Sunday March 26th

                                          11s at Pinnock's

What a marvellous spring day for Mothering Sunday and cyclists.
After a pleasant if noisy 11s at Pinnock's (Ripley), eleven of us headed for East Clandon via Grove Heath Lane and Gambles Lane. After Back Lane we paused briefly to study the garden fence made of old bedsteads and tools before tackling Staple Lane. From the top we had a quite good view to the north. Combe Lane led to the A25 and Shere where Keith bravely rode through the ford. Peaslake was approached via Jesse's Lane and Pond Lane and left via Ewhurst Road. From Ewhurst we took the B2127 to Forest Green (my original choice of lunch stop) then headed north to The Royal Oak at Holmbury St Mary arriving about 1330. The pub was very busy and we had a not unexpected long wait for lunch, which, when it arrived, was very good. Chris joined us for lunch.

After lunch, Irene, Pam, Graham and Vic headed for home. The remainder set off, ostensibly for Capel. Jeff soon left us and after a brief discussion decided Capel was a cake too far and we should head for Denbie's. We could see the South Downs fairly clearly from the foot of Leith Hill. A quick descent of Coldharbour Lane brought us to Dorking where Lilian requested a stop at Gorgeous Gertie's café, but it was closed, so on to Mullin's café, also closed, but the new cyclist's Musette café was still open so we quickly took our bikes in with us. Good refreshments were partaken, Chris and Terry helped the management out of a terrible dilemma (Could you please eat these last two portions of coffee and walnut cake FREE?). After tea we went our separate ways.

Thanks to all for company and corner/backmarkers.

Terry

Change of plan

Hopefully due to lots of mums being taken out for lunch on Sunday, March 26th, I was unable to reserve a table for us at my preferred pub. However after some ringing around The Royal Oak at Holmbury St. Mary will accommodate us at 1330. Tea will still be at Capel, their first t'n'cakes Sunday this year. See you at Pinnock's.

Terry

Sunday, March 19, 2017

Runnymede - Mayford - Cobham

 

Nineteen arrived at the Runnymede Magna Carta tea rooms this morning and ten left promptly at 11 o/c  for the ride to the Mayford Arms.  Up Priest Hill to Englefield Green, over the A30  Callow Hill, Wellington Avenue to Trumps Green, across the motorway to Kitsmead Lane, Longcross,  Accommodation Road, Chertsey Lane to Philpot Lane and Horsell Common. Right & Left to Bulbeggars Lane, over the Basingstoke Canal to Wych Hill and down Hook Hill Lane to the pub.  Paul & Ken carried on to go straight home.  We were made very welcome and most of us made short work of the 'Small Persons Roasts '  PLUS  ice cream and chocolate sauce!!  After lunch we made our way to Cobham  Sainsburys café for afternoon tea.   It actually turned into a lovely day and the wind wasn’t as frightening as I thought it would be.

 

Thank you everyone for a lovely day, for Simon being a wonderful T.E.C. - you did a wonderful job,  and for all the corner markers; it really does keep the group flowing.

 

Irene

Sunday March 19 2017 PROMPT RESTART

Irene's route to Mayford will take around two hours so the departure time from Runnymede will be 1100 hours.

If you want to tag along, a group will be leaving from Kingston Bridge at 0900.

Sunday March 12 2017

What was forecasted was heavy rain from nine but dry by eleven. What we got was rather difficult!

There was no rain until the Tilt. This had petered out as I reached Squires where Dave was tucking into his customary full english. By the time of departure, a dozen had arrived but so had heavy rain. Quickly abandoning any thoughts of an attractive (hilly) route, Blake's Lane and the A25 into Guildford led to the only hill, One Tree. Down in Chilworth and Wonersh we met an oncoming sportive and by 1215 nine were inside The Wheatsheaf at Bramley selecting from the weekday menu (by prior arrangement) - not a single taker for the sunday roasts!

A hour later it was still raining - though more a light drizzle. Thoughts now turned to home. We left together but after the back road into Shalford we were but five heading up Guildford's High Street and only two in Ripley so no afternoon tea. Home before 1545 and after 50 miles.

Sunday 12/03/17 Change Of Venue

As they're prepared to offer us the full menu (http://www.wheatsheaf-bramley.co.uk/page4.html, rather than roasts only), I've changed the lunch venue to:

The Wheatsheaf Bramley GU5 0HB    Tel:  01483 892 722

It's a couple of doors south of the Jolly Farmer so you shouldn't have difficulty finding it! Whilst I'm on the subject, my recce off-road was muddy so Stoke D'Abernon isn't so attractive and I'm open to offers on the tea stop.

Sunday March 5 2017

Heavy rain made an inauspicious start to the morning, but by the time I had reached Fairoaks it was sunny and dry!  Fairoaks is always busy on Sundays so I arrived 15 minutes before opening and managed to bag three-quarters of a four-seater table!

