Report for B Group - 14th February

B Group ride from Weybridge to Esher

Alan led the Eros team:

On an overcast day with a forecast of rain, the Eros Group of eight riders left Morrisons Café in Weybridge on a Valentine’s Day Ride between Weybridge and Esher.

Following a mainly quiet route of 30 miles, the ride included an enjoyable mix of local cycling paths, peaceful canal-side tracks, quiet country lanes and some familiar open roads plus some historical points of interest along the way.

After a steady start riding through the morning traffic of Weybridge, we followed local roads and cycle paths around Weybridge Station and on to Brooklands Museum before joining the Saturn Trail to Brookwood Cemetery. We then rode to the New Inn at Send for lunch before stopping at Garson Farm for tea.

The Saturn Trail provided a beautifully quiet and direct route to Brookwood on good tracks beside the Basingstoke Canal passing local villages along the way. Our only other company along the canal were dogs (with walkers), ducks and the occasional runner.

After leaving the Saturn Trail at Brookwood, we rode to Brookwood Station which provided direct access to the grounds of Brookwood Cemetery. This was via a tunnel running under the track from the station forecourt and ticket barrier to the cemetery gate.

Following a short stop to discuss the history of the cemetery and look at a preserved section of original rail track from the Necropolis Railway line at Waterloo; we rode through the North and South sides of the cemetery stopping to see some of the notable chapels, mausoleums, graves and listed memorials and monuments on route. This included stopping to look at other sections of the cemetery which were devoted to different faiths.

After leaving the cemetery we rode to the New Inn Pub for lunch. The New Inn was a busy and cycle-friendly pub with a good choice of food. Following lunch, we rode to Garson Farm following a familiar route via Ripley and Cobham getting delayed behind a farm tractor trimming a hedge of thorns on the way. Luckily none of the group punctured.

Pam left the group at the Seven Sisters Pub to make her way home. Francis, John and Liz also split from the group at Cobham and Esher. This left Ray, Gill, Lillian and myself, to ride to Garson Farm where we met with the Tony’s Venus Group for tea.

Thanks to John, Francis, Gill, Ray, Liz, Lilian and Pam for a great day’s cycling. Thanks also to Tony for planning the route and to Francis for being back-marker. Thanks also to Francis for GPX support on route and to all members of the group for their patience after we went off-route or missed cycle paths on a couple of occasions.

A very enjoyable day with no rain, very little mud, and no punctures!

~ Alan

Flights of fantasy

Tony's report for the Venus team:

Our Venus group left Morrisons at Weybridge and headed out past Brooklands Museum onto Woking where we picked up the canal tow path that took us to Brookwood Cemetery. The path was fine for cycling. It took us a little time to view some outstanding graves and the layout of the old railway.

The next stop was lunch at the New Inn at Send. With the rain still keeping at bay the lunch stop was fine with good service and food. Afternoon tea was at Garsons Farm via Cobham. By now out of the seven riders only four remained.

Thanks to Tim Court and Alan for sub leading and for their input also thanks to Tim G for back marking and also for all the nice comments on WhatsApp.

30 miles in total

~ Tony

On the Basingstoke Canal

Life in the cemetery

What we all came for really!

Tim's report for the Cupids team:

Morrisons supermarket was a new Elevenses venue for most of us though we are looking forward to being able to meet again in the Day Centre. It was unfortunate that the lovely lady serving us was on her own when she could have done with an assistant. However she was unflappable and patient and we were all served in due course. We were however somewhat late departing. This was good in one respect, that Madeleine who had had to drive to Weybridge was able to join us for coffee and then find herself somewhere to park in time to intercept us as we cruised past on the way out. Grant had joined us for Elevenses only and Vic turned up just as we were leaving.

Beyond Weybridge Station we took our usual route through Brooklands, though with some improvisation to pick our way through all the merry-go-rounds and other fairground equipment.

Madeleine wanted a different sort of ride

We endured the long straight roads through to Woking where we dropped down to the Basingstoke Canal which we followed all the way to Brookwood. We passed through the station and under the railway line to pop out at the entrance to the cemetery which very few of us had visited before. Mindful that we were quite a way behind the other groups we took our time riding through the cemetery but without any detours to visit any of the many highlights of the place. We emerged onto the golf course, adjusted our helmets, then sneaked around the edge so as not to become targets for grumpy golfers.

