Sunday 25th February

Having thawed out and refreshed themselves at The Vineries, Lilian, Maureen, Ed, Alan and Bob promptly went home/in search of lunch leaving Dave, Jeff and I to pedal off to occupy the booked table for eight at The Plough, Leigh. We passed the string of shops in Effingham, noting the long since closed Post Office has now become The Coffee Cup (open on Sundays). Proceeding up Beech Avenue (High Barn Lane apparently closed but don't know about bikes) we soon turned left at the crossroads heading into the wind to cross Ranmore, forked left passing Ranmore Church, for a roughish descent. Crossing under the A24 we used the cycle track to Pixham Lane then had to briefly join the A25. We enjoyed a few minutes' peace and quiet by using the Old Reigate Road, then straight through Brockham and Strood Green to arrive at The Plough just before 1300 to our table for three, having revised our requirements en route. Jeff went straight home, Dave and I went in for warmth and refreshments, then returned home.

Terry

Sunday 25th February

Elevenses unchanged but lunch is booked at The Plough, Leigh.

Terry

18 February 2018, West End - Epsom

Irene's last ride with Cheam and Morden? I don't believe it!

I bet she will soon get tired of the windy potato and turnip fields of Norfolk and come racing back for some sunny CTCSWLondon cycling. Good luck Irene and hope to see you soon!

What on earth are they looking at?

That's better

Sunday February 18

The Year Of The Dog started in spring like conditions and for once I had company on the way to 11s when I joined JB at the Assembly Rooms (Surbiton). Of our route all I'll say is the Edward VIII letterbox in Littleworth Road.

At a much expanded Garsons Farm the clamour at the doors abated when they swung open just after 1030. We numbered a dozen with Tony and Don in mufti. I'd less than 48 hours to prepare and Friday's mini survey revealed that off-road wouldn't be an option so "the road not taken" approach it would be.

We left the Portsmouth Road (and much younger, much fitter cyclists) at Fairmile and wiggled via Ashcroft Park and Knipp Hill to Little Heath and the Diggers' signboard. Next came Chelsea and the long drag up and beside Yehudi. We crossed beside Fetcham's pond to the waterworks. On my survey I'd entered the one-way system but thought better of it today so up the High Street and an illegal right into Linden Road saw us over the motorway into Ashtead. The A24 was crossed into Ashtead Park and later recrossed into Castle Road (foreknowledge of town centre roadworks). Thus we descended beside the railway to the Assembly Rooms (Epsom) where Terry and Bob were waiting.

After an extended lunch Ed peeled off in West Ewell and the last six continued to Chessington South railway station and the A3 Travellers' site. In Long Ditton (the unused tea stop) we went our various ways. Home at 3 and only 30 miles.

As Wednesday is Redhill, this was Irene's final ride after 20+ years' regular attendance. We wish her well; with everything crossed the King's Lynn move should be this coming Friday.  

Tony Is Unwell

Unless he makes an miraculous recovery, he won't be leading tomorrow(18/02). As some will know, I made a quick recce yesterday - less than 30 miles door-to-door so if you want to build up your mileage, there'll be plenty of time before 11s and/or after tea.

11s and lunch are unchanged. On the way back we'll be passing Squires Long Ditton (where I'm hoping to leave you) but note: it's less than six miles from lunch. Roads and bumpy tarmac so you shouldn't get too muddy.  

Sunday, 11 February 2018

The Cheam and Morden New Year Lunch

 Our warmest appreciation to the man who made it happen, Steve, showing what he is made of, while the lady behind the throne, Ann, entertains the guests.

 The two Tadworth Fat Boys, Pete Beyer and Pete Foster plus Terry, sunning themselves beside an ice-free Walton pond, before being swept up and away by Steve's North Cheam peloton.

