Sunday 27th May 2012

The definitive list.

I counted 17 at 11's (Vineries) including new face Jenny from Putney,formally a Oxford CTC member.

Ed led 13 to lunch over the North Downs,down Coombe Bottom,through Shere & Peaslake to Ewhurst.

A short drink then Ellens Green,Rudgwick to The Blue Ship at The Haven.

Not too busy,pint of orange squash......£1.30.

After photo calls it was time to leave...............but I managed to get the dates wrong at Capel so confident North Holmwood would be open,we rode on.

Awwww gawd......wrong again.......they don't start until 10th June (postponed until 17th June).

So Dorking Halls it was for some.......Denbies for others.

A very warm day with virtually cloudless skies.

49 miles (from Ewell).

Effingham - The Haven - Dorking

Put in our place by a strong woman

Lunch at the Blue Ship

Tea? To err is human; to forgive divine

Weather was hot with five riders at the North Cheam start. Andy gives me the easy rides but with the temperature reading 32 degrees I began to wonder. I took a back street route to meet up with another twelve at the Vineries. Then off we set uphill and downhill to Coombe Bottom, Shere, Ewhurst, Ellens Green, Rudgwick and the Haven.

After a quiet lunch we retraced our way via Bucks Green, Cox Green and Okewood to Capel Church, which was closed. Next venue  North Holmwood Church which was closed. Tea for some was at Dorking Halls and at Denbies for others.

Being hot the group was sedate with the odd burst from Pam downhill. I had to make a stop at Leatherhead Wetherspoons before returning home. Distance for me was 65 miles; for Pam, Vic, Richard, Tony, John and Paul it may have been 80 miles or more. Thanks for coming out.

Leader Ed

Recce of Downs Link (Shoreham)

Two-tier cycle racks at Horsham station.

Just after leaving Bramber.

The River Adur.

If there was any doubt this used to be a railway line.................

Shoreham Beach.

Looking North with Lancing College on the horizon.

I plan to use this as part of a forthcoming ride to Shoreham on Sea.

The last train to use this route was the 21.28 Brighton to Horsham (via Shoreham) on Sunday 6th March 1966.

Read more here

:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steyning_Line

Olympic Road Race Boxhill update

Some may already know that on Tuesday 29th May,LOCOG release tickets for Boxhill spectator viewing.

http://www.bikeradar.com/road/news/article/ticket-prices-revealed-for-box-hill-area-of-olympic-road-race-33950/

Here is a map of the arrangements for the area.

http://www.london2012.com/mm/Document/Documents/Venue/01/24/20/94/VENUEBXHCycleRoadRace_Neutral.pdf

Also for those planning to cycle/walk to Boxhill.

http://www.london2012.com/mm/Document/Documents/Venue/01/24/06/79/travel-to-box-hill-o_Neutral.pdf

The National Trust has Q's & A's here:

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/local-to-you/london-and-south-east/view-page/item718550/


Alternatively,you may want to see the race from Denbies where a bike fest is taking place.

http://road.cc/content/news/57742-surrey-hills-road-race-festival-announced-olympic-road-race-weekend-27-29-july

Sunday 20th May 2012

The Beehive,White Waltham.





Dave led 10 riders from Windsor Farm Shop via Eton and the towpath to Dorney.
West to Bray to arrive (less Alan) at White Waltham (12.15).
Bob joined us after suffering a puncture in Windsor................but it was 1.30 and no time to waste so we hit the road.
Maidens Green,Winkfield,Cheapside & Virginia Water to tea at Lyne.

A rather cool cloudy day,courtesy of a fresh northerly wind.

Great Cockcrow Railway (tea stop).

South West Trains & Southern have released special timetables for 28/29 July for Olympic Road Races.

There will be 6 trains an hour from London stopping at WestHumble station between 8.53am and late afternoon.........53"10"14"23"40"44".

All London bound passengers may have to travel via Dorking to return home.

There will be NO bikes carried other than folders on both days.

Special Timetable - Box Hill & Westhumble - Saturday 28th July & Sunday 29th July

Box Hill & Westhumble, London Victoria, London Waterloo, Vauxhall, Clapham Junction, Balham, Mitcham Eastfields, Mitcham Junction, Hackbridge, Carshalton, West Croydon, Waddon, Wallington, Carshalton Beeches, Sutton, Cheam, Earlsfield, Wimbledon, Raynes Park, Motspur Park, Worcester Park, Stoneleigh, Ewell East, Ewell West, Epsom, Ashtead, Leatherhead, Dorking, Holmwood, Ockley, Warnham, Horsham

(856.26kb) Download as PDF

Keith Rook Update

Barry Togood informs that Keith has broken his arm see KPRC blog for more details.

Sunday, 13 May 2012

Hookwood - Maplehurst - Tanhurst Farm

On Sunday morning freak weather revealed a bright yellow orb in a blue sky. This frightened the natives who were reluctant to venture out. However, Ed was relaxing by the pond at Walton on the Hill and watching the wildfowl mating, or trying to. Three riders (Dave, Ed and Matt) made it undaunted to the pond, before heading downhill towards the temple of the sun god Tesco at Hookwood. On the way we lost one and found one. When Terry arrived we were just four in number for elevenses. On the way out we lost Matt, who succumbed to temptation and went back in to examine the vfm of Tesco cycle helmets. Thus it was four musketeers who shot off south heading via Charlwood, Ifield, Colgate, Pen Ponds and Lower Beeding to our lunch time target of the White Horse in Maplehurst.

