Sunday, 22 August

Boulter's Lock - the Flower Pot Aston - Great Cockrow

Welcome to David Leach on his second ride
with the C&M.

Elevenses was at Boulter's Lock.

...where the KPRC Easy Riders turned up just
as we were about to leave!
Simon decided to stay with us to stretch his legs.

Locked out at Hambledon Lock, lunch at Aston
and tea at Great Cockrow.

Our thanks to leader David W for a good long ride with no rain and apologies to Pete and Lisa! Distance on the doorstep was 94.65 miles.

Jeff

Sunday Aug 22nd

It seemed a good idea to meet at 11s Boulters Lock (Jenners Cafe) in order to ride on to lunch and beyond, it all went astray 100yds up the road with a gap rapidly growing! Simon bridged the gap effortlessly we saw in the distance the last rider turning left at Cookham, when we arrived no sign of anybody, is it to much to ask for people in a group to make sure all are there before moving on? we turned left and followed the cycle route up Winter Hill wondering if the group would stop at the top, look at the view and get all together again, but no luck so we realised we had been abandoned and made our own way to lunch.
From Pete

Sunday Ride 12 Sept 2010

Dear Folks I have committed to lead my first ride on the above day with 11's @ Henfold Lake. I now realise that the KPRC Hilly 12m TT and Hill Climb is on that same Sunday morning and so apologies for not keeping my diary properly organised.

I still propose to lead the ride but will not be able to start at Nth. Cheam, so please make your way to Henfold directly where I hope to arrive by the skin of my teeth by 11am.

If anyone is willing to be a standby leader please let me know. Lunch is at Bax Castle PH and tea at Capel. I will contact Bax C to inform of our lunch arrival.

Sunday, 15 August

Godstone - Hever - Tatsfield

C&M + KPRC at Godstone Garden Centre

Lunch was taken at the King Henry VIII, in the shadow of St Peter's, Hever

Tea amid the gravestones of St Mary's Tatsfield

I'm sure that leader, Mike, will add a few words to tie these images together.

Jeff

8 August, 2010

Sunday Colour Supplement
Guildford - Hascombe - Newlands Corner

Hascombe and Fountain - click on links

Sunday 8th August 2010

It was not the best of start: dull and only three at North Cheam; soon two when Ed "mechanicaled" at Hinchley Wood. I could think of no satisfactory route from Cheam to Guildford so it was Esher, Cobham, and the A3 cyclepath where we were spared the indignity of being overtaken by more of cycling's fledgings. We arrived under clear and warm skies and in good time swelling the group to ten (or so we thought). After many a Wetherspoons' breakfast, we arose only to be accosted by mufti Jake proclaiming that Jeff lurked in some deep recess and thus had missed the comings and our soon to be going. Swilling a fraction of his recent purchase, he joined for a detour into Littleton and Godalming's backstreets. The steepness of Holloway Hill surprised even the leader but there was no dropping the bunch as we climbed towards Hascombe via Enton Green. At the turnoff, glances at watches confirmed time to spare so more down and up meaning we reached Hascombe via Loxhill.

Our punctuality had its reward with a near empty pub and several feasts were soon landing on our tables. Within ten minutes of our arrival and courtesy of SWT, Ed appeared differently mounted quickly followed by Keith who'd came via the Greensand Way. A more direct return took in the pump, Thornecombe Street, Wonersh and, for the exercise, Blackheath. In Chilworth a mistaken right missed the llamas in Halfpenny Lane; instead there was the steeper Guildford Lane. Even diehard roadies managed the tracks to the Barn Cafe and a final scoff. Re the website discussion, can you spot any difference(s)? Around 70 miles door to door.

Sunday, 1 August

Lullingstone - Plaxtol - Tatsfield

After a sudden outbreak of 'who's the leader?', I wondered if this might be a solo ride, with nobody to half-wheel except myself. In fact, Carshalton Ponds spawned a brace of riders looking for a leader - Janice and Keith. After a chat about the merits of glucosamine sulphate, we set off apace, with J &K chasing my tail like a pair of playful Jack Russells - a pattern that was to persist all day. They would not get tired.