 A select elevenses chez Ann and Steve, with tea, coffee and amuse-bouches, followed by:

a mind-numbing selection of highly spiritual and therapeutic beverages, concocted by Ann from a portfolio of arcane recipes, in her secret distillery. Warmly fortified, the flock set off for the Angel. Tony has ably illustrated the whole congregation at table.

 

Putting it all together.

More from the Annual lunch

It would be nice to see more of these members on Sunday rides.

Very well attended annual lunch

A big thank you to Steve for organising.

Tucking in to the C&M annual lunch

Sunday 11/02/18 Ride Details

Message from Steve

Sunday’s ride will be a short ride starting from North Cheam A24/A2043 Crossroads at 9. Alternative pick-up at the pond on Walton-on-the-hill about 10.15, getting to 52 Whitehorse Drive at 11.

The lunch at The Angel Thames Ditton is booked to be served at 1.15.

Ed's ride to the Bear Maidenhead

A very cold day to be on the bike but none the less a good group gathered at Squires Upper Haliford.

Dave cycled to 11's only as he has had a touch of the flu (takes a lot to keep Dave off the bike), Bob, Irene, Pam, Graham were enjoying a warming beverage when I arrived. Soon followed by Vic, Ed, Liz, Gill and Ray.

Leaving 11's we noticed Alan's bike, he had only just arrived having gone to Bourne Valley GC by mistake, oops.

So off to lunch were Ed, Pam, Liz, Gill, Irene, Graham, Vic and me. As usual in a Wetherspoons food was soon being consumed and warming us through.

A quick group photo outside and off back via the Jubilee river to Datchet and past Liquid leisure with the group turning right for Wraysbury and me heading towards Horton and home. At Poyle the rain started but was only a very light shower, so home in the daylight and dry, 53 very cold but sometimes sunny miles.

Thank all for a very pleasant but cold day on the bike and many thanks to Ed for leading.

Sunday the 4th of Feb

This Sunday, the 4th, Ed is leading and the lunch venue has changed to the Bear at Maidenhead, 11's is still Squires at Upper Haliford.

Tony..

Sunday January 28th

Unfortunately David W is unwell (hope you are better soon, D) and unable to lead to Skimmington Castle. Both they and the revived/refurbished Fox Revived were fully booked and couldn't serve us until 1800 so I opted to go to The Plough, Leigh for a 1230 lunch.

For 11s only at Polesden Lacey were Irene, Pam, Graham, Brian and Richard. Ian and Penny, Lilian, Vic, Jeff and Ed followed me down Bagden Hill, passing another entrance to PL and Tanners Hatch where there used to be a sign 'Beware Adders'. The sign disappeared years ago - perhaps the adders couldn't multiply ? After tunnelling under the A24 we used the cycle path then Pixham Lane and briefly the A25 before turning off to Brockham. To meet our deadline the most direct route - Wheelers Lane, Wellhouse Lane, Snowerhill Road and Tapner's Road was required and we were soon sitting comfortably in The Plough. As usual the food was very good (they do sandwiches on Sundays) and whilst waiting Vic fascinated us with tales of his working life experiences. After a quick drink Jeff left to participate in the avian census.

After lunch I chose a slightly roundabout route to Dorking whilst Vic, with the longest journey home, opted for a direct route. Lilian, Ed and I stopped in Dorking for refreshments at Gorgeous Gertie's (wonderful beetroot and chocolate cake), I rode home and hopefully L and E arrived home before it was really dark.

Thanks to  all for company also the Clerk of the Weather for a dry day.

Terry

T H I S S U N D A Y S R I D E

Dave ward has been in touch and is very unwell so will not be leading this Sunday. I suggest we meet at 11's as planned and decide on an alternative ride. Dave has not booked the pub. Anyone with an alternative route to hand please step forward.

Please pass on to anyone relevant.

Tony..

Iran cycle tour October 2017

Here are a few photos from my cycle tour with Spiceroads in Iran. We started in Shiraz and cycled north to Tehran via Isfahan. Unfortunately, due to illness I didn't do much cycling.