We enjoyed riding the roads to Mayford and were soon through Westfield and Old Woking, arriving at the New Inn in Cartbridge where Diane came out to advise us to get a move on because they would only be taking orders until 2:30. It's a very nice pub with a homely ambience and good food delivered quite quickly. Nonetheless it was 3pm when we departed for the afternoon ride through Ripley and Cobham. By the time we reached Esher there were only three of us left and rather than face the prospect of riding home after dark we bypassed Garsons Farm and headed for home.

We were sorry that Sabina and Bernard weren't able to join us after all, so we were just a jolly little group of Pat Dobson, Terry, Madeleine, Anne, Julie and myself. Pat was pleased with her 46 miles, her longest ride since September. Thanks to Terry for back-marking and keeping order in the peloton.

~ Tim C

 

Report for Easy Riders - 14th February

Our meet-up at North Cheam took place in wind and rain this Wednesday, not a great start for the day's adventure. And yet, there were six of us, hardy riders all, with cheery good mornings for each other and it was good to be out.

Jane, Anne, John, Colin, Frank B and I set off shortly after 9.30 to make our way to coffee at Walton-on-Thames. We headed through Worcester Park and Malden Manor, crossing the Hogsmill river and winding our way up to Tolworth. Here Jane peeled off to attend to another commitment, with praise from us all for even coming out this atrocious morning.

The rest of us continued through the Dittons and via the Angel to Weston Green. The rain was easing off and turning into showers as we headed west, and had more or less stopped as we arrived at the Riverside Barn theatre cafe. Here we met Bill, Tony H and Bernard; Frank C arrived a little behind us all and we enjoyed our coffee together in the garden marquee.

We agreed to head to Kingston for lunch, and phoned the Spring Grove to book nine of us in. Most of us then cycled across the Walton Bridge to follow cycleways through Halliford, Sunbury and Hampton.

Tony lead us up a delightful little lane off Halliford Road through Sunbury Cemetery, and we followed him along School Walk, a quiet and pretty little detour which somehow also turned out to be a shortcut. It was really a pleasure to enjoy an extra 10 minutes or so of traffic free cycling, and find ourselves back on track when we emerged.

Soon we were crossing Bushy Park and heading into Kingston. We found Bill already at the pub, as he had followed the South side of the river through Thames Ditton and Surbiton, arriving about 10 minutes earlier.

We all enjoyed a good lunch together before heading for home. The rain had cleared and I think we probably all made it home in the dry!

~ Helen

Report for A Group 14th February

24 riders signed up for this ride from Weybridge. Two cancelled and one suffered a bicycle malfunction en route to elevenses. So, 21 riders made it to Café Verditer in Weybridge, where the sudden influx of brightly dressed customers was handled very well.

The weather was very mild, almost warm. There were even a couple of pairs of shorts on display! Most of us encountered some rain on the way to Weybridge, but thereafter the day was more or less dry, if a bit grey and cloudy. 

Clive’s group was off first:

We were the so called fast group comprised of: Frances, Patrick, Steve D, Richard B, Neil W and Hans. We progressed through Addlestone, Ottershaw and then to Chobham Common where we paused on the curiously named Steep Hill to remove some layers. I was overheating, probably from the effort of trying to stay clear of the so called medium paced group led by Dave W who caught us up at this point while we were removing some layers. They were very kind and didn’t hurt our feelings by overtaking and so we continued on the route in the original order.

When we turned off the London Road, in Sunningdale, to head towards Windsor Great Park we parted ways with Frances, who was not able to join us for lunch today. 

Although the route had already taken us along some quiet lanes and roads it was still very agreeable to be in the park which felt peaceful and still.

[Hans, Richard, Patrick, Neil, Steve and Prince Albert]

After leaving the tranquility of the park we had an exhilarating free wheel down Crimp Hill, and were soon in Datchet and at the Royal Stag for lunch. Lunch was delivered very speedily indeed. After ordering at the bar you would be hard pressed to get back to the table before the waitress beat you to it with your food. 

The were also some Valentines Day instructions for us on the wall although, as Simon pointed out, we only followed the first two.

Due to the speedy service at the pub we were away in less than an hour to resume the route towards Shepperton. The afternoon ride was a contrast to the morning ride – more urban than the leafy lanes of the morning, definitely less pretty as we cycled through Horton and Stanwell Moor where we took the path across the Staines Reservoir.

As we left the reservoir path we encountered Simon and Pete from Dave W’s group who had opted to go around the reservoir instead of across it. A good decision. On reflection I don’t think the reservoir path was worth the effort of getting the bikes through the tricky gates. Perhaps if the Sun had been shining it would have been different.

From here it was just a few miles to tea at the Ferry Café in Shepperton where we were shortly joined by Dave W’s group.

