Sunday 24 June 2018 - Petts Wood & Cudham

On paper I wouldn’t have expected many to turn out for this ride which was out of our (recent) normal area and also clashed with the Dieppe Raids and an England World Cup match, so I was very pleased to see Ed, Lilian, Keith and Graham at the experimental meeting place.   It was lovely morning which made the ride through Morden, Mitcham Common, Croydon North End, Addiscombe, Shirley, West Wickham and Norman Park a little more palatable.  We had a good elevenses at Petts Wood Wetherspoons and were joined there by Bob and Richard.   All continued to lunch at Cudham, Bob taking his own route.   The rest of us rose and fell (but mainly rose) through some lovely, quiet lanes via St Mary Cray, Chelsfield, Pratts Bottom, Halsted and Knockholt.   There were some steady climbs but there was also plenty of shade.   I was introduced to the Blacksmiths Arms at Cudham several years ago by Andy Coxhill and was impressed then by the efficient service and beautiful gardens.   I am pleased to report there has been no change, but we should probably have devoted more attention to the Little Titch memorabilia in the bar!   After lunch some opted to ride back home but I felt it my duty as leader to show Ed and Lilian the way to Orpington station, a gruelling downhill ride of at least three miles, and to accompany them to Waterloo to ensure their safe passage!  No train problems today!    Many thanks to all for your company and for what I hope was an enjoyable visit to what were old haunts for some of us and new territory for others!

Sunday 24 June 2018

Sunday's ride will be to Petts Wood for elevenses.   The ride from Petts Wood to lunch at Cudham will take us along main quiet lanes and is fairly short, but there is a steady uphill theme!    Lunch will be at the Blacksmith's Arms, a delightful pub with a large garden and menu choices to suit all.   From lunch it is but a short, straight (and almost all downhill) ride of about 4 miles to Orpington station, where, even on a Sunday, there is a very good train service to London Waterloo East (about 20 mins by fast train).  Depending on demand, I will either lead a ride back from lunch via Botley Hill, Warlingham and Purley, or else return by train myself.   Optional meet at Raynes Park Waitrose (Coombe Lane side) leaving 9.00 am sharp.

17 June: The Pilgrims' Way to Guildford

Something a little different this week:  After a long dry spell I planned to ride along the top of the Downs to Guildford.  Off road for about five miles on a decent track that can become slippery and muddy after rain.   At Elevenses with me were Vic.  Ed. David W, Keith, Lilian, Ian Appleton, Steph, Terry, and we were very pleased to be joined by a new cyclist, Yasmin, who had found us on the web.

Despite a few showers before elevenses, everyone was keen to do the ride, so we set off from Effingham, up Green Dene to the summit, and then along the North Downs Way, also the Pilgrim's Way at this point, through woodland to Newlands Corner.  Terry left us at the top of Green Dene as he was leaving for France later that day, and Steph left at Newlands.  Continuing along the track, which is very gently downhill all the way, we reached Pewley Down, stopping for a few minutes to admire the view and inspect the monument recording the gift of Pewley Down to the people of Guildford.

This was partly a time-wasting exercise by me, as with only 10 miles to lunch, we were a little early.   From the wilds of Pewley Down there is a sudden transition into urban Guildford, with a steep hill down to the King's Head, where we enjoyed lunch outdoors, and since we were under an umbrella, we also enjoyed a small shower that passed by.   Just as we were leaving, Ray Wren phoned to say he'd missed us at elevenses, and gone by a rather circuitous route to the top of Green Dene, but was still some way from Guildford, so we agreed to meet him for tea.

After lunch we rode along the Wey for a bit to avoid the centre of Guildford, then headed through Jacob's Well towards Old Woking before turning south again through Pyrford and Wisley to Ockham Bites, where Ray found us just after we arrived.   Thanks all for your company and welcome to Yasmin!   Special thanks to David W for back marking, and also to Mark Gladwyn who showed the Wayfarers the Pilgrims' Way route.

STOLEN WAYFARERS BIKE

Van Nicholas model Yukon frame size 50cm Serial No. S1402134

Stolen on 3rd June between 12.30 and 13.30 in Kingston across the road from TK Max John Lewis side. Police and Bike Register informed.

