Sunday 27th September 2009

I might of guessed it,Jeff determined to win the club dinner,appeared at all the right places but it was my fault that we were not able to join him on his lonely quest.............
I punctured just after Sainsburys in Warlingham,so in bright sunshine I began to plan my course of action.
It was fast approaching 10.30am so Chartwell was a hill to far,besides Ed looked knackered,Jake less so..........in fact she looked vaguely disappointed having never visited Churchill's home.
A quick call to Ian and we were in the Tudor Rose by 11am.
Now where to go? Richard in the Plaxtol camp,the rest bar Jake,stop at 1'o clock,nearest pub etc.
So just after one we rolled up to The Snail,Stone Street.
Lovely sitting on the grassy bank in quite warm sun............Richard's birthday,so plenty to celebrate.
Ian's thoughts soon turned to tea and Richard's suggestion of the Battle of Britain museum at Shoreham proved a fine choice.


64 miles (from Ewell).

Sunday, 27 September, 2009

Chartwell and Plaxtol

The Phantom Riders of the C&M

A late start on a frost-free, sunny Sunday morning - ideal for an autumnal foray into Kent. No body-warmers will be needed on those Wealden hills. So by-passing North Cheam, it was onto the small chainwheel en route for Chartwell, Churchill's country seat. The temperature gradually rose from Kingswood and Banstead Woods to Bletchingley, Tilburstow to Crowhurst, Marlpit and Four Elms. Gone 11am already - I'll have to get a move on or I'll be too late. A final snail-like sprint up Mapleton Rd and I'm there, at a quarter past the hour. But where are the C&M? Blast! I must have missed them. A quick call to the leader's mobile: voicemail. I'll catch them up at Plaxtol.

This means a few more hills: Puddledock, Toy's Hill, Ide Hill. Then Goathurst Common, Gracious Lane to Stone Street, Ivy Hatch then Plaxtol. I see the vicar at the entrance to the church - I'll ask him where the pub is. "Excuse me, Reverend...." But blow me, it's not the vicar but our revered and former Rides Secretary, Bob (though in confusion I call him John). Fortunately, he gives me a sabbatical pardon. Five minutes past the hour, but where's the C&M? No sign. We savour our sandwiches, chew the cud, then freewheel down to the Papermakers Arms, a C&M free zone.

We take a glass in the garden, admire the view, bask in the autumn sun and ruminate on the mystery of those lost within the Kentish Triangle. But time is passing and we must not be overtaken by an early sundown. So we remount for the return, concerned about whatever fate has overtaken the phantoms of the C&M. As we pass the church, we sense a sudden chill and raise a silent prayer. God rest their souls.

Requiescant in pacem

Jeff

20 September, 2009

London Skyride

On a cool and bright Sunday morning, lightning struck for the second time in one week. The Wayfarers on Wednesday and the C&M on Sunday, both set off for the Great Wen. From their North Cheam launch pad, the Sunday Skyriders opting to follow this North West Passage were: Ann, Andrew, Andy, Eddy, Jeff, Mike and expedition leader Steve. Objective one was Holland Park. The route taken was not the usual, thundering highway but unfamiliar byways following a leafy, wooded Wandle, as though deep in the countryside. We seemed to be threading our way between the cemeteries of S.W. London: Sutton, Morden, Lambeth, Wimbledon, Wandsworth. Our only brief stop was at Merton Abbey Mills, before the Wandle dumped us in the Thames by Wandsworth Bridge. A network of side streets brought us past the monumental family vaults in Brompton cemetery to Holland Park and a restlessly pacing Graham, awaiting our arrival.

Tea taken, it was off again with Skyride signs to guide us through Kensington, the Park to HPC, where the volume of cyclists had swelled to wondrous proportions, the combustion engines now held at bay. It seemed as though some cosmic force had sucked in every cyclist within its gravitational pull. I have never seen so many cyclists of every possible shape and size (fortunately all flowing in the same direction), and not one sign of friction. There may have been some road rage, but all I saw was smiles.

Along the Mall in St James's Park we stopped to elbow our way to the displays and came away with gifts of puncture kits and maps. Rejoining the flow, the only problem was how to keep in touch and recognise each other, until we were carried irresistibly to Tower Hill, where we took our lunch. This was not Chez Gérard but next door at Wetherspoons, or in the Green. After that, with Mike somewhat distracted by the mini-skirted pom-pom girls, we retraced our route (still going with the flow), stopping only to pick up a goody bag. At Buckingham Palace we peeled off and headed south for a tea-time stop on Clapham Common, before plotting our own ways home through the suburbs of London.

