Sunday 22 March 2009

The Bounty at Bourne End

Today’s ride started with 6 at the N. Cheam starting grid: Grant, Jake, Jeff, Keith, Norman and Paul. En route to Kingston, Jake provided the magnetically challenged Jeff with a steady compass point through Kingston (with one or two following a magnetic variation) to Kingston Bridge. Here we were joined by a supercharged Stephanie on her new titanium steed and John G. From here it was a familiar, urban route more or less following the river (no hills) to Runnymede, where 7 were gathered around the urn – Alan, Andy, Ann, Bob, Graham, Irene and Steve.

After a decent interval, all bar 3 (Alan, Bob and Norman) set off for Bourne End, following the Thames with the road still flat but heading into a fairly stiff N. Westerly wind. The route was via Old Windsor, Windsor footbridge, Eton College, Eton Wick, Dorney, Taplow, Cliveden, then down Hedsor Hill into Bourne End – the end of the line (except for a branch line to Marlow). A lane before the station led to the railway bridge, when some portage was necessary to get onto the footway by the single track line to cross the river. A final push along the ‘no cycling’ towpath took us to the Bounty.

Though open only at weekends and inaccessible by car, the Bounty was heaving with, I believe, a 2 hour wait for food. This time, there was a smile of contentment for the sandwich eaters. After a drink, a chat and rest in the sunshine beside the river it was time to return. The plan was now to head for Staines to the N. and E. of Slough, rather than back via the flatter and more urban outward route. Brief recourse to the Ordnance Survey guided us out of town up Harvest Hill. Then the reins were passed to Graham to take us to the North of Burnham Beeches through some lovely lanes and tracks across Woodburn Common to Hedgerley. One minor spill by Steve on the loose surface was happily without damage to man or machine.

We then pressed on to Fulmer, with a nearby ford not in full spate, past Pinewood Studios to Iver Heath and Iver. By now the landscape was becoming more industrial as we roughed it across Ritchings Park to Colnebrook, Poyle and Staines to come to rest in the Market Place beside the old Town Hall.

Here, all were invited in for tea and cake by Irene. Most said ‘yes’ to tea and homebaked fig and walnut cake. With the sun now lower in the sky and some distance still to cover, the party gave thanks to Irene and mounted up for a wind-assisted canter back. At Esher, the final group split up to wend their ways to hearth and home.

This had been a fairly long day, with 6½ hours in the saddle and a distance of 85½ miles travelled to reach home at 6.20pm.

Jeff

One I took Earlier

Sunday 15th March 2009

Picture - Ightham Mote sunset.

A select few (Andrew, Keith, Janice, Jake, Paul, Ray, Jeff, Norman & Richard) joined me for a ride into Kent, a beautiful county but with some vicious hills.
I chose the route via Woldingham to arrive at Westerham before 11am. Ray returned before 11's, Andrew as usual rode off to an unknown destination leaving me to head north to pick up the Pilgrim's Way and we rode eastwards toward Otford, Kemsing and south to lunch at Ightham.
The first pub appeared unsuitable (roasts only) but for sandwich eaters it was perfect, a table in the sun....................... watching Norman attend to a puncture.
The remainder, totalling 4, continued in search of that reasonably priced meal but ended up at The Snail in Stone Street where deep pockets were required - £4 a pint?????????
After regrouping, except for Norman who for reasons remain unclear, we continued along the ridge to pass south of Knole Park, Yorks Hill to Ide Hill where we were rewarded with a fast decent into Brasted.
That's where the fun ended because to reach Downe we needed to go up,seriously up and because this Kent, survival of the fittest was in evidence as we approached Brasted Hill, a one arrow hill that dropped us into Cudham and tea.
Richard reappeared having been delayed by a buckled back wheel and no spoke key, but plenty of replacement spokes............a lesson learnt?I doubt it.
A fast ride home 1' 20" in perfect conditions for cycling - and long awaited Spring like weather.

72.778 miles from Ewell.

PS. Just returned from a short break to Lulworth Cove where the sun barely went in.............stunning weather.

Sunday 15 March 2009

Sunday 8th March 2009

From Jake:

Very windy day. Met Steve Hillier, Ed, Andrew, Paul Day at the start and rode into headwind. Realised Steve was on fixed wheel as we flew down Pebblecombe, but he passed me at the bottom ........no trouble.
Steve went ahead at Leigh and missed left turn. Luckily, he retraced and met Jeff whilst looking for Tesco's!
Pete Foster, Pete Beyer, Andy, Bob, Graham & Terry were there already.
Left turn into headwind up to Charlwood through to end of lane and right, then left down unsurfaced road (lots of potholes) past lovely ponds to Newdigate church. Then right, left to Capel over A24 to A29, left into a terrific headwind then right down sheltered lane to Walliswood then The Parrot at Forest Green.
Very crowded but found a table and were served very quickly. Unusually they had a butchers in the pub! (see pic).
Tail wind in rain all the way back to A29 then retrace to Newdigate, Pixham Lane.
Parted at Burford Bridge, Ed went to W'spoons. Steve, Grant and I looked inside as it was open day to see if hall OK for our club (KPRC) dinner.
It was mindblowing so we voted yes.
Steve said "who would of thought Jake, that 2 years from when we met we would be looking at wedding venues together!"
55 miles.

