Elevenses - Clunkers cyclist's café, Dorking.
Lunch - Notcutts Garden Centre, Cranleigh.
Tea - Squires Garden Centre, West Horsley.
UPDATE on road closure as of 28/03/25 - Coombe Lane is open with not a cone in sight & I don't expect work to start before Monday.
Morning route: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/341166370
Afternoon route: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/341167328
Hope to see you.
After the glorious spring sunshine of recent days, today was a misty autumnal spring day; damp and cool with a threat of thundery showers. I had been rather vague about the ride, and I wondered how many would turn out to Addlestone? In the end, nine braved the elements and the unknowns of the ride, and all joined me for the ride, perhaps out of curiosity?
We were hoping to see Vic to celebrate him on his recent birthday, but he didn't join us; perhaps he was still blowing out the candles. Happy birthday, Vic!
 |
| Model yachts at Goldsworth Park |
It was billed as a ride from Addlestone to Woking - about five miles direct. So it had to be embellished quite a lot. In the morning we noodled around some of my favourite lanes in the Chobham area, graced Gracious Pond Road and minced along Mincing Lane before trying our luck at Pennypot ford (well, for one rider anyway). Then it was off to the Woking area with a visit to Goldsworth park and the pond, a route that Graham had taught me many years ago, followed by a new (to me) route south and a new hill, Beacon Hill, taking us to Hook Heath, Mayford and Smarts Heath.
 |
| Crossing the Basingstoke canal |
Lunch was at the secret location of Elm Farm, Sutton Green, somewhere I'd never been before, but I discovered that it had been a C&M elevenses venue in the past. Shocking - they had nearly run out of toasties after a busy morning, but I think we all found something good to eat. Niall was also shocked to find that the electric fence protecting the animals was actually switched on.
 |
| Don't touch! |
 |
| After lunch |
 |
| Ruth and Jan at the secret lunch location |
 |
| Animals |
The way home was more straightforward, trying to dodge the M25 diversion traffic as the M25 was closed. Up to Westfield, around the south of Woking and then across to Pyrford Lock and Muddy Lane, which was blissfully quiet apart from birdsong. Unusually quiet. We were standing right next to the empty M25 bridge. We managed fairly well to avoid the official M25 diversion, but we kept finding extra traffic on unofficial routes, so a bit of ducking and diving got us to Walton with a depleted group of six.
 |
| Tea stop at Walton |
Many thanks to all for your company today and especially to those who took pictures and to David and Jan for back marking.
Statistics: nine riders, 32 miles from 11s to tea, 1100 feet of climbing, two commons, three heaths, two sewage works, one ford, one miniature railway and seven railway crossings; three stopped for tea
It was a lovely, sunny start despite the brisk and distinctly chilly wind, and no less than 17 of us, if I have it right, met for elevenses at Cafe Barbera, Stoke d'Abernon. Tony H very kindly led a group on a sensible and direct route to lunch at Wetherspoons, Epsom, while those who were unlucky enough to join me were led a merry dance around the lanes, paths and backstreets of Oxshott, Claygate, Chessington and West Ewell. It might have come across to the others as a mystery tour - where we going was certainly a mystery to me! Fortunately, Simon, as a diligent back-marker for our group, was there to inject some common sense into proceeedings!
At some length, more by luck than judgement, I suspect, we arrived at the scheduled lunch stop. And well before 1.00 pm (and that certainly wasn't due to any tail wind)! Wetherspoons was reasonably busy, but, with a team effort, we were eventually able to secure ourselves a group of tables close together. Inside the Assembly Rooms at Sunday lunchtime is never the ideal environment, but it does make for a popular ride, and does attract some members who do not often have the opportunity to join our other rides.
By some sleight of hand behind my back, while we had a similar number of lunch-goers to elevenses-goers, but there were significant changes to the cast list! Notably, it was nice to be joined by Ann B, fresh from another marathon, and by Ed, who had ridden from home. Hopefully, when we next visit the Assembly Rooms, it will not be too cold for us to benefit from the relative peace of the outside seating!
Wisely, perhaps, most of the lunch-goers sped off in the opposite direction when they heard I was leading the ride back too! Tony, Pam and Simon were too nice to say 'no' and accompanied me back towards Hampton Court. At Chessington a snap decision to turn right onto Woodstock Lane to cut off the Claygate corner nearly brought us to a sticky end, literally! The infamous subway was open (just about), but the further we ventured in, the thicker the mud became! That decision will live with me, and my previously nice, clean bike, for some time to come! Finis coronat opus, as my old granny used to say!
Anyway, thanks to everyone for turning out in force on such a chilly day, and thanks for your company!