Thanks to my group for joining the ride and to Hans for back marking. 

Thanks to Dave W for sub leading and special thanks to Sue F for stepping in to be the last minute substitute sub-leader for the third group which it seems had a ride packed with incident.

Dave W’s group was off next and here is his report:

My group comprising Simon, Pete B, Sue C, Ged, Fiona, Andy, Brian and Dave E set off promptly from Weybridge and cruised round Clive's thoughtfully-curated (as they say these days) route. At one point we came across the first group, breathless and exhausted, paused part way up a very unchallenging climb! I know it can be demoralising to be passed by another group, so we did the right and noble thing and waited behind them, giving them a few minutes start. We also took care to linger over a photo stop in Windsor Great Park to make doubly-sure they didn't trouble us again!

We reached the Royal Stag well before 1.00 pm but then hid round a corner for a bit before going into the pub, just to make sure the same group thought they had a good gap on us!

The pub proved to be a well-chosen lunch venue, definitely one to be re-visited! It was difficult to tear ourselves away and head back out into the increasing gloom, but it was character-building! I overshot the awkward kissing gate at the entrance to the causeway between the Staines reservoirs but, sadly, Ged noticed my 'error' and there was no choice but to turn back and follow Clive's fiendish route! Spies tell me that the first group were, once again, only a short distance ahead of us at this point. We lingered a bit trying to spot landmarks through the murk, but eventually set off for the final few miles to tea.

We were indeed fortunate to have an incident-free ride - things do go wrong on group rides and can prove a challenge to any ride leader! Anyway, thanks to Clive for organising it all very efficiently, to the weather for not raining too much after elevenses, to the rest of the group for their company and for not suffering any 'incidents', and to Fiona for tirelessly back-marking all day!

The third group off was led by Sue F:

The gods of mechanicals and punctures were not looking favourably on the 10:44 group. I discovered a flat tyre upon getting my bike out of the garage that morning, Peter our group leader had Di2 malfunction so had to bail and there was more to come.

Having had to use my slower gravel bike for the ride due to the aforementioned flat, it felt a good move ( in the absence of Peter) to offer to lead and control the group speed!

So off we went, our group of 5, me, Daves F and V, Paula and Gill. Clive’s interesting route was a little more undulating than I anticipated however we chugged along heading west then turning north east and to lunch in Datchet.

Shortly before Sunningdale, Gill was the first recipient of a puncture. Very annoying for her as she had just had a full service and new sealant in her tubeless tyres. Much faffing later we couldn’t seal the hole and Gill decided to abandon and summon Graham for a lift home.

A nice stretch followed through Windsor Great Park, down Crimp Hill and we arrived in Datchet for an excellent late lunch.

We didn’t dally too long, wanting to get ahead of the possible rain. We had an  interesting view of Heathrow from Clive’s off-road section between the Staines reservoirs and  saw 2 red kites thanks to Dave F ‘s bird-spotting skills.

Dave F then suffered a derailleur malfunction and was down to cycling in his small cog and the grand finale of the day was Paula’s puncture as we crossed the busy A308 . Despite the best efforts of our Daves the tyre could not be levered off and poor Paula faced a one hour forty-five minute walk home!

I think I can say that between mechanicals we had a good day out - thanks to Clive for his inventive route, Dave V for back-marking and all others for their excellent company.

The Route

Wisley: no A3 crossing for a while

No sooner do we get a new stretch of tarmac from Old Lane to Elm Corner to access what remains of the Wisley A3 footbridge than they are about to take it away.

On the weekend starting Friday 23rd February the Wisley (and nearby Cockrow) footbridges will be demolished so the link will be broken - probably for a couple of months. The announcement today from Balfour Beatty says:

"please note, from Friday 23 February 2024 until Spring 2024 (when the new Wisley Lane bridge opens) there will be no pedestrian, cyclist, or horse access via the new Wisley bridge, unfortunately there is no suitable diversion route available."

Report for the Easy Riders - 7th February

Just nine of us at North Cheam this week; Cobham feels a long way at this time of year when it's a chilly grey morning. But we soon warmed up and enjoyed our route through Chessington, Hook and Claygate, setting what I thought was a fairly good pace.

So we were surprised to arrive at the RBL and find it deserted, as it was 11.10! Never mind, there was the usual friendly welcome from the lovely volunteers who serve our coffees, plus delicious shortbread and Chocolate Hobnobs! So no complaints...

