A long, short ride to Hanwell - 30 October

The Fox at Hanwell

Twickenham to Hanwell is a piffling four miles as the crow flies.   But - as the Graham rides: that's a completely different proposition.  Graham was unfortunately unable to lead today's ride but he kindly sent us his route, and since David had led last Sunday and last Wednesday, it seemed only fair that I offered to lead.  How difficult could it be for me, a local?

All was well at elevenses, where a healthy crowd of Bob, Mark, Diane, Tony, Pam, David W and David V, Ray and myself indulged in an unhealthy amount of unlimited coffee, before eight departed, leaving Bob to make his own way.

I think it's through here ...

And then through there ...

Graham's route promised walking over two London bridges, and the first of these was Teddington Lock, on the way to Ham gate of Richmond Park.   But Graham's ingenious and, it has to be said, adventurous route caught me out half a dozen times in about half a mile, as we twisted and turned over muddy bridleways and lumpy rabbit tracks in Ham Common.   Sighs of relief were breathed when we emerged back onto tarmac.  In Richmond Park we were held up by a large herd of deer stag-ing a sit-in on the cycle path for a while, but eventually they decided to move on.  After crossing Richmond park, the second river crossing was Hammersmith bridge, (where Dave V left us); route-finding a bit more straightforward but still requiring plenty of concentration along the back streets of Chiswick, Acton and Ealing.

Oh, deer!

We reached The Fox at Hanwell a bit after 1.30pm.  It was extremely busy, and we fretted over whether we would finish our meals by nightfall, but the service was excellent and we were away by around 2.15pm, a relatively (for Graham) straightforward route south through the highlights of Osterley Park and Mogden sewage works.    

I narrowly escaped being put in here at lunchtime
for my poor route-following.

By 3.30 we were saying goodbyes to Pam and Ray (Dave W having departed at lunch time), and the remaining four went into Squires Garden Centre, Fulwell for tea.   Three of us ordered scones with our tea, but Tony, to be different, ordered a six-foot Christmas tree, which had the waitress a bit bemused.   After a dry ride, I think it rained just as we were having tea, so I hope you got home OK and not too wet, Pam and Ray.

Thank you to Graham for his enjoyable and, at times, very exciting route.  I'm doubly sorry that you weren't able to join us - now I know how much work you have to put into leading one of your lovely intricate rides I will appreciate them even more in future!   Thanks also to David W and Tony for back marking, and to all for your forbearance with the various missed turns, sense of humour, and great company as always.

Sunday 30 October 2022

After an extra hour in bed Sunday's ride is as appears in the newsletter and elsewhere, that is, Spoons Twickenham to Fox Hanwell. A notional teastop is Squires Fulwell after 25 miles but some might wish to continue to say Bushy Park. Sunset is around quarter to five.

We'll be crossing two London bridges on foot. The only lengthy offroad is along the Canal to Norwood Green.

Expect to be in bed with flu or cold. Feeling miserable. Next update: probably Sunday am

Still coughing so I've emailed my route to Dave if he wants to use it

Ride Report - Sunday 22 October 2022

It was the wettest start to a Sunday morning for many months and only a hardy few (Simon, Graham and I) met for elevenses at The Watchman, New Malden.   Fortunately, the forecasts were right for once, and by about 11.00 am the sky looked markedly brighter and the rain started to ease off, so we decided to proceed with the planned ride to Canada Water.

My route was a little quirky and took in such unusual sights as the Wombles' bench outside AFC Wimbledon and the other Albert Square, before we began an unofficial attempt on the record for passing under railway arches in south London!

It was considerably brighter by the time (1.00 pm) we eventually reached Decathlon, Canada Water.  Bikes were safely stowed in the bike park inside the store.   It was important to do things in the right order here - by doing our shopping first we obtained till receipts to get a 10% discount in the upstairs cafe.   The cafe, like my route, was a little bit quirky, but the food and drink were fine.   The problem was with the loud music blasting from a fitness class next door!   Eventually it stopped but it wasn't a comfortable experience while it lasted!