The Squirrels, Vic, Paul and Pam braved the weather to join me at elevenses, and Vic, Pam and I continued to lunch.  Expecting mud and heavy showers I curtailed the planned route to Lake End and we rode to The Windlesora at Windsor via Windlesham, South Ascot, Ascot race course and the west side of Windsor Great Park.  Tony Hopkins joined us for lunch and the rest of the ride

We were lucky with the showers, just a few light ones during the ride and a heavy one while we were at lunch.  Return was via Datchet, Wraysbury and Staines to Laleham for tea.  I continued without stopping for tea and clouds were gathering ominously as I reached Walton!   About 45 miles and 340 metres of ascent so not a bad effort by us all considering the weather forecast!

 

Dave

Sunday February 26th

                                               Walliswood

Ten of us left The Vineries, Effingham, heading south to Walliswood. This, of course, means hills. After keeping to Effingham backroads we were obliged to briefly join the A246 before turning into and up Greendene which led to Combe Lane and down to the A25. A quick right and left led to Shere, much of which we omitted by using Rectory Lane and the footbridge rather than checking depth of the ford. Sandy Lane led to Hound House Road and the descent of Pitch Hill to Ewhurst. To comply with Tracy's (manager of Scarlett Arms) instructions for table occupation I omitted a small loop and headed straight for the pub.

Orders were taken at the table and fairly soon appeared. Everyone seemed pleased and we were easily able to leave before the next table occupants arrived. We returned via Okewood Hill (good to see The Punchbowl now re-opened and busy - must check it out soon). Following the 'usual route' via Weare Street we were soon in Capel where we used the 'alternative' slightly shorter and less hilly route partly alongside the A24 before returning to the lanes, Mill Road leading to Four Wents mudpatch. (National Trust are making it healthier for the fish). A short distance then to Denbies where some with still quite a ride home chose to continue tealess, hope you got home in daylight and dry.

Thanks to all for company and especially backmarker and corner markers.

Terry  

Sunday 19th February 2017

HALIFORD SQUIRES - WOODSIDE - SHEPPERTON

A very good turn out today for elevenses.  Nineteen in total, nine went their own way from the garden centre whilst ten of us continued to lunch. 

The nine who went their own way- Bill and Margaret, Lilian and Maureen, Richard, Bob and Miles. Dave and Alan started with main group but left us before lunch.

Hence; Irene, Ed, Roger, Tony, Graham, Terry, Vic, Ray, Chris and of course, myself left the G.C. 11.13...for Shepperton, Chertsey and Longcross.   At  Sunningdale we crossed the A30 into Broomhall Road, right into Station Road, Silwood Road, taking  us to the A329. Straight over into Buckhurst Road turning left just before the Peanut Roundabout....to Woodside Road where we lunched at The Duke of Edinburgh.  The service was excellent, the food superb and the ale is very nice!!!  An absolute must for more visits.

The ride to tea....well...quite straight forward!  Around the 'Peanut', into the Park, out at Bishopsgate, through Englefield Green to descend Prune Hill. Unfortunately one of our group took a tumble near the bottom of the hill and a driver stopped his car, gave a first aid kit to the guys, then drove off, leaving it with them.  Yes, there sure are decent, thoughtful drivers out there! 

We ALL stopped for tea at The Mocha café - that doesn't happen very often!   These longer days make such a difference.

My thanks to all for your company, for back markers and Tony for photos.

 First Daffodils

Cheers Pam :) :)

Change of Lunch Venue

This Sunday the lunch Venue has changed to the Duke of Edinburgh Woodside.

12/2/17 The Anchor Pyrford Lock

My first time leading the Cheam & Morden riders.  Despite leading the Wayfarers for several years, it is quite different.  I hope I did OK.  We were twelve for elevenses at Addlestone on a(nother) perishing cold and grey day.   Alan returned home and Bill and Margaret were not riding today, so nine left towards Stonehill Road and Chobham.  Somewhere along the line, David W disappeared, never to be seen again.   The majority verdict was that he had opted to do his own thing: I hope I didn't lose you David.     

Dodging Chobham at the last minute we headed south towards Horsell and Woking, a bit of a maze trying to avoid the one way system but we came out the other side intact and headed down White Rose Lane, where a big sink hole at the end had just been filled in.  (David W had definitely left us before the sink hole, just in case you were wondering!)  Road still closed at the junction and we had to walk round the corner, but after a brief pause to pump up Pam's front tyre we headed through Old Woking towards Send Marsh, now into the wind and even colder.    But it was only a few miles to Pyrford Lock and The Anchor.    A table was waiting in the warm interior, and we were informed they don't do sandwiches on Sunday (my mistake for not checking - sorry).  However we all found something suitable and the food was good.    

We were all going different directions from there, so Pam, Irene, Tony, Graham and Vic went their separate ways, while Ed, Terry and I headed to Cobham and the café at Painshill Park, where we observed some mountainous pieces of bread pudding, but none of us felt up to the challenge.   Maybe another time.    Thank you all for your company and I look forward to the next time.

