Ride Report - Sunday 7 May 2022 (Chobham & Gold Valley Lakes)

 

It can never be a good start to a ride to arrive at your chosen elevenses venue only to find a curt notice stuck on the door informing you it no longer opens on Sundays (this despite your online checks beforehand)!   Never mind, we are resourceful folk at the Cheam & Morden.   The Hangar Cafe, Fairoaks would not have us, so we made alternative arrangements at Basil and Blue, Chobham, instead, and very satisfactory they proved.

After that it was a straightforward and pleasantly shady ride of twelve miles, via Pirbright and Ash to our next culinary nemesis, The Lakehouse Eatery near Aldershot.   It was our first visit here and first impressions were good.   It was a lovely day and The Lakehouse is in a delightful waterside setting.   First impressions are so often wrong however - even though we had reserved a table and it was still early lunchtime we were told before we had had the chance to order that there was an hour's wait for food (by the time we did actually order, this had increased to an 'hour and twenty minutes at least').    Fortunately, these dire predictions proved to be somewhat exaggerated and we had all eaten within an hour.   The chip butty is particularly recommended.

The return leg to Addlestone was a bit longer than the outbound route and there was more of a military theme as we passed through North Camp, Mytchett, and Bisley, still arriving in good time for tea at Addlestone.

Simon, Graham, Ann, Lilian, Diane, Sabina, Bernard, and Dave S joined me for the whole ride, and Bob, Tony, Carolyn and John were just out for elevenses.   Thanks to all for your company and thanks to Graham for diligently back-marking all day.

Plans for Sunday 7 May 2022

As published, Sunday's ride will take us from Fairoaks Airport, Chobham (leaving punctually as close to 11.00 am as possible, please) to Gold Valley Lakes, near Aldershot, and back to Addlestone for tea.   The route https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/102724769 is about 32 miles there and back.

Sunday the 1st of May

11's will now be at the George, Staines, Wetherspoons.

And lunch at the Pineapple,  Dorney.

Approximately 19 undulating,  bordering on hilly, miles to lunch and afternoon tea by referendum.

Tony..

24 April - West Horsley to Godalming

We covered some unfamiliar routes today, or to put it another way, I got a bit lost.   But it ended well.

Birthday boy Ed

Looking forward to the ride(?)

It started well too, with rousing singing to celebrate Ed's birthday at West Horsley.   Bob, David W, Ann, Lilian, Keith, Graham and Robert formed the choir, which I'm sure was appreciated by all the other customers.   After we had sorted out a big muddle by the staff trying to split the bill, we got under way, up Shere Road as the first hill, and after that we decided it was to be pretty much the only hill.   Ed sensibly made his own way to Godalming while we tackled Albury and through to Bramley.  Here we went a bit off-plan and tried the Downs Link, which led us to the famous sewerage path through to Farncombe.  Very pleasant and fragrant it was too, thanks to a favourable wind direction.

Albury

David W left us at lunch, but as we sat down for lunch Ray joined us, having chased us from West Horsley.  Ed and Lilian caught the train back from Guildford after lunch.  The plan was to ascend Guildford High Street but I decided to change the route to follow the Wey towpath, which went swimmingly very well until I missed a turn in the vicinity of Stoke Park, leaving us in unexplored territory on the wrong side of the A3!   Despite all the dry weather we had to hike past a shocking patch of mud, but after that it was actually a fine off-road route back to Burpham, where we took the A3 cycle lane back to Ripley for tea.

Lost in the jungle, somewhere near the A3

A very enjoyable day out.   Thank you all for your company.

Past Easter Tours

 Simon Mitchell bought a photo display with him to the Salisbury Easter Tour, with pictures from past tours, and a list of all he Easter Tour destinations right back to 1951.

Here are the pictures from the Easter Tour part of the display.

Thank you to Simon, and I think also to Pete Mitchell who organised many tours in the past and kept records and photos for our enjoyment.

C&M Easter Tour 2022 - Salisbury

This year's Easter Tour, delayed from 2020 by Covid, was based at the ancient Red Lion Hotel in Salisbury.  46 people attended including quite a few newcomers, and four others would have joined us but for last-minute problems - you were very much missed.  The group was a mix of off-road riders, on-road riders and quite a few who came along to enjoy the excellent company and hospitality, and to explore Salisbury.  People arrived by various methods including riding all/part of the way, trains and cars.