Ray Wren arrived about 15 minutes later, hoping to join us for the ride to lunch. But we decided to go to the Woodman in Ashtead, this being closer to home for most of us in light of the weather. And Ray found his way to the Bear in Esher, to join the Bs instead, and stay within the limits of his battery. 

The rest of us took the same route to Lower Ashtead as in January, and enjoyed the food and service an company as before. We headed home across Ashtead and Epsom Commons, taking Evelyn Way and following the railway to Epsom, then through the park as the most direct route back. A nice wintry day out, much needed; thanks all for your lovely company.

~ Helen

Report for A Group - 7th February

It was a bit of a raw, cold day but fortunately dry after constantly changing (and contradictory) forecasts. 17 had signed up though one dropped out before the start and another en route to lunch.

My group of Ged, Steve D, Dave W, Pete Beyer and Richard was first away. At Ranmore we found a lake in the usual place suggesting that rather more rain had fallen overnight than the state of Bookham Common had suggested. It was good to see that the recent road closures seem to have fixed most of the poor surfaces between Sutton Abinger and Holmbury. Our run from Forest Green to the Plough at Leigh wasn't quite as fast as Frances and I managed wind assisted on Saturday but we arrived in good time.

The food was good and the sandwiches came quickly though a slightly longer wait for other orders. On the return we took the Coach Road (a bit sticky in places after the rain) and then got overtaken by Frances' group before Pixhham where Dave and Pete peeled off for home. The remaining four of us stopped for tea at Ashtead Garden Centre.

My thanks to Ged for back marking.

Dave F: My group of Clive, Sue C, and Dave and Jennie set off 5 mins after Brian as planned. Dave kindly volunteered to back mark. Bookham Common was surprisingly dry and we elected to go off piste to the top of Church Lane to avoid the uphill start at the Effingham traffic lights.

Jennie set an electric pace up Critten Lane with the rest of us  grinding up more leisurely. The bonus water splash in the Whitedown dip gave several of us damp socks. The promised “easier faster riding from Holmbury to lunch” turned out to be a bit more undulating than expected , but despite a bit of mild headwind we made good and uneventful progress to lunch.

The Plough was pleasantly warm in the area reserved for us. We ordered lunch slightly after Brian’s group and before the arrival of the chasers, but ours took quite a while to arrive. However the food and drinks were good and enjoyed by all. Hence we were the last group away. 

The short 12 miles to tea had a bit of sting in tail in the form of Little Switzerland. By then the leaders legs were increasingly feeling the strain, so everyone ascended to Headley at their own pace. As no one wanted to stop for tea,  we left it for everyone to make their own way home from there.  

Thanks to my group for being good company, Dave for riding shotgun, and of course to Brian for another splendid typically Brian ride. Nice to get home dry (apart from the feet).

 

Frances: 

We were the last group to leave Cobham which included Janice, Patrick, Neil W and Peter S, with Peter backmarking.

It was a cold damp morning but no rain and we made our way to our first ascent of Beech Ave where on arrival at the top a large puddle await us at the start of Whitedown.  Undeterred, we pushed ahead and managed to keep our feet dry to descend Whitedown and onwards to Holmbury St Mary.  Janice had to leave us and she opted for heading over Leith Hill and after a few discussions we continued down to Ockley turning right to head for Capel and Newdigate.  It was a good run on clear roads to Leigh where we arrived just after 1pm by which time everyone was ready for a break and some food.  The latter was dispensed with great efficiency and we were ready for the final push.  We had at that stage met the earlier groups and overlapped when we started to head up Juniper, several of my group passed me by on that stretch and I was glad to see them again before final thrash down to Pleasure Pitt Road Garden Centre.  We agreed to continue through Epsom and have tea at The Moat garden center where fortunately we met another three gents from the B ride, who had not eaten all the cake!

I left to pick up my car whilst Neil, Patrick and Peter left at speed down Horton for home.  A lovely ride and group with thanks to Peter for patience in backmarking.

Thanks Brian everyone enjoyed the great route and pub.

 

Invitation to A group Ride 14th February

Due to the Weybridge Day Centre currently being closed, we will meet for elevenses at Cafe Verditer on Baker Street in Weybridge.

It's 22 miles to lunch at The Royal Stag in Datchet. They have said it will help them if we pre-order, so here is the menu.

Royal Stag Menu

It's 13 miles to tea at The Ferry Cafe in Shepperton.

There are two off-road sections, both after lunch:

• The cycle path that goes under the Poyle Interchange roundabout where Horton Road meets the M25. This is tarmac but there are some patches of surface mud and the odd puddle. It was raining quite heavily on the recce today.
• The path that crosses the Staines reservoir. This is hard packed gravel, but again there are some patches of surface mud. 