On an earlier visit I had been the solitary customer, but this time the bar was fairly busy, with East Surrey and Croydon CTC having settled in before us. After a sandwich and a locally brewed cider for Terry, we resumed our circuit, still in fitful sunshine, via Copsale and Horsham to an unplanned tea-stop at Tanhurst Farm. Here we were joined by our Chairman Colin, surprised to see us as we were programmed to be at Brockham. After a leisurely tea, we struck a leisurely cadence to find our way to the gas works at Pixham and the parting of our ways, with 60 miles untouched by a single raindrop.

Jeff

Sunday 6th May 2012

Yep.........we're into May and the birds are singing,there's rapeseed in the fields,bluebells in the woods & the days are getting longer,but.......sadly today feels more like February.

Daniel & Steff joined me from a new start venue at Banstead M & S which was open at 9am.

If it wasn't raining............. it was due to anytime soon but not enough to cape up.............for now at least.

We left Godstone in light drizzle by now our numbers had risen to 5 (Jeff & Graham).

Steff peeled off approaching Lingfield,we continued to arrive at Cowden but were soon to continue to Edenbridge on account of a "shooting party" taking over The Fountain..........damn!

It was roasts all round bar a certain individual.

The highlight of the day was finding a new tea stop in Godstone where a steaming cup of hot tea is just 90p.So welcome on this the most miserable of days.

Sunday 6 May 2012

Godstone - Cowden - Edenbridge - Godstone

 

This is the sign we like to see.

 

Pub hopping for lunch

The saloon at the Fountain Cowden was full of gun-slingers.

We took the hint and looked elsewhere

 Godstone Green Tea Rooms

Definitely one to add to the CTC Handbook - Oh, Sorry!

Forgot we don't have one any longer. Well, it's now on OUR database!

Sunday 29th April 2012

White Down Road..........oh gawd!!! As you can see,the drought continues.

Is this the "silver lining" to which Jeff refers?

My glove in situ........dropped on the way to Gomshall a few hours earlier.....phew!

The route of the Tour of Britain has been announced and the last day comes to Surrey.

As this will be a Sunday,I plan to see it somewhere.Check out the link and let me know your thoughts in the coming weeks.

http://news.surreycc.gov.uk/2012/04/26/surrey-to-host-final-stage-of-tour-of-britain/

Sunday 29 April

 Gomshall  

(that's as far as we got)

 

Do you think it's easing off?

 

The last of a hardy breed marooned at the Atlantis Café Gomshall.

There is always a silver lining!

Sunday, 22 April 2012

Risen from the grave below the Capel yew

Rusper Golf Club and Staplefield in glorious April sunshine

Sunday April 22 2012

Four became five shortly after the start when Keith caught us. We went over the top through Headley and down Pebblecombe losing John forever somehow along the way. The sight of cyclists in Betchworth and Leigh gave hint of an audax. More conversation was generated by a semi-gralloched deer and a succession of vintage Jaguars.

After a short (by our standards) stay at Rusper Golf Club, six were keen for more. We bypassed Rusper, passed by The Gate (under new management) and headed into the Crawley sprawl at Whitehall Drive. We now reversed one of Andy's routes; the editor experiencing anxious and sinking moments on the sodden Cottesmore bridleway. After that it was follow NCN 20 south. Travelling this way gave a first; the views on the descent from Handcross to the Victory Inn Staplefield; previously I've only climbed that hill.

With the forecast in mind, we were away early along familar lanes through Slaugham, Ashfold Crossroads and Colgate to Faygate. Paul departed at Wimlands whilst we continued through Friday Street to our first Capel Church tea of the year. Up to now the gods had been kind; warm sun, not quite so warm in any wind. But as we left, the threatened heavy rain fell. Changeable was the word; Burford Bridge was bathed in sunshine, Chessington dull (nothing new) and drizzle in Surbiton. Around 75 miles door to door.

Spring Ripley Cycle Jumble

I give you notice of the above next Saturday 28th April 2012. I'll see the usual suspects there. :-)

Sunday 15th April 2012

Last 25KM of Sunday's Amstel Gold one day classic from Limburg (Netherlands).

Coverage from British Eurosport (David Harmon & Sean Kelly).

Running time 41:49.

http://www.steephill.tv/players/720/dailymotion/?title=Last+25+Km&dashboard=amstel-gold-race&id=xq5cpm&yr=2012

Sunday, 15 April 2012

Runnymede - Waltham St Lawrence - Savill Gardens

Sacred and Profane
Parish Church of St Lawrence and the Bell

Sunday April 15 2012

11 left Magna Carta tea rooms to climb Priest Hill. Bishopsgate was our way into Windsor Park, and our exit was down Mounts Hill to Drift Road, then on to Maiden Green,Nuptown and Moss End. A right down Bottle Lane led to Shurlock Row and into Waltham St. Lawrence for lunch at The Bell, a beautiful 14th century ale house. We were all pleased with the food and service. On leaving past the beautiful old church, we made our way back via Littlefield Green to Moss End, Hayley Green and Royal Ascot Racecourse, and finally back in the park to Savill Gardens for tea. Afterwards we made our ways home. Weather chilly, sunny and blustery.

 

Thanks for the lovely company.

Easter Tour Organisers

And yes it's him he's at it again! I enjoyed being waited on!

Even more Eastyer Tour

More Easter Tour

T

Thanks also to Pete Byers for organising the Sunday ride to the Isle of Purbeck which included a ride to Corfe Castle and a spledid view of the stam train.


And a bit of a splash through the "Ford"