Thursday Night Ride To The Coast (April 2009)

For details see

http://www.cyclechat.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=29808

or

http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=16471.0

Friday Night Ride To The Coast (March 2009)

For details see: http://www.cyclechat.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=28333

Sunday 1st March 2009

I was last to 11s beaten by Ed's main road superdirecttisma from Cheam to Wetherspoons Guildford which easily seated our 13. Bribed by a free tea, I led south past Liddell sisters and White Rabbit onto the newly signed NCN 22 route. Taking the first right(A248) after Shalford brought on a senior moment and we returned for an illegal right back onto A281. In which point I realised I'd been correct all along but too late thus we reached the crematorium via Trunley Heath Road. On Farncombe Hill a new pair of legs was high in my thoughts! Pausing by Charterhouse, Ed and I swapped alumni (BP, Paxman, Genesis minus PC). Left through Hurtmore sent us under the A3 and then right towards Shackleford looking at its best in the soft spring sunshine. And so we came to free range pigs and Puttenham where lunch was alfresco at a crowded Good Intent until the disappearing sun sent us scurrying for warmth. As we were leaving, Ed spotted something highly desirable before back we went along NCN 22 (North Downs Way) to Watts. There we headed up the hill to the A3/A31 junction and along the track down to the bridge in Guildord where this story ends with me seeking the Wey north and the pack heading up the High Street for Clandon Park (not Newlands).

At least two cyclosportives, West Surrey Sunday riders and sundry younger/fitter riders were proof (if any were needed) that it had been a fine spring day. Finally you can see the R-word in the background for the next five Sundays (BBC 2 2100-2200)

New(ish) Cafe

Returning from Puttenham,we came upon Clandon Park Garden Centre coffee shop situated within the grounds of NT Clandon Park.
Sundays - 10-5.
POT - £1.35.
Friendly service - "Would you like your scone warmed?".

Sunday 22 February 09

The Jolly Farmer at Weybridge

Sunday 22nd February 2009

There were around 40 cyclists at West Horsley Squires including 21 from the C & M,the remainder being Hounslow Wheelers.Some may have noticed a modest reduction in prices - PoT is reasonable £1.22 whilst a cooked breakfast is £2.99.
Under cloudy skies,Ed led 15 in a NW direction along Ripley Lane over the A3 and past Newark Priory.Established in the 12th century,but in ruins since the 1730's when the owner,Lord Onslow decided to preserve what remained.It is now a grade one ancient monument on private land unable to be reached at close proximity.
Heavy traffic was encountered on the short distance to Weybridge's Jolly Farmer.
Initial doubts about it's food policy was cast aside and all seemed satisfied with a combination of beef baguettes and beef roasts.
Graham took over at the front on a familiar Wayfarers route to Hersham Weir and Weston Green.
The weary took tea at Long Ditton Squires.


For riders unaffected by the economic downturn,Lidl provides us with a chance to spend from Thursday.

Feb 15th

What a day - my first run as a leader and what a wonderful start with 20 people at Sainsbury's, Cobham which became 16 at lunch! We welcomed three new riders to the group, Jessica (surname unknown - sorry) and Jane and Dave Jarvis. My thanks go to Irene who graciously took on the duty of 'back marker'.We made our way through Cobham taking the lanes to Ripley. Fortunately most of the water that was rushing over the lanes, plus ice last Wednesday, had all but disappeared! From Ripley we continued along (up) Newark Lane, past the ruins of Newark Priory on our right, to skirt around Woking via Mayhurst to the six cross road roundabout - not too tricky to-day! Then along Woodham Lane to do a left and a quick right up Horsell Rise and so to The Plough where we were made very welcome.After lunch we made our way to the Basingstoke Canal via South Road, through Horsell village, into Arthurs Bridge Road where we joined the tow path with it's beautiful sand/gravel surface! The good surface finishes at Monument Bridge and it was here that we split into two groups, Irene led the tow path 'bikies' and I led the 'roadies' ! We met in West Byfleet (as planned!) then into Pyrford Road, Lock Lane, over the A3 at Wisley for tea at Ockham Bites! The ride took it's usual course, some staying for tea and others continuing on their way! Thanks to the weatherman for keeping the rain off until after tea and my thanks to everybody who made my day such a pleasure - Pam :)

Hilly 50k Postponed

Due to the bad road conditions in the lanes The Hilly 50k has been cancelled for this Saturday

Feb 8th Annual Lunch

The Annual Lunch at Horton Golf Club

Pictures from Colin Quemby

Barn Dance

0208 394 2665 for Tickets

Thanks for the Sausage elevenses

Cheam & Morden Sunday 1 Feb ride.
Thanks to Irenene for a splendid 11 o'clock stop in Staines. I must say what a lovely spot you live in and the Garage so tidy, I must have lessons. Picture taken at 3.30pm tea stop at Squires in Sunbury (or somesuch where - never been to this stop B4). A fantastic days ride and 73 miles to the chart.

Mike

Cheam & Morden Sunday 1 Feb 09

The above 3 photo's are of the group on Irene's ride to the Duke of Edinborough pub Near Virginia Water.

Mike

Sunday 1 February 2009

Base Camp was set up at Staines, where the expedition was fortified with tea and sherpalatas.

Andy and Simon - the latter defrosting by the radiator. Pity it was too late to save his fingers!

Blue skies and sunshine above the Duke of Edinburgh, Woodside, before the blizzard closed in.

Ready to return

Sunday 1st February 2009

Doing my best Bibendum impression, I joined five huddled in Kingston’s doorways on a very chilly 101st for the old man (had he made it). From somewhere beyond the Urals, a strong breeze blew us past Hampton Court and waterworks then along back roads to Shepperton. In Staines the knee bandage was looking distinctly frozen as we lined up for Irene's hot sausages and baguettes. Soon seven became thirteen with Pete's DVD of the New Year's Day parade filling the giant screen.

Eventually over the water we went and round to Pooley Green where we joined Wednesday's route up Middle Hill, in at Bishopsgate and out at Cranbourne Gate. Eschewing the kidney, we turned at the next, crossed beside the Loch Fyne and reached Woodside's Duke of Edinburgh around twelve thirty. Bob and briefly Ian picnicked; the rest meekly settling for hot food.

On the return the racecourse and Watersplash Gate were familiar sights but we took the long route past George III to avoid that hill. The only variations on our morning ride were Tite Hill, a quiet towpath to Laleham and the Seasons (ex Orangery) café. In Kingston a sudden dusting of snow was a further reminder of just how cold it had been.

Burns Day 2009

Dreich was my word for the day so goretexed from tip to toe I set forth in heavy rain driven on by a strong easterly wind. It was a day for bonding with ones duvet and only Andrew cowered beneath the awning at Cheam. Momentarily we debated our options but the prospect of a new teastop drove us to a quick start (0910) down familiar roads. Ewell and back o' Epsom lead up to Headley where capes off was the order - no that it mattered as it rained on and off all day. A splashy Pebblecombe lead onto watery lanes past Wonham deer and mill (still standing - just) and then to South Park, East Surrey hospital and finally Redhill Airport where the cafe was well signposted from the main entrance. It's like Fairoaks but roomier and with more choice - a mug of tea would rate 90AC. Well we waited and waited but by quarter to twelve we were still two. So Andrew headed off for Hilly 50 miles and I headed home for a repeat of the 1927 Cup Final. Around 45 miles.

Sunday, 18 January 2009

The Blu Moon Café at Beare Green was the focal point on which the C&M converged on a chill but sunny Sabbath morn, to face the first real challenge of the day - how to resist the temptation of a not so isotonic greasy breakfast.

The second challenge was mounting up for stage two to Shere. Leader Keith showed the way by puncturing within the first five minutes. Then off apace via Capel towards Forest Green. Here a sneering motorist feigned the good samaritan by telling Keith that one of our number had fallen by the wayside. Fortunately not so.

Then we followed familiar lanes in a reverse and mostly sharply rising direction! Thus up to Hurtwood, down to Peaslake, up to Burrows Cross and down to Shere. At the planned hostelry, however, no food at the inn. At the second, food but no room. Plenty of space nonetheless in the garden for those with sandwiches and thermal underwear in their toolkit. John and Ed had perhaps wisely taken a more leisurely detour to the Abinger Tearooms.

After lunch, it was the single chevron climb up Coombe Lane to get the circulation going again before down again to the A246 and Effingham, with riders peeling off to left and right to make their own ways home. By Leatherhead just three were left to head into the setting sun, or in one case into Lidls for a possible last minute bargain.

A modest 43 miles under the belt, many of which, however, were in defiance of the laws of gravity, well known and so much loved by cyclists.

Jeff