You are invited to join the ride startng from the Day centre at Elreray Hall, Teddngton.
Lunch will be at the Greenwood Hotel, Norholt. 15 miles to lunch and around 15 miles back to tea at Bushy Park.
Lots of good off road and canal towpath. Please Whatsapp me ASAP direct if you would ike to join the ride.
Tony..
John writes:
It was great to see a good turn out of B riders at Tanhouse Farm for our ride that promised to go further south than usual. We did indeed make it to Southwater, about five miles south of Horsham, which in itself is further south than usual.
Thank you to Tim G and Francis for being subbies, especially in light of the fact that they had already turned out for a recce that was somewhat interrupted by cold, heavy and continuous rain.
~ John A
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| Elevenses at Tanhouse Farm |
We continued towards Barns Green and the southern most tip of the route, Southwater. Then it was straight up to Horsham and lunch at the ever-dependable Lynd Cross pub (the 14th-century name of the junction between the Bishopric and Springfield Road, now the site of the Wetherspoons pub).
Post lunch, it was a straight forward ride back into the familiar territory of Parkgate and Brockham, then a short ride to The Old Clunker in Dorking for Tea.
A great route from John A, taking us to new interesting territory south of Horsham. My thanks to all the riders for their company and to Geoff for his diligent back-marking.
~ Francis
Tim C writes:
For Tim G's team the adventure began before we set out, when Madeleine discovered a flat tyre on her front wheel. She had the wheel out in no time and with a group of experts wrestled the new tube into place. There was no need for the usual analysis of who had the shiniest and most efficient pump because Madeleine had trumped our old technology with a compact CO₂ inflator.
After an unintended burst of escaping gas Madeleine attached another cyclinder and screwed the connector onto the valve. With a new whoosh of gas the tyre was quickly up to what felt like 150 psi. Time to unscrew the pump from the valve. But sadly, neither Madeleine nor any of the wise men in the team could get the thing off.
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| Madeleine's puncture party |
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| We couldn't get the thing off! |
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| Ready to go |
We suggested trying to ride with the gizmo still attached. Somehow she made it to Holmwood Station (3 miles away) to catch a train to Horsham where she left her bike with A D Cycles and joined us all for lunch. If these gadgets can be such a source of amusement I think I'll get one!
Meanwhile the rest of us had a good ride, and a good lunch at the Lynd Cross. It was a long day. Some (many ?) did the ride on a train-assisted basis. Our team skipped tea, some of us to catch a train from Dorking.
Thanks to John for his A Group view of the world and to Tim for leading us so carefully.
~ Tim C
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| Two photos by Pete |
Do join me on next Wednesday's 'A' group ride. From Teddington we'll be heading out into 'leafy Bucks' for lunch at that old favourite and real ale lovers' paradise, the White Horse, Hedgerley. This time around we'll be approaching from a less familiar direction - see https://connect.garmin.
On Wednesday 17th April, nine intrepid riders gathered
at Enzo’s café in Weybridge. We had not been to Guildford for some time and
decided to go and try a different route into the town and lunch at a Weatherspoons
pub that I had not tried before. We set
off with the intention of cycling along the cycle path through to Heath Road
but were stopped by road works that blocked to route through the car park, so a
quick change of plan was required. So, it was back to the Church Street and the
traffic and along to Heath Road where we took the cycle path up the hill to
Weybridge station. At the station we turned left, ending up down at the river
Wey. We then cycled along next to Brooklands and emerged at Byfleet. Then along
Pavis Way cycle path, feeling quite chaffed with our selves having avoided a
long line of traffic going into West Byfleet due to road works. At West Byfleet
station we used the tunnel to cross the railway line and proceeded along a normal
route to Woking where we joined the Mars cycle route to Jacobs Well. Then we
went along Salt Box Road, passing through Stringer’s Common before turning left
at the traffic lights into Grange Roa Road / Manor Road, Woodbridge Hill and left
into Weston Road. At the end of the road, we entered a cycle path that took us
across the Worplesdon Road, under the A3, and onto a cycle path along the side
of Medleton Road before turning right to cycle along the side of the river Wey.
Then onto to Walnut Tree Close and Bridge Street where we found the pub. We
were then joined by Grant who had cycled here on his own, who then joined us
for the ride back to Shepperton.