Here is the route: Ride with GPS 

Please let me know (clive.janes@gmail.com) by Monday evening if you would like to come along and also include your choice from the menu.

Thanks

Clive

Invitation to a B Group ride on 14th February

For the B ride this Wednesday 14th we will meet for Elevenses at the Morrisons Supermarket café in Weybridge.

We will visit  Brookwood Cemetery and then go on to lunch at the New Inn at Cartbridge, about 19 miles.

The afternoon Tea stop will be at Garsons Farm, approximately 11 miles from Lunch.

This is the route:

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45494844

Please sign up by Monday evening on WhatsApp (07856 699 521) or email to  tonyhooker1@aol.com

~ Tony

Report for B Group - 7th February

Gill’s report

Keen to try out The Bear Hotel in Esher as a lunch venue (it used to have a board outside professing it’s welcome to cyclists) I then had to plan a ride that would give us enough miles between Cobham and Esher!  

Starting with a familiar route on tarmac out to Effingham, it turns out there are some very nice off road sections between Effingham and Oxshott, via Bookham Common and Princes Coverts (which means a thicket in which game can hide, thanks for answering that query Nigel, and the original royal who used it to shoot game was Prince, later King, Leopold 1 of Belgium, thanks Tim G), then through Oxshott woods back to the outskirts of Cobham and on tarmac again to Esher. Using the necessary roads in between ended up with a nice mix of surfaces and some pleasant scenery. I’m sure some off road parts were a bit uncomfy for less sturdy bikes (sorry) and there were a couple of punctures, more later, but on the whole I think even the roadies had a good ride.

Negotiating the kissing gate

The Bear did not disappoint. It was warm! Very welcome as the temperature seemed to be dropping fast. The food was tasty and served quickly enough. We had a choice of tables and the bike parking was good.

Thanks for a lovely day out to my group of Gina, Nigel, Christina, Alan, Stephen, Dave, and Tim G, also for backmarking.  Thanks also to Paula and Sue for sub-leading.

Paula’s report

The second group gathered at Cobham with Paula, who was sub-leading for her third time, feeling afraid that she would go too fast. (Other members of the group were also slightly nervous!) Just before they started Paula asked the group to say if she set too fast a pace, to which Steph replied - well if you look behind you and there's no-one there, you'll know!! Joking aside, the group set off at a very steady pace and stayed together all the way, except for losing Martin (who insisted we carry on without him) to a slow puncture and finding Ray (big Ray that is) lurking in the woods. He had decided against the Cs and miraculously found us so decided to tag along.

On the bridge over the mighty River Mole

Martin had been our backmarker so Mick capably took over. We navigated Gill's lovely route from Cobham to Esher (the long way round!) on road and path and track without further ado (and without a drop of rain!), arriving at the Bear for a hearty warming lunch which we didn't have to hurry because then it was straight home for early doors. Thanks to the team - Steph, Carolyn, Mick, Martin, Julie, Ian, Ann B, Tony H, Big Ray - and yes Dave, there was plenty of chatting!

~ Paula

Sue's report

Eight set off from Cobham on a rather miserable morning but judging by the chatter I could hear behind me, the weather wasn’t affecting anyone’s appetite for the ride.

Gill’s excellent route combined some familiar lanes though Horsley and  Effingham  plus a stretch of off road through Bookham Common which was new to me.

Listening out for strange noises ?

The pond in Great Bookham Common

Sadly the terrain got the better of Lilian’s tyre and she declared a puncture just as we entered Princes Coverts. There was no point in us all waiting around in the cold so Pam, Liz and Terry decided to depart for the pub and home respectively. And what a repair job it turned out to be! In the battle to put the tyre back on the inner tube got nicked and went flat almost as soon as Lilian started riding. With some energetic pumping every few hundred metres she gradually nursed it round to Claygate and we left her with directions to the station.

Now in Claygate it was a quick shortcut up Esher Park Ave to a well-earned lunch and rendezvous with Gill's and Paula's groups.

 

Ray Y decided a treat was required after all our endeavours and ordered a full English which looked very good indeed.

Puncture notwithstanding, a grand day out. Thanks to Gill for an inventive route and Tim C for back marking

~ Sue
 

Postscript: Lilian's continuing misfortune with a deflating tyre proved in the end to have been caused when we dropped and lost the valve cap, later discovered in Balfe's, inside the tyre where it had caused endless trouble. Lilian reported later that she had had an easy train trip home. The episode reminded us that some rim and tyre combinations make for very hard work getting the tyre off and on. We had wrestled with this one.