Rides were organised on Saturday and Sunday, with plenty of time to socialise, and the weather was perfect: sunny and not too hot.   The hotel provided evening meals, and Simon Mitchell had organised a display of photos, including photos of previous Tours and a list of all the Easter Tour destinations going right back to 1951!  (See separate post.)

On Saturday Steve led 23 road riders north and west to ride past Stonehenge on a grassy track which was "reclaimed" from an A road a few years ago.   The close proximity to the stones led to an extended stop for photos, more photos, just one more, etc, before we finally got under way again to elevenses at a Methodist church hall in Shrewton.    We then ventured across the rolling plains to Chitterne and Codford (no, I'd never heard of these places before either).  After a pub lunch we meandered back on very quiet roads along the beautiful Wylye valley, a very relaxed ride allowing us to chat and enjoy the lovely scenery.   An alternative, longer route to the village of Imber was also offered by Steve as a self-guided bonus, but nobody took up his kind offer.    Imber was taken over by the military many years ago for use in urban warfare training, and is only accessible to the public at Easter.   Several had been there on previous Easter Tours and say it is well worth a visit.

Sunday's ride was led by Pete Beyer and headed south to the New Forest.   We headed down the river Avon valley, but the roads did not co-operate and seemed to delight in finding short, sharp hills wherever possible on the way to elevenses, which was outdoors at a golf club near Hamptworth.   Soon after that we entered the New Forest and the hills became more gradual with long stretches of open heathland and plenty of ponies and cattle grazing at the roadside.  

 Pete managed to find a pub in Rockford, just south of Fordingbridge, which served us quickly with good meals, and we were under way on small, quiet lanes again to Salisbury, where he treated us to a bit of exciting off-road near Salisbury racecourse.

I don't have details of the off-road routes, except to say that on the first day they rode north to a pub that can only be reached by a track, and on the second day they went south. By coincidence we met the off-roaders by Salisbury racecourse on the way home.

Five furlongs left to go (cathedral in the distance)

I think it is fair to say that everyone had a wonderful time, made even more special by being made to wait during the Covid pandemic.   All the arrangements worked well and we are all extremely grateful to Steve and Ann for their hard work over the past three years to ensure it went ahead so successfully.

Our wonderful hosts

Ride Report - Sunday 17 April

 

I hesitate to use the phrase 'skeleton crew', but today we felt we were the ones left behind to fly the flag for the Cheam & Morden while everyone else was away enjoying themselves!   Anyway, us dregs (Bob, Terry, Ed, Pam, Ray W and I) met for elevenses at Leatherhead.   Bob and Pam made their own ways home leaving the rest of us to toil up to Headley, and then tackle the climb of Hurst Road, where Ed outsprinted the rest of us by a country mile!   After that we headed, with some trepidation, for the track across Walton Heath Golf Club.   It was rideable, but winter had taken its toll - one section was blocked by a fallen tree, and there were the dried remains of what must recently have been some very large, very deep puddles, of the sort which would submerge a Land Rover!    

We decided to stop short at The Sportsman at Mogador instead  of battling the expected crowds on the North Downs Way to get to our planned stop at Reigate Hill.    There was plenty of room in the garden at the Sportsman, the service was speedy and efficient, and there were good light snack choices.

After a relaxing break it was off back long the track the other way and then homewards via Tadworth and Tattenham Corner.   There remarkably clear views of London and beyond from the racecourse today - never mind the Post Office Tower and Woking, we are pretty sure we could make out the Stokenchurch aerials on the north western horizon!

Anyway, thanks to all for your company.

Ride Report - Sunday 10 April 2022

 

It was a lovely sunny start to the day and we tempted to sit outside at Squires Garden Centre, Upper Halliford, our elevenses venue, but decided it was probably still just a little too cold!    Simon, Pam, Keith, Ray, Robert and I set off for lunch, Tony joining us for part of the way, while Bob made his own way home.

Today was really all about the 'lunch' at the brewery tap of The Big Smoke Brewery, Esher, but we did a token ride of a totally unnecessary 13 miles to get there, zig-zagging round various lesser-known paths, alleys, private roads and other backwaters in Sunbury, Shepperton, Weybridge, Walton and Hersham.

At the Big Smoke we sampled various unusual comestibles, some of which weren't actually even liquid in nature!   A portion of chips presented particularly good value.   This time we did sit outside but our original suspicions were confirmed - it was far too cold!