Please contact Cliff or Maureen if you come across any information regarding this bike.

Sun 17 June - ride to Guildford (off road warning)

Something a bit different this Sunday: we will follow the Pilgrims' Way along the top of the North Downs to Guildford - a route pioneered with the Wayfarers by Mark Gladwyn.     A gentle ascent up Green Dene from Effingham to the top of Combe Lane, and then it's level or gently downhill all the way to Guildford.    It's a lovely ride, and it's nearly all off road.   The surface is generally good but there are tree roots to avoid, and a few big muddy patches which you can generally cycle round.  It's less than ten miles to lunch so we can take it gently and act like pilgrims, if the desire takes us.   After lunch, a bit along the Wey Navigation before we get back on tarmac to head to tea at Ockham Bites.

If there's significant rain before then, we will be taking a different route to avoid the Pilgrims' Way.

PS.  When parking your bike at Effingham Vineries, please could you either park behind the cafe (but not obstructing the access path) or against the fence in the car park.   Now the Vineries have an outdoor seating area, these are the best places to avoid getting in the way.  Thanks.

South Bucks Joint Ride Report.

Sunday 13th May: Joint Ride with South West London CTC. 

This year, it was the turn of our friends at SW London to organize our annual get together and what an excellent event it was.

Tony Hopkins was in charge and he had planned two rides, 20+ and 12 miles in the Cobham/Ripley area of North West Surrey. The rides had attracted a large group of local members, probably 25+ from SWLondon, which stretches from Hillingdon to Croydon, including one lady who had recently moved to Kings Lynn and made the journey back especially to take part.South Bucks mustered about a dozen, of which five came from Chiltern Hills and the others from the Thames Valley group. No doubt, Anona or Robert will report on the outing from the Thames Valley perspective.Us old 'uns from Chiltern Hills, Barry, Brian, David W. Simone and JC had an easycar assist along the M40 and M25 to meet the others for coffee at the giant supermarket in Cobham. With the exception of super-fit Brian (who despite his 75 years has hardly aged since his days at Anfield he was chased round the pitch by the stewards after he crept under the turnstiles into a match without paying), we had opted for the shorterride, joining five SW Londoners.

We were somewhat delayed by David, who had snaffled an abandoned bike in the car park, but eventually we set off on a bridleway over the flood plain of the river Mole to Downside, then to Effingham and the Horsleys before turning north west to Ripley, where Tony had hired the Village Hall for lunch. The catering was superb and a collection was made for the Air Ambulance, which raised over £64.

Replete, the whole group set off to return to Cobham, passing the famous “Anchor Inn” on Ripley High Street, scene of some historic rides in the early days of cycling,when young bucks would ride out from London on the High Ordinaries, and then in Ockham, the infamous “Hautboy Hotel” which made the news in 1898 when it refused admission to the coffee room of a lady cyclist wearing “rational attire”. This was challenged by the Cyclists’ Touring Club who challenged the hotel proprietor’s right to refuse admission to part of a licensed establishment. Of less interest perhaps, we also rode by the abode of the current Chancellor of the Exchequer, before reaching Pains Hill Country Park for tea.This was a really enjoyable day out and many thanks are due to our friends at South West London CTC.

Sunday 10th June

Four people at Walliswood

Four horses at Capel

Terry

Don Clarke - funeral details

Pam has forwarded these details:

The funeral will be held at 10:00 am on Wednesday 27th June at the Woking Crematorium, Hermitage Rd, Woking GU21 8TJ.

This will be followed by a wake at The Cricketers in Horsell Birch, Woking GU21 4XB.

Lena Clarke has requested that we indicate how many cyclists she should expect so please let me know as soon as possible, by email (timcourt50@gmail.com), if you intend to come.

Thank you

Tim

Sunday 10th June

After leaving Lilian, Maureen (sorry to hear about bike theft), Ed, Bob and Alan to 'do their own thing' I led Rachel, Graham, Simon and Ian southwards from Pinnocks. The effort required to ascend Staple Lane was worth it for the view. Quickly descending and crossing the A25 we were in Shere, then after  another couple of climbs and a descent we were in Ewhurst from where it was flattish to lunch at The Scarlett Arms, Walliswood. My original plan was to visit The Punchbowl,Okewood Hill but they only reopened a few days ago and don't expect service to be back to normal until July 1st.