Lunch was the normal Weatherspoons Affair. With prompt service
and cheap prices. What’s not to like?
Our trip to the Ferry café at Shepperton was via the back
way out of Guildford, using Bedford Road / Dapdune Road, through Stoke Park and
along Parkway cycle track to London Road. Then left into Weylea Road, through
to Clay Lane cycle path and onto the A3 cycle path towards Ripley. We then
followed a normal route to Shepperton, passing through Send, West Byfleet and
Addlestone.
Thank you, Tony, for helping me divide the group into easily
manageable numbers and Paula, Steph, Caroline, Lillian, Liz, Grant and Pam for
the company and entertainment along the way.
Ray Y
Our dynamic climate meant I planned and reccied the ride in early warm conditions, come the actual ride there was an offputting chill and earlier forecast of rain which, added to the distance of Tanhouse and challenge of Blackdown factors meant we just made double figures of hardy adventurers.
Andy was off first ..
My group consisted of Brian, Dave W, Frances & Sue C.
We left a rather busy Tanhouse Farm for an "adventure" to tackle Blackdown Hill in West Sussex via Jayes/Tennyson Lane.
Cool for mid-April, perhaps cold for some (I had 4 layers) we headed west into the North-Westerly wind.
Just after The PunchBowl Inn we came to a halt. Road resurfacing prevented following the route so out came the OS 187.
It appears "hole filling" allows access but partial/complete resufacing (without a pedestrian walkway) is more difficult.
And in this instance nay impossible, courtesy of a well trained "jobsworth".
During the three mile detour we were caught (& overtaken) by Neil's trio.
To re-group on Brewhurst Lane in Loxwood.
Quiet, unfamiliar & undulating lanes took us to lunch at Northchapel & The Half-Moon Inn where the landlord appeared to be a hoarder/collector of all manner of stuff....on the walls, ceilings and just about everywhere else.
A museum in itself, it definitely requires a revisit but probably a solo trip where I can linger.
We were down to a quartet (Dave headed for Haslemere BR) ,so after the obligatory photo opp at the top..
.. the fast/tricky descent of Blackdown the route took us north to tea at Shalford where we said goodbye to Frances & Sue, bound for Guildford BR.
Today's challenge of climbing Blackdown proved easier than staying on Daniel's wheel along the A246 back home.
Thanks to my group (backmarker Dave on the way out) & Neil's meticulous planning to ensure the ride's success.
My group left about 5 minutes after the first group, and kept to a genuine medium pace, Patrick split at Nudigate for home as he sadly has not recovered enough for the challenge. We tried to note the lunch stops we regularly use on the way - the Crown at Capel, the Punchbowl, Milk Churn, Fox at Rudgwick, but Ged wasn't able to help after the Crown .. crossing the A24 there was a hiss behind then a loud shotgun close by .. but no, it was Ged's bike rim expiring explosively! After a full musing over this we went on and Ged had about a quarter mile to Ockley station, as he said, it was a good place to fail, much better than on a remote downhill section.
We picked up the pace, stopped at the Brewhurst Bridge, (to be caught up surprisingly soon by the other group), Brewhurst Lane is a charming out of the way part of Loxwood. Its has many stories related to it, including brewing, a water mill, economic prosperity from the canal, a brethren community which had quite a big social impact in the area, decline as railways took over, and in our times community voluntary action that restored the canal to leisure use.
After Kirdford we took Pipers Lane, a long ideal cycling lane, we paused at a good viewpoint for Blackdown to see our challenge, and the orchid, but too chilly to linger, onto Northchapel and into the Half Moon >> the old curiosity pub <<. Stuffed to the gills with curios, the landlord told me he won the large ancient cycling trophy, (it was only £4 at a local auction!). In the far room was one of the earliest TV sets, with about a 5 inch screen, and a similar vintage vacuum cleaner, also a large telephone exchange operator console and maybe its operator - a real human skeleton standing over it(!). Lunch was fine, with excellent amber beer from Dorset or beyond, it went down well.
Climbing Blackdown was again an interesting experience, at the top we were split fairly evenly on whether the Jays Lane climb was easier or harder than Whitedown, but for sure its on a par with it. At the top was a sign informing us, (quelle surprise!), that Blackdown is twinned with Mt Tiede in Tenerife!
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| Support crew for the Hilly 50km event |
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| Gail signing in at Ride HQ |
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| Peter and Andy |
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| Alternative mode of transport |
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| Steve, Gill and Paula |
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| Fresh from the Paris-Roubaix Challenge |
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| Andy and Daniel lead Andy and Neil |
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| Neil and Clive |
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| Barbara and Terry |
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| Tim Morley with the home team |
A big turn-out on a day which, weather-wise, started brightly but the threatened rain materialised in the afternoon, albeit perhaps not quite in the quantity forecast. With the planned elevenses venue Mole Hall closed, 17 of us gathered at the Molesey Boat Club.
Leaving Eight at the Bridge:
~ photo by Anne Connaughton
After some discussion, we headed to the Green Man on Putney Heath for lunch. Our route took in Bushy Park, Teddington (guided by John Bellamy along the scenic side roads), across the river via the footbridge and on to Ham Common. We opted for the quieter Church Road towards Richmond Park where a sign alerted us to toad patrollers; a little online research revealed this to be an attempt to protect the amphibians as they crossed the road for their annual springtime migration to their ancestral ponds (it caused the road to be closed for nearly a month in 2022). No sign of the little creatures but, apparently, they favour wet conditions and nighttime.
Police patrol cars seemed more in evidence than normal at various points. Of course, there was no reason for thinking they were interested in any of us.
Most of us enjoyed a good lunch and we set off for home via Putney Heath and Wimbledon Common in the hope of beating the rain.
~ Frank
For the 2024 H50 we had 43 riders, of which about a quarter were women, both figures being a continuation of the solid support for this most quirky of events.
Tim Morley brought a strong contingent of his friends to ride in memory of Mike Morley, his father and unforgettable Club member. They all departed by 8.30, doubtless rode strongly and would be finished early, to be greeted by the Morley family at the top of Box Hill.
This year we had made extra efforts to
encourage other clubs to join the ride. So we had groups from Bella Velo,
Wimbledon Windmilers, Kingston Phoenix, and Epsom CC.
Great respect and thanks to Maggie, Terry, Maureen and Tim who all contributed to the success by greeting the starters and welcoming the finishers, not to mention guarding the cash collected. And to Paul, who courageously rode up Ranmore before concluding that a chest infection meant further climbing unwise, and returned to the start.
The “sensibly paced” group left on time at 10am. Initially we numbered an unwieldy 15, but faster riders sensibly peeled off to ride at their own pace, so we were soon 9, a well balanced group of new and experienced riders.
Logmore lane, once feared for its potholes is now beautifully surfaced, but remains narrow and winding with limited visibility. We were forcefully reminded of its hazards when we unexpectedly encountered a nervous horse, and while stopping one of our riders fell. Thankfully no injuries to any party, but a reminder of the caution required.
We enjoyed a mid-ride refreshments at the King’s
Head Shop in Holmbury St Mary, but within half an hour it was time to get going.
Whitedown continues to capture riders’ imaginations as one of our toughest hills, but the challenge was compounded by stationary cars unable to pass one-another.
The wind asserted itself on the final climb of Box Hill, but we were soon at the NT Café, where Terry had waited and Christina had somehow managed to finish the ride and secure supplies of biscuits, buns and sausage rolls. A welcome treat after a tough day.
Thanks to everyone who rode today and especially to Clive who backmarked in our group, Steph and Tim's M and C for photography, and everyone who helped keep the group together.
Finally, we raised almost £1,300 in support of St Raphael’s, so thanks to everyone who contributed so generously. The collection remains open for any late donations.
Here is your invitation to the ride from Tanhouse next Wednesday and its an appeal to your tourist rider sense of adventure!
Tanhouse is a long way out, so the actual route is limited to a manageable 26 mile to lunch, then about 19 to Guildford train station, for train assist back. Overall according to Garmin and Komoot, less than 2300ft of ascent.
With Tanhouse being a long way out..
.. for some of you it will work well to have train assist to Dorking.
.. for my part, I am making the best of the Tanhouse start so we go exploring beyond our usual reach .. a southerly arc towards Haslemere. And the adventure part is topped off with Blackdown. Janice Andy and I reccied the route this Friday, we think Blackdown is a worthy partner to Whitedown and Coombe Lane.