The way to Lullingstone was urban at first and mostly uprising. We passed the Croydon Flyover and West Wickham library, where my SERC clubmates were long gone after their 9am start. After Jackass Lane it was past High Elms and up to Chelsfield and Well Hill, to arrive at Lullingstone GC well before 11am. There were no additions to the family, but ample time for a very filling bacon sandwich. Off again, keeping to the tarmac, not the fairway, en route to Plaxtol. No risk of J or K half-wheeling me, so long as I kept turning left and right, as I was the only one who knew the way.

We passed through Shoreham (why are there always so many cars?), Twitton, Otford; followed the Pilgrim's Way awhile, then Seale, Stone Street, Ivy Hatch, Plaxtol and the Papermaker's Arms. Maybe the pace had been too easy, as our appetites were not that keen, blunted perhaps by the earlier intake, so it was straight into desserts. Janice was introduced to greengage pie. We ate outside, the skies still pretty overcast.

Well before the Plaxtol parish church tolled two, we were off again, our tea-time target changed from Downe to Tatsfield. After Stone Street it was south of Sevenoaks, along Gracious Lane to Ide Hill, where Janice was disappointed not to clock up 40 mph on the descent to Brasted. After a further stretch of Pilgrims Way, we were struggling to make double figures on the ascent to Tatsfield Church. Tea and cake in the churchyard were followed by the helter-skelter down to Warlingham and Purley X. The heavy, aromatic fragrance of the lavender fields of Croydon Lane saw the parting of our ways. It had been a day of Kentish ups and downs with just under three score miles and ten recorded on the Cateye.

Jeff

Sunday, 25 July

Fairoaks - Puttenham - West Horsley

Assembly point was Fairoaks Airport, with Dave Ward as captain on the flight-deck. My knowledge of the route is sketchy, to say the least, but with destination Puttenham, our flight path ghosted some of the previous Wednesday's ride to Wood Street. We passed Chobham and the lanes of Warbury and Clews, to come under heavy fire again beside the Bisley rifle ranges. Dawnay Hill led us to Pirbright, after which we followed the A323 to Normandy. A southerly tack took us to Wanborough and the chance to mount the Hog's Back (I remember that), before descending half way down Puttenham Hill. Most braked for the right turn into The Street and Puttenham, though an enthusiastic few were already so intoxicated that they carried on awhile and had to climb back for a dressing down by the leader, to guide them to the Good Intent at Puttenham.

Paul at the top of Downs Lane

Food here, as ever, was first class and enjoyed in sunshine. However, when the time came to return, the leader allowed himself to be beguiled by siren voices. Instead of remaining faithful to his good intent, this pilgrim was seduced to abandon tarmac and the strait and narrow, to take the North Downs Way as far as Watts Gallery. A smooth climb up Downs Lane beside the A3 was followed by more chalk and flint before we regained the soft caress of tarmac into Guildford, where we dismounted to avoid the cobblestones.

The final flourish was a scoot along the A246 to Squires at West Horsley, with a delightful diversion along Blake's Lane, parallel to the main road, to bring us to the garden centre, where our leader left us to take tea, before then heading home. A distance for me of three score miles.

Jeff

(Apologies for font size - it has a will of its own!)

Sunday 18th July 2010

As I left, it was overcast with unheralded spots of rain but soon improved. The last of surburbia were Fetcham and the Bookhams; next we rode up the once feared Dirtham Lane and down Combe Bottom to Shere's Lucky Duck where a baker's dozen sunbathed. The road from Farley Green up to Winterfold led us past an intrepid though timorous bunny squatting in the road. Cranleigh was reached just after noon. Here Irene and John G opted for a shortcut; the rest were made of sterner stuff. After Clarkson's Dunsfold, it was across the border at Durfold Wood and the descent to the Marie Celeste, actually the Ye Old Sun Inn in Plaistow. It was open but no staff(!), customers and "no food at weekends" meant our morning was not yet over. We sped past Iford, like Durfold Wood, a relict of the 30s when large estates could be sold off easily for weekend/holiday homes.
Lunch was beside the Wey & Arun at a crowded Onslow Arms in Loxwood. Industrial archaeology is not C&M's forte so the return was all tarmac. Rudgwick and Oakwoodhill led on to Weare Street where the dappled sunlight and a poor surface made for interesting riding. One final act was to rejoin Irene and John for Capel's legendary tea and cakes. Around 75 miles door to door.