Eventually, we made our way back the short distance, under sunlit skies, to Waterloo station where carriages awaited us!  I am rather glad I decided not to ride the whole way home as I hadn't been indoors long when the skies blackened over again and torrential rain resumed!

Thanks to Simon and Graham for their company and for loyally turning out on such an unpleasant morning, and to Simon for the photos!

Plans for Sunday 23 October 2022

This Sunday's ride will begin from Wetherspoons (The Watchman), Fountain Roundabout, New Malden.  You may remember that it was scheduled for earlier in the month but had to be postponed because of rail strikes.

The lunch stop is the Lodge Cafe, Decathlon, Canada Water.   The route to lunch (about 13 miles) is an interesting and surprising cross section of south London, pretty much all on cycle paths of one sort or another, and takes in such magnificent sites as the Wombles' bench and Albert Square (no, not that one)!

Posters in Decathlon say that a till receipt will get you a 10% discount in the cafe so it may be worth doing your shopping first (after checking the small print), but remember that Decathlon only take card payments.   There is limited cycle parking inside the store, but a goodish lock is still advised!   Toilets in the basement.

After lunch the route  https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/134333128 takes us on three more miles of quiet roads and cycle paths to Waterloo station, where carriages will await us, although it continues another eight or nine miles to Richmond Park for those who wish to cycle home.

Autumn ride to Bagshot - 16 October

In these difficult times, it is good to know that at least two things are in abundant supply.   One of these is acorns.   It's been a good year for acorns.   We know this because the roads are peppered, nay, piled high with them in some places.

Full inside

And two more outside

We started the day with an excellent turnout at Addlestone's Golden Cafe, which was standing room only by the time we were ready to leave.  Several were only out for elevenses, having heard that David W had been called for duty elsewhere, perhaps helping talks at Chequers?   But a hardy four companions set out along the acorn-infested roads.   We rode a panoramic tour of the autumn colours of Foxhills, Stonehills, and Coxhill Green (strangely all fairly flat), before the day's highlight, the ford at Pennypot.   None were brave enough to risk it, although we did establish that the water was less than a foot deep.

Where was David W when we needed him?
(Photo: Pam)

The ever-changing menu at the Kings Head gave us new choices and we were served promptly, just warm enough to sit outdoors.   Tony suspected his coffee was made with acorns, in a development which could have been a Green initiative, or simply cost-saving.  After lunch we were entertained by riding past the large mansions in upper Windlesham and Sunninghill, passing Hatton Hill, Benjamin's Mount and Mount Pleasant on the way to Windsor Great Park.   Despite all this, the hill-o-meter was still registering "mildly hilly" and never even reached "undulating", until we reached Breakheart Hill on the way to the Guards Polo club.

Breakheart Hill

Reaching the summit (Photo: Tony)

The other thing that is abundant at this time of year is U-turns.  Unfortunately I contributed to the surplus as I whizzed down a lovely hill towards Wick Gate, not where we wanted to be at all.  I suggested a dodgy looking path through the trees to the loyal followers.   Pam even confirmed that she had full confidence in the leader, so I knew I was in trouble.   But after a bit of fairly mild off-road, bumping across a field of grass, a bridge and a track, culminating in a sign saying "No Cycles" pointing to where we had just come from, we emerged on the broad sunlit tarmac uplands of the path round Virginia Water lake.   It was swarming with people.   And acorns.   But we managed to find our way to the exit, and without further drama, made our way via St Ann's Hill to Nauticalia at Shepperton, whereupon a lively and enjoyable discussion sprang up, covering such diverse topics such as the culinary uses of quinces, and a multitude of ways to prepare porridge.

It's a pleasure to be part of such a sociable and fun group of riders.   Thank you to all who came along.

Ride plans for Sunday 16 October

In line with the re-jigged rides list for October, elevenses will be at the Golden Cafe, Addlestone, with a delightful fifteen mile ride to lunch at The Kings Arms, Bagshot.   Tea at Shepperton.  The official weather forecast is "Nice with a few autumn colours".  I hope you can join us.