Thanks all, and I hope you were suitably mystified by the ride!   I throw down the gauntlet - what about a ride around the hidden corners of Richmond, or Runnymede, or even Sutton!

Plans for Sunday 10 April 2022

As published in the rides programme, our rather unusual ride on Sunday will be a mystery tour starting from Squires Garden Centre, Upper Halliford, and taking us for a 13 mile jaunt round some hidden corners of Walton, Weybridge and Hersham you never knew existed!    And as a bonus, I'm throwing in some hidden corners of Sunbury and Shepperton too!    No hills to speak of.  Lunch is at a pleasant riverside location (food and drink available).   There is a planned route but I'm not publishing it for obvious reasons!

As with all Cheam & Morden rides, booking is not essential, and we can always assist with getting you to the starting point if you're unsure, but do give plenty of notice for this.

Change to Published Programme

Sunday 3 April 2022 - Please note that this ride will now be from Morrisons, Weybridge to Richmond Park (for the AGM).

The ride from Squires GC, Halliford to The Big Smoke, Esher ('hidden corners of Elmbridge') is moved to Sunday 10 April 2022.

Ride Report - Sunday 27 March 2022

 

A chilly and overcast start did not deter Bob, Keith, Terry Graham, Ed, Tony, Pam and I for meeting at The Vineries for elevenses, with the surprise addition of Robert visiting again from Canada.

Only Graham, Keith, Robert and I were tempted by the prospect of an al fresco lunch at Guildford.   We tentatively took the off-road route from Effingham to Horsley fully expecting to turn back finding it too muddy to ride, but it was surprisingly passable!   Graham then showed us a short-cut to Horsley station, and no less than four further off-road sections towards Guildford followed, one further suggested by Graham.  For the most part they were, fortunately, mud-free.

It didn't prove too cold for lunch at Stoke Park Kiosk, after which we set off on a completely different route home via Jacobs Well, Woking Park and West Byfleet.   Unfortunately, Robert had drive train problems at Sutton Green.   Keith was able to get him back on the road and we then rode with Robert to Woking station, not far off our route as it happened.   Happily the rest of our ride home was uneventful and we parted company at Walton Bridge.   

Thanks are due to Graham for excellent route suggestions, and to Keith for technical help.   It was a pleasure to see Robert again and I hope his bike is soon fixed and he can ride with us again!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY VIC

 Vic White, 90 today and still cycling

Sunday March 20 2022

 A very fine if fresh day brought out the crowds. But away from the tourist areas it was just another quiet Sunday.

Nine at the Pheasantry became six as we headed across the lock to Richmond Park via the closed (and toadless) Church Road. We exited at Sheen Gate to glimpse a flying parrot(!), Palewell Park and Old Mortlake cemetery. Barnes became Hammersmith where we passed under the A4 to Ravenscourt Park. After workaday Acton came the green fields of Wormwood Scrubs, the Linford Christie Stadium (not forgetting the more famous prison and hospitals).

We finally reached the Grand Union Canal just after crossing Ladbrooke Grove. From here the crowds began to increase until a just passable Paddington Basin. Here two thirds lunched alfresco; two didn't.

The return is simply stated: Hyde Park to its southern edge where Dave, Ed and Lillian turned left for mainline stations and the other half turned right past the Albert Memorial and Kensington museums. Then came Stanhope Gardens, Brompton Cemetery (Emmeline Pankhurst), Chelsea FC and Eelbrook Common. After being trapped at both rail crossings, Keith departed at the start of Priory Road leaving just two to split on Kingston Bridge,

35 miles door to door. 

Omitting the mistakes all that's left of a wintertime ride along the canals of West London

  

Sunday's Ride (20/3/22)

This Sunday's ride is to Paddington Basin via the Grand Union canal. It will start from The Pheasantry in Bushy Park heading for Teddington Lock. Under 30 miles so I've pencilled in a teastop at Pen Ponds (no toilets). If you trust the Met Office - sunny all day! And if they're wrong bikes are allowed anywhere on the District Line!!

I've not selected a lunch stop as the Basin has several cafes and cover for BYO. It's also beside the station(lifts), and M&S HQ (cafe and grocery) in the opposite direction.   

Or we could visit the Zoo (extra 4 to 5 miles before lunch). Be warned: there were more time triallists on the Outer Circle than visible animals in the zoo (two zebras and a visiting brown rat). 