After a pleasant, leisurely lunch we set off, via Standon Lane and Mole Street to Ockley for Brockham teencakes. However on approaching Capel a 'Teas at the church' sign was noticed so minds were quickly changed and we stopped there instead. Somehow various people managed to consume multiple portions of cake but  they did have further to go home than me. After another leisurely break we set off for Dorking keeping off the main roads and gradually peeled off for our various routes home.

Thanks all for company on a good day for cycling.

Terry

LONGACRES G.C. Shepperton - NEW LEATHERN BOTTLE, Jealotts Hill - EGHAM

3RD JUNE 2018

A beautiful morning and I, like Bob,  was at elevenses before the G.C. opened.   We were joined by Alan and Graham, Bill, Tony, Terry, Ed, Maureen, Christina...then Ian who arrived just as we were leaving!  Bob, Bill, Alan and Maureen went their own way, whilst the rest of us cycled off for lunch at Jealotts Hill.
To get to Warfield (Jealotts Hill) I went via Chertsey Bridge, Chertsey, Thorpe Green, Prune Hill and Englefield Green into Windsor Park at Bishopsgate; past the Village shop, leaving at Forest Gate.
Then the Peanut roundabout, down to Drift Road.  By now we were on a familiar route for our regular C+M'ers!   Into Winkfield Road, Bishops Lane, Wellers Lane to Jealotts Hill.    I had phoned the pub on Friday but as the weather forecast was so good, I said it was more a courtesy call and not to reserve any seats for us as we would no doubt be outside.  To our surprise we had a table reserved for us in the garden, under cover.  The pub was very busy and we were told a 30 minute wait for our food....OK...but it was 1 hour 30 minutes before the last meal arrived!   We got to the pub at 1.30, a little later than expected as there was a puncture at Thorpe, making it 3.30 when we left!

Our return was via Ascot race course, again, over familiar ground.   Back into Windsor Park via Watersplash Lane and this time we took the route past the Long Walk.  We did see a notice to say the Deer gate was not working but...as cyclist do...we carried on.  Well.......the gate was not working but luckily we were able to get our bikes through the pedestrian gate - even Ian's electric bike!
By now the time was pushing on and we realised that we would miss all the tea stops.  Graham and Christina had already said they would not be stopping so whilst  waiting to get together out side the park, I suggested they continued.....then on my way down Tite Hill I thought - oh well - I'll put the kettle on at my house.  Once there, Ed went across and bought buns whilst I made the tea.   So, it wasn't so bad but it did mean others had a late ride home and for me - my mileage was well reduced by early end to ride.
Thanks all for your company, for the chats, the buns, the photo - and I trust you all got home before dark!!
Cheers Pam :) :)

Sad News - Donald Clarke

Some more very sad news I'm afraid.   Donald Clarke has been (uncharacteristically) unwell since earlier this year, although he has, very bravely, put in some appearances at recent elevenses meets.    Probably we weren't aware of quite how unwell and quite how unlike the Donald we knew he had become.  Sadly, Lena Clarke tells me he passed away at the weekend.

More details to follow.

Sunday the 27th

I changed the 11's and lunch stop as there was no interest in going to Jenners at Maidenhead. So 11's was at an old favorite, Squires at Upper Haliford. Even so only 5 electing to ride to Leatherhed.

Today's congregation was Bob, Alan, Simon, Ray W, Ed, Terry and myself with Alan heading home and Bob finding his own way to lunch.

Over Walton bridge and back roads to Hersham and the alley to the climb at the back of Sandown racecourse, down to West End and onto the Portsmouth road to Fairmile and left through the Fairmile estate and down Blundel lane, the Tilt and cross country to Downside and across Bookham common (passing Bob  sitting on a bench eating his sandwich) and a nice decent into Leatherhead.

It was a long leisurely lunch sitting out side the pub and with the heat it took some urging to get going. We elected to have teat at Painshill park and on entering found the placed closed due to an infestation of travelers. So back to the Walled garden. Again there was a reluctance leave as it was now very warm, wearily we set off for home with Terry heading towards Effingham and the rest of us for Esher where Ed turned for home and Ray, Simon and myself for Hampton court.