Ride Report - Sunday 9 October 2022

 

Steve D, Diane, Tony H, Graham, Pam, Robert, Terry, Maureen and Ed joined me for elevenses at The Queen Stage, Effingham   Their peak trade on Sundays seems to be between 10.00 am and 10.30 am with a large queue forming then, but it was much quieter immediately before and after this period.   It was a cold but sunny start and far too cold to sit outside in my reckoning, but the constant passing of other customers between the two outside areas meant it wasn't much warmer inside in the otherwise comfortable area we occupied!

All except Maureen and Ed joined the ride to Woking.   We meandered about a bit, and there were a few cycle paths, but, for a change, virtually nothing we rode on was unsurfaced!    After pausing to admire some of the rather frightening sculptures of looming figures in Woking town centre we proceeded to Wetherspoons, a very apt place for Robert to enjoy his final lunch with us before his return to Canada.    We hope to see him again in next spring.

By the time we left lunch it had warmed up considerably and we our short, bog standard ride to Walton Bridge was punctuated by frequent stops for successive items of outer clothing to be removed.   Enjoy it while you can.

In summary, a fairly unexceptional sort of ride (none the worse for that) on a pleasant day.   Thanks all for your company.

Ride Report - Sunday 2 October 2022

A wet start did not deter Simon, Tony, Pam, Graham, Robert and I from meeting at Morrison's, Weybridge.   Morrison's is good providing you allow enough time to negotiate the rather long queue which can develop for coffee and food!   So it was that some of us set off for Windsor with thirsts slaked and on full stomachs,  others not!

By the time we were on the road it had stopped raining and even showed signs of brightening up.   We took a slightly quirky route to Egham where my plan for us to climb Prune Hill was foiled by closure of the level crossing.   Curses!   Even worse, other level crossing closures  in the area were causing traffic to back up in Egham town centre!  Birthday Girl Pam came to the rescue and led us adroitly through a car park and a warren of back streets to bring us out near the bottom of Middle Hill, which today had to stand in for Prune Hill.  After gliding down Crimp Hill, our route into Windsor took us along the path of the Queen's funeral cortege, at least as far as the Long Walk.   Crowds were out in force in Windsor but we easily found a table in the haven which is the courtyard seating behind the Cinnamon Cafe, where things were as excellent as ever!

Dehydration and malnutrition staved off, we headed via Datchet, Staines and Laleham for tea at Shepperton Lock.

Many thanks to all for your company, and to Simon for back-marking, and many happy returns to Pam!   I must say that going out on one of my rides would not be my idea of a birthday treat!

CHANGE TO PROGRAMME FOR SUNDAY 2 OCTOBER 2022

Sincere apologies for yet another short notice change but in view of a rail strike the day before, the rearranged London Marathon and planned climate change protests (!!!), our ride to Bermondsey on Sunday 2 October has been postponed until 23 October.

The ride on Sunday 2 October will now start from Morrisons, Weybridge and head to lunch in Windsor, either at the Cinnamon Cafe, or The Windelsora as preferred.

Apologies once again!

Ordanary Racing

 The Last Race

A Grand Day out

 Hillingdon Track  Ordanary Racing

Well, what a turnout, 15 met at the Peasantry in Bushey park for the ride to Hillingdon cycle track to watch the Ordinary (Penny Farthing) cycle racing. It's not a great distance and the route I took was predominantly off-road, to avoid the traffic. Off-road is obviously slower but a more pleasant ride.

The lunch stop was at The Botwell Inn, a Wetherspoon pub in Hayes town, only 1.2 miles from the track. It was warm enough to sit outside and we were soon tucking into our vittals. We left the pub in good time and got to the track where racing had started early. It was great to see such machines in action and going at a great speed around the track.

The event was organised by the Pickwick Bicycle Club, the oldest cycle club in the world, based in East London. Nearly 2 hours were spent watching the racing and admiring the machines and chatting to the owners. One chap even travelled with his bike from Germany!