Did you ride the Hilly 50? Crack and join us for this!
Not up to the Hilly 50? This is a lot easier, and all groups will be keeping to a sensible pace.
Like new quiet bike friendly lanes, with beautiful scenery?
Like to revisit places like Weare Street with bluebells in full bloom?
There lot's on this route. We even saw a rare Early Purple Orchid.
As Andy said . .this is a ride not to be missed!
We shall take advantage of our southerly meeting place of Tanhouse Farm to set off further south than usual. After 19 miles we shall have lunch in Horsham and then ride another 17 miles to tea in Dorking.
Please email me by Monday evening at johnaustin04@yahoo.co.uk
If you have any preferences regarding starting time or riding partners just let me know.
John A.
Bernard writes:
We started from Saint Martin’s church, Dorking. The entrance is graced with a relief of Vaughan Williams. Inside the light is splintered by the stained-glass windows into all the colours of the rainbow.
The sun was out, and it felt good to feel its warmth. Paying no heed to the grey clouds hovering in the distance, waiting, we took off. Cutting across the High Street, leaving the everyday business of town behind us, we hit the first incline which came almost without warning. On that exposed lump of green we felt the tethering of the wind: Larks ascending.
Soon we were in full hearty flow, cycling along quiet country lanes. Dandelions on parade on either side. All about nature was in good cheer. Up Trumpet’s Hill and on we pedalled.
Steph writes:
I was sub leading the second group out from Dorking which gave lots of time to chat and admire the very delicious array of home baking . The scones with jam and cream were particularly tempting but as I d sampled them on the reccy I settled for a cheese scone wrapped up to have for lunch. Mick joined our group making a magnificent seven setting off over the Cotmandene green. The lanes were beautiful and very quiet, but stopping on Wonham Lane I could hear Christina and her group catching us up. They passed but later at the comfort stop near the lake we caught them up again.
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| The old dears by a gate at Wonham Manor |
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| Lots of young deer but no sign of the Sultan |
We were soon at lunch, everyone chose sensibly to avoid the 45 minute wait for food (Robert made up for it at teatime with a huge plate of sandwiches and salad at Banstead). The afternoon of 3 hills was challenging but the downhills were great, and Brenda on her first ride out for a while got up them all ! Thanks to all for a great day out and Tim for backmarking.
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| Steph's merry crew in Merstham |
Christina writes:
I set my sights on the route the first time I rode it, on Sunday 3 March with C&M, led by Andy Coxhill. On that sunny Sunday, our lunch place Prior Farm Cafe was too busy to accommodate us cyclists. This gave me another reason to clone the route and try the Prior Farm for lunch on a weekday for our Wayfarers ride.
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| Standing by before departure |
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| A pit stop at the Earlswood Lakes |
Prior to lunch, we went through many quiet country lanes in Surrey, some familiar, others unfamiliar, or probably not in the "right" order to our "usual" routes.
Our lunch venue, Prior Farm Garden Center Cafe, is adjacent to a Children's outdoor adventure Discovery Land with Hill trails and a sizable lake. They serve decent food with hot and cold drinks, a little bit chilly and busy for alfresco dining, nevertheless, my group of riders shared a few jokes and some food and chocolates.
After lunch, we headed up and down hills towards Merstham, Chipstead and Banstead, again not necessarily in our "usual" order (towards Redhill or Caterham).
Thanks to Andy Coxhill for the original route and Tim C for superb IT skills to draw the route for us.
Thanks for Bernard, Stephanie and Sabina for your enthusiasm and skills for leading the ride especially for Bernard the 1st time for leading. Well done all.👍👏
Initially we had 17 signed up riders. On the day, we had Ian Williamson, Bob Pannell and Pete Beyer joining us for most of, or some of the ride.
I would like to thank my group of riders Francis, Fixie Dave, Tony Hooker, Ian W, Ken Day, Bob P for your jovial company. To Bob P and Francis for back marking. Thanks to Mick Arber for fixing my Garmin Edge which lost a screw on the way to 11s, so that I could use it for leading the ride.
I hope everyone enjoyed the undulating ride in the pleasant land without getting too wet or muddy😀
~ Christina