A very pleasant day on the bike if somewhat warm. Thank you one and all.

Tony..

Sunday the 27th

Due to lack interest for 11's at Jenners, 11's will now be at Squires Upper Haliford and lunch at Wetherspoons Leatherhead. 3's will be decided on the day.

Tony..

Sunday May 20 2018

Compared to some, this year's weather has been kind to me. Today was pukka red-nose, red-knees sort of day and perfect for my widdershins tour of Puttenham. Irene and I each suffered a minor problem and delay. So when we arrived at Pinnocks the regulars (Alan, Bob, Ed, Lilian, Terry, Tony, Vic) were supping their favourite brews. Also  present were three irregulars (Keith, Jennifer and Jude from the Beginners section).

As usual Alan and Bob headed home. These are familiar roads so I won't bore you with the details (see map). Some of the highlights:

• Vic's gymnastics on the wooden bridge steps near  the Surrey CC ground;
• The 300 foot climb from the university car park through Onslow Village to the A31;
• Dining (several child's portions) alfresco at the less than full Good Intent;
• Dave arriving but not stopping after his usual drink and packet of crisps lunch;
• Getting round a car embedded in the embankment on the bendy section between Puttenham and Shackleton;
• Nobody falling off on the "secret" road from the Squirrel to Eashing's grade one bridge;
• The much expanded Supervet's (no sign of Noel perhaps rehearsing for his nationwide autumn tour);
• Stopping beside Phillips Memorial (SU968440) and gravestone (SU972447).

And for once no grumbles back at Pinnocks so I like to think they enjoyed it! Plenty of other folk enjoying the sun: a morning sportif near Ockham, an afternoon run in Ripley.

Grahams Ride to Puttenham

2 new ladies joined us at Ripley for the ride to the Good Intent at Puttenham. Welcome Jude and Jennifer.

Jennifer

Jude

 

Tony..

C&M joint ride donation

Thank you for your gift of £60.74
on May 14th, 2018 at 2:35pm

Hi Tony,

Thank you for helping London's Air Ambulance save more lives by donating £60.74.

Without donations like yours we would not able to run our life-saving charity. We are immensely grateful for your support.

With your donation, we will be able to save more lives by:

• Providing life-saving medical interventions such as open heart surgery, blood transfusion, and anaesthesia at the roadside
• Keeping our vital aircraft in the sky and our cars on the road
• Ensuring our advanced trauma teams have the medical equipment and kit they need to carry out their work

Details of your donation are below. To keep up-to-date with news from London’s Air Ambulance you can check-out the website, like us onFacebook or follow us on Twitter.

• Donation Amount: £60.74
• Donation Date: May 14th, 2018 at 2:35pm
• Donor: Tony Hopkins
• Charity Number: 801013

Thank you again.

Joint ride with South Bucks CTC 13/5/18

The weather started off a bit dismal but sunshine eventually reared it's head which made for a very pleasant days cycling. I started off on the wrong foot by planning the event for the 13^th as it is my daughters birthday, 3 boys then she was born on Friday the 13^th, you can't say it's unlucky for me!

I was the first to arrive at Sainsbury's Cobham but then the masses soon appeared (perhaps masses is an over statement). It was nice to see Irene make the trek from Kings Lynn, her new home. Also nice to see Jeff make it to 11's.

As South Bucks were bringing some of their coffee pot group (more mature and less inclined to ride to fast and to far) I had planned 2 rides and Graham had agreed to lead the shorter ride. All the usual crowd from C&M turned up and Simon, his wife Lis, Cliff and Maureen and Bill had generously agreed to man the fort (kitchen) at Ripley village hall and get lunch prepared. Various members had also agreed to bake cakes for the event, they included Lis, (Simons wife), Ed, Pam, Carolyn, Maureen (those who didn't turn-up missed a real treat).

Leaving Cobham it was suprising to see a good few C&M opt for the shorter ride. I had planned a few loops so as not to go to far South and so had Graham on the shorter ride with the consequence that our paths crossed twice before getting to Ripley. Our last loop took us to Send Marsh and the 3 life size steel Giraffes which is right next door to the Chancellors house (he wouldn't agree to fund the lunch! Cut backs).