Persepolis

                                                                        Persepolis

HALLIFORD - WOODSIDE - SHEPPERTON

The ride that didn't  happen due to the heavy rain mixed with snow and hail.   Nevertheless - there was a few of us at Squires, Tony, Alan, Dave and Bill.  I really wasn't sure about going but I was encouraged to go to Squires when I knew that Tony, at least one other from our group would be there.   And when has Dave not made it to an elevenses??  Bill and Alan were already there when I arrived, in fact, they were all there before me.  We chatted, drank coffee, ate buns and shortbread - all before Richard joined us!    

After a while, we said goodbye and left,  homeward bound.  Thanks all, I'm really pleased I made the effort, Pam :) :)   

14 January 2018

About 15 gathered at Leatherhead Wetherspoons for a convivial elevenses on yet another rather gloomy morning.  Only half set off towards lunch at The Wellhouse on a short but rather hilly route via Headley Court and Walton-on-the-Hill.   With our lunch destination literally in sight I gave the tantalising option of a right turn and a detour to 'enjoy' some more climbs in the delightful lanes of Mugswell, Upper Gatton and Chipstead before lunch, and to their credit, Graham, Mike, Terry and Lillian were game enough to join me in this folly!   We were eventually rewarded by a brilliant descent of White Hill to reunite us with the others at the pub, and Mike Morley then joined us too.   Lunch service was pretty good really, given that the pub gradually became very full, and the menu seemed to offer something for everyone, an increasingly rare thing on a Sunday!   We left the pub (and Graham nursing a puncture) shortly before 2.00 pm, and riders gradually peeled off en route leaving four of us by Tattenham Corner and just me by Horton Park!    A good effort all round for this time of year with over 700 metres of climbing so well done all and thanks for your company!

Sunday January 7 2018

Aided by a brisk and chilly northeaster and on roads thick with cyclists I was an early arrival at Addlestone's Golden Cafe. Soon there were a baker's dozen though five (Bill, Bob, Caroline, Joe and Stephanie) would go no further.

Within 100 yards of our start the Xmas Eve newcomers (Ian and Penny) were fortunate to join making ten. Liberty Lane took us over the M25 and past the Bourne Valley to Woodham Lock. Pyrfords Green and Village came next and I stretched by turning right at The Seven Stars to Send Marsh. Three more rights after The Jovial Sailor brought us to Sussex Farm and that bouncy concrete road to Jury Farm. The final climb up Ripley Lane split the bunch but the leaders reached The William IV by 1230.

We sat cramped round the table prepared for 6 to 8 with the diners outscored the soupers 6 to 4.There was much discussion: Where next? The concensus was home so just three continued to Ockham and Martyr's Green. My final companions departed at Chilbrook Lane and I was left to struggle on occasionally at sub ten speed!

Home just after three and 45 miles door to door. We'd been lucky with temperatures above zero all day and in bright sun so the copious run-off had presented no real problems.

At lunch : Graham Brian Ed Irene Lillian Pam Terry Vic Ian and Penny

John Mason's funeral

John’s daughter, June Wolf, has been in touch with Terry today to provide these details for John's funeral:

His funeral will take place at Clandon Wood Burial Ground and Nature Reserve, Epsom Road, West Clandon, GU4 7FN on Friday, 12th January at 12 o’clock.

We are warmly invited to join his family for refreshments at The Queens Head, The Street, East Clandon, GU4 7RY.

For any donations in memory of John she suggests:
       https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/info/20014/make-a-donation

~ Tim

Post-Christmas Lunch Sunday, 11 Feb 2018

A 2-course Sunday lunch organized by CTC CHEAM AND MORDEN in a private function room at The Angel Inn, Thames Ditton KT7 0AU.

Cost £11.50 for two courses - Main course Sunday roast with vegetables (or vegetarian option), plus dessert.

All are welcome. Pre-booking is essential.

For further details contact Steve Gordon, Ann Bath or Pam Jones