18 July

Sunday Colour Supplement to Graham's Report

Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea, interspersed with a dash of cycling

The Lucky Duck, Shere

Loxwood, beside the Wey & Arun Canal

Capel

Sunday July 11 2010

For a change the Kingston group were treated to Bushey Park deer, Feltham wheat, and amongst the Spelthorne sprawl, Europe's largest prison for women. As usual there was a sprint to the Luteyns teashop where in time our ranks swelled to fourteen including newcomer, David Leach. Three (and Bob) had other plans so the Irascible lead through the Great Park and then down the North road from Maidens Green to Moss End and Binfield where the Victoria Arms is a real find - a CAMRA boozer with doorstep sandwiches on Sundays with no pretensions to gastro. They even have bikestands (ok wheel benders) in the garden. We'll certainly come again.

Bob rejoined us and the meal was enlivened by Janice eating an oversized club sandwich whilst repairing a puncture - her first in over 15 years! She needed coaching but otherwise it was all her own work. Too soon we were off exploring the Bracknell sewage works on a track unsuited to narrow treadless tyres. But it brought us out near Moss End and a second North road running from Warfield Church through Chavey Down and Ascot Racecourse and back into the Park. Tea was taken leisurely at the village shop before we descended to Staines and went our various ways. Yet another skin-reddening day of around 60 miles.

Independence Day - 4 July

Beare Green - Warninglid - Capel

The weather was fine, some cloud and a cooling breeze from somewhere in the South for an independent ride to 11's at the Blu-Moon Café, Beare Green. Glimpsed en route two damsels cycling through the woods, too timid to allow me to accompany them, so I went on to warn our leader Ed of their approach. Time for a mug of tea and bacon sandwich (full English stoutly resisted) and some idle chat. We took due note of the polite invocation to users of the WC, before the assembled group split into two, one following Ed to Warninglid, the other accompanying the ladies to I'm not sure where.

Ed set off at a pace and took us through Newdigate, Rusper, Faygate and up Tower Rd. Then undaunted, the whoosh down Grouse Rd to be followed by the heave up Hammerpond Rd, before crossing the B2110 for the final rise along Slaugham Lane to Warnignlid. Here we lunched at the rather pretentious Half Moon Inn, no snacks, the limited menu somewhat overpriced, though the fried fish was greatly in demand. However, the greatest treasure of the pub is a cider-press, used once a year and manned, we were told, by the Bald-Headed Club of Horsham. Some 150 gallons are fomenting now, but not for tasting before October. Our cider expert, Terry, was disappointed.

With Horsham in the way, our return for tea at Capel retraced our outward route. At the church, the two groups became one again, where the flower of Capel womanhood regaled us as always with the tempting richness of their fare. There were even some familiar faces, recognised from the Dieppe Raid. After tea and cake shared in mid-afternoon sunshine, the group remounted to set off home, for some a goodly distance still to ride, for me no more than 60 miles in total.

Our thanks to Ed as always for his good-natured guidance.

Jeff

FNRttC June 25 to Bognor

It went very smoothly with only two punctures, both at the "lunch" stop in Faygate. If you've nothing better to do, see if you can recognise anyone (min: 4) on

http://www.cyclechat.net/forums/showthread.php?t=62934&page=34

Sunday, 20 June

Hookwood - Balcombe - Tanhurst Farm

At the Half Moon Inn and Tanhurst Farm

Question: What is the correct name for the Farm? The OS map says Tanhurst Farm; Google map says Tanhouse Farm; the livery on the farm van says Tanfield. A prize of a presta valve cap awaits the provider of the first correct solution - if there is one!

