A group 2 April: Cobham - Warnham - Denbies

Ahh, cycling shorts!   Well, that could be misunderstood by some people but after a long winter of bulky long clothes, it was a real pleasure to don the shorts on a lovely warm day yesterday.   A good turnout at Cobham provided 22 willing riders for the A ride, although Ray punctured almost immediately and decided to make his own way to lunch.  

Turning south to avoid the worst of the air pollution in the Midlands, we flagrantly flouted Dr. Kelly's rule with a biggish hill in both morning and afternoon.   Steady cycling via Effingham to White Down, and then back up through  Holmbury St. Mary, followed by the glorious descent to Forest Green.  The taste of polluted air was replaced by the scent of wild garlic, and ... other farmyard smells.  The route south to Walliswood was plain sailing and seemed more down than up; and a little loop via Rowhook took us to the Sussex Oak at Warnham, where we found another large party had arrived just before us.   Nonetheless good food was served reasonably promptly for most, and we enjoyed sitting outside with good company.   Janice and Mark had to leave us after lunch for afternoon appointments, so a round 20 of us made the return journey.

Returning via the level crossing at Warnham and Brookhurst Wood (well it sounds pictureque but doesn't mention the large landfill site, now being covered and landscaped).  Rolling countryside to Ockley and a little way up the A29 before turning onto Broomehall Road which took us up to Coldharbour for the run down to Dorking. A final detour took us along St Paul's Road and over the little green hill of Cotmandene, from where you could see all the way to, er, Dorking.  We arrived at Denbies around 4pm and several decided to head straight home, so a dozen of us stopped for tea and cake.

36 miles, 2700 ft of ascent, one puncture, and none lost.  A good day out and hopefully many more to come as summer approaches.   My thanks to Colin for doing a great job as back marker and keeping us all together.

Easy Riders - 2nd April (map)

Lynda's route from Cobham to Kingston for lunch

B Group - 2nd April

We all assembled at The British Legion, Cobham. Despite dire forecasts of high levels of air pollution, 22 of us set out for Shalford. The weather turned quite warm for the time of year. The chosen route was via East Horsley, to Combe Bottom; this is a steady climb nearly all the way (but not too steep anywhere). Then to Albury, Chilworth and Shalford (14 miles). At Shalford we stopped at The Parrot Inn where lunches and drinks were served.
The meals at The Parrot Inn were of a reasonable standard and the staff did an excellent job coping with a large group together with their usual customers also having lunch. Unfortunately hot food was served on cold plates.

After lunch we set off towards Guildford taking a route on the periphery via East Shalford Lane, Tilehouse Road, Pilgrims’ Way, Echo Pit Road, Warwicks Bench Road and Sydenham Road, eventually joining the A246. We continued on the A246 until we reached East Clandon. Thereafter, we followed a route via Send HM Prison and Ockham back to Cobham for tea (also 14 miles). Above twenty bike riders is a largish group to manage, so I was grateful to Terry who did backup and to other volunteers who did some marshalling duties in the middle of the group. Having this kind of support is essential with a large group.

Peter Carpenter  

Harold Fifield

Many of you will have heard with sadness of the recent death of Harold Fifield. His daughter has sent the following very warm message to John Scott,  to be passed on to all Harold's friends and clubmates:

"Dear Sou'Westers / Midweek Wayfarers

I am saddened to let you know that my darling father, Harold Fifield, died on Thursday 20th March at the age of 82 from Parkinson's Disease.

As many of you know he moved up to Scotland in October 2009, after one bicycle accident too many, to be close to me and my husband as he became more wobbly. 

Dad was determined to carry on cycling, but he was eventually persuaded to hang up his cap a couple of years ago. Undeterred, he would walk up the high street with his 'wheelie' for support. Or, when this became too much, just up the road, supported by his wife and his cat 'Georgie' leading the way - much to the amusement of the neighbours! He loved his bungalow in Biggar with the beautiful views and scenery that he still enjoyed in the many country drives that we took.