A very different ride today, no altitude or calorific stats, but registering very high on the scale of cycling pleasure shared.

Jeff

Sunday, 13 September 2009

Barns Green - a few miles short of Smock Alley

Warm inside - a chill wind outside. Autumn's nearly here.

Sunday 13th September 2009

Thanks to Mr and Mrs K-B and Ed for running Saturday's Hilly 50 - the section is £125 better off. There were just under 50 starters with the first three back in 1:51. Ray was a hour behind ahead of Mike M, our only toiler.

There was a strong hint of autumn (overcast, chill northerly) as I reached Beare Green and the early arrivals were in full English mode. On the restart eleven had been whittled down to five with "Smock Alley's an awfully long way" in the air. We set off through Capel and towards Rusper. Taking the lead in Friday Street we plunged down into Horsham and up the other side. Just after the Christ's Hospital entrance we halted; mysteriously five had become three. A retreat to the Boar's Head revealed nothing so back again via Bax Castle to Barns Green and we waited outside the Queens Head. A lucky tip-off sent back us the way we'd came; lo and behold 100 yards later along came the missing Andy and Keith. Andy has spotted booty in the road then they'd turned right at the school before realising probably we hadn't! By now it was one so time to stop.

The wind was increasing by the minute as we headed through Itchingfield to the A264. Broadbridge Heath provides relief and then it was Warnham, the landfill and Capel where the church was open. Naturally we stopped; it turned out to be a gathering of the cycling clans: a Surrey League event; visitors from C&M, West Surrey, and Horsham and Crawley. I was home just after six and 70 miles.

Sunday 6th September 2009

I arrive at Hookwood Tesco to find Jeff awaiting the loan of my (very) cheap lock.Once inside,it was the long trek to the cafe via the cycle stuff,computers and satin emulsion paint.
Ed arrived via Chalk Lane,Epsom and our number totalled 13.
Stephanie headed back,we continued to Wasp Green (The Castle).Apparently,Judi Dench lives nearby in a house surrounded by five acres.
I was previously aware of teas on the green at Buckland today and it didn't take too much persuasion as our leader had not a good word for our Fanny......."She don't like me.....she accused me of not paying"
I led via Lonesome Lane,and the track that skirts Reigate Heath Golf Course.It was here my memory failed me and we soon retraced to go the left of Ivy Cottage.
We regrouped at Dungates Farm where Lawrence had a screw leave his rack & Paul's front mudguard proved unbreakable but pretty mishaped.
The tea stop was a very local affair with around 100 people enjoying the event,monies going toward the Christmas lights in the village.


Autumn Ripley Cycle Jumble...........Saturday 26th September 2009.

Sunday August 30 2009 (The Route)

For completists, the route was:

Kingston Bridge - Hampton Waterworks - Shepperton riverside - Chertsey Bridge- Laleham - Datchet - Dorney - Marsh Lane to A4 - A4094 to 11s (Jenners Maidenhead).
Cookham - Marlow - Rockwell End - Hambleden (lunch) - over Mill End weir to Aston - Knowl Hill - White Waltham - Paley Street - Drift Road to Peanut - Windsor Great Park (just before Copper Horse) where the ride divided into teastoppers (at Pam's) and earlyhomers.

Friday Night Ride To The Coast(October 2009)

It's to Sarffend. For details see

http://www.cyclechat.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=43001

Sunday, 30 August, 2009

Boulter's Lock and Hambleden, Bucks

Sunday 23rd August 2009

To see Ray Dare at North Cheam is a rarity..........but at Carshalton Ponds?
I think we had double figures to Bat & Ball,in part due to the beautiful weather but possibly a new destination (Tudeley in Kent).
The route...........simply a familiar course via West Wickham public convenience (see pic),Coney Hall,Jackass Lane,Keston,the truely awful 1 in 4 up to Cudham,Knockholt,Star Hill.......... wonderful downhill,Otford then to JS.
Just before noon,ten of us,with the sun still brilliant and not a cloud in the sky,headed south through Stone Street,Plaxtol,Hadlow where Kent's infamous hills disappeared and sat navs had flatline.
We ended up at the George & Dragon,Five Oak Green (no knife and fork required).
Half past two meant lunch was a leisurely affair with nobody in the mood to move.........but eventually it was up the busy A245 to Sevenoaks Weald and the return of the b***dy hills!
The killer for your correspondent was Bayley's Hill.........not nice after 55 miles and 25 degree heat.
Not suprisingly,Ed succombed at Ide Hill and I decided to join him and Ian for a late tea in "97 degrees" a pricey alternative to Tatsfield............