Sunday June 20 2010

I didnt take a camera (Jeff nudge nudge) so a recent snap - waiting for the Baltasound bus.

I set off on a dullish northerly day forearmed with map and outline idea in case we were leaderless. Five took last week's route though we diverged by bearing left into Betchworth. After Leigh and Irons Bottom it was up and over to Hookwood where numbers doubled and then halved as some were homeward bound. The rump took in Horley and Copthorne and climbed to Turner's Hill where winter's potholes have gone. A mess of cars at the church was evidence of nearby L2B but we veered right and after a while plunged down left before Worth Abbey. My hastily considered route had been right at the first crossroads but Jeff suggested that Ardingley reservoir was just what the doctor ordered. So breathless we arrived at the Half Moon - spit and sawdust but with prices to match. The way back lie through Handcross, Pease Pottage and Colgate. From Faygate we began to overhaul flagging L2B'ers returning from the sea. One final act for the day was a long drawn out cake session at Tanhouse Farm before dispersal below Box Hill - around 70 miles door to door.

Sunday, 13 June

The Brockham Tea Circle

Sunday June 13 2010

After the last alarmist(?) blog I was delighted to see familiar faces at the start. Via Headley and Brockham we went over the top which had more than a dusting of charity and sportive riders. At Beare Green the warmth and smell of cooking oil drove us outdoor where ten was our number eventually; Ed having nobly stayed behind with puncture victim Frank. Without Bob we headed for Weare Street and Rudgwick where vociferous roadies were adamant - "no roughstuff" so we continued past the Blue Ship roadend to the A29 and then back north to the Red Lion at Slinfold.

Apologies are due to John M and Don; the trivial (a dropped chain) must have been more serious. Briefly they appeared at lunch but presumably didnt spot us in the gardens. The way back via Warnham, landfill and Rusper developed into a gallop on the long downhill to Parkgate and quickly it was gateaux sur l'herbe at Brockham Church. It had been a fine day for cycling - spots of rain as I left the house and patchy cloud but a lot warmer after a month away.

PS Owners of the July/August newsletter may have noted a lack of rides leaders; Ed, Irene and I are OK to lead the July rides. Any offers for August 1st (Plaxtol), 8th (Hascombe) and 29th (Turners Hill)? Contact Andy or myself.

Sunday, 6 June - Beam me up, Scotty

The Horsham Ovary and Nuthurst

I'm beginning to think that it is me, not them! Today's venue for 11's was Horsham Spoons. I took that to mean Wetherspoons and headed for the Horsham Ovary - not quite as easy to find as you might think. But there I was at 11.01 am and not a soul in sight. I'm either at the wrong place or they have gone already. Has everybody been sucked into the giant ovary? For a while I gazed at this anatomical anomaly, with its fallopian tube and breaking waters, but no sign was given.
Nothing for it but a gentle solo spin to nearby Nuthurst and the 'No sandwiches on Sunday' Black Horse. I was lucky enough to be able to get an over-the-'phone mortgage to pay for a half pint of shandy and sat outside, enjoying the stream and birdsong, intending to make it last until the possible arrival of a gang of C&Mers. Shortly before 1pm however, the pastoral peace was rudely broken by the outburst of an in-house jazz group. It certainly had the effect of moving me on. I toyed with the idea of retracing my path to Maplehurst and the White Horse Inn, which does sell sandwiches on Sunday, but decided instead to hightail it back home.

I wonder where they went!

Jeff

P.S. All is revealed! The group hadn't yet arrived! Bob had arrived early, been to church, was in the Lynd X but his bike was elsewhere. Next time I'll look inside! Doh!

Sunday May 30th

Pictures from Pam

We had a great ride to Great Cockcrow where a splendid tea was taken! Lots of engines in steam and the men among us were in our element. No problems getting in and tea, coffee and home made cakes were available at reasonable prices! We will be calling again, I am sure! From David Ward

Outcome of Charity Status Vote - CTC AGM, 15 May 2010

Follow this savethectc link to see the outcome of the AGM vote at Loughborough on 15 May on converting The CTC into a charity.

Jeff

Sunday, 16 May 2010

West Horsley - Alfold - Capel

Sunday 16 May 2010

Capel cakes - see what you missed

The day started badly at West Horsley Squires - the gas had failed limiting the number of cooked breakfasts available. Lunch was planned at Alfold which meant heading south ie UP then DOWN Combe Bottom to Shere where everyone (Ed, Jeff, Keith, Paul, Steve and Terry) surprisingly/wisely? chose to use the footbridge to avoid the ford in Rectory Lane. Continuing south Horseblock Hollow and Amlets Lane led past Cranleigh school (an expensive-looking function being held) and avoided the town. Over the A281, through Dunsfold village and we arrived at The Three Compasses, adjacent to Dunsfold Airfield from where many an intrepid aviator has '...slipped the surly bonds of earth...' but today was hosting a 'Dad's Day Out' - we could hear several high-revving car engines !

After a pleasant meal we headed north on the A281, shortly turning off into Wildwood Lane then kept to the lanes to Capel via Cox Green, Ellen's Green and Okewood Hill. Sadly the bluebells in Weare Street were not up to their usual standard, but there was certainly no disappointment with the cakes and other delicacies available at Capel church, after which we followed the usual route to Dorking and home. Quite a cool day, very few glimpses of sun, and for the last few miles a little light rain.

Terry

Sunday, 9 May, 2010

The Jinx of Lullingstone Strikes Yet Again

A lightning strike is rare. A second lightning strike in the same place is very rare. A third lightning strike in the same place is telling you something you should listen to!
The Romans abandoned their villas; the castle fell into ruins; there is something very ominous about Lullingstone. Today the fearless, if not downright foolhardy legion of the C&M, set their sights on Lullingstone Park Visitor Centre, in the shadow of the castle. They never made it. One single mercenary went ahead to scout the way and prepare a welcome for comrades, for whom the tea turned cold as the grave. A search of the river, fields and ditches around Eynsford revealed no trace, no spoke or burnt out saddlebag. Likewise a trek across the golf course. I therefore had to fear the worst - all lost. A sad and solitary return awaited me to break the news to grieving loved ones.

Imagine my joy when, as I was mournfully coasting down Jackass Lane, a lone survivor of the lost platoon came up beside my shoulder and told me they were all alive and well, diverted it would seem from their intended course. Andrew and I then shared each other's company to cross the Croydon flyover and make our light-hearted homeward ways.

Be sure, however, that I shall long hesitate before ever again venturing into the mysterious realms of Lullingstone.

Jeff

P.S. A report has since come in that the Knights Errant of the C&M did not make their lunch-time rendezvous at Stansted. It was wise not to seek them there. I suspect that they ended up in the Green Man in Hodsoll Street. In the interests of charity, however, their wages have not been docked.

Easter Sunday, 2 May

Shere - Rain Stopped Play

We were promised showers. Perhaps the meaning of the word has been changed, modernised. Today, there were no gaps between the showers. I call that continuous rain. All will be made clear after the election.

Our correspondent on the spot at the North Cheam hustings reported a low turnout, with just three candidates: Keith, Paul and Richard. Only one made it to The Lucky Duck at Shere: Richard - given a rapturous welcome by the sodden leader. Richard's two companions had been washed away en route. There was, alas, no fire in the belly for the planned next phase to The Cricketers at Wisborough Green. With the pitch waterlogged, the umpires ended play for the day.

Tea was therefore taken early, after which Richard was seen floating off towards Ewhurst, while I drifted with the current on the A25 back to Tadworth, for an early shower. Thirty three nautical miles.

Jeff

Sunday April 25th

Sunday April 25

The thump of rain on window pane greeted me as I awoke but it was light drizzle as I start off. Four made the 14 mile journey to Runnymede where we were made to fight for our places by a coachload of LOLs. Here I discarded my waterproof for the day and eventually nine stalked me into Datchet, Eton and Dorney. Roughstuff, namely NCNs 4 and 52, got us past the Olympic rowing facility, across the Thames to Fifield and onto the Drift road. The lane past the still boarded up Royal Oak in Shurlock Row rattled a few teeth but soon Hurst had been bypassed and we were heading towards the ford. Only Dave and Don fancied a spot of paedalavium; the rest cutting across a field of horses to Lands End. Back we went on the "North" route via Billingbear, Moss End and Nuptown and into the Great Park at Cranbourne gate. A pot of tea for six at the Village Shop and in the sun was our reward. Around 70 miles door to door.

Sunday, 18 April

Westerham - Leigh - Shoreham

Blue sky, sunshine and volcanic ash. Is this the start of global warming? I should really dig the garden. A little bleary after the night before, I hesitated. Oh, blow! You can at least make it to Westerham and say 'hello', if they have not already left. So I did. A steady ride to Bletchingley and then beside the Sunday, snorting motorcars on the A 25 to the challenging glare of Churchill on the green at Westerham. The C&M were still in residence - a small but perfectly-formed group of: Bob, Paul, Richard and Simon. Steve, I was informed, had had to beat a lame retreat with a loose crank-arm and no big hex key. Must be infectious. We hoped he made it safely. The rest, on the point of departure, insist I join them.

From then on it must be up, and so it was. Chart Lane for starters, then Ide Hill. As a reward, Richard treated us to the Catford Hill Climb, mercifully in reverse. We passed the twitchers at Bough Beech Reservoir and then followed Penshurst Road (B2027) all the way to the Fleur de Lis (sic) at Leigh. This was something of a surprise to Simon, who had expected a gentle jaunt to the Surrey, not the kentish Leigh. Fortunate it was for us that he already had 120 miles in his legs after a ride to the coast and back on Saturday, after the Horton training ride.

Our lunch-time venue had perforce been changed from the Bat & Ball (now closed) to the Fleur de Lis - food sound and inexpensive. We sunned ourselves and dined outside, while Simon looked longingly at the sign which said: "Station: 250 yards".

After lunch we headed North past Hildenborough to Underriver, where Richard introduced us to the seductive contours of Carter's Hill - not to be faced on the big chainring with a frugally-toothed cassette. Thereafter, it was Seal, Otford, Twitton and a rescheduled and unhurried tea-stop at the engaging time-warp of Shoreham Aircraft Museum. After tea and cake and still in sunshine, it was homeward bound via Chelsfield, High Elms, Jackass Lane to W. Wickham, with each breaking away for his own route home at Croydon.

Our thanks to internet-free Richard for a most enjoyable ride, on what may have been our warmest Sunday of the year. The mileage tally for me was 70, though more I'm sure for the others who came from Cobham and N. Cheam.

Jeff

Sunday, 11 April

West Horsley - Cranleigh - Denbies

Keith reports that 6 joined him from North Cheam for the ride to 11's at West Horsley, viz: Andrew, Ed, Janice, John G, Matt Schultz and Paul D. A multitude were in attendance at the garden centre: Bob, Dan, Dave W, Don, Graham H, Irene, Jake, John M, Pam, Ray, Steve and Terry.

His report on the ride, succinct as a haiku:

Not much to report about the ride; it was a fine day for cycling and The Park Hatch provided the usual good lunchtime fare.

We decided that to return via Abinger for tea was not an appealing option, so everyone was in agreement to return via Forest Green, Ockley, Holmwood and on to Denbies for tea. (Dan opted to go up Tanhurst Lane to Dorking via Coldharbour.)

Keith

More Easter Tour 2010

Easter Tour I.o.W 2010

Some pictures of this years Easter Tour. With thanks to Ann & Steve for organisation and to Pete for orgainising the rides.

March 28th

Leader Ed.
Keith & I met at North Cheam for 11s at Shere, met Irene, Pam, Graham, Terry, Bob, Dave, Don, Ron.
Irene & Pam, Ron, Bob, went home the rest went to lunch at Wetherspoons Godalming.
Terry and I went to West Horsley garden centre for tea.
Weather fine no rain 55miles
From Ed.

Easter Tour

Many thanks to Steve & Ann for a memorable (for all the best reasons) Easter Tour to the Isle of Wight. The hotel was perfect it even had Eurosport TV for The classic Tour of Flanders cycle race live!
Good food, warm rooms and wood burning stove plus a wonderful breakfast spread.
Lisa and i had a super ride there and back in quiet traffic free lanes stopping at Emsworth going down and Liphook on the way back, with a tail wind all the way back and only very little rain on the way down and saturday afternoon.
From Pete & Lisa

Sunday 4 April

Burnham Beeches - Hedgerley - Sunbury

As always, Sunday starts with parting the curtains and looking heavenwards. Today the view was not good. Steady rain from leaden, lowering clouds. The Met Office promised better. Sluggish preparations and out to the stable. Waterproofs on, undo the mooring and set sail for the the Thames at Kingston Bridge. Late start + unfriendly NW headwind = late arrival - an 11 minute penalty not to be overcome.

While I did not know the way to Burnham Beeches, I followed the virtual route that I imagined the peloton would take to Staines. At Runnymede a forced stop to consult OS Landranger 175 to plan a route. Soon it was terra incognita through historic Slough towards Stoke Poges, Farnham Royal and Farnham Common to Burnham Beeches. Great my delight to find a turf-roofed refreshment hut and a gaggle of C&Mers refuelling in tepid sunshine. The teasing group who had denied me a comforting back wheel were: Bob, Captain Dave, Ed, John G, Simon Thunderthighs and Stephanie. Ed, I must say, was looking very smart and stylish in a new black and scarlet goretex top and lusso longs.

After some much needed recovery time, Dave led us on a circuitous route to our relatively nearby lunchtime venue of the White Horse, Hedgerley. The pub was buzzing, attractive and friendly, with Sunday snacks and sandwiches and an amazing range of beers - a beer festival no less. I opted for Long Daze, to be followed by Long Knights. We sat outside and chatted about the forthcoming vote (CTC of course, not Whitehall), though the blood soon began to cool. The weather-vane atop the pub was not a cock but a folorn-looking gelding, swinging in the chill northwesterly.

Lunch over, there was no way out but up. Then via Fulmer, Pinewood, Poyle and Ashford. We stopped for a nostalgic photo outside Ed's alma mater, though the school's name had changed. It is now called Thomas Knyvett College, a newly formed Foundation School under the Howard Partnership Trust and federated with Howard of Effingham School.
Soon we were thames-side again at Shepperton Lock - the tea hut locked. A speedy decision was made to head instead for Lower Sunbury and the Walled Garden. Dave peeled off for Walton while the rest reclined awhile in Sunbury, before heading home in the late afternoon sunshine, legs well stretched by a bracing day in Bucks. Congrats to all and thanks to leader Dave.
After the watery start, the cloud had lifted, waterproofs been shed and the day ended with a modest touch of Sun Protection Factor 1. The mileage for the day from start to finish had been just over 85 miles.

Jeff

Message from our CTC Councillors for Greater London

Dear All

Below is a message from Greg Price and Helen Vecht, our CTC Councillors for Greater London. In it they give their views on the proposal to turn the CTC into a Charitable Trust. They state their own reasons for rejecting the proposal and recommend that members vote against the 3 motions numbered 8, 9 and 10 on the voting form which comes with the current issue of Cycle Magazine.

Please make sure that you use your vote. You will not have another chance.

As they are Councillors who oppose this proposal, the CTC has not extended to them the opportunity to have their views circulated from CTC HQ through centrally held membership lists. Councillors who support the proposal have been given this opportunity. This posting is made partly to redress that imbalance.

Jeff

A message from your CTC Councillors for London

Hello everyone

Over the next few days, the April-May copy of Cycle will be dropping on to your doormat. Along with the magazine will be the agenda for CTC’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 15 May, together with a proxy voting form. It is the AGM, and certain motions before that meeting, that we are writing to you about.

At the AGM on 15 May, Council will be asking members to agree to changes in the status of the CTC – these changes will have significant and far reaching implications for the membership and for the future of the organisation. Council wants members to authorise it to change the Club, the organisation that has existed as a membership company for over 130 years, into a charity and to merge it with the CTC Trust.

You may have noticed over the few months that there have been a lot of positive messages put out about the proposals – for example the new issue of Cycle which accompanies the AGM agenda and proxy voting paper has a pro-change article on pages 6 and 7, and subtle (and some less subtle) hints have been appearing in the weekly CTC email newsletter. There has been a ‘hard sell’ going on and, although a previous issue of Cycle had an opposing view eloquently put by Simon Legg (a former Councillor), those who may oppose the proposals have been denied full access to the resources being deployed by Council and National Office to persuade you to vote in favour.

For Council’s decision to put these proposals to the membership was not unanimous, and as more information about the possible implications for members and member groups has emerged, a number Councillors have become uneasy about the direction Council and National Office are trying to take the Club in. We are two of these Councillors and, despite a number of unfortunate attacks on the personal integrity of those councillors and former councillors who do not support the proposals, we have made our views known publicly as we believe that is what you, the members, would want.

We oppose the proposals being put forward by Council as we are of the firm opinion that they are not in the best interests of the members, the member groups or the Club. Making the CTC a charity will not restore control of the Club and the trust to members – indeed it will have the opposite effect.

Under charity law, Councillors (who would also be trustees) would have to put the wider public interest and the interests of the organisations before the concerns of members or member groups. No amount of spin or fine words from those supporting these proposals can change this simple fact. And the members of other organisations, such as the Youth Hostelling Association, have found to their cost that the lure of supposed tax breaks doesn’t make up for losing control of your club.

There is also the issue of Club and Trust finances. These are far from transparent but it is clear that the Club is pumping in large amounts of members’ money to ensure that the Trust is able to balance its books - £453,051 in the last financial year alone. This is addition to the £407,000 paid by the Club for services provided to it by the Trust.

Council and National Office have assured the membership that the finances are in fine fettle, and they have made much about offering a meeting on the accounts to those with concerns. But we have to report that this meeting was far from successful. National Office and Council were not able to adequately explain the finances and the figures they were putting forward as supporting the proposal to change the Club to a charity did not stand up to scrutiny. These are not just our views – but those of an expert accountant who was at that meeting.

Council has tried to suggest that those who are opposing the changes are doing so for nefarious reasons. This is not the case. Those who have concerns over the proposals (us included) simply believe that there is a better way forward for CTC and that, with proper governance and clearer accountability, the present structure can be made to work properly and in the best interests of members.

We would urge all members to consider the proposals very carefully. Look at all the information that is available and take care to look behind the spins and rhetoric. You might also find it useful to look at the discussions on the CTC’s forums (http://forum.ctc.org.uk) or the information available on the Save the CTC web-site (http://www.savethectc.org.uk).

Please bear in mind that the changes being proposed by Council – if agreed and enacted – will be irreversible. You are being asked to take a step that will not only affect you and your family, but future generations of CTC members.

Our personal recommendation to members is that they should vote against Motions 8, 9 and 10 at this year’s AGM.

But whatever you do, and whichever way you decide to vote, please ensure that you do vote in this AGM. If you are unable to attend the AGM itself in Loughborough on 15 May, please use your proxy vote. If you haven’t received a form you can ask for one from National Office.

This is your club and your chance to have a say in its future! Please make sure you vote.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us. Greg’s e-mail is greg.price@ctc.org.uk and his telephone number is 07986 217852 . Helen’s e-mail is helen.vecht@ctc.org.uk

Kind regards

Greg Price and Helen Vecht

CTC Councillors for Greater London