The route back was shorter and still involved some off-road. No tea stop was required and at Fulwell the group started to disperse. A great group and a grand day's ride and a rare opportunity to witness such an event. Thank you all for joining me, and thanks to Simon for back marking.

Tony.

 

 

Sunday the 25th

A ride to Hillingdon cycle track to watch the Penny Farthing racing.

11's at the Pheasantry,  Bushey park.

Lunch will be at Wetherspoons,Hayes, about 1 mile from the track. We will need to leave lunch no later than 1.45

The racing starts at 2.0pm

Tea TBD

Its a not a long ride to lunch with some good off road.

Tony..

Norwesters take a different route

Sunday the 18th of September

The Old Moat at Epsom was the 11's for this Sunday's ride. I arrived with Pam to find a crowd already partaking of various fare.

The lunch destination was the Sportsman at Mogador. Ed, Maureen, Pam and I decided to forego the pleasures of Chalk Lane and head to Charlton and the Harrow pub for lunch. We headed to Esher via Claygate, Molesey and over Walton bridge, the edge of Shepperton and onto lunch. Prior, the landlady welcomed us and even greeted me by name, she remembered me having taken the b's there earlier this year.

Lunch was good and soon served. As usual plenty of banter, then alas time to go, no one opted for a tea stop, Pam headed West, while Ed, Maureen and I headed East and along some nice off-road cycle paths, we parted company at Hampton. As the coffee machine at the Harrow was out of order I headed into Hampton Hill for a coffee at the Black Olive, my usual breakfast restaurant, for my afternoon tea stop, Being a regular, today my coffee was free, nice end to the day.

 Tony..

 

Up, Up and Away to Mogador - 18 Sept

Was it the first chilly Sunday of autumn?   Long sleeves for all eleven at elevenses at the Old Moat, Epsom.  It was warm enough to linger outdoors and chat, before six of us took off for Mogador, leaving Bob, Maureen, Pam, Tony and Ed to hold the fort (or was it the moat?).

I had struggled to find a flat route to our lunch destination at The Sportsman, Mogador, because it's on the North Downs, so a hill was required.   After a loop-the-loop around Epsom we climbed steadily and then rather sharply to Walton on the Hill.   After admiring the pond, which still has a little water in it, we crossed the golf course by a route less favoured by Diane due to plentiful roots and stones, and arrived in one piece at the pub.

Pic courtesy of Dave Ellis

Brian had to be home by lunchtime but luckily we were early, so he had time for a pint (don't tell his wife) before setting off homewards.  The menu at The Sportsman was a bit tricky having many expensive options. but luckily they had Scotch Eggs and a few other side dishes, and the hut was serving bacon butties, so I think we all found something suitable.

After lunch, we went to admire the view from Colley Hill before returning across the golf course, on the more favoured route, with a few large puddles covering the whole track, forcing us to ride on the hallowed turf of the golf course.   Up to Box Hill, because it was there, and then down to Leatherhead for tea.   A nice day out in good company - thank you all.

I met Ed on my way home, who told me that he, Maureen, Pam and Tony had gone on an alternative ride to Charlton village, so there were two C&M rides today.  Impressive!

Sunday September 11 2001

21 years ago will stay with me forever. I was headed for Sleeperzzz hostel Rogart, final training for an unscheduled Across America ride part II (5 days). With new password and plane tickets, days later I flew to SF with a choice of 27 seats. Greyhound and 100 miles of desert road brought me back to Eureka NV where part I had ended abruptly in June. 

2022 was rather less memorable. Early morning mist had largely dispersed as I headed for Lammas Park Staines where Bob was seated. Two became four with the arrival of Pam and Canadian Robert then six (Gemma and t'other Dave). 

Traffic was heavy on the Wraysbury road until we continued past the station and into Horton. The Colnbrook A4 roundabout "improvements" saw us weaving carefully through a stationary mass of motorists. With no recce NCN61 was joined close to Langley station. Langley Country Park led us to the dual A412, never pleasant but down and across got us to Black Park. Flooded Chapel Lane provided a brief "we've never been here before" moment. The B416 was busy so we used the parallel Duffield Lane to reach the Fox And Pheasant from the west. Though warm my roast was probably cooked well in advance!

