25/07/21 and 01/08/21 Provisional Dates

Before Boris changes his mind... These two dates are empty. I propose:

25/07 Winchfield - Hartley Wintney - Silchester-Hatch or Odiham - Winchfield

The distance is 35 to 40 miles and the route anticlockwise to confuse anyone who rode last year. And no Devil's Highway = no mud! The high point is still close to the Greywell tunnel but I'm omitting the canal so we can visit Odiham. 

The outward train is hourly and semi-fast: CJ, Wimbledon, Surbiton(0930), Woking. If coming by train, buy a return  to Hook(we'll leave the train one stop early). Fleet is an alternate finish as its Sunday pm service is half-hourly but around 4 or 5 more miles.

No doubt Dave will cycle from home say 25+ miles  

01/08 AGM

Our last AGM was Oct 19. Since then the CUK accounting year has been moved from Oct-Sep to Apr-Mar in line with HMRC. So this year's AGM should have been in Apr or May 2021 but Rule Of Six ruled that out until now. 

I'll stage it if I don't get a better offer but you may find yourselves eating, drinking, and sitting on the floor! 

For 11s somewhere like The Old Moat followed by a roundabout route to North Kingston. 

Ride report - Sunday 4 July 2021

 

Very heavy rain until about 9.00 am would have deterred many from setting off on their bikes, but Graham, Pam, Ray, Lilian, Ed, Tony and I met at Walton Bridge despite the rather unsettled weather and with the threat of more showers looming.   The idea was to reattempt last year's ride to The White Horse at Longford, in the process, pretty much completing a ride almost right around Heathrow.

As the weather was much better when we did the same ride last year, it was never going to be quite as enjoyable this time, but we were still favoured with pleasant, warm sunshine at the pub, and the service and food remained as good as before.   We did notice was that there were far more planes taking off from Heathrow than last year (some passing very low above us).

On the way home we couldn't even manage a view of the outside of the medieval long barn at Harmondsworth (last year we had a guided tour of the inside).   The wind had also strengthened and made hard work of the ride as we turned south round the airport.    I left the main group at Snakey Lane where they were heading for tea.   Thanks all for your company and to Tony for guiding us around the nooks and crannies of Harmondsworth.

A Possible Ride To The Coast (or FNRTTC Revisited) (or Not?)

Please declare an interest by contacting either me or Dave (preferably email).

Longtime SWL members will remember the FNRTTC rides organized by Simon Legg; some may still have the official uniform.

Provided there's interest and subject to successful recce(s), C&M may stage a 2021 replica. Like its inspiration it would be one way trip returning by train. It's based on a well used FNRTTC route but it would not start under the Wellington Arch (Hyde Park Corner) at midnight Friday! So we'll call it SDRTTC (Sunday Day Ride To The Coast). The following are merely suggestions.

Weather will be the defining factor. Leatherhead to Felpham or Climping would be around 50 miles. You can join or leave where ever you like (hopefully by prior arrangement).  A likely route might be: Dorking, Rusper, Horsham, Coolham, West Chiltington, Amberley, Arundel.

Horsham (20 miles), Amberley (38 miles) and Arundel have refreshments and an hourly rail service back to the Smoke if it gets all too much. This may apply to the leader! Bognor and Littlehampton have rail links, but inland towns like Barnham may have a better service. Regular fares are £20+; advanced tickets are cheap (around a fiver)  but so far I've not found any!

Waiting for the roadies in Arundel

 

Finally this is not a route for panniers, MTBs, trikes, tandems, ordinaries nor probably skateboards, e-bikes/e-scooters. Discarding mudguards is optional. 

UPDATE

Yesterday's recce started from Horsham. The four stiles between North and South Stoke are now (tight) kissing gates. Four rather than two hands are now almost essential!  And the route is much overgrown and muddy (last week's rain?). A ride would likely stop at Amberley just as it did 15 to 20 years ago on the C&M "nearly 100" rides.  

On my next recce I'll try Broadbridge Heath (garden centre), Barnes Green,  etc

Sunday June 27 2021

Ageing legs decreed this should be a short train assisted ride; only Bob agreed. I trained as far as Woking and arrived to find Bob, Dave, Mark, Simon, Terry in Guildford Wetherspoons. Ed and Lillian turned up just as we were leaving.

