Ride Report - Sunday 21st April

On yet another cold windy day, we gathered at The Vines coffee shop in Effingham for elevenses. Except for Keith, who caught us up later, and Terry, whose bike developed a spontaneous deflation issue in an effort to keep him away. Liz also had had a mechanical that morning, but just made it in time, and so altogether 15 came for the social but only 9 plus an out-of-breath Keith set out for the ride.

Everyone look this way....over here....

Robert had requested a copy of the route before the ride and so was promptly promoted to backmarker – thank you Robert!

I had promised it would be just the one hill – Green Dene – and all tackled it without any trouble to be rewarded with bluebells and fresh green foliage at the top. After the descent down through Combe Bottom we then enjoyed the quiet villages of Albury, Chilworth and Wonersh before skirting around Chinthurst Hill and coming without incident into Godalming. David couldn’t resist a little detour to confirm all was well at Thames Water Utilities.

Admiring the Spring colours

Fed, hydrated and caffeinated = ready for action

We took a few photos outside The Jack Phillips, where all were served quickly despite the inconsistent Wetherspoons wi-fi. David departed first, no doubt off for some allotment-ing, and once everyone else had had nearly enough free coffee refills we were on our way again, scrambling our way out of Godalming by a new and unexpected path (sadly terminating in a grassy bank) but otherwise on tried and tested back streets and cycle paths to Peasmarsh and Broadford, where I had decided we would pick up several miles of towpath along the River Wey. The terrain had been pre-approved (by myself and my recce team) and happily it wasn’t too busy on this cold dry Sunday. 

Did someone call for back-up?

To stay on the west bank coming into Guildford, we came off the towpath briefly around St Catherine’s Hill. This exit had no steps but was quite steep and as there was only one hill planned for today, it was only Simon who rode up it, but at C&M you don’t get points for that, only kudos. Getting back onto the towpath further along, Steph had to leave us at Guildford, but a healthy peloton of 8 cyclists gamely followed on as far as Stoke Lock, where we then picked up some more off road before emerging onto the cycle path beside the A3 and then back on the roads and into Ripley.

Still smiling at Stoke Lock

Keith and Chris (making his C&M debut) declined to stop at Pinnocks, leaving Andy, Martina, Simon, Robert, Lilian and myself to make all the tough decisions about which cakes to order. And it was just then that Terry joined us, although after much discussion we concluded it would be “nil point” for him too.

Thanks all for joining me, it was a pleasure to lead. Around 28 miles from elevenses to tea.

 A reminder that the AGM will be staged this weekend (14/04/24 at 1300).

The ride will start from 11s at the Old Moat in West Ewell and finish with the AGM. For what it's worth the latest forecast is "Cloudy changing to clear by nighttime.". So we'll continue the tradition of picnicking in Richmond Park close to Kingston Gate where there's a new/refurbished cafe/toilet.

Three supermarkets (ASDA, Lidl, (small) Coop), several pubs and cafes are nearby. As a last resort my home is 600 yards from the park.

The agenda has not changed in more than 20 years but unusually up to four officers have intimated that they will be stepping down. Some posts MUST be filled so please consider standing for election.

AGM 2023

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lrB6iGRDZYwtJ9fh_0ORdm7LhuE_LYRxHFAEC5uX9uw/edit?usp=sharing

Rides Report

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HevMPenlaRmOBvny2KbW6M8BwW3B9t6b/view?usp=sharing

UPDATE (as I dont use WhatsApp)

From Old Moat we should reach Richmond Park between 1200 and 1230. If anyone needs food we'll pause near Norbiton Station. My house number is on the above link for any emergencies.

Ride Report - Sunday 7 April 2024

 

It was just a touch breezy today and I had already scaled back the planned ride to take account of the expected headwind.    A very creditable contingent (Tony, Robert, Pam, Terry, Graham, Dave and Jennie J, Andy, Keith and me) battled with the elements to reached elevenses at Brookwood,  a venue not used by the C & M for some years.

Graham and Tony wisely turned back for home leaving the rest of us to head towards Guildford, although Terry left us part way.   One benefit of the recent windy weather was that Muddy Lane, which has been more like a waterlogged lane for the past few months, had dried out to something at least rideable!    After that it was the back doubles  of Woking to Jacobs Well, and then a mystery tour of Guildford which led us towards the cathedral looming on the skyline.   The plan had been to continue up there but Keith fortunately suggested an alternative meander through the groves of academe (Surrey University) to take us to the town centre.   I'll do anything to avoid a hill and was happy to agree to his suggestion, although I didn't have a clue where I was going.   It turned out to be an enchanted land of lakes, water spouts, parkland and elaborate planting.   

By mere chance we didn't get lost and arrived at Wetherspoons for 1.00 pm lunch.  Dave and Jennie made their own way back but the rest of us at last got some benefit from the wind and were blown back to Ripley from where we went our separate ways.

Thanks to all for your company.

A Change of Wetherspoons!

On Sunday 7 April we'll now be riding to The Rodboro' Buildings, Guildford for lunch instead of Camberley.   

Elevenses is unchanged at Harris & Hoole, Tesco Extra, Brooklands (nb not the Tesco cafe upstairs).   Bike stands just outside (good lock advised).   Toilets on the right of the main entrance lobby.   If you're not sure how to get to Brooklands I'll be leading a ride there leaving at 9.40 am sharp from outside the Aston Martin garage, junction New Zealand Ave with Bridge St and Oatlands Drive, Walton-on-Thames (Walton Bridge traffic lights). 