~ Tim

River Thames Scheme – Staines to Walton on Thames, Statutory Consultation Feb 2024

 

The following is a brief summary of what is important from a cycling perspective of the River Thames Scheme being proposed by the Environmental Agency between Staines / Egham and Walton / Shepperton. I have left out details of flows through the channels, changes to weirs, computer modelling, etc, that was all very interesting but not relevant to cycling.

The scheme can be considered, two distinct parts, Staines Bridge to Littleton and from Littleton to Walton Bridge.

Staines Bridge to Littleton

This would provide new route from the Egham side of Staines Bridge to Littleton. The first part of this route follows the existing NCN 4 route down along side of the A320, using a cycle path until just after the junction with Bowes Road. Here you will be able turn off right, away from the A320 and enter Royal Hythe. This aera is totally traffic free and crosses Green Lane and Norlands Lane using new bridges. Just after Norland Lane (well known to B riders), the route changes to an easterly direction and runs parallel with Norlands Lane to rejoin the A320 just north of the entrance to Penton Hook Marina. It then connects to a cycle path that already exists on the left-hand side of the road from Staines. Hopefully this will have a traffic light crossing here but nothing mentioned in the Scheme so far. At the roundabout that serves Thorpe Park, we then leave the A320 and enter a new Penton Park blue open space that takes us in a southerly direction, past Abbey Lake on the right, to an existing bridge that takes us onto Burway Ditch bridleway. From here we turn to the east to cross Ferry Lane and then a new path through to the Thames, just north of the existing M3 motorway. Here there will be a new bridge built to take cyclists and pedestrians a cross the river and on to the Littleton to Walton section.

Littleton to Walton Bridge

On exiting the bridge, we then would cycle a short distance along the road towards Chertsey Lock and turn left just after the motorway bridge on to a new cycle path that runs along next to the M3 until we meet Littleton Lane. Here we gain an underpass taking us a through to the junction of Sheepwalk and Chertsey Road. From here we follow the existing road down to just before the Ferry Café where we turn left on to a new path that leads to a new bridge across the Thames onto Desborough Island. From here we would join Walton Bridge Lane or the Thames Path that takes us to Walton Bridge / Weybridge.

Eastern Side of the Thames Staines to Laleham 

There are no fixed plans for the section of the Thames Path apart from a commitment to improve the environment and make it all more accessible to cyclists. So we will have to wait and see.

Summary

Overall, it is well thought out and will give us some alternative routes. We rarely use the eastern side of the route from Staines to Penton Hook Marina, but it could become an alternative to using the western side between Staines and Laleham. The route proposed keeps you away from the A320 for much of the route and connects with existing cycle paths on the A320 which is good. The only question is, will traffic lights be provided at the crossing points of the A320.

From Penton Hook roundabout to the new bridge across the Thames I feel that providing the M3 is not too noisy would be a better option and avoids using the B375 Chertsey Road and comes out a convenient location, Sheepwalk / Chertsey Road junction. Once again the provision of a traffic light crossing has not been mentioned but would help both cyclists and walkers.  

The proposed new bridge across to Desborough Island provides a good link to Weybridge and Walton and will be well used.

The scheme is not due to be completed until 2030.

I feel that there are a few areas of concern, and they are -

1.       Crossing the A320. Traffic lights are needed to make it safe for walkers and cyclists.

2.       The exit from Manor farm at Sheepwalk / Chertsey Road. Traffic lights are needed to make it safe for walkers and cyclists.

3.       An exit from Manor Farm / Sheepwalk at the entrance to Dockett Eddie Lane would be useful for cyclists and walkers. Once again traffic lights would be needed to ensure that people can cross safely.

Competition deadlines

For the photo competition please submit your photos by midnight this Sunday, 4th February. This will give the judges time to deliberate and reach their verdicts in time for the engraver to do his work before our prize-giving on 6th March.

See this link to the invitation for the rules and instructions on how to upload photos.

For the mileages league table please send me your 2023 mileage score by midnight on Sunday, 4th February. I will happily update the table with any scores sent to me after Sunday but you won't be considered as a contender for any of the shiny trophies.

For anyone who won a trophy or two last year please let me know if you will be bringing it/them to Cobham for me on Wednesday. Thank you to several people who have delivered theirs already.