We turned off NCN22 at the waterworks and headed into Shalford. For the last few weeks southwest Surrey has seen a plethora of road closed and diversion signs, traffic jams and busier than usual side roads. The principal culprit (A281) had re-opened (weekends only?) so it was back to normal between Thorncombe Street and the Wintershall turn - a single car. And spotting two relatives of the Oxshott A3 horse's head was that much easier.

I had in mind Run Common Road which has been closed since March 2020. Don't badgers know they shouldn't build setts under roads? But the clock had ticked past 1230 so I took an undemocratic decision - an offroad shortcut. We turned south onto the A281 at Birtley Green and fifty yards later east through Rooks Hill Farm. It was mostly downhill (gravel, bumpy grassland, bridge (with step) and mud (but not enough for a sunbathing pig). Of the Wey and Arun canal the only trace is an information board!

One mile later we were in Shamley Green facing a road closed sign (so Run Common might not have been a good option). The Red Lion was fully booked inside but no booking needed outdoor. Child's portions available regardless of age suited us fine!

Dave left us here to dig his potatoes (or whatever he does). The start of cricket on the green prompted us to depart via Norley Common back to the B2128. Another road closed sign was ignored but eased the undulations to Blackheath where we descended past Barnett Hill. Terry was bound for Albury and points east leaving three to cross over to East Shalford rejoining the outward route at the waterworks.

 Around 20 from Guildford. Dull but no significant rain before nightfall.

More On Sunday's Ride

Tomorrow's ride is short for a variety of reasons. 

MetOffice says light rain in the morning, heavy from early afternoon whereas for Kingston  heavy starts late afternoon. So we might be lucky!

Some (like me) will entrain. From Surbiton there's a cluster of trains (0930 Woking only, 0932 and 0936 Guildford). If fine, I'll catch the last of these to Woking else Guildford, the next stop.
If you miss all of these, the next train is 1005.

The A281 (Guildford-Horsham) is closed at Bramley. Alternatives such as the Shamley Green road (B2128) are busier than normal, and some are single track. Further south the turnoff into Run Common Road has been closed for the last 18 months as it crosses a collapsed badger sett and is near a colony of great crested newts, a protected species. Footpaths do parallel the road but they may be out of bounds even to cyclists! There's a direct route to lunch (small amount of mud)  just short of the turnoff. I'll let the weather decide which route we take.

NB currently Downslink is for mudlovers only where not part of NCN22.

I haven't planned a tea stop but West Byfleet would suit me fine. 

Plans for Sunday 27 June 2021

In  a change from the published programme, our ride on Sunday 27 June will now start from Guildford (optional train assist to/from Guildford).    Elevenses will be at The Rodboro' Buildings (Wetherspoons) near the station .  There is plenty of outdoor seating round the back, and it would be best if we gathered there, weather permitting!  

From Guildford Graham will lead us by an unusual route to Shamley Green for lunch (choice of two pubs or bring your own sandwiches), then back to the station (a round trip of about 20 miles).

Ride Report - Sunday 20th June

 

Last week we expected a hot day, this week a damp day!   Fortunately for our group, it stayed dry although cool with the promise of rain, particularly after lunch.  I arrived at Wetherspoons in Staines just before eleven, where I joined Ray Wren outside and inside was Dave, Graham and Simon.  We were on our way well before eleven-thirty but we hadn't gone far when Graham had to return to the pub for his helmet.   We waited for a while before carrying on but pleased to say that Graham caught us up in Thorpe.

Our route to The Sun public house at Windlesham was on roads known to each of us, via Lyne and Chobham; returning via Burrowhill and Chertsey to Nauticalia, Shepperton for afternoon tea.   The staff at The Sun were very welcoming, with good service and food - just as it always was before Lockdown !!

Thank you chaps for a very enjoyable day

More Pictures from Sunday 13 June

 

Thanks everyone - some great photos here!

Reliving 13/06/21

 If you fell asleep thinking "I'd love to do that all over again", try this link

Norbury Park ride 13/06/21

reconstructed from memory

Ride Report - Sunday 13 June 2021

It promised to be the hottest day of the year so far.   The scheduled elevenses venue, Amici, opened late, so early arrivals decamped to the terrace of Wetherspoons, just up the road, to wrestle with the app in the shade!   Bob, Maureen and Richard went their own ways, leaving Simon, Pam, Lilian, Graham, Mark, Brian B, Terry, Ann, Dave S and me to set off on the official ride to lunch.   

