Ride Report - Sunday 30 June

 

Well, it wasn't exactly 'flaming June' this morning, rather unexpectedly cool, windy and damp!  But his did not deter Tony H, Simon, Niall, Dave and Jennie J, Pam, Liz, Brenda, Keith, Eric, Graham and Geoff from joining me at The Pheasantry for a hastily rearranged elevenses!

All chose to set off with me on the ride to lunch (taken al fresco, at the Botwell Inn, Hayes), and, as well as featuring a Wetherspoons lunch, today's ride followed the typical Cheam & Morden pattern with a sewage works, various narrow and gloomy footpaths, a rugby stadium, a stately home, a canal, an international airport, and a giant dog sculpture all thrown in for good measure!   How cliched!

Thanks for your company, everyone, and thanks for putting up with it all!   Special thanks to Geoff for back-marking all day, to the sun for putting in an appearance in the afternoon, and to the wind for helping blow us back to tea at Shepperton lock!

IMPORTANT - Changes to Ride on Sunday 30 June

The advertised ride from Morden Hall Park to Downe is postponed until July (date to be confirmed).

We will be meeting instead at The Pheasantry, Bushy Park and riding to lunch at The Vine, Uxbridge.

Please pass this information on to anyone without blog or WhatsApp access.

Thank you.

Sou'westers Avenue Verte to Paris - Day 1 Dieppe to Forges les Eaux

 Ten fully refreshed and enthusiastic Sou'westers (Tim and Pat, Paul and Maggie, Helen, Christina, Steph, Madelaine, Pinky and Lillian) rolled off the ferry on Monday afternoon into glorious sunshine with the French countryside waiting to embrace them.  The closure of the blue metal bridge into Dieppe town meant a crowd of passengers off the ferry were waiting to file through the footbridge.  Our destination that evening was Forges les Eaux so we bypassed the town and cut through the side streets to the beginning of the route as it was running alongside the railway out of town.   Very soon we were passing lakes, cows, allotments, fields of flax not yet in flower and views across pleasant countryside scenes.  We made good progress on the wonderful surface, stopping for regular drinks.  Just before Neufchatel (our hoped for tea stop) we stopped for photos and to admire the chateau at Mesenieres, a welcome rest off the saddle with jellybabies on offer.  At Neufchatel we knew we d be too late for the creperie on the route so we diverted into town and found a bar one side of the road and a bakery the other.  Christina managed to take advantage of both facilities buying beautiful quiches and then joining us for tea/Ruby leffe at the bar.  The back room was cool and the adjoining toilet provided amusement as the lock didn't quite catch.  Only a few miles to Forges les Eaux the route becoming more interesting as it wound round and through woodland as it approached this pretty little spa town.  It was 8 pm and we d cycled 34 miles. 

Quick showers and out to eat massive plates of food at the local kebab cafe where we sat outside nattering and watching swallows/swifts (Maddie knew and now I ve forgotten which ones).  Helen and I accompanied Lillian back to her accomodation where she showed us round a beautiful period town house with high railings and curved stone steps each side of the impressive front door.  We watched a few bats fluttering at speed then returned to our less impressive but equally welcoming hotel du Colvert for a good night's sleep.

Sunday 23rd June - Bagshot

When the draft Rides List came around, I opted for the Ripley elevenses as I know a few routes through the Surrey lanes to the East. And yet....for some unknown reason Bagshot was calling to me. And so I devised a route to take us out West, but avoiding busy roads, travelling along (actually slightly up) the Basingstoke Canal to Deepcut, then North to be the other side of the M3 and A30 London Road and coming into Bagshot from the West. The ride was deemed to be "very scenic and exciting" - hopefully in a good way! 

Ripley is a hike for most people, and with a few packing or leaving for the Dieppe to Paris tour it was lovely to see twelve out for elevenses - Daves V and W, Simon, Geoff, Terry, Liz, Carolyn, Ann, Andy, Graham, Niall and myself. Quite a queue had formed at Pinnock's to order, but the food and drinks came out quickly enough if they had got your name down right and by 11 o'clock we were ready to go. 

Behind the smiles some are already plotting their escape

Carolyn, Geoff and Dave V were unable to join the ride, so we were down to 9, heading through Send and Mayford to join the Basingstoke Canal at Lock 14, except for Dave W who peeled off (but it was great to have him back with us) and Graham who had a different route to lunch in mind. We continued along the quiet canal paths (apart from the occasional group of mountain bikers gleefully hurtling in the opposite direction) until we got to Lock 28, where we crossed back over and carried on through some new housing in Mindenhurst. That was the first off road stretch done with no mishap and no real complaints, so all was going well. Terry departed - but I noticed later he had nevertheless completed a round trip of some 54 miles! 