The return was all too familiar : Fulmer, Genevieve ford (flooded), Pinewood, Iver, Old Slade Road. The eastern A4 queue stretched beyond the incinerator and so more weaving were needed to enter Colnbrook down Mill Street. Junction 14 was noisy with regular visitors, some sporting helmet liners! We went various ways in Ashford. 50+ miles door to door - a fine day for cycling.

PS Be sure to carry a machete if going via Moor Lane

Sunday September 11 2022 Change of 11s

I'm not expecting a large crowd so I'm moving next Sunday's 11s to Lammas Park Staines, a more manageable mileage (13 rather than 18) for me.

Happy to start outside TK-Max on Kingston bridge at 0930 - please email if interested.

Lunch unchanged but we'll pass Langley and Black parks, both of which have cafes. Notionally tea could be Notcutts Staines.

Changes to our September/October Programme

Please note changes to to the programme.   The online rides list has been updated and supersedes the printed version.

25/09/22 - Ride changed to meet at The Pheasantry, Bushy Park for elevenses.  Destination will be  'ordinary' racing event organised by the Pickwick Club at Hillingdon Arena.

9/10/22 - Ride will now meet at The Queen Stage, Effingham with lunch at The Herbert Wells, Woking.

16/10/22 - Ride will now meet at The Golden Cafe, Addlestone, not Heather Farm, Horsell, other details unchanged.

Ride Report - Sunday 04/09/22 (Stoke d'Abernon and Epsom)

 

Bob, Diane, Simon, Mark, Tony, Terry, Ed, Maureen, Graham, Geoff and I met for elevenses at Squires, Stoke d'Abernon.

Maureen made her own way home from there but the rest of us continued to lunch at Epsom.   The route I had planned took us across Bookham Common, then Ashtead Common passing The Wells.   Diane kindly offered to navigate us on a different route into Epsom via the Stew Pond and Stamford Green and displayed a natural talent for leading!

After lunch at The Assembly Rooms we went our separate ways home.   Thanks to all for your company, to Simon for back-marking, and to Diane for navigational assistance!

Along The Wey

An unhealthy six took the train to Guildford 'Spoons where Dave was waiting. Plan A would have taken us along the Wey to the Cranleigh Line / Wey South Path / Downslink but was scuppered by a towpath closed near Guildford and a fallen tree. So Plan B took us up and over the A3100 to Peasmarsh.

 After a quick halt to admire the aforementioned fallen tree we joined the Downslink. Bramley and Wonersh station saw us heading to Thorncombe Street and beyond passing now three horse sculptures. After the A281 briefly came Run Common Road where the boring badgers and great crested newts are gone. We now sought out the Farley road so as to enter Shamley Green from the northeast. Dave departed on a mercy mission to water his potatoes  (or similar). After only 12 miles lunch was early with the already arrived Terry tucking in outside the Red Lion.

At Norley Common Pam and Terry were dispatched along the main road whilst I led the remnants on a pointless straight up (to Blackheath) and straight down (to Wonersh). Shalford was bypassed using the level crossing. In Guildford I offered to shepherd the diminished flock along the A3 path to Ripley and Pinnocks for tea. With several newbies in tow it was time to introduce them to Muddy Lane where the signpost was nowhere to been seen - do I have the only photographic evidence that it existed?  Three became one at Lower Marsh Lane and 10 minutes later I was home. Almost 50 miles door to door.

Restoring WhatsApp on a tablet(!) seems to have fixed my Windows 10 PC problem!!

 

28/08/22 Train Assist Change of 11s

 I'll be travelling on the 27th and 29th so

next Sunday's 11s will be The Rodboro Buildings (aka Wetherspoons) Guildford.  Shamley Green is the intended target for lunch; under 30 miles returning through Guildford (where I'll likely catch the train).