He had lived with Parkinson's Disease for over 17 years until it finally took its toll leaving him fragile and virtually immobile. My mother Veena, cared for him at home until August and then visited him every day at the nearby nursing home where he was well looked after and continued to cause his own kind of mischief when he could! The staff knew about his love for cycling and his cars through the photos on the wall and the stories that he told with that twinkle in his eyes.

Dad was an energetic, generous and joyful man. I know he treasured his many years with the cycling club, both for the wonderful rides and the special company.

There will be a humanist service on Wednesday April 2nd at Mortonhall Crematorium, Edinburgh. The local florist will be making a wreath in the shape of a bicycle. Other than this, we have asked for no flowers but people can make a donation to Parkinson's UK, if they wish, by going to this website in memory of dad: https://www.justgiving.com/harold-fifield.

Kindest of regards and the family wish you all many happy days of cycling ahead."

Shivali Fifield (01501 785 110)

We send our deepest sympathy to his wife Veena and to his daughter Shivali.

Jeff

Easy Riders - 26th March

About 8 riders came with me for lunch at Teddington.  Another 5 came to Longmead for 11's.

For the ride I passed West Ewell station towards Nonsuch Park and turned left at Sparrow Farm Road. We took the back roads to Worcester Park and continued on the cycle track to the Kingston cycle route. We passed Berrylands station and continued to Kingston market place. It still looks like a building site there although the notice says opening March 2014· We took a left turn to the tow path and followed this around Ham to Teddington.  We enjoyed our lunch at Tide End Cottage. Coming back through Bushy Park, Hampton Court, Long Ditton, Hook, Chessington, Ewell Court to Cheam. 3 of us enjoyed drinks and cake at Tasha' s Tea room. We got to Nonsuch Park before the hail came down, and made 3's before getting wet.

Lynda.

Easy Riders - 26th March (map)

Lynda's ride from the Longmead Centre in Epsom to Teddington Lock for lunch, and back to Kingston (I believe) afterwards.

B Group 26 March

It was 11.30 - a little  later than usual when B Group left Addlestone as our cyclists from Cheam needed time to enjoy their elevenses for they had not arrived until after 11am, and I understand that was after a speedy ride from the start!    Before leaving I was introduced to two first timers, Ingrid and Margaret who rode extremely well through out the day!   We look forward to having them with us again on future rides.

 Our outward route was Green Lane, Bittams Lane, through Homewood Park into Stonehill Road.  Gracious Pond Road led us into Windlesham Road and hence on through Windlesham to cross the A30, into Sunninghill Road.    A left at the X roads leads into Ascot High Street where we lunched at The Stag.  WELL.....the food was great, but the wait really was a little too long!  Only one person preparing food for 25 hungry cyclists!!??     Never mind, the staff did their best and they were very pleasant.

 

My plan was to have tea at Squires, Shepperton in Upper Halliford Road.... so we returned via Windsor Great Park, Englefield Green, Thorpe Village, Chertsey and Shepperton.   A very well known route to some...not to all, so I hope I did not lose anybody!!  I had lots of help from back markers and from Neil going between our two groups.  Irene and Gill did a fine job and thanks to anybody else who helped guide folks to our destinations!

 

Well done to all for the weather forecast was not very good and it was very cold in the afternoon and worse still when it rained!!  Never fear...it will soon be summer :) :)

 

Thank you Tim for posting the route maps and to Terry for posting this report - Pam :) :) 

 

 

A Group, 26 March 2014

Addlestone - Jealott's Hill - Shepperton

 Excellent value at the New Leathern Bottle

 A hearty lunch put a smile on our faces - despite hail and rain

 Graham's sturdy new steed - under cover and unsullied by any unseemly roughstuff gloop. Gold star!

March 26 A ride

My timing was out on the road to Addlestone so no tea for me and a quick turnaround saw 15 heading towards Trumps Green. We sneaked through Wentworth on West Drive and left the A30 at Sunningdale. On Ascot's racecourse I made the call and after escaping North Ascot, we turned onto minor roