Sunday, 8 March 2015

Hookwood - Markbeech - Fanny's

Seen on a wall in Merstham

Seven gathered in bright sunlight to watch the gulls and ducks on a chilly Walton pond. After a decent wait for late arrivals, the last having a ride of several hundred yards, we set off southwards down a pock-marked Chequers Lane, to savour once again the joy of swooping down a now reopened Pebble Hill. A sprightly jaunt through familiar flatlands took us through Brockham, Leigh, and the slight incline of Norwood Hill to the A217 and the Temple of Tesco at Hookwood. We locked up our bikes under the observant gaze of two jovial Romanians with a blacked out people carrier. Bob and a reincarnated Andy were there to greet us and Ian soon joined us as we broke our fast. Our number then fell by two as Angie left, sharing a wheel with Mike, to tend her garden.

Once out of Horley, our pace quickened with a chuff easterly wind to speed us through the billiard table fields of Smallfield and Newchapel to Lingfield. The angle of inclination then tilted through Dormansland up to the delightful Smithy's Lane. We dallied at Furnace Lake, then continued past the Winged Wheel at Cowden's Fountain Inn and on up the aptly named Blowers Hill, where Cow Lane led us to the Kentish Horse.

 Our reservation was wise, as the pub was soon humming and tables full. Good food and drink before a remount to discover that blue skies had turned to grey. Our tea stop was revised from Godstone Green to Fanny's. Those of little faith were shocked to find that my promise of a long downhill to Edenbridge proved true. Thereafter the ride was flattish via Staffhurst to Tilburstow, where who knows what strange substances impelled a supercharged Andy nearly into orbit. There was a price to pay. A steward's enquiry at the top of Tilburstow revealed no mechanical ill, but the climb into Bletchingley took its toll of Andy's chain, no longer able to take the strain. Paul stopped to give encouragement while the rest rode on for a conference at the top of the hill. Mobile technology failed and the consensus was to carry on, one group via high road, the other via low road, to meet again in Merstham, for a final haul up Markedge Lane to Fanny's. Concern about the light, or lack of it, had reduced our number, but a final luminous four refreshed themselves with tea and cake. Neil weighed in the balance the competing claims of tea and light; tea won. I trust that all made landfall safely and enjoyed a pleasant foray into Kent.

Jeff

Sunday March 15 2015

I spotted this on the Capel Church website. But the teas link is incorrect (error 404), so we'll just have to call in on Sunday and pick up a paper copy!

SUNDAY 15th MOTHERING SUNDAY
8.00 am Holy Communion (BCP)
10.00 am Mothering Sunday Family Communion
3-5.30 pm TEAS BEGIN AGAIN!

Sunday 8th March 2015

My Holdsworth suffered a chain break on Sunday.
Thankfully,I was carrying one of the first cycle specific multi-tools invented.......the CoolTool.

http://wiki.multitool.org/tiki-index.php?page=Cool+Tool

Sunday, 1 March, 2015

New Haw - Pirbright - Addlestone

Dave's Bones and Ashes ride to Pirbright

We took a respectful crust and mug of ale before our funereal visit to the final resting place of two adventurers; Henry Morton Stanley in the churchyard of St Michael and All Angels, Pirbright and Alf Whiteway, whose ashes were scattered in the woods near Chobham. "The ashes of Alf Whiteway were scattered here on Sunday 6th December 1993 by members of the Clarence Wheelers Cycling Club and their friends". Vic will explain.

More bones, but these ones still full of marrow!

The bones of HMS

P.S. A heart-warming blast from the past: Stephanie behind wicket at the Cricketers on a chilly 5th December 2010

From Terry's unfathomable archives from which there is no escape.

Sunday, 22 February 2015

West Horsley - Walton - Wetherspoons

Who's the Regent?

Ante-meridian sun encouraged fourteen to face frost and ice to share a cup of tea and company at the pleasure gardens of West Horsley. However, as the tea-pots emptied, the skies began to cloud over. Come the time of departure, leader Ed's thrust unusually was North, not South, not Irene. Some could not, dared not  resist the lure of Sunday roast at home, but others took up the challenge. Ed led us via the cyclists' mecca, Ripley, where we did not drop anchor, to West Byfleet, New Haw, around Addlestone and Weybridge to Walton, where we found refuge in that ever welcoming port in every cyclist's storm, the trusty haven of Wetherspoons. Space for all, good ale and solid food (though not for Neil, who was still recovering from the previous evening's intemperance, celebrating the Chinese New Year). He did force down a few abandoned and rather luke -warm chips.