As we were the longer ride we reached Ripley village hall after the other group but some food was on the table, phew. It was lovely to see the interaction between South Bucks and C&M and it was a very social lunch.

Tea had been planned for Painshill park where most of South Bucks had parked (yes they came by car) and the 2 groups met in the car park, apart from those who had headed home. Most agreed to call it a day and head home without tea(it was only 5 miles since lunch!). I believe that Pam and Ed did take the opportunity to take some refreshment before heading home.

Well I couldn't have wished for a better day, 8 from South Bucks CTC and a good turnout from C&M, sunshine, great company and a ride in the Surrey countryside.

I can't finish without thanking those who worked hard to getting lunch for around 30 people and also those who made the effort to bake cakes. Great effort by all concerned.

South Bucks CTC hold a cycling weekend in the Chilterns in October known as the Golden Beaches weekend (Beech trees that is). This is a great weekend and I have done the event for about 6 years. This year the event may not take place due to lack of people available to man the event. If anyone has a spare weekend in October and are willing to help out please let me know.

Thank you one and all.

Tony..

6 May 2018 - Farnborough

A cloudless day saw a good number of us assemble at the Bourne Valley Garden Centre, including long absent Rachel.   A dozen of us set off for Farnborough and two dropped off en route still leaving a good quorum.  Our route took us via Foxhills and Gracious Pond to Chobham, which we skirted to be able to sample the delights of Pennypot Ford.  Well, I sampled it anyway - it was too deep for the tastes of everyone else!  Then it was plain sailing via Bisley Church and Ranges, Gapemouth Road and Deepcut Bridge to The Hatches.   From there it was but a short haul to Farnborough although we took the cycle path through Queen Elizabeth Park to enter the town the  back way and avoid the rather daunting main roads leading to the centre.  The Tilly Shilling wasn't too busy and had a distinctly continental flavour with with the front patio doors all wide open to the terrace.  Our traditional large table adorned with a carved map of the British Isles miraculously became free as we arrived!   After lunch we took residential back roads to North Camp and Mytchett, then climbed Tunnel Hill.  It was here that one of those unavoidable misunderstandings happened!   I had paused at the top but some riders, in their enthusiasm, sped past, thinking I was ahead, and overshot the turn for Pirbright, which is, admittedly, completely unsigned and very easy to miss.   My core group continued on the planned route through Cemetery Pales, Knaphill and Chobham to Gracious Pond and Holloway Hill.   We reached tea at 3.30.  Luckily, it was the first day of the season at Great Cockcrow,  and tea and cakes were at least as good as last year!  For once though it was too hot to linger too long on the terrace watching the comings and goings of the miniature steam trains, and we set off for home at about 4.00 pm.  As we left we met Pam, who had been one of the 'breakaway', who told us all was well.   My thanks to Graham for back-marking, and to Vic and Pam for other help, but special thanks go to the weather for making it a brilliant day!

My CTC holiday to Kerala and Tamil Nadu Southern India

My Dad and I went here at the end of February and early March this year. It's a beautiful part of the country, but very hot as it's down in the southern most part. The food was excellent, the people very friendly and lots of quiet country roads and monkeys to watch. We visited several temples along the way and also saw traditional fishing boats being built. We flew to Trivandrum and back via Kochi.

Here's the YouTube link. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQRO-lfonB8&t=1s

Cheam & Morden and South Bucks CTC Joint Ride

Sunday the 13^th of May is the annual joint ride with South Bucks CTC.

There will be 2 rides both starting from 11's at Sainsbury's Cobham. A normal ride of around 18/20 miles and a shorter ride of around 10 miles at a reduced pace to suit the more mature rider.

Both rides will meet for lunch at Ripley village hall. A light lunch will be provided. Both groups will then make their way back to Painshill park for tea.

Lets have a good turnout so please do try and make the ride.

Tony..

Sunday April 29 2018

I think I'm catching the English disease as this long cold lonely winter reappeared in the form of single digit temperatures, strengthening northerlies and overcast skies. Definitely it was no day for distant Dunsfold. Bob and I arrived at Elm Nursery around ten, Alan, David, Ed, Lilian, Pam, Terry, Tony, Vic followed if but slowly. I'd disinterred my winter gear; others had chosen less wisely and "frozen" featured heavily in conversations.

To avoid embarrassment, I'll gloss over our late departure around 1130. Alan headed home. Guildford was crowded with cars and shoppers but we were soon on the cycle path heading South before turning down traffic-less East Shalford Lane.

Backmarkers had to scurry across the crossing to avoid a close encounter with a speeding eastbound train. Wonersh came next then the Downslink. Fearful of mud we turn right where NCN22 turns left. The A281 features high in my list of least loved roads but being Sunday the constant traffic was devoid of commercial vehicles. One mile ahead starts my favourite set of Surrey lanes (Brookwell Lane, Gate and  Thorncombe Streets, and Snowdenham Lane) - five and half miles and just two vehicles! One was a massive horsebox but luckily(?) Pam chose to puncture minutes before its arrival.

This gave Ed yet other chance to display his powerful thumbs whilst others admired a horse in an nearby field (not a patch on Falkirk's Kelpies). Now heading north the headwind was numbing. A second dose of the Downslink led us to the A281 and a final scamper along the cycle path brought a reunion with Bob in a very crowded Wetherspoons.

There's little reason to describe the seven miles to Pinnocks. On the cobbles Terry's dexterity  with Allen keys cured Pam's sinking seatpost syndrome. Tony claimed the Ripley prime but were we racing?

Once again we tarried long before heading home around 1630; 25 miles from 11s to tea.

Graham's Glorious but cold ride.

Really nice ride from our leader Graham, one puncture.

Ed's master class in puncture repair while the rest looked on. The puncture fairy picked Pam today.

Additional (summer) threes venue

St John's Church, North Holmwood will serve teas weekly between 1500 and 1700 starting on 17th June, the last one on 9th September. They would like to know we're coming a day or two in advance.

Terry 

22 April: Epsom - Mogador - Leatherhead

The first attempt at this ride

I originally planned to lead this ride on December 10th, when I arrived in the snow at the Old Moat Garden Centre to hear a brass band playing Christmas carols.   Today couldn't have been more different, with perfect cycling weather: sun with a gentle cooling breeze.   A good turn-out at elevenses saw Alan and Bob plus Don and Lena joining us just for elevenses, while Jeff, Graham, Ed, Lilian, Theresa, Christina, Terry, Mike M and David Ward set out with me on the ride, skirting Epsom and then heading up Chalk Lane, fragrant after the overnight rain, to the racecourse, where we did a few furlongs across the course.   Mike left us there to deal with some car-related problems, and nearly took David W with him, but we all regrouped to find our way to Banstead, down and up via Chipstead Bottom and along the top (is it called Chipstead top?) towards Mogador.

Once we arrived at The Sportsman I tried to tempt people to join me in the short ride to the viewpoint at Colley's Hill but several were more tempted by the pub itself.   Christina was initally unimpressed by the view but then Lilian found a better viewpoint which received grudging approval from Christina.    Back at the pub Keith joined us after making his own way from home, so we were again ten for a leisurely lunch taken outside in the garden.

After lunch, things went downhill in every sense.   Keith, Jeff, Graham and David made their own way home: we sampled the ups and downs of Mugswell en route to Walton on the Hill, where Christina left us; Lilian left soon after, so our reduced group decided to stop at Leatherhead rather than risk losing more riders before the advertised stop at Stoke d'Abernon.    Thank you to David Ward for back marking in the morning (back marker not necessary in the afternoon as I can count up to five!).   A lovely day out - looking forward to many more days like it this year.

SUNDAY 15TH APRIL 2018

UPPER HALLIFORD - TAPLOW - EGHAM
I was early at elevenses but several others were there well before me!  Bob, Bill, Tony, Graham and Dave already seated.  Alan, Simon, Maureen and Ed were parking their bikes as I arrived!  Terry was next, then Vic, followed by Mick Furnival-Adams who had come all the way from Cambridgeshire to join us - well done, it was great to see you Mick.

Bob, Bill and Maureen didn't join the ride and Alan peeled off at Horton.  We started off by going over the 'bumps' at Charlton, on through Laleham, to Staines, avoiding the bridge by taking the river route to Wraysbury.  After Horton it was Datchet to Windsor, then Eton Wick via Eton Bridge and the bridle path.  After Dorney we crossed the A4, taking Station Approach, up the hill and turned into the High Street, reaching the pub, Oak and Saw at 1pm !!