Thank you

~ Tim C

Invitation to a B Group ride on Wednesday 7th February

You are invited to join the B ride from Cobham this Weds, 7 Feb.  We are heading to lunch at The Bear Hotel, Esher.  Not far you might think, but we will be going via Effingham! The ride is 23 miles and a gently undulating mixture of on and off road, route below.  We can park our bikes in the garden/car park at the back of the pub. A new venue for us I believe, but we enjoyed a pleasant lunch there on our recce!  For information their lunch menu is below, no pre-ordering required.

In view of the length of the morning ride and as many will be well on their ways home at Esher, there will be no organised afternoon ride. 

Please let me know by the evening of Monday 5 Feb if you would like to join the ride by email to gillholder9@gmail.com

Here is the route   https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45380159

Look forward to seeing you all.

Gill

(Click to enlarge) 

Invitation to A ride from Cobham: 7th February

After last weeks urban adventures Escape to the Country returns on Wednesday as we head to the Surrey Hills. Ultimately we're heading to  the Plough at Leigh for lunch but the long way round. It's almost 24 miles to lunch via Whitedown, Holmbury St Mary, Ockley, Capel and Newdigate. After lunch the ride it's just under 13 miles back to Ashtead Park garden centre via Pixham and Little Switzerland. So there are some hills but also a long stretch of easier, faster riding from Holmbury to lunch. 

No need to pre-order but it might help if you knew in advance what you want for lunch.

Today's menu  on the recce but specials may vary.

To join please email me by 5pm on Monday.

Hilly 50k - Saturday 13 April - Don't Miss It!

This year’s Hilly 50k will be on Saturday 13 April 2024 from Ryka’s, Dorking. Sign on from 9.00am, depart at 10am. Finish at the top of Box Hill.

The route, and all the hills you love are unchanged. For full details see our Hilly 50 web page.

If 13th April is not suitable, you are welcome to do the ride alone or with friends at any time of your choosing.

If you've not yet experienced this memorable ride, this is definitely the year for it! And check out the video by Charlotte Barnes who rode the 2010 Hilly 50 on fixed wheel.

Last year we succeeded in tripling the number of female riders to three. This year we hope to increase that number and also continue to attract a wider group of riders who might not normally attempt such a ride.

If you are not familiar with the route, or nervous of the hills I plan to organise a sensibly paced group ride, including a welcome (for me at least) mid-ride coffee stop at Kings Head Shop on Pitland St, Holmbury St Mary. Please let me know if you are interested (d.vine207@btinternet.com).

As in previous years we ask riders to support St Raphael’s Hospice, a cause close to the heart of our late organiser, Mike Morley. Donations of £10 (or more if you prefer) via our JustGiving page (with Gift Aid) to this most deserving cause.

 

B Groups Wednesday the 31st Jan 2024

really good turnout at Ellery Hall, a few extras on the day plus a few dropouts, 30 had signed up for the ride and we had 2 sub-leaders, many thanks to Tony Hooker and Tim Court for taking on the roles.

It was a tad chilly and we had a headwind for the trip West. The shortish off-road had very little mud and we were soon cycling North of Sandown Park and past Sigma Sports workshops. The recently tarmacked alley took us to the Molesey Road and still heading West, we soon reached the outskirts of Weybridge, then Adlestone and into Green Lane finally into Hardwick Lane.

 

We soon reached the turn off of Almners Road then a left into St Ann's Hill Road and the short climb before a very fast descent.. It's a nice ride through the little parks of Chertsey before reaching the edge of Chertsey Meads and on to lunch at the Bridge Hotel.

Although we were the first group to leave 11's, the second group were already knives and forks ready for lunch? Mmm, a shortened route and missing St Ann's Hill. It did take a little while to cater for around 27 hungry cyclists and one or two lunches were not up to par, but overall a good lunch venue for big groups.

Having eaten, chatted and relaxed, it was soon time to head for tea, it was only 10 miles to the, relatively new cafe at the Lion Gate at Bushey Park. A touch more, good, off-road and a following wind saw us entering Bushey Park by the gate at St Alban's Riverside. Then only a short ride to tea.

It was nice to see a good few stops, the cakes were very good, and the cafe in in the old Lion Gate Hotel, which had been empty for a few years. Cycle parking is not catered for (yet), but we were upstairs and the bikes were in view just across the road.

It was soon time to be on our way as dusk was approaching. Thank you to everyone for another nice day out in good company. Once again, many thanks to Tony and Tim for Subing and to those who backmarked, which was Mick in my group.

Tony..