Ride Report - Sunday 13 March 2022

 

We had a sunny and encouraging start and Bob, Tony, Keith, Terry, Pam, Graham, Ed, Ray W, Pam and I all arrived for elevenses at Stoke d'Abernon.    While we were inside the drumming of rain on the roof told us that the weather had taken a turn for the worse.   Nevertheless, all of us except Tony and Keith continued, undeterred, to our scheduled lunch stop at Epsom Wetherspoons, meeting Helen T and partner as we left.

We took the shortest possible route to Epsom and the rain continued all the way there.   After a pleasant lunch it began to ease off.   Most went their separate ways but Pam, Ray and I rode together until Long Ditton.

Thanks to all for your company.

Sunday the 6th March

11's Wetherspoons Staines. A cold and blustery day but sunny at times. Dave was tucking into his bacon sandwich when I arrived. And gradually the throng arrived, well the hardy few. David vine ventured a visit to 11's, which was a nice surprise. Along with Graham, Pam and lovely to have Vic join us for 11's and lunch, he will be 90 on the 22nd!

 

The planned lunch stop was the Cinnamon cafe in Windsor, which is only 7 miles distant, but I had planned routes of varying distance depending on the weather. As no rain darkened the day I took the route to Eaton, Dorney, and across the river to Fifield, Oakley Green, Clewer and onto Windsor for lunch, a nice 17.5 miles. As usual, the Cinnamon cafe was ultra-busy but we soon settled down to coffee and Cinnamon buns etc.

 

 

 

Vic decided to make his own way home from lunch as did Dave. The jolly 3 headed for Colnbrook, Longford and into Heathrow on the West perimeter cycle path. Out into Stanwell high street heading for tea at Shepperton, heading into Ashford Graham took his own route home. At this point, the 2 remaining decided to forego Nauticailia and headed to one of the 2 Costas in Ashford. For coffee and cake, well I had the cake.

 

Plenty of chat and putting the world right before it was time to depart. Pam heading West and I headed for Feltham, Hanworth and home. A really pleasant day on the bike and 42.5 miles for me.

 

Tony..

Ride Report - Sunday 27 February 2022

 

A fine morning with a cloudless sky saw Bob, Simon, Tony, Lilian, Ed, Pam, Liz, Graham, Gemma, Richard and I meet for elevenses at Bourne Valley Garden Centre.

All but Gemma, Richard, Bob and Tony set off for lunch via Sheerwater, Horsell, and West End, taking in Pennypot ford on the way.   To my surprise, no one else seemed prepared to join me in 'sampling the waters' although I did helpfully suggest they could take off their shoes and socks like the midweek 'A' group riders who had negotiated the Landsend ford at Charvil in this fashion!

We had a very friendly welcome at the ever-dependable Sun at Windlesham, always a good choice, and the weather was so pleasant that we were able to have our lunches outside on the terrace.

Eventually it was time to drag ourselves away for a straightforward but pleasant ride to the tea stop at Walton Bridge.  Thanks all for your company and to Graham and Simon for back-marking.

Cheam and Morden Sunday the 20th

Not really a day to be on the bike, nevertheless 4 met at Weatherspoons, Leatherhead, Terry, Dave, Simon and Bob, but then called it a day.

3 others, Pam, Liz and Tony took the easy option and met at Nauticailia, Shepperton Lock, much nearer home, (no photo) and also called it a day.

 

Tony..

Sunday the 13th

The weather forecast was dire, wind, rain, pestilence, well maybe not the last one but we were close.(Covid)

11's at Nauticaliar and a good turnout. Dave, Graham, Pam, Terry,  Ed, Lillian and me, the day's leader. Simon had left home to come but I  think the wind had taken him elsewhere and he ended up at the Pheasantry?

No one was eager to leave as the weather onslaught hadn't yet started, well the wind had and was felt on my ride there. We lingered,  eventually Dave, Terry and Graham headed off for home. 

I decided that our advertised lunch destination would have a tailwind going but a headwind and rain coming back. So a compromise was agreed and we headed to the Harrow pub at Charlton for lunch, all of 2 miles distant.

 

 

The Harrow Pub with Black clouds looming

So, Pam, Ed, Lillian and myself enjoyed a warm lunch in the cosy surroundings of the Harrow at Charlton, very few people were there so service was quick. Again plenty of chatter.

We soon noticed that the rain had started and reluctantly we donned our wet weather gear and headed for home. Pam headed  West for Egham while Ed, Lillian and myself headed East, Luckily the rain wasn't heavy and the wind was a sidewind so did not impair our progress too much. 

 

We parted company at Hampton and I benefited from a tailwind for the last mile and a half home. The day turned out well considering the forecast and gloomy outlook.

 

Tony..

C&M Easter Tour, 15-18 April

Here are details about the Annual Easter Tour, organised by Ann Bath and Steve Gordon.  Wayfarers most welcome!   Currently 47 people are booked, split between road and off-road riders.

We have a hotel booked for this Easter. Staying for 3 nights starting Good Friday 15th till Easter Monday 18th April at the Red Lion Hotel, Milford Street, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP1 2AN www.bestwestern.co.uk/hotels/best-western-red-lion-hotel.   Of course this is subject to any unexpected Covid developments, but we are hopeful that it will go ahead after being postponed from 2020.

Organised rides on Saturday and Sunday, around B group pace.

The price is £65 pppn db&b sharing a twin or a double room. £12.50 supplement pppn single and the meal is a 3 course set menu with options.

There is indoor bike storage. Being in central Salisbury, the hotel has limited, chargeable parking (only 6 spaces at £15 per night). There is a public car park nearby at £10/24 hours (Sundays free)

Contact Ann (or any of the many people who've been previously) for further information if you’re interested.

~ Ann

SUNDAY the 13th

 This Sunday, the 13th

11's meeting place is Nauticalia, and the scheduled lunch stop is the White horse Longford. 

I propose to change the lunch destination to Flowerland at Iver, about 30 miles round trip back to Nauticalia.

If the weather, as forecast, is rain then we will shorten the ride as required.

Tony..

Sou'Westers Club Kit Consultation - Tell Us What You Think

 Our current blue and yellow Sou'Westers outfit has been around for quite a while now and has done us good service over the years.   Some like it, some don't, and some members have asked us to consider changing it, so we are consulting you as a member.  What are your views?  Would you pay more in the future or is it already too pricey*?   Do we need our own club kit anyway?

Please tell us what you think by completing a short online survey about Sou'Westers' club kit.

Whatever the outcome, club kit will still remain strictly optional on rides, and, if we do make changes, there will be nothing at all to prevent anyone continuing to wear the present design.

Responses are completely anonymous and we'll share a summary of the results in due course.  The survey will be open until 28 February 2022.

Please note that when you open the survey you may be invited to sign in to Google but you don't need to sign in to Google to do the survey.

Anyone without internet access can get a paper copy of the survey from any committee member to complete anonymously - please help spread the word.

*(Just as a reminder, Sou'Westers current kit costs about £35 for a short-sleeved jersey, £40 for a long-sleeved jersey, and £65 for a heavyweight long-sleeved jersey).

Sou'Westers Committee

Sunday 06/02/2022 - A Tour Of South West London Parkland

When I awoke prospects seemed dismal - heavy rain driven on by near gale force winds. But by nine the rain had stopped and by ten it was time to head for Bushy Park under a hint of sun. Surprisingly there were ten at the Pheasantry including newcomer Mike.

I made two adjustments to the published route, no Duke of Northumberland's River in case of mud and unwittingly fans heading for the Stoop. And there would be no muddy bridleway around Osterley Park.

The Grand Union Canal (Norwood Top Lock) was chosen for the photo shoot followed by history lessons at Windmill Bridge (or Three Bridges - IKB's last project), Hanway locks and Ealing hospital. 

The River Brent and The Fox Hanwell were reached around 1230; the pub was virtually empty. We dined alfresco but under cover with hearty meals for most.

One hour later we departed with the interior now packed. We didn't immediately return to the towpath instead used residential streets and Elthorne Park (or was that Rough?). At Brentford High Street Dave, Ed, Lillian, Mark and Mike cried "Enough". So just five (GFH, Pam, Ray, Simon, Tony) rode past Griffin Park (not a park!), under the M4 and into Gunnersbury Park. South of Acton Town Pam realised we were still headed east so after some discussion Tony led to Chiswick Bridge. Here I turned for the Stag Brewery and the rest continued in a southwesterly direction. From Sheen the wind was fierce across Richmond Park but I was home by 1530 (0 miles - flat battery).

Photos courtesy of Simon. And I haven't mentioned parks we passed but didn't enter!