Sunday 15th October 2023

A select group of three joined me at Boxhill NT café on this cold but sunny morning.

Rather busy too, even with the servery open as well but at 11.04am we left the mass of walkers/cyclists/motorists for the relative tranquility of the nearby stepping stones.

There used to be a ford here serving the Burford Lodge (built 1776) & the original stepping stones were destroyed during World War II as a security measure.

The ones you see today were dedicated by PM Clement Atlee in 1946.

The climb of Ranmore Lane was free of cars, just speeding cyclists coming the other way & we all rode at our own pace with the leader having to zig-zag near the top.

What's zig-zag I hear you ask?

Courtesy Rehook website.........

A climbing switchback is a type of route often used by cyclists to ascend a steep incline. It involves a series of tight, zig-zag turns that allow the cyclist to gradually climb the hill without having to pedal too hard. 

Statistics show that the use of a climbing switchback can help cyclists use up to 30% less energy when compared to riding straight up a hill. This makes it a great option for cyclists who are looking to conserve energy and make their ride more efficient.

Except this only works on hills with little or no other road users coming the other way. 😀

The plunge down to the A25 via White Down was followed by a slow incline to lunch at The Abinger Hatch where the likelihood of being served food was precisely zero.

I knew it's a popular pub..........but a party of 300?

But the story is similar at any country pub in Surrey on a Sunday. 😞

Having being tipped off by a WhatsApp discussion, I alerted Diane & she purchased sandwiches at Boxhill & Terry raided his saddlebag so we all had something.

Not ideal but it sufficed.

Leaving Dave, we briefly climbed then descended to Coldharbour where I noticed the shop next to the Plough serving cakes/coffee.

Monday - Friday 9 - 2

Weekends - 9 - 3

Right turn & the next photo opp at the top of Anstie Lane.

A mile of the A29 to Ockley to arrive at Capel where we sat in the sun whilst waiting for the church to open.

The lady serving the cakes/taking the money appeared very amused when a £1 coin I'd dropped disappeared down a metal grate in the floor.

"You've lost that I'm afraid" she said with a smile.

Doesn't she know there's a cost of living crisis? 😒

On the way to Beare Green it was noted Ruby's café is open everyday 9 - 3.........but Surrey Hills café formally Blue Moon café is not open Sundays (Tuesday - Saturday 8 - 1.45pm).

Thanks to Dave, Diane & Terry for your company.

Ride Report - Sunday 8 October (North Cheam and Putney)

 

This was our second elevenses of the year at North Cheam and, once again, numbers did not disappoint!    Simon, Steve D, Ed, Dawn (most welcome on her first ride with the Cheam & Morden), Pam, Graham, Tony, Brian and Robert all joined me at Wetherspoons on a lovely sunny day.  We reminisced about Clive Oxx, long-time Cheam and Morden member, who very sadly died recently.

All of us except Steve set off on the ride which took us first to The Hamptons, Worcester Park where there is a very unexpected open space with surprising views all around, and even more surprising, an amphitheatre (you do need to use your imagination a bit, but then you see it)!    Various bridges and subways (note the 'underground, overground' theme) cycle paths and back roads then led us to the west side of Wimbledon Common from where we tackled the rather challenging, crumbly and steeply uphill route to Sunset Road (I can see why it is called that now)!    

From the Windmill we headed towards Putney Heath.  The common was very busy with cyclists and walkers but there was n'er a Womble to be seen, sadly, or else they were perhaps crouching in the undergrowth tittering at the leader's navigational glitches!

In the end, we got to Wetherspoons, Putney just before 1.00 pm.   Simon brilliantly reserved us two outside tables looking over the river and out of the sun.   Service today was highly efficient and speedy.   This is a very pleasant spot on a fine day and everyone was reluctant to leave but we eventually set off homewards via Richmond Park.   Those looking for tea went to find it at Ham.

Thanks all for your company.

Capel Teas

We have to thank Keith for: 

https://www.capelandockleychurch.org.uk/events-calendar/ 

October 1st - Rusper and beyond

It must be autumn! Bonfire-building at Brockham

We were lucky to be blessed with good weather as just over twelve of us congregated outside the Edmund Tylney in Leatherhead.   It was good to see Robert back in the UK for a while, and exciting to be introduced to Graham's new e-bike.   Pam, Maureen and Ed were staying for a natter and perhaps a different ride so ten of us set off towards the wilds of Brockham, Leigh and the bonus hills at Norwood hill and Russ hill.   We arrived at The Star just as a large group had sat down for a meal, which sent the bar staff into a bit of a flap, but they served us promptly with excellent food.  

Assembly

Lunch

So far, so straightforward.   I had a half-baked plan to return to Leatherhead for tea by a different route, but over lunch we heard from Keith that Capel church was offering teas.  (I had failed to break into their website to find this information.)   Everyone agreed this was a Very Good Idea, but it was only five miles from our rather filling lunch, so there was then a considerable discussion about longer routes.   Warnham?  Horsham?  The A24?  In the end, minus Geoff and David who were taking the afternoon off, we settled for a lot of smaller roads that bought the distance above eight miles.   Lambs Green, Wimlands Lane, Wimlands Road, Cripplegate,  Lipscomb's Corner were just a few of the rarely-visited (and quite hilly) highlights.  With the help of quite a bit of faffing, we managed to string it out so that we arrived just after they opened at 3pm.

Afternoon break

Home time

There was the usual munificence of cake, and we stayed and chatted for quite a while before setting off in the sunshine back to Leatherhead, via the "closed" Punchbowl Lane, where they had made quite a determined attempt to stop people getting through, but we managed anyway.

Homework

A lovely day out in great company.   Thanks to David and Colin for back-marking, and to Keith, Graham and Andy for very useful help with working out a very enjoyable route from Newdigate to Capel.

Penny Farthing Champs 2023

Many thanks to Tony for the ride to/from Hillingdon Cycle Circuit.

A great little video of the event, can you spot yourself?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhYmCz3oZC8

C&M Ride into Old Money or Penny Farthing Racing

Last year the Pickwick Bicycle Club held the first Penny Farthing Racing at Hayes Track in Minet Country Park. This year it also incorporated the UK Penny Farthing championship. I advertised it on the A's & B's Whatsapp groups, the response was surprisingly good. 18 signed up for the ride.

The 11's stop was at the Pheasantry in Bushey Park, and in dribs and drabs the throng assembled. We managed to leave just before 11 and in 2 groups, myself leading the first and Simon leading the second. The route there consisted of lots off-road, along the River Crane, Hounslow Heath, a nature reserve at the side of Heathrow and Cranford Park (where we encountered, abusive travellers, their caravans, dogs and very vocal children). That soon passed and onto the little churchyard where Tony Hanncock's remains are buried.

We were then soon at our lunch stop, The Botwell Inn, Wetherspoons, in Hayes, where a friend of mine, Tony Cates from the Uxbridge CTC group, joined us. Service was a little slow for Wetherspoons, but we were soon fed and watered and ready for the 1-mile cycle to the cycle track. There were lots of bikes, Penny Farthings, old and new, there was even one on display for a company that still made them!

There was plenty of time to look at the bikes and chat with the owners, but eventually, the race was underway. The speed at which leaders achieve was a fast "A" ride pace, and the final lap would have had Mark Cavendish smiling. When the racing had finished, our whole group did a lap of the track, but at a more moderate pace.

Then heading back towards Bushey Park on a less off-road course. And at various points, the group gradually dispersed to make their ways home. A really lovely day out, only around 25 miles for me, but a great event to see, look out for the same time next year! Thank you all for your company and to Simon for leading the second group, plus those who back-marked.

Tony..

Cycling gear in Aldi from Thursday 21/09/23

 

Trying to find the Isle of Wight.....Ride Report 17/09/23

...on Bookham Common.

The day began with 9 at Stoke D'Abernon which over the next 40 minutes reduced to 5. I chose to go south-west via the Tilt Road to Ockham & East Clandon where we took Blakes Lane going east to join the rather busy A246.

There were a plethora of cyclists out on this rather humid & overcast late summers day & all were, I suspect, aware of an approaching thunderstorm.

"The Drift" is a joy to ride along with basically a brand new surface.....no hole filling here. 😀

Graham had assured me the suitabilty of the off-road section across to Fetcham (the first left after crossing Eff Junc r/w bridge).

And sure enough it was a good choice.

But it has to be said I have great difficulty choosing the correct track across Bookham Common & have got lost more than once.😬

And sure enough at a four finger post....took the wrong turning.

As Simon quite rightly pointed out much later in the pub......."you should of gone left there".

The sky was darkening and with the whiff of rain in the air we all agreed to lunch at The Edmund Tylney instead of The Assembly Rooms. (Apologies to any folk hoping to meet us there 😬)

After two hours of chit-chat, a mildly annoying chap talking nonsense, & an appearance by Keith, we went our separate ways.

Thanks to Graham, Terry, Tony, Pam & Maureen (to 11's or shortly after)....David & Jennie, Simon, Colin G for your company all day. 

PS It did rain......but not as much as the forecast indicated.

 

The delights of Bagshot - 10 Sept

It was a perfect summer day, apart from the weather forecast. 33 degrees, thunderstorms, large hailstones and downpours.   Also, it's actually autumn, but nobody told the weather.

Such trifles don't bother Cheam and Morden riders, or maybe they just don't look at the weather forecast.  Six of us arrived at Addlestone, rather hot and sweaty in the early morning humidity.   After sampling the delights of the Golden Cafe, we left Graham to do his own thing and set off, seeking shade on the Basingstoke Canal.  This worked quite well, nobody fell in, and we stayed reasonably cool as we rode all the way through Woking to Goldsworth Park for a bit more waterside fun.   This was a very pleasant route we used to do regularly with Graham about a decade ago.   A little wiggle round Chobham before offering the option of riding through Pennypot ford (no takers) and then off to Bagshot.   It was now overcast and a bit cooler than expected, so we sat outside at the Kings Arms and were treated to large portions at very reasonable prices.

There was a deluge forecast for just after lunch, but all we encountered was a baby shower.   No, a real "Baby Shower" with the blooming mum-to-be surrounded by her friends, no doubt offering her plenty of useful advice.   When it started spotting with actual rain, we left with all haste, hoping to dodge the heavy stuff.   The route through the posh bits of Windlesham and Sunninghill allowed us to indulge in a bit of house-envying, before we joined the real upper crust at the Guards Polo Club for a few chukkas.  Then it was downhill all the way to Virginia Water and tea at Great Cockrow steam railway.   The rain seemed to catch up with us and there were more than a few spots, but once we got on the move we seemed to escape again as we all headed to Chertsey, where we bumped into Ray Youlden before all parting company in Shepperton.

Thank you to all for enjoyable company on the ride, to the weather for cooperating, and to Jennie for back marking.

Hersham to Lower Green Bridleway

It's reopened. No improvement between the two branches of the Ember but the rest is smooth tarmac and full width.

 

 

Ride report - 03/09/23

My debut lead after 7 years & we find ourselves at Dobbies, Woodcote Green.

A gargantuan of a place, in fact the 3rd largest GC in the UK with parking for 660 cars.

Chatting in the warm sun, it was a relaxed affair because lunch was a short ride away.

Great to see Ed & Lilian at 11's...& Chris rode a short distance with us while he recuperates from a nasty bout of Lymes disease..so it was Dave, Geoff, Sue, Keith, Brian, Steve, Paul & Maggie joined me via Oaks Park & How Lane to The Sportsman at Mogador.

Soup & bacon rolls were in evidence as I slapped on factor 50.

Thanks to Dave for backmarking.

Sunday's elevenses

 Hi folks,

Just some information about Dobbies GC.

It's probably like a garden centre that you've never been to before.

It has a restaurant, butchers & two coffee shops !

The one adjoining the restaurant is quieter. The other one near the main entrance has a creche but has a nicer outdoor seating area.

The weather looks fine but I'll decide on the day as to which one I'm going to.

My mob - 0731 209 5543.

As far a lunch goes it appears you can get "Sweet vine tomato & fire roasted red pepper soup served with fresh crusty ciabatta & whipped butter" for £5.50.

I hope that satisfies those sans lunch.

Ride Report - Sunday 27 August 2023

 

Simon, Andy, Pam, Tony, Terry, Keith, Christina, Geoff G and I met for elevenses at Clandon Park.   Sitting out on the patio it felt a bit fresh for the season but it is still a very pleasant location.   It was a relatively long ride for most of us to get to Clandon Park but we consoled ourselves with the generously-sized scones and teacakes on offer!   Not inexpensive but good value for money!

All of us opted to join the ride to lunch.   As we made our way off along the drive imagine our surprise to see Jeff T just arriving!   He decided not to join us for the rest of the ride but perhaps we will tempt him on another occasion!

This ride involved our customary annual climb along the flinty track up Merrow Downs.  The basic idea here is that people concentrate so much on the rough surface that they don't notice the gradient!   Unfortunately, someone took a tumble at low speed but I am happy to report that the only casualty was a a handlebar mirror!    Next we took the rollercoaster ride which is Halfpenny Lane in our stride then continued through Chilworth and Wonersh before another traditional annual feature of C & M rides, the footpath alongside Godalming sewage works, negotiable, but highly overgrown this year, fortunately with bracken, not nettles!

Wetherspoons at Godalming was busy but our orders arrived promptly and we were soon on our way back to tea, except for Andy, who took his own, mountainous route home.   To lull them into a false sense of security, I spared the group the stiff climb up to Godalming cemetery but then slipped in a ride along the lovely Sandy Lane through Littleton towards Mount Browne, which does end in a short but rather viscious climb, and where picturesque scenery gives way to picturesque language!  Then it was through the back-doubles of Guildford to Stoke Park where Garmin routing wanted us to ride through the Japanese garden area, definitely verboten!

There was another slight navigational glitch by the Spectrum Leisure Centre - it was my turn to be mesmerised picking my way along the rather nasty grid paving laid in the grass and I completely missed the turn!    Tony soon had us back on the right path and we followed the cycle route, now resurfaced in places witht some very rough gravel, to Clay Lane.   Then it was the usual route to Ripley, where some stopped for tea.   Christina and Geoff joined me to ride back towards Walton.  The remains of the so-called cycle path (in effect, just the very narrow hard shoulder) alongside the A3 towards Wisley Gardens have disappeared but there is now a dedicated lane for all traffic towards Wisley which makes a much pleasanter and safer alternative from Ripley to Wisley until the M25 junction works are complete.

Well ridden everyone and many thanks for your company!    Many thanks too to Geoff for back-marking all day.

C&M ride to Chalfont St Giles

Almost a perfect day for cycling. A different coffee stop for 11's, the Chaii coffee shop at Ashford. I arrived early but Dave and Simon were already sitting outside in the Sun. The others turned up in dribs and drabs. And we soon had 10 in total. Dave, Simon, Pam, Liz, Andy, Keith, Diane, Sabina, Bernard and myself.

 

As usual, plenty of banter, coffee and cake, time for the off and heading North to part circle the airport on the inner ring cycle track emerging at Longford and heading to Harmonsworth, West Drayton and on up past Hillingdon Hospital to Uxbridge.Through the edge of Colne Valley Regional Park and The Buckinghamshire Golf Club and into Denham village and a brief stop at Sir John Mills old house. Denham village is very small, but still has 3 pubs!  Back alleys and paths led us to Moorhall Road and another brief stop to view the new section of viaduct across the road for HS2.

T

he New HS2 Viaduct

More back roads and paths lead us up to, and I mean up, Harefield. Then a lovely decent, but with traffic lights at the bottom, to the canal and past the coy Carp pub. Finally reaching Maple Cross and the steady climb up to lunch at the Rowen Garden centre, Chalfont St Giles.

 

Lunch at the Rowen GC

The weather was warming up now and dining alfresco was great. We had taken a little more time than I had planned to get to lunch, so I changed the route back making it a few miles shorter. Down into Chalfont St Giles village and into Bowstridge Ln down to Chalfont St Peter, the nice climb through the private estate of Chalfont Heights. 

 

Stockley Park

It's a nice, mainly, gradual descent now down through Denham Golf Club, which has its own station, to Denham once more, back through Uxbridge and a quick stop at the Rusty Bike Cafe, it was closed, so some off-road through Stockley Park and down to.Harlington. Discussion as to where to go for tea took place and off we cycled to the lovely little Portuguese restaurant at Cranford called Saloio. It's one I often use on solo short rides, It was very warm now, so as well as tea and cake some of us even had a beer. The owner is a lovely guy and in the past has even helped me mend a puncture.

Time was marching on, so across Hounslow Heath and along the scenic path by the river Crane, at various points from here on people left the ride to head their own ways home, Along Hampton Hill, stopping at the entrance to Bushy Park where the group finally dispersed.

A really lovely day on the bike and a big thank you to all, especially Simon for back Marking.

Tony..

Ride Report - Sunday 13 August 2023

All was going well until the Thursday before the ride.   I had a nice off-road route planned (I thought) across Walton Heath and then out to Reigate Hill and beyond.  Then, only by the merest fluke I happened to hear that the Women's Open Golf Championships were taking place nearby and it gradually dawned on me that this might affect my plans.   I checked and it did - all local bridleways were closed for the event!   It was back to the drawing board, or, more accurately, sketching pad, because only the vaguest replacement route resulted!

Anyway, Sunday dawned rather uncertainly with troubled skies, a stiff headwind, and heavy showers about into the bargain.   There were brighter interludes, fortunately, and Diane, Andy, Dave F, Keith and I all duly turned up at Walton Village Cafe (the C & M's first visit there, I think) ready for the ride to lunch, while Carolyn and Maureen gamely battled up the hills to join us for elevenses only.   We were also very pleased to see Jeff T make a very welcome return to a C & M elevenses, but no battling up hills was needed in his case as he conveniently lives nearby!

Come eleven o'clock and the brave (or foolhardy) five of us set off on what turned out to be one of the C & M's occasional (fortunately!) and unintentional 'off-road discovery days'!    We rode the delightful, quiet lanes of Mugswell and Chipstead then made as if towards Reigate Hill roundabout, but cunningly veered off down Crossways Lane, a farm road which gradually deteriorates into a narrow and precipitous, stony track, at least for a bit, before burrowing under the M25.

It was a bit of a gamble since it transpired only two of us had ever tried this route before, and neither recently, but luckily got away with no casualties!   We then found ourselves opposite one of the entrances to the Royal Alexander and Albert School, and to continue through the grounds seemed a no-brainer.   Dave F expressed an interest in exploring the fabled track across an amazing and unexpected landscape towards Gatton Park Road, and this proved to be an excellent choice and a first for all of us except Keith.

After all the excitement it was then an uneventful sort of ride through the back-streets of Reigate to Reigate Heath and Leigh, our lunch stop.  The Plough proved to be excellent as ever, with very friendly service, a great choice of food, even on a Sunday, and a lovely garden.

The sky looked a bit threatening at times but we dodged any rain and it was sunny and warm for our ride back to Brockham (where we too early for tea) and Leatherhead.

It proved to be quite an interesting ride and one worth repeating, or even expanding on in the future, but probably not after wet weather!   Many thanks to all for your company and for your route suggestions and advice.

Sunday August 6 2023

When I arrived at The Queen Stage it was half full; no doubt a victim of the concurrent Tour of the Surrey Hills. Already seated are Andy, Dave, Diane, Liz, Pam, and Steve. We were soon joined by Ed, Maureen and Terry.

Having traversed New Road (Claygate) I had to assume roughstuff would be a hard sell and so it proved. All but Ed and Maureen meandered via Effingham Junction, Drift Road and Horsley station where the trackside path led us to West Horsley. After a freewheel to Jury Farm (almost missed), we now faced its broken concrete bridleway. For some Tithebarns Lane couldn't come too soon.

Halfway along it is a newish posh estate now connected by a tarmac'd footpath! leading to the A3. No idea why but 550 future homes are being built on the other (north) side of the bridge. Send Church, Cartbridge, Old Woking and the Leisure Centre took us to lunch in 'Spoons,  and the end of the ride for Dave and Terry.

Wey/Basingstoke junction (Andy)

The afternoon cuesheet couldn't have been simpler: Basingstoke Canal Woking to M25, Wey Navigation to Coxes Mill/Black Bridge. I had to stop twice to clear the mud between my mudguard and front tyre. For a change we continue on the Wey towpath to Thames Lock and another photo shoot. 

Thames Lock (Pam)

But NCN 4 was a path too far and a minor rebellion saw me last to arrive at the Wilde Brunch. Only  a trace of rain at tea to add to the deluges of the preceding days. Around 22 miles from 11s to tea.

I can't remember a ride with 50%+ off-road but that's what I'm hoping for this Sunday. By mid July everywhere was dry but now puddles and mud are reappearing, and more rain is forecast. We can discuss a Plan B at 11s.

To save the leader's legs there are few hills, Orestan Lane is unavoidable. But I've removed patches of demolition rubble (eg near Jury Farm), ferocious plants (Ockham Mill and elsewhere). Now the worst are  tree roots (Wey towpath Coxes Mill).

11s to tea at Walton would be under 25 miles so pm could be entirely off-road! 

It might look like this