Sunday, 23 August '09

Carshalton - Bat and Ball - Tudeley - Tatsfield

(Every picture tells a story - to be continued)

From ashes to ashes

The Tatsfield tea room stayed open just for us - you should have seen them 20 minutes earlier!

Pictures of Andy's led ride 23rd Aug.

At Carshalton Pond

Dropping down to Otford

Leaving Sainsbury at Bat & Ball

Sunday, 16 August, 2009

The Sun Inn at Dunsfold

August 16th

At Shere at the Lucky Duck Cafe in the garden basking in the morning sunshine Don, David & Bob were joined by Pete M & Lisa (on fixed wheel) then Terry & the main group from Nth Cheam led by todays leader Ed Sharp: ie Rene, Janice, Nick, Lawrence, Keith, Ray, Pete B, Pete F, Paul & Jeff.
A steady climb into the shady lanes over Winterfold Heath followed by a steep descent of horse block hollow & a furiously pedaling Lisa! Lunch at The Sun, Dunsfold where Bob reappeared.
A Pleasantly warm afternoon wind assisted through Cranleigh accompanied by the sound of deep throbbing car engines leaving the Cranleigh Classic Car show this was swiftly followed by the colourful sight of The Sigma cycle race speeding towards us in three groups and on to a very relaxing tea at Tanhurst Farm.
70+ miles well led by Ed.

Friday Night Ride To The Coast (August 2009)

Just a sample from http://www.flickr.com/photos/27747819@N06

Sunday 9th August 2009

A few words to accompany Jeff's photos

Feeling a little stiff after the latest FNRttC, I caught the bunch as it was entering Reigate Garden Centre. From time to time another appeared until we were a dozen strong. With Keith in laidback form, I went to the front losing Ian before Leigh! He found locked gates, the railway and so on before rejoining for lunch. We continue through Newdigate and Capel noting that the church was open for teas. Down Weare Street to Walliswood brought us to the long drag through Forest Green and up to Holmbury St Mary where the Kings Head was the chosen watering hole. After collecting the Assistant Manager from the church I returned in time to witness the collapse of the party's picnic table.

After lunch we split into softs and hards; the former headed back to Forest Green whilst the latter sampled Pasture Wood and Leigh Hill Place. This was a perfect arrangement as the Capel church sprint caught the soft backmarkers as they were entering the churchyard. A long break then ensued; Jake and Grant arriving as we were leaving. For me that was under 70 miles (and 150+ miles for the weekend) on a sunny and warm day.

Sunday, 9 August 2009

Lunch at the King's Head, Holmbury St Mary

(When the oil runs out, we'll have it to ourselves!)

Sunday 2nd August 2009

Sunday 2nd August 2009

After last week's Van Winkle episode, an early start was a must. Jeff espied my fleeing mass just after Rusper and together we descended into Horsham via Old Holbrook. Three even earlier birds were sampling Salisburys cafe and we waited and waited. Eventually Andy and Ed appeared via Ashstead Park, The Gap and Old Holbrook around 1130 by which time David and Don had flown the nest. Andy brought news of Richard's indisposition and a change of itinerary; he was for The Blue Ship and Holmwood Church to which there were no dissenters.

A hour later l led off on a brief tour of East Sussex southwest through Barns Green then west past Frank Patterson's "cottage" where we tarried. On reaching the A29 our route went north to Sotheby's (now luxurious flats) and west on favourite lanes to the Haven where Bob rejoined. Apart from a detour past Rudgwick's brickworks, we went the familiar route home taking it in turns to lead. The church was reached before four and there we dwelt - words with the vicar were followed by more words and then more words. They'd packed up almost everything by the time we dragged ourselves away around 1745. All in all it had been a most relaxing day.

Sunday, 2 August '09

Change of Venue from Wineham to The Haven
Ed fell in love with the Austin 7