The ride to Guildford will include a trip up to the cathedral as a bonus before lunch!  Tea will be either at Cobham or Claremont Gardens as preferred.   Wetherspoons at Guildford is very convenient for the station if you wish to return by train but note that this Sunday trains to London via Epsom will be starting from Clandon.  However, the stopping service to Surbiton via Woking still available from Guildford.

Easter Tour 2024 to Eastbourne

The C&M Easter Tour is a fixture which marks the changing seasons, eagerly anticipated by those who attend.  The basic format is a weekend of cycle rides, based somewhere away from our regular riding territory, with options for both off- and on-road riding, and for those not riding.  Adventures were had by all.

Eastbourne

The 2024 venue was eventually set as the York House Hotel, Eastbourne,  after we were let down by an alternative location.  It proved popular, with 49 people in the hotel or staying nearby.  About half rode down to Eastbourne for Friday night.  Surprise - there were no trains to Eastbourne over Easter,  so several got trains to nearby,  or not so nearby, and rode the final miles.

Pete B, legendary ride leader, had planned the weekend's rides for the on-road contingent. For Saturday, he had organised a flat ride around the levels to the east.  Flat is of course a relative term.   We set off along the coast towards Pevensey, and then north across the levels, which I think we all agreed were flat, and lovely.

Leaving the hotel

After this, opinions were mixed about the flatness of the lanes to Herstmonceux Castle and Observatory.  At Herstmonceux village there was a minor mutiny when some wanted to stop for coffee.  Nothing that Pete couldn't handle.  After a bit of a car park viewing opportunity for the non coffee stoppers, we split into two groups.  One sped along the 11 miles to lunch, and the other group did our best to catch them up.  We pedalled through gorgeous quiet lanes, lined with spring flowers: celandine, primrose, cuckoo flower, wood anenome and hawthorn blossom; serenaded by birdsong, not motor vehicles.  But I think it's fair to say that by now serious doubts about the flatness or otherwise of the ride were emerging.  Some of the slightly less flat parts required bottom gear or even some walking.

The lunch spot at Horam was ideal.  Good food was served quickly, and we sat in the warm sunshine to enjoy it.  After lunch some took the direct route along the Cuckoo Trail, an old railway line, to Eastbourne, while the majority followed Pete along more quiet lanes, even flatter than the morning's flat ride, and back through the levels, to a surprise tea stop at a farm shop.  Then it was back along the coast and the promenade to Eastbourne for showers, refreshments, dinner and much chat.  A great day out.

 

The Short-Cutters on the promenade

Returning across the levels

 

Tea

Sunday's ride was exceptional, even for Pete.  We were forewarned that there might be no lunch, due to Easter Sunday, and tourists taking our rightful place in the pubs.  We set off like lemmings in a stiff breeze towards Beachy Head, and then onwards with a beautiful descent to Birling Gap, where most of us admired the view if the Six Sisters (the seventh was Beachy Head, now behind us).  After a bit of very busy main road, we set off north towards our lunch destination at Alfriston.  But we discovered a cycle cafe at the Long Man Brewery, so indulged in a late elevenses stop instead.

Two Petes and six sisters

Elevenses at the Long Man Brewery

 

Lunch in Chalvington

Plans had to be rearranged.  A new route, more beautiful lanes, to a pub in Chalvington, at least on the map.  But it had closed long ago,  so lunch was taken in the sunny churchyard instead.   Then things got exciting.   The obvious route back was along NCN 2 towards Polegate.  There was a short stretch of bridleway,  but how bad could it be?   Very bad, unfortunately.   It started badly with soft mud right across the track,  and got worse.  At the first real quagmire, some of the lemmings revolted and decided to take the longer way round, but a majority had already forded the mud bath and so were committed.  It was the longest short stretch of off-road ever, with the stickiest and deepest mud, and no way round it.  Shoes were nearly lost.  Keith even tried to build a bridge from logs - or was it a raft?

 

And so another legendary ride was created.  Arriving back at the hotel, filthy shoes and bicycles had to be handled carefully.  Steph went for a paddle in the sea to wash the sticky mud off her shoes.  Another rider found it necessary to use a combination of bathroom shower and toilet brush to clean his shoes.

But at dinner, everyone was buzzing about a beautiful and adventurous ride, so perhaps it was a good example of Type Two Fun - where the enjoyment comes after the activity instead of during it.

The off-road group disappeared each day into the hills, emerging once or twice to speed past us on the road, and returning with plenty of smiles and mud each evening.

Some of the off-roaders at a chance meeting in Horley

The whole event was masterminded by Steve Gordon and Ann Bath, who are stepping down after organising Easter Tours for fifteen years.  During that time thousands of miles have been ridden, many pints and cakes consumed, memories made, and lasting friendships have been built.   They are hopeful that someone will come forward to take it over for the future, and so are we.   Huge thanks to Ann and Steve from all of us on this year's trip and those dating back to 2009, for all they have done.

Ann and Steve

Many thanks also to Pete for leading the rides, and to Pete, Steph, Helen, Keith, Jen, Tony and probably others who took and shared some of these photos.