Primarily a tree photo with coincidental cyclists

 

Heading up The Maultway would have been a bit dull so we took on the second stretch of off-road - a wide dirt track beside the barbed wire fence of the Bisley and Pirbright Ranges - where we had an excellent view of London in the far distance. All survived despite my diving onto the exit path too early - some followed, some looked surprised, but still none complained.

In my attempt to avoid the A30 and reassured by how game the group were, I had everyone cycle through a lovely wooded area on the edge of Swinley Forest and down a steep track behind Pennyhill Park Hotel - lunch was almost in sight and the following slight descent into Bagshot on tarmac got us there exactly on time.

The Kings Arms is a Hungry Horse pub and was ok, it has a large menu, a large garden and large chips, but did seem a bit tired and sticky in places. 

  

Atten-tion!

After lunch the 7 of us followed a much more obvious and undulating route through Windlesham, Longcross and Lyne, discovering a new café on the way (but closed on Sundays) and coming into Chertsey after the final bit of apparently-not-so-easy-to-find off-road by The Bourne. A short hop from there and we were at The Ferry Café in Shepperton, where Tony had come out to have tea with us. 

With thanks to Andy for back-marking, to Andy and Simon for the photos and to everyone for bringing their adventurous selves.

 

This Sunday - 23rd June to Bagshot

This Sunday's ride will take us from Pinnock's in Ripley along quiet leafy lanes, towpaths, cycle paths and dirt tracks to lunch at The Kings Arms in Bagshot after some 18 miles. I promise you scenic canals, panoramic views and at least one picturesque church as we travel. There is approx.2 miles of canal path which becomes stony in the second half, and three 1 mile sections of off road, all passed by me as being cyclable (parallel roads do exist as an alternative if anyone has a strong aversion - but you'll miss the promised views)!    

After lunch we'll use the quieter roads through Windlesham, Longcross and Lyne to sneak up on Chertsey and thereafter to tea (or ice cream) at The Ferry Café in Shepperton - approx. 13.5 miles. 

The pub has asked for a booking so please PM me by Friday evening if you will be lunching. They are a Hungry Horse pub - no need to pre-order but you can check the menu here. There is also the option of a Co-op just opposite.

Approx. 31.5 miles in total - route is here (opens in Komoot).

Hope you can join me! 

Diane         

Sunday 16th June 2024

With Summer Solstice a few days away

A chill in the air, I was on my way

Old Clunker full inside

Outside I sat, looking forward to the ride

Simon appeared, then Brian & Terry

Eric was the last, our small group set off

Logmore beckoned, up it we rode

We split at the top, au revoir mes amis

Down Tanhurst, cautious we were

On through Surrey, scenery a blur

Into Sussex & the Apple Tree café

Sunny & warm, we'd reached halfway

My watch said two, it was time to go

Northwards we went, our trio in flow

Brockham was busy, Cubs pouring tea

A fine job they did, I think you'd agree

Spotted today in Weare Street

 

This Sunday the 9th of June

11's at Windsor farm shop, lunch at Hurley lock cafe or the Rising Sun Hurley. Tea, TBD

Sunday 2 June - all the hills and more

Ahhh!   Summer riding, at last.   The magic ingredient that our rides have been mostly missing for so long.  It was warm, it was sunny, it was dry, there were light winds.  It was wonderful.

Summer.  The view from Peaslake Road

I had planned a ride with quite a few hills, attempting to visit a lot of hills using gentle slopes to get to them.  The advance publicity may have put off some people but a decent number turned out for elevenses at a surprisingly empty Queen Stage in Effingham.   We were pleased to be joined by new (to us) rider Eric - welcome Eric!  Terry and Niall were just riding to elevenses, and Graham rode with us to the summit of Combe Lane before departing to do his own thing.   David W was unable to join us due to a cold - get well soon David.

The Queen Stage

I very kindly, and accidentally, took a short cut after Shere so we missed out a mile or two through Farley Green and Winterfold, but still did all the climbing up Houndhouse Lane to Pitch Hill as our second summit after Green Dene & Combe Lane.   Down Pitch Hill and across on the very beautiful Peaslake Road to a picnic lunch at Peaslake.   It was crammed with cyclists!   Mostly mountain bikers - they were overflowing the bus stop, they were on the verges, they were in the pub.   It was great to see.   We eventually found a shady and sunny place for lunch in the churchyard, satisfying everyone's requirements.   Peaslake stores was doing a brisk trade in pasties, cheese straws, sandwiches, drinks, everything a hungry cyclist could want for.

