Ride Report - Sunday 31 January 2023

 

We ended 2023 with another Sunday of three halves!    It started sunny and benign, but as I neared elevenses at Leatherhead the sky darkened ominously and the heavens opened!

I could scarcely have expected anyone else to turn up in the face of such foul conditions, but the Cheam and Morden never cease to amaze and Andy, Simon, Keith, Ed, Dave V,  Terry and Brian all braved the elements!

The rain relented and an intrepid four (Simon, Andy, Brian and Keith) plus an unintrepid me headed for lunch at Ripley, while the others wisely went home!

Soon there was even welcome sunshine, but road conditions everywhere were pretty mucky following not just the earlier downpour but heavy overnight rain, and giant puddles abounded!    We made a short detour to sample the newly-revamped Elm Lane which previously had the reputation of being one Surrey's most reliably muddy byways, winter or summer.   Ironically, today it was the clearest and cleanest road in the county!

Elm Lane may have been made easier to negotiate, but everything has its cost, and the downside is that the Wisley A3 footbridge now has a daunting scaffolding staircase to scale on the south side, fortunately only temporary.

Keith and Brian went their own ways after this but Simon, Andy and I continued to the ever-reliable Pinnocks at Ripley for lunch before setting off for home.

Thanks to all who braved the elements today, and a happy New Year to all Cheam and Morden riders!

(Photo credits to Andy, Brian & Simon).

Happy Christmas to all from the Easy Riders

Sunday 17/12/23 - Old Moat to Surbiton Spoons and no further!

Bright sunshine and mild temperatures drew a sizable crowd to the Old Moat. I counted at least 16 but not all were there for the ride. A crow had warned "less than four miles" hence the snake like route - a homage to my formative years.

With off-road scoring nul point we headed northeast then northwest (Horton Lane and Chessington Road) around Horton Country Park A left 300 yards beyond Ruxley Lane led to strings of suburban semis as we continued to Chessington South station. The A3 tunnel was known to be flooded so more semis came and went in Claygate, Hinchley Wood, and Long Ditton. Nearing our target, we veered off to Southborough where most of its grand 19c mansions have been replaced by blocks of late 20c/21c flats.

Across the Ewell Road is "between the wars" Surbiton where we descended  to Berrylands station. Next came a Sikh temple and the much larger Kingston sewage works (with a hint of its perfume). The final climb took us past two pubs, Rising Sun and Railway Tavern (both long gone now flats), and my Grammar School (1956-63) before a gentle descent to Spoons (aka Ritz cinema) - about 13 miles. 

 

GPX link (hopefully):

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ITy6PKMokR_ZSWEz2C2F_70xniCYqA0z/view?usp=sharing

Ride Report - Sunday 10 December 2023 (Addlestone & Windsor)

(Rumours that this picture shows the Cheam & Morden setting sail 

aboard their version of Noah's Ark have been greatly exaggerated!)

How can I best sum up today - a tale of two cafes, or could it be a day of two halves (or should that be three)?  Anyway, the weather flattered to deceive at first and an impressive number of members were tempted out to our elevenses meet at the ever-popular Golden Cafe, including Vic White, not seen at a Cheam and Morden elevenses for several years, I think!

Sadly, while we were cosily ensconced, the weather forecasters' predictions came true and, in an uncanny re-run of the previous Sunday, it began to rain steadily.    Graham, Liz, Tony, Pam, Graham, Dave J and Vic wisely decided to forego the farrago of my 'quirky' ride to Windsor, but Simon, Diane, Steph, Andy and Jennie would not be deterred!

We headed for Thorpe via little-known ways through Addlestone and Chertsey before, democratic as ever, I generously offered the group the choice between Prune Hill and Middle Hill (like asking turkeys to choose between Thanksgiving and Christmas, this one)!    Prune Hill was the 'popular' choice.   However, if there was any weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth, the sound of the rain hammering down drowned it out!   After that, it was down the other side at speed before the extra treat of a tour around unfamiliar back-streets and narrow alleyways of Windsor delivered us, as if by magic, right to the entrance of the Cinnamon Cafe!

Lunch here was excellent, as ever, and we were intrigued by the sight of a party of rather soggy festive Santa cyclists who were remarkably cheerful in their rather waterlogged outfits!   That's dedication!   Disappointingly, it was still raining a bit as we headed via Datchet and Wraysbury to Staines.   After a few more back roads it did finally dry up and we were eventually bathed in glorious sunshine for the final few miles along the Thames from Laleham to Shepperton Lock, our tea stop.

Whether or not you came on the ride, or just to elevenses, many thanks all for your company, and thanks too to Simon for very kindly back-marking all day!   (Credits to Simon and an unknown bystander for the photos).

Ride Report - Sunday 3 Dec 2023

 

Today was one of those irritating days that start off looking as if they are going to turn out better than you expected, lull you into a false sense of security, then produce a sting in the tail!   Anyway, predictions of snow, ice and below-freezing temperatures followed by freezing rain to start the day proved to be a little wide of the mark and it was dry, well above freezing, and even a little bright as I set off for elevenses.   Still, the weather forecasters had done their best to deter many of us and it was a small but select group (Tony, Diane, Graham and me) who met at Claremont Gardens for a cosy elevenses.

By the time we were due to leave desultory rain had set in.   Tony headed for home but the rest of us set off undeterred towards our planned lunch stop at Woking.  Needless to say, the rain gathered momentum as our ride continued, and I eventually curtailed the route to reduce our exposure to the elements, delicate souls that we are!

Nevertheless, the Cheam and Morden (motto 'Per ardua ad Wetherspoons') made it to lunch.   Skies brightened as we enjoyed our meals and plans to return home by train were hastily abandoned!   It did start to rain again, but only after we had reached Walton Bridge, the end of the ride.  Only Diane stopped for tea but it looks as if she enjoyed a lavish (but well-deserved) spread!

So, a day of mixed fortunes but an enjoyable ride nonetheless.   Many thanks to all for your company! 

Important - Changes to rides on Sun 3 December and Sun 10 December!

Sunday 3 December

Elevenses still at National Trust cafe, Claremont Gardens, Esher, but lunch will now be at the Herbert Wells, Woking.

Sunday 10 December

Elevenses still at the Golden Cafe, Addlestone, but lunch will now be at the Cinnamon Cafe, Windsor.