~ Simon

C&M Ride 12-2-17

Simon's Ride to Pyrford Lock

Grahams is just out of shot. (handheld selfie)

Brighton YHA

I am aware that a number of members have stayed at this 5* hostel which was formerly a hotel and has been refurbished to a very high standard. It is situated very close to Brighton Pier and the Lanes behind the bus station. I had been invited to a Gig in Hove on Sunday night 28 Jan and decided to take advantage of my CTC half price YHA membership thus giving me a clean prepared bed for £15 and a first class full English breakfast for £5.75 and no duties were involved like the old days of peeling potatoes etc. The common room was serving drinks until the early hours.
Unlike most former hostels here you can choose a luxury suit at a much higher price. My room was a dorm for 3 with an en-suit bathroom, see picture below along with a picture of the entrance hall.

C&M Lunch at the Angel

Dear all, I do not know what is happening to the C&M blog at the moment but I have tried to access (Graham Please note) but I was unsuccessful. So I post this tribute on the Wafarers!

Thank you Steve and Ann for both organizing and being such splendid hosts!  The hospitality you showed at your home beforehand was so Splendid with the fantastic cakes and most appreciated aperative's. They were the best starter to any meal one could imagine! So some pictures to remind!

 For Mike Morley

Sunday January 29 2017

The forecast wasn't great but I saw the backs of many riders on the way to 11s, and several coaches suggesting it wasn't a day for taking the train.  I was surprised by our double figure turnout at West Horsley but reminded of games days - one excuse after another left just three willing to carry on. When I phoned through the revised count, the landlord didn't sound too pleased so I thought it wise not to mention Dave's likely packet of crisps.

We began with the long downhill to Grove Heath Road before crossing the A3 and along the path that runs beside it. I hadn't surveyed this part of the route so an illegal right turn at the end of Clay Lane got us onto the A320 and off  it 100 yards later. Burdenshott and Goose Rye roads led to Fox Corner, and two more lefts saw us at The Royal Oak Pirbright by 1225.

Service was prompt and departure was around 1315. In Fox Corner, we stopped briefly to don waterproofs  (soon unneeded). After Mayford I decided on a variant: the Kingfield stadium and through Woking Park to desirable parts of Woking. These disappeared as we descended towards the canal. A right took us through Sheerwater and West Byfleet. We dropped Vic outside "La Maison Blanche" declining his offer of tea before continuing to Addlestone (gates closed) and Weybridge where our ways parted.

Definitely what northern parts call "dreich" but the forecast rain didn't amount to much. Just over 50 miles door to door.

London Bike Show ticket Discount

Discount code for CTC members, no discount for Seniors!

The Code is: CYC15UK

Capel t'n cake available on......

 

Sunday, March 26th

Sunday, April 16th

Monday, April 17th

Sunday, April 30th

Monday, May 1st

Sunday, May 14th

Sunday, May 28th

Monday, May 29th

Sunday, June 11th

Sunday, June 25th

Sunday, July 16th

Sunday, July 30th

Sunday, August 13th

Sunday, August 27th

Monday, August 28th

Sunday, September 10th

Sunday, September 24th

Sunday, October 1st

Sunday, October 15th

Sunday, October 29th

Sunday, November 5th

Sunday, November 19th

Sunday, November 26th.

An email from British Cycling

Dear cyclists from cheam and mordem
Welsh Cycling Events are delighted to offer you an exclusive 30% discount on entry into tthe Cambrian Coast Sportive 2017 as part of the membership of your cycling club. This discount is valid if you enter before 28th February and becomes 10% thereafter until the month before the event. Please feel free to circulate this email to your members to take advantage of this exclusive offer. Enter here.
The Cambrian Coast Sportive takes place on 16th September 2017 in some of the UK's most spectacular countryside. Starting from Aberdovey and set entirely within the Snowdonia National Park, the routes follow the coast and beaches, climb the mountains, skirt around lakes and descend through forests, making this arguably the most scenic sportive ride in the country. 

Sunday the 15th Ride Report

I had a phone call at around 8.30am from Alan asking me if we could meet and cycle to 11's together, I agreed we could meet at Isleworth fire station and he agreed, 10 minutes later he phoned again after looking at the weather and said he would meet me there; he never made it! Well it was raining when I left home to cycle the 10 miles to Vermeulens and was still raining when I arrived.

Vic was already there and we were soon joined by Bill and Margaret, soon after Pam and Brian Bent arrived. We sat chatting and drinking coffee but the rain never stopped and we decided to call it a day, the weather forecast did say it could clear later but along with the cold it didn't make for pleasant cycling.

I returned virtually the way I had come and only managed a meagre 20 miles, I was glad to get in doors and dry out and warm-up and listen to the pitter patter of rain on the conservatory roof with a nice bowl of soup.

Sunday the 15th

Change of lunch venue.

P L E A S E N O T E

The lunch venue will NOW be the Emperor pub Farnham Common

Pub link please click