____________________________________________________________

After a few changes to the original lineup due to people feeling unwell, I headed out from the Elleray Hall with the third team, Christina, Bob, Martin, Anne and Ree, and across Bushy Park. We looped through Thames Ditton to Hinchley Wood then took the scenic path through Littleworth Common. The routes to Weybridge and Addlestone were familiar to some of us as the regular routes to Elevenses. We approached Chertsey by a devious route which included St Ann's Hill then missed the turn off Twynersh Avenue onto the cycle path. Back on track, we rode through Gogmore Farm Park, following The Bourne and carrying on into Free Prae Road Park before the final stretch to approach the pub from Bridge Wharf Road. This allowed a brief photo opportunity but after 20 miles the team were keen to hustle the leader into The Boathouse restaurant at The Bridge Hotel.

 

We enjoyed our leisurely lunches and were a bit tardy getting away. In Upper Halliford we rode the long tracks around past the London Irish Rugby ground and Sunbury and were finally in Bushy Park with a gentle tailwind pushing us to the Lion Gate Café which proved to be an excellent venue for afternoon tea. a first-time visit for most of us.

Thanks to Tony for devising the route and to my cheerful team for hanging in there.

 Tim

River Thames Scheme

Pete Barnard, our former Secretary, has sent us this interesting news:

In my local library I have come across a Statutory Consultation Brochure for the above. Apologies if you already know about it but it’s a fairly chunky book dealing largely with Surrey flood prevention. However there are two issues that may interest South West London CTC. The proposal includes:

• upgrades to the Thames Path
• a new(ish) cycle path from Walton to Staines.

The latter requires 2 new footbridges over the Thames (there is another option without the bridges that would be rather fragmented).

The consultation runs to 4th March with various meeting all over the place.

Perhaps you could update the Committee and maybe we might find a volunteer to progress our interests.

Pete

 

Details of the consultation and plans are available via this link:

https://www.riverthamesscheme.org.uk/

~ Tim

Cycling UK Ride Leader Training

I recently completed the Cycling UK online course for ride leaders. You may find it a useful refresher for things to consider when leading a ride – plus you get a certificate when you complete the course, which perhaps you could get framed!

It takes around 1 hour to complete and here is the link:

Member Group Ride Leader (cyclinguk.org)

The Cycling UK online training is separate to the main Cycling UK website and unfortunately the logins are not synchronized. 

So, you will need to get a separate username and password. 

To do that email Julie Rand at Cycling UK (volunteering@cyclinguk.org) stating that you want to do the online 'member group ride leader' course and that you are a member of CTC SW London. She will then send you login details.

On the web site it says the course cost £15 – ignore this!! 

It is open all member group ride leaders and is free once you get the login.

Good Luck!

'A' Gruop Ride Report for Weds 31 Jan 2024 (Teddington & Selsdon)

 

I do like a quiet life and I took steps I hoped would deter anyone from this ride!    Suggesting there will not be many hills always puts off 'A' groupers, so that was an obvious first step!   Plotting a route not heading west or north-west from Teddington into their natural territory will always unsettle the 'A's', and the very word 'Croydon' is anathema!   Mentioning 'industrial estates' and taking the ride through a desolate post-industrial  landscape littered with disused gasholders must play a part!  Including a ride along the romantically-named 'Pig Farm Alley' must be a deterrent!  Arranging for gloomy, cold and cheerless weather will have its role!   If all else fails and anyone is foolhardy enough to respond to the invitation, then send a polite reply filled with doom-laden safety warnings and cryptic directions about dropped kerbs and staggered crossings!   How could it possibly fail?

The results are rather complicated!   25 booked onto the ride through the usual channels, although three did subsequently see sense and pull out (I will have to watch them)!   There were another two late joiners, and Daniel gate-crashed tea at Horton Chapel (as if)!    So, sadly, all my efforts at amateur behaviour-modification were to no avail and I will have to think of something yet more dastardly for next time!   

On a more serious note, somewhat to my surprise, everyone seemed to quite enjoy the ride!   The two-mile, relentless, long drag from South Croydon up Croham Road and Farley Road to Selsdon was particularly appreciated, as was Montpelier Road, Purley's own version of the Alpe d'Huez (especially appreciated no doubt if you have just 'enjoyed' a haggis meal for lunch at Selsdon Wetherspoons)!   By the end of the ride even I was growing a bit disenchanted with the roller coaster feel of going east to west across the foothills of the North Downs and there were no more factory estates to relieve the boredom!

Anyway, many thanks everyone for your support and your company and welcome back Gina C!   Particular thanks to Hans, Neil W and Neil C for volunteering to lead groups in the face of severe adversity (particulalrly so for Neil C), and to Dave E for back-marking my group.

(Photo credits to Andy C and Neil W)