It wasn't a promising start - the lovingly researched route to Norbury Park wouldn't transfer from my phone to my Garmin, so horror of horrors, I was obliged to resort to old-school technology (ie maps and asking other people the way)!    In the event it didn't turn out too badly.   We headed through the back roads of Fetcham to Little Bookham, then off road to emerge on tarmac near Polesden Lacey, before picking up tracks again towards Crabtree Cottages and Norbury Park.  We did make a few stops to check the route (thanks to all for your help with this), but managed to complete the route without taking a wrong turn (well, we ended up in the right place, anyway).   A lot of the tracks were new to me.   I think it is fair to say they were variable in quality.   There were a lot of long, easily rideable sections, but these were punctuated by other stretches which were either deeply-rutted, or full of big flints, or tree roots, or all of these!    True, there was very little mud, and I didn't actually have to get off my road bike and walk at any point, but this isn't a route I'd ever think of repeating between October and April!   We gained a lot of altitude without really noticing and at intervals had excellent, if hazy views in different directions, including the Wembley Arch!

Progress was slow, but at length we finally reached the Wild About Coffee stall at Norbury Park, our planned lunch stop.  Service of hot and cold drinks and a limited range of cakes was friendly and efficient, and there were plenty of seats in the shade and an easy-going atmosphere.

Navigation back home was much easier - we just headed downhill on the very attractive road passing Mickleham Abbey, and then on to Leatherhead where our ways started to diverge.

Many thanks to all for your company and for putting up with another of my quirky routes (!) and to Terry for back-marking.

Sunday 13 June - Minor Change to Elevenses Venue

Elevenses on 13 June will now be at Amici, High St Leatherhead, and not the nearby Edward Tylney as published.

Possible route for a ride to lunch at https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/63076635 but I know not everyone will be able to open this link

Sunday June 6 2021

I'd had a busy week with trips to Silchester and Kings Lynn and I'd forgotten the phone (backup map) so a KISS route it would have to be.

 I was second to arrive behind Dave who'd seen (actually written) the blog so knew the start was West Byfleet station not Bourne Valley. Others hadn't!

As darkening skies turned to rain Ann, Dave, Pam, Ray, Simon, Steve Terry, and the leader departed via the public toilets. Past Pyrford Green, Sends Marsh and Grove the A3 was reached with "Capes off" beside the Jacob's Well memorial.


The A320 was busy but not for long as we took the left turn onto Burdenshott Road and later Goose Rye Road to reach an equally unpleasant A322 at  Fox Corner. In Pirbright five headed for the White Hart whilst on the pond geese (Canada and Egyptian) and ducks (mallard) waited in vain for crumbs from the rest of us.  

Pam and Terry's views were sought for an off-road return to Fox Corner. After recent (Wednesday)  usage they were not keen so we returned the way we'd come. Worplesdon station lead on to Pile Hill, Jacobs Well and eventually Ripley where soaring temperatures forced a protracted stay in Pinnocks. Only 25 miles (and 55 door to door)

 
 

 

Change to Published Programme - Sunday 6 June

The elevenses meeting point on Sunday 6 June will now be at West Byfleet (by the station), instead of Woodham.    Cafes/coffee shops/toilets nearby.   Graham has kindly offered to lead the onward ride to Pirbright.

Sunday the 30th ride

Sunday the 30th of May: 11's will now be at the Golden grill, Ashford and lunch will be at  Burnham Beeches.

Golden Grill   Link.

Sunday 30 May - Note Change from Published Programme

The ride will now begin at the Golden Grill, Ashford, TW15 2PE and lunch will be at Burnham Beeches (leader - Tony Hopkins).

Ride Report - Sunday 23 May 2021

 

Rain threatened as we met (fortunately indoors) at Vineries Garden Centre, Effingham for the first time since September last year!   Bob and I were soon joined by Simon, Steve Duffin, Graham, Ed, Lilian, Terry and Pam, some of whom arrived just in time to dodge a heavy shower!   After the rain eased, Simon, Steve Graham, Pam and were the only ones who decided to brave the weather and continue to lunch at Horsell.    Once we had crossed Wisley Airfield, surprisingly unmuddy despite a wet month, our route bore a surprising resemblance to a recent Wednesday 'A' group ride led by Steve, so acknowledgements to him! 

The uncertain weather favoured a stop at a pub rather than a picnic, and The Crown proved a good choice.   Food is not served and, drinks purchased, the landlord gave us permission to eat our sandwiches in the pub garden where there was a large and dry marquee.