Peaslake

Picnic spot at Peaslake Church

After lunch there were only two hills before Dorking: Holmbury Hill and Leith Hill, so we conquered those along gentle and not-so-gentle climbs, but with beautiful dappled sunlight through the woods to distract us, before zooming down to Dorking.   Terry had imparted a vital piece of information at elevenses:  Ranmore Church is doing Sunday teas starting today, every week until the end of August.   But Ranmore Church is up a hill, as was my planned bonus hill - Box Hill.   We all had tired legs by this stage, so by a process which was part democracy and part pot luck, we ended up at Ranmore, for some lovely cake, and tea with free refills.   On a sunny day, there was no better place to be.

Bonus hill

Tea at Ranmore church

The cake menu

A very enjoyable day out in great company.  Thank you to all who came along, to Andy for back marking,  to Terry for vital cake-related intelligence, and to Keith and Andy for photos.

Plans for Sunday 2nd June - a Gentle Tour of the Hills

This Sunday's ride will be visiting the hills around Leith Hill along some lovely roads that are mostly fairly gentle, with a few short steep bits.   Nothing worse than a B group ride.

Lunch will be a picnic at Peaslake.   You can either bring your own, order a sandwich from the village stores a couple of days before, or take your chances on the day.   They will have a selection of sandwiches and pastries available, but to be sure, please email your order to me by first thing Thursday.  The village stores has a good variety of sandwich fillings, but there's no menu, I'm afraid.

From 11s at Effingham, we will be visiting Shere, Winterdown & Pitch Hill, Holmbury Hill and finally Leith Hill, with the option of continuing to Box Hill if you want a bonus hill.   I hope you can join us.

RIPLEY – WORLD FAMOUS AS THE ‘MECCA FOR ALL GOOD CYCLISTS’

 This upcoming exhibition needs to enthuse all the cyclists out there who may be surprised to know that Ripley was once the most famous place on the planet for cycling .

The exhibition is called RIPLEY – WORLD FAMOUS AS THE ‘MECCA FOR ALL GOOD CYCLISTS’. It traces the origin of the so called Ripley Road which was, in fact part of the Portsmouth Road between Ditton and Ripley. The cycling craze from 1870 -1900 which brought thousands of cyclists into Ripley and in particular to the Anchor Pub and the hospitality of the Dibble family. It features the memorials in Ripley church and the ‘spin offs’ of the craze such as the Anchor Visitor books, a Ripley board game featuring the Anchor. We are delighted that The Anchor are supporting the exhibition with a free draw for lunch for 2 in their restaurant. as the new village hall is being opened)

So please encourage your members to come along from the 8^th of June any Saturday morning  from 10-12 (the 22^nd might be worth avoiding as the new village hall is being opened)  – we can also open at other times by arrangement

Clare McCann -museum curator

Capel Church Teas 2024 (Sun & BH Mon)

 

Sunday 26th May 2024

A leisurely ride of new discoveries in leafy Surrey.

Is it safe to return to Squires, West Horsley?

Dave removed the café from his list of refreshment stops a number of years ago when they introduced a new system which slowed the ordering (& paying) process down considerably.

I thought it was time to revisit.

I arrived to find no queue, but a sign indicating to "wait" to be directed to a table.

Almost immediately, a waitress (electronic ordering device in hand) approached me " Hi, just a cappuccino please, nothing to eat, I'll be sitting with the cyclists" I said.

I joined Lilian, Simon & Terry later to be joined by Caroline.

Ten minutes later my drink arrived.

From memory, Terry's cake & hot chocolate arrived separately but other than that, we all received what we'd ordered.

Of course we still had to pay, slowing the process still further.

I think it works if you know what you want & order straight away rather than wait for a waitress to come to your table.

Also, there were plenty of staff on duty today.

I like the location because it was nice to climb Shere Road with "fresh" legs.....maybe nice is the wrong word but you know what I mean.

Caroline returned home to prepare the arrival of a new kitchen in the coming days whilst we crossed the Tillingbourne in Shere to pick up the lane going south called Hound House Road which slowly ascends passing Bentley Copse where I used to go on camping trips with the scouts.

A fork in the road and so to Barhatch Lane, with two arrows on my OS 187 indicating a steepness of greater than 1 in 5.

But of course we were descending and we were soon in Cranleigh where I had to ask directions to the Downs Link.

Copious amounts of mud for the next nearly 3 miles brought us to the restored Baynards station of the London, Brighton & South Coast Railway (1865 - 1965).