Sunday's ride will be one of those occasional rides where, for a change, the emphasis is on catching up with old friends rather than getting in the miles and the climbs!
Elevenses will be at Cafe Barbera, Stoke d'Abernon, and, subject to rainfall between now and then, I hope to offer a route which will include at least few less-familiar bits as we ride to lunch at The Assembly Rooms, Epsom.
As I write this, it unfortunately doesn't look as if conditions on Sunday will be suitable for sitting outside the pub, so if anyone would like to ride there direct from elevenses (or go straight there) and bag us a table or two inside, then that would be very helpful!
Sunday's ride started in glorious sunshine at The Queen's Stage in Effingham, a venue which was sadly not so glorious as it kept various cyclists waiting for / chasing up / cancelling their drinks orders.
The route was a simple enough pedal along some of my favourite lanes around Farley Heath and Shamley Green to land up in Guildford for lunch in 'Spoons, and then on another 10 miles via Mayford and Send to Pinnocks in Ripley. Ride stats as follows:
Cyclists at elevenses - 19! Graham did not continue, Terry joined for the first few miles
Groups needed - 2. My thanks to Simon for jumping in to sub-lead the 2nd group, overcoming various technical challenges to download the route, and to Jennie, David W and Andy for back-marking
First-time C&M riders - 3. Audrey and David have often met us for elevenses, but this week joined for the whole day. Karl joined as far as lunch where he discovered a puncture and headed home to fix it without an audience
Previous abandoned route attempts - 1, in 2023 when there was torrential rain
Percentage of time spent actually at the front of my group - maybe 70%, as they sped past me on both the uphills and the downhills
Incidents - only 3 that I know about (my chain coming off, the puncture and a kerfuffle on the A3 footbridge)
Uphill sections - potentially 3? (Greene Dene / between Shere and Farley Heath Road / Littleford Lane)Wrong turns - at least 2 from me, supplemented by inordinate amounts of faffing
Sub-groups deviating from the route - 1, according to photographic evidence on WhatsApp! (See below)Photos taken - loads, but none with everyone in as they kept scattering like kittens
Hours of sunshine - 6 (from arriving at elevenses to leaving tea plus more either side)
Cyclists having fun - I think everyone judging by the comments, and I hope to repeat the route another time in warm weather
 |
| Some of the group before we left Queen's Stage |
 |
| Some of Group 1 in action |
 |
| Group 1 obscuring the view from Park Road |
 |
| Miscellaneous group members after lunch (photo credit: Andy) |
 |
| Miscellaneous group members at tea |
Sunday's ride will take us from The Queen's Stage in Effingham along scenic lanes into Guildford, via Green Dene, Shere, Farley Green, Shamley Green, Blackheath and Shalford. It's a route I had planned and recce'd some 18 months ago, but never got to lead so am very much looking forward to sharing it with you. 18 miles to lunch, all on road with a couple of ups and undulations which will be all very familiar to our regular cyclists.
After lunch we have the challenge of getting out of Guildford, and for this I have concocted a route out of something David W did the other month, heading through Jacobs Well and Westfield, before diverting east through Send to Ripley for tea, nearly 10 miles in total and again all on road and flat.
Let's hope the weather forecast doesn't change and we can enjoy some Spring warmth.
Please message me or email if any queries, GPXs available on request.
11's at Bocketts, where we assemble,
Cheaper with your own mug....if you remember.
Blue sky & sunny, with a chill in the air.
Caroline & Steph, what a lovely pair!
Norbury Park was where we were heading.
Mud & puddles.....what some were dreading.
We emerged unscathed, ready for Logmore.
Catching our breath....a reason to stop for.
Directing the crew, atop of Anstie.
Lovely views, I think you'd agree.
Down the hill, Ruby was waiting.
Around the table, our hunger abating.
Bacon & chips, scrambled egg too.
Thanks to Diane, for my lovely brew.
Bike upturned, a broken spoke you see.
Keith & Simon to the rescue, to them I say merci.
Lemon Drizzle beckoned at 51 Degrees North.
A new café I'll be using...henceforth.
A great day out, fine company too.
To those who joined me, I say thank you.
Photo credits - Dave & Clive.
Hi all,
11's - Bocketts Farm (opens 10am).
Lunch - Rubys Café, Capel
Tea - 51 Degrees North, Mickleham
Need to knows:
1. There is some off-road (Norbury Park, NCN 22, Drovers Road).
2. There is a big climb (Logmore Lane/Boars Hill).
3. There are views (multiple locations).
4. There is homemade Lemon Drizzle Cake (51 Degrees North).
5. It will be sunny (multiple sources).
The route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/49838068
GPS available on request andycoxhill@ntlworld.com
I look forward to your company.