A couple of us parked our bikes in the garden where I saw David with wheel out to repair a puncture?!  Once done David left for home whilst the rest of us enjoyed our lunches.  Soup was very good and most of the others enjoyed a starter of Cajun Chicken and salad.  It was only after I had made a reservation that I was offered a Sunday menu to look at which did not include sandwiches - but nobody seemed to mind.

Photos taken and we were on our way not much after two.  We all fancied tea at Walton Lock but that plan was scuppered because of 'rain later'!

We returned via the Jubilee river to Dorney, then a ride along the Thames to Windsor, leaving the river to take route four into Windsor Great Park.  Graham peeled off after Dorney and Tony left us at Windsor.  Each had reason to get home asap.

It had already started raining as we exited the Park at Bishopsgate where we stopped to don rain jackets.   It was here we decided to have tea at the Golden Café in Egham, arriving 3.55 - turned out it closed at 4...but we still had our coffee and cake!  Thanks to the congenial staff. 
From here, (still raining), Vic and Terry, went in one direction, Mick followed Ed, Simon and myself into Staines where he continued to Shepperton and we three to the station - where I left Ed and Simon.

Thanks to all for joining me, and being patient with me when I missed a couple of turns!!  Thank you Simon for back marking and Tony for his photo.

Cheers Pam :) :)

Joint Ride with South Bucks CTC

The annual joint ride with South Bucks CTC will be hosted by us this Year.

 

Please make sure this date is in your diary and that we have a good turnout to support this ride.

Below is an extract from South Bucks CTC Beech Leaf magazine.

 Tony..

(Joint Ride with SW London CTC: Advance notice, Sunday 13th May

The SW London group have offered to lead a joint ride with us. We will meet at

Sainsbury’s Cobham cafe at about 10.15, aiming to set off by 11.00.

There will be two rides on offer, shorter and longer, both going to Ripley village hall,

which they have booked for our lunch venue. We then return via a slightly shorter

route possibly via Pains Hill park, which has a cafe. The terrain is undulating, but no

big hills.

There is a time restriction on the Sainsbury’s car park, but there seems to be free

parking at Pains Hill Park, which is only about half a mile away.

Everyone is welcome, but please let either me (Robert) or John Cappell know if you

intend to come, as they would like an idea of numbers by about the end of April.

If you want to go, but do not have transport, please contact either John or myself,

as we may be able to offer/arrange a lift.

I see this as a chance to explore an area we don’t go to very often

because the ride there is not particularly pleasant.)

Sunday April 8 2018

This was a day mostly of drizzle and rain with plenty of standing water by mid-afternoon.

Ahead of me at Stoke D'Abernon were Bob, Ed and Vic and some time later Alan put in an appearance. After a lengthy stop, Vic's route took us (without Bob) back through Cobham, past Notre Dame school and up Seven Hills road. By the time we reached the A317 roundabout we were down to three as Alan "disappeared". A right before  the station saw us descend into Weybridge and along the side of the Navigation.

After a leisurely lunch in the Golden Cafe Addlestone and with no prospect of improvement, we headed home. Just 32 miles for me and further proof there's no such thing as cycling waterproofs.

Sunday the 8th April

Due to staff shortages, holidays etc this Sundays ride from Stoke D'Abernon will be led by Vic and the lunch destination has changed to Wetherspoons Camberley.

Many thanks to Vic for standing in at late notice.

Tony..

Sunday 1 April - Polesden Lacey & Send Marsh

With many C & M regulars away for Easter it was up to Bob, Jeff, Vic and I to fly the flag at elevenses at Polesden Lacey.   Jeff had a recalcitrant fence post to do battle with at home, and Bob was undecided, so it was left to Vic and I to continue to lunch at the Saddlers Arms, studiously avoiding any unsurfaced tracks!   Even for Easter Sunday it was a cold, dank and grey morning, so we made good time to the pub, where the welcome was friendly as usual, and lingered over lunch rather than the ride.  Although it did brighten slightly after lunch there was still no temptation to dawdle and it was straight home with no tea stop.  About 42 miles on the clock for me.   Thanks to all for your company.

Dave W