Lunch was at a busy Milk Churn just outside Rudgwick where it has appeared in the Guardian's (one of the) "best cafés in the countryside".

The route home included a stop at Holbrook Farm on Weare Street that had curious engraved names into a prominent rock formation beside the pond.

Church teas were imminent but not before checking out another new discovery, a wooden sculpture of a hook & chain beside the pond in Capel.

Our leisurely ride of new discoveries concluded with a brief visit to "hidden" St Mary Magdalene church at South Holmwood, built 1838.

Thanks to Simon for back marking & providing most of the photos & Lilian & Terry for your enjoyable company.

Change to Sunday 26th May 2024

11's - Squires, West Horsley

15 miles to lunch with a couple of hills...

Lunch - The Milk Churn, Rudgwick

10 miles to tea...

Tea - Church teas, Capel

Sunday the 19th May

 There was no early takers to lead this ride but Maddies stepped in to lead her first C&M ride. She knew the route was it was the same route I lead the B's to a few Wednesdays ago. It was a good turnout of Maddie ,Bob P ,Pam, Dawn ,Graham ,Bernard Sabina, Tony, Niall ,Andy, Martina, and Diana who just came to 11;s.

At the AGM Graham stepped down as club sec after many years in post, he was presented with an award, at 11's, as a thank you for his many years of service to the club.

We split into 2 groups to make life easier. Along the river Crane to Twickenham, and past the stately home of Simon, then varuious roads to Syon park, a loo stop and photo session. 

 

 

 

Syon Park Loo Stop

 

Then onto the Grand Union canal to Hanwell, then the river Brent to the Viaduct, throught edge of the Bunny park and another photo of the lovely thatched cottaage, then through Brent Valley golf course, a useful coffee stop for me in nthe past.

We were soon cycling through Perivale Park and past the memorial bench of Nicky Hopkins (no relation), a very famous session musician.  Then up the short climb of Horsendon Hill and onto lunch at the Greenwood hotel, a Wetherspoons, the weather was great, so we sat in the Sun to enjoy the delights of a microwaved  lunch. All good things come to and end, so off we set. Maddies group left first. 

 

Lunch in the Sun

We headed South to Northolt station, then across and down Northala fields and across the Ruislip road and then unmaiintained cycle paths to Willow Tree open space. Then across the foot bridge onto th Paddington arm of the Grand Union canal heading South. 

 

This section of the canal towpath is in very good order, we followed this to Bulls Bridge and then the spiral cycvle path to the Parkway, then the  cycle path to Cranford. We crossed the Bath road and round the back drive to tea at Restaurante Saloios rear seating area, a Portuguese restuarant. A place I often use for a coffee, the owner is very friendly, a few years ago he helped me mend a punture!

 

 

Tea Stop

Lovely sitting in the Sun, great coffee, and some even sampled the lovely cakes. At this point Maddie phoned me, she had ended up behind my group so then joined us for tea. Again, it was hard to tear ourselves away from the social sunny retreat. 

 

But alas we set off, agsain in 2 groups, my group left first and headed across Hounslow Heath andf then Powder Mill lane onto Fulwell, then through Hampton Hill where i turned right for home, leaved the rest to wend thier way home. A lovely days outing with a great group. Thank you to Maddie and to those who back marked.

Tony..

New Years Day 2012

 

Spring Tavern, Ewell

Where are they now?

 

Sunday the 12th May

 What a glorious day for a long ride. I was the first to get to the NT cafe, I left home too early and arrived at 9.45, but Simon arrived soon after, then Andy and Niall. Graham joined us ,but left to do his own ride when we departed. We moved inside as there was no shade what so ever outside. It was funny not to have to have Dave with us, wishing him a speedy recovery,  as he says, "things fall apart when I'm not there" Sim

 

Bray Churh Yard

Very little wind made it a speedy ride, through Windsor, and a chance meeting with some other cyclist friends. On through Bray and a photo stop in Bray church yard, courtesy of Andy. At Waltham St Lawrence we took Sill Bridge lane and into Plough lane and onto Hurst, passing an old favourite, the Green Man. 

As usual, a photo at the CTC sign the Castle Inn and a decision by the group to change this as our lunch stop. A good choice, child's fish & chips on the menu and it sorted 3 of us for lunch, we sat in the garden, we will muse this venue again.

 

A childs Fish & Chips, we are kids at heart

We were soon on our still heading south and passing Dinton Pastures, then heading East using quiet country lanes. Back to Waltham St Lawrence and Paley Street back to Windsor, passing Fifield, where sadly the 2 giant heads of the old Queen and Prince Philip are no more, sold I believe, it looks like the house has been sold, we headed into Windsor farm shop for tea, but alas, the close at 3pm, so back to the NT cafe, most had ice creams. At this point I left the group and headed home solo to my daughters birthday party, they waited for me before bringing out the cake, so only a minor telling off. A great day on the bike, than you Simon, Andy and Niall for your company

 

The Castle Inn, Hurst

 

 

Tony..

Sunday 5th May 2024

 

I don't fully understand Wetherspoons pricing structure and today's £1.04 for limitless hot drinks (The Whispering Moon, Wallington) appears outstanding value in this day & age...& the "white coffee" is perfectly drinkable.

The location was previously a cinema & opened as a 'Spoons in 1992. Plenty of old pictures adorn the walls including one of child actress Shirley Temple !

Nice to see outgoing C&M General Secretary, Graham making the journey from Kingston to see us off & 10 went due south up to Oaks Park, passing some chatty MTB'ers on the way.

The café here has recently been extended & it was busy with locals soaking up the sun on this Bank Holiday weekend.

After the fast descent it was up How Lane & a short cut to avoid Coulsdon town centre & up (again) to Farthing Downs to where Pinkie left us, followed shortly by Keith.

Past Chaldon church, and a very fast descent of Whitehill Lane to Bletchingley. 

Being 1pm, stomachs were rumbling & I decided to patronise Lamingtons in the High Street where we've been coming since 2010.

The guy at front of house was so welcoming and it was like travelling back in time in this quaint little tea room.

Colour co-ordinated top & nail varnish.....I approve!

When we emerged from this time capsule, the skies had clouded over & there was intermittent rain as we travelled south to join the track through the Henshaw's farm estate.

Past Redhill Aerodrome, Earlswood Lakes to Brockham church where teas have resumed and are now every Sunday 2.30pm - 5pm until late October when they'll be supplying the bonfire builders with refreshment no doubt.

Thanks to Chris for backmarking & others for corner marking & your company, & to Chris & Steph for the photos.

Ride Report - Sunday 21st April

On yet another cold windy day, we gathered at The Vines coffee shop in Effingham for elevenses. Except for Keith, who caught us up later, and Terry, whose bike developed a spontaneous deflation issue in an effort to keep him away. Liz also had had a mechanical that morning, but just made it in time, and so altogether 15 came for the social but only 9 plus an out-of-breath Keith set out for the ride.

Everyone look this way....over here....

Robert had requested a copy of the route before the ride and so was promptly promoted to backmarker – thank you Robert!

I had promised it would be just the one hill – Green Dene – and all tackled it without any trouble to be rewarded with bluebells and fresh green foliage at the top. After the descent down through Combe Bottom we then enjoyed the quiet villages of Albury, Chilworth and Wonersh before skirting around Chinthurst Hill and coming without incident into Godalming. David couldn’t resist a little detour to confirm all was well at Thames Water Utilities.

Admiring the Spring colours

Fed, hydrated and caffeinated = ready for action

We took a few photos outside The Jack Phillips, where all were served quickly despite the inconsistent Wetherspoons wi-fi. David departed first, no doubt off for some allotment-ing, and once everyone else had had nearly enough free coffee refills we were on our way again, scrambling our way out of Godalming by a new and unexpected path (sadly terminating in a grassy bank) but otherwise on tried and tested back streets and cycle paths to Peasmarsh and Broadford, where I had decided we would pick up several miles of towpath along the River Wey. The terrain had been pre-approved (by myself and my recce team) and happily it wasn’t too busy on this cold dry Sunday. 

Did someone call for back-up?

To stay on the west bank coming into Guildford, we came off the towpath briefly around St Catherine’s Hill. This exit had no steps but was quite steep and as there was only one hill planned for today, it was only Simon who rode up it, but at C&M you don’t get points for that, only kudos. Getting back onto the towpath further along, Steph had to leave us at Guildford, but a healthy peloton of 8 cyclists gamely followed on as far as Stoke Lock, where we then picked up some more off road before emerging onto the cycle path beside the A3 and then back on the roads and into Ripley.

Still smiling at Stoke Lock

Keith and Chris (making his C&M debut) declined to stop at Pinnocks, leaving Andy, Martina, Simon, Robert, Lilian and myself to make all the tough decisions about which cakes to order. And it was just then that Terry joined us, although after much discussion we concluded it would be “nil point” for him too.

Thanks all for joining me, it was a pleasure to lead. Around 28 miles from elevenses to tea.