Everyone was keen to reach home quickly so we took a direct route.   Graham and Pam went their own ways leaving Simon, Steve and I the only ones stopping for tea at The Wilde Bunch.

Thanks to Simon for back-marking, Graham for navigating us across Wisley Airfield, and to everyone else for your company.

Windlesham 16 May

The forecast was awful - wall to wall heavy rain - but we were very, very lucky.  Contingency plans including a) do a ride b) ride direct to tea c) ride straight home were drawn up.   I fully expected elevenses at Staines to be quite a lonely affair but after a brief heavy shower, the sun shone and David, Pam, Ann, Graham, Steve Duffin and Ray plus myself formed up into two groups, intending to keep visual contact at a distance.   

Buttercups on the way to Staines

Sunny Staines

 After about a mile we were hit by a heavy shower.  Graham's group of optimists stopped to put on waterproofs, and my group of pessimists, already wearing waterproofs, waited at the next junction.  We never saw them again until lunch.   Our route was Virginia Water, Sunninghill and Longacres garden centre in Bagshot, where we intended to get lunch, but were greeted by DisneyWorld-size queues just to get into the place.   So instead we headed for the Memorial Field cafe in Windlesham, where we had the triple luxury of good food in the sunshine, seated at outdoor tables.   Graham's route involved Thorpe and Lyne, and I think Gracious Pond Road.

Queuing for the garden centre

Sunny Windlesham

Amazingly we had no further rain until teatime, heading back via Stonehills and Chertsey, where we passed Graham's group going in the opposite direction (in search of toilets I think).   We just reached the under cover tables at Nauticalia when the heavens opened again.   Ann had to leave and set off into the deluge, while we stayed chatting for over an hour.   Just as we decided we really had to go, it stopped raining, and I think we would all have had a dry ride home.

It was a pleasure to have everyone's company.   Thank you for the contribution of several people into planning today's ride (at embarrassingly short notice - my mistake) and to Graham for leading the second group.  About 26 miles from 11s to tea for my group.

Ride Report - Sun 9 May 2021

Simon, Terry, Pam, Tony, Lilian, Graham, Ray, Ann, Ed, newcomer Mark (back for his second ride) and I gathered for elevenses at Cobham in very pleasant sunshine.   For only about the second time this year it actually felt a bit warm, although a stiff breeze never let it get too hot.

All but Ed joined me for the ride to Guildford.   As ever, I was completely unprepared for the need for more than one group, but Simon very kindly offered to lead a second one and Graham assisted him.  I think it would be true to say the two groups took broadly similar routes to lunch, but not completely identical ones!  Although my group set off first, we kept rounding corners to find the second group patiently awaiting our arrival, yet they hadn't overtaken us.   They'd wait for us to pass, then later they'd be waiting for us again.  How did they do that?   Anyway, the route took in four long off-road sections amounting to several miles (Bookham Common, Orestan Lane to East Horsley, East to West Horsley railway  path, and the Ryde Farm estate road) before the more mundane approach to Guildford.

Lilian left us at Guildford, but the rest of us had lunch at Stoke Park.   The kiosk was popular and seemed to have something even for those who hadn't brought sandwiches (and I'm not just talking about the duck food either)!   

After lunch I persuaded Graham to pilot us out of Guildford along the national cycle route from the Spectrum leisure centre to Clay Lane, a path which passes through an interesting nature reserve with lakes and wetlands.   It is a very nice route and well worth a try, but parts of it must get very boggy in any normal winter, and I struggle to understand how it could provide any form of strategic transport link!  Anyway, that was our fifth off-road section of the ride!

After that it was then a straight road to Ripley for tea, where I left the others to enjoy the sunshine.   Many thanks to Graham and Simon for your help, and to everyone else for your company.

Plans for Sunday 9 May

Sunday's ride will be from Cobham to Stoke Park, Guildford, as published.   In view of the heavy rain forecast for Saturday I will change my planned route to omit some unsurfaced sections, but there will still be plenty of surfaced off-road.

Hot drinks and some hot food are available at the Stoke Park cafe but you can still bring sandwiches.  Tea will be at Ripley.

C&M ride 2nd of May

Sunday the 2nd of May. 11's is Cowey sale, depart from there at 11.00 on the dot. Lunch will be at Windsor, lots of options, Wetherspoons, Cinnamon cafe etc. Around 21 miles to lunch, with around 14 miles to tea at Shepperton lock, there is some off road and no real hills.