By this time the forecast rain had begun to settle in, the lure of Thames Ditton for tea was waning, some preferring to explore the temptations of the Lidl/Aldi? store across the road, while non-shoppers put on their waterproofs and headed home. We did get home in daylight, despite the howling wind across the  Downs that threatened life and limb. I trust all made it safely . Our thanks to leader Ed.

Jeff

Sunday, 15 February

Savill Garden - Binfield - Laleham

 A day of daffodils, crocuses, grey skies to blue and late afternoon sunshine

Sunday 15th February 2015 (Savill Gardens - Binfield - Laleham)

Thirteen came to Savill Gardens for morning refreshment, and eight continued with Bob making his own way to lunch. We passed through Windsor Park to Drift Road, Maidens Green and Moss End (goodbyes to Alan) arriving at the Victoria Arms Binfield at 12.40 pm. where a table was reserved for us in the name of Morse?!

Lunch was very good and served quickly. We left an hour later making our way in glorious sunshine over Cabbage Hill to Warfield church,  across Ascot racecourse and back into the Park. Laleham Garden Centre was reached at 3.15 for more refreshment (phew). Here we dallied for over an hour so I hope everyone (including Jeff?) managed to get home in the light. A big thanks to all for coming and making for a very pleasant day. 

Irene

8 February, The Annual Lunch

The Annual Gathering of the Cheam & Morden Clan 

 

Roadmen and Women at Ladderstile Gate

 

Amuse-bouches, canapés and apéritifs chez Ann and Steve

In no particular order.........

 

  

 All together at the Angel

Those TFBs get everywhere!

Our grateful thanks to Steve for leading us on an appetite-sharpening tour of South West London via Richmond Park and Teddington Lock, to a cordon bleu elevenses conjured up by Ann, followed by shared good fellowship at the Angel, organised once again by Steve. Our warm appreciation to Ann, Steve and one and all.

Sunday 15 February

Sunday Feb 15 Irene (1st left) is replacing original leader Pam (2nd right). 11s is unchanged - at Savill Garden.

Terry

Reg Beever RIP 7 April 1935 to 4 Jan 2015

See tribute on MWW Blog. Photo's from order of service. If anyone from C&M would like to post old photo's the family have given permission and will be pleased.

Sunday February 1 2015

Remembering Sir Joseph Bazalgette and Eddie Slovik

I wasn't born until 2210 hours so today was the right day for my birthday ride. Just on five past nine, a well wrapped-up eight set off from Kingston Bridge. Richmond Park was entered at Ham and exited at Roehampton with nary a hint of ice. Our first mission was to meet up with Irene and Pam at Barnes station. One level crossing was closed but there was still time for cake before eight became ten. We were using NCN4 without most of the uneven, cobbled, pot-holed side roads so beloved of Sustrans engineers. From Hurlingham we past through Chelsea Harbour and along the Embarkment and over Westminster Bridge. Even with three earlier arrivals, there was room inside for all of us in Bill's Cafe though we were requested to be on our way by eleven!

Dour and drab miles go us to Greenwich for a gentle trundle past the Cutty Sark and old naval colleges and onto the narrow Thames Path. It couldn't have been a profitable day (queue of two!) for the Emirates Cable Car so our flight departed on time at 1215 hours. It was enlivened by a violent sway and a stall but after two minutes a spectral voice assured us this was quite normal. The mileage through Canning Town and Plaistow was mercifully short before we turned west onto the Greenway (or more properly the Northern Sewer Outfall). We ignored East London cemetery as "Dixon Of Dock Green" is the most famous person buried here but we did pause at Abbeys Mills, perhaps the major reminder of Bazalgette's contribution to London. We were now experiencing a keen northerly wind and the centrally heated Olympic Park toilets proved to be popular. Most dined in the Mittel Orbit cafe while Neil went in search of the velodrome. Just before his return, our trencherman squeezed a pudding and a second drink.

We continued along the Greenway to its end in Wick Lane before crossing a near deserted (was it really that cold!) Victoria Park. Four traffic-clogged miles saw us to the final stop, the crowded Look Mum No Hands in Old Street. Smithfield and Blackfriars Bridge returned us to Waterloo. By now numbers were dwindling and I led a rump to Victoria Station before rejoining the outward route. Pam, Irene and Tony departed just after the Marc Bolan memorial, and I said my final goodbyes to Paul and Ed at Kingston Gate. Call it 40+ miles.

The fliers were Terry, Lillian, David Vine, Graham, Ed, Tony Hopkins, Paul, Neil, Dave S, Daniel, Irene and Pam whilst Alan left after 11s.

A first contribution to the blog from Ed methinks!

The Emirates Air Line photos on Grahams Birthday Ride to the Olympic Park

Irene and Graham 

Grahams Birthday Ride to the Olympic Park

Our Leader the Birthday Boy

A View from the Cable Car