wetherspoons) will take place as published, and, if there is any interest, we can continue to lunch, either at Aldershot as planned, or elsewhere.

Happy Easter!

Sunday the 2nd of April

Well what a surprise, 22 turned up for 11's! Did someone trick them into coming out with promises of prizes at the end? Anyway, it was great to see so many up for a, relatively, sunny day on the bike.

The Golden cafe was bulging at the seams with so many cyclists, but not all ventured forth on the ride. Graham Ed, Paul &. Maggie, Terry, who had other plans. Also Carolyn, but she did make her own way lunch.

Those who did join the 20-mile trip to lunch were Grant, Dave W, Lillian, Geoff, Dave E, Keith, Alan, Robert, Liz, Pam, Diane, Sabina, Bernard and Simon.

Geoff kindly took on the role of back marker while Simon, kept in a position to split the group in two if and when required.

I had planned a route with no off-road, but with a few undulations. Up to Virginia Water via Lyne crossing road, across the A30 and into Blackness road. From here the undulations started. On up to Cheapside, Cranbourne, then a couple of miles of the Drift road, then Fifield, then the heading East into Windsor and lunch at the Cinnamon cafe.

It was very busy but service was swift, although under cover, it was still outside, and there was still a slight chill in the air. It was nice to sit and chat over lunch and we did arrive just gone 1. pm, so we did have a little time. But away we must.

 

My route back also had some undulations, heading South we soon picked up the A332, Sheet St Rd, headed through the park, stopping at Ranger's gate, to get into groups of no more than 6, a park rule, before heading up Prince Consort Drive and turning left past the post office. Leaving the park at Bishop's gate, heading for the descent of Prune hill.

Just as we turned onto Prune hill, a lady coming up waived us down, luckily for us, to tell us the level crossing gates at the bottom were stuck down, and everyone had to turn round and come back up, Phew. So a diversion to the climb/descent of Callow hill and back down through Virginia water, onto Chertsey and down Docket Eddy lane to tea (and cake) at Nauticailia, Shepperton lock. Not everyone made it to tea as some had headed directly home.

As usual lots of banter and the gradual nodding of heads as weariness set in. Dispersal then as we went mostly went our separate ways home. A really great day on the bike and no rain, and we did see the Sun at times Thank you all for your company, with a special thanks to Geoff for back marking and Simon for group marshalling. Lovely to have a big turnout for C&M, let's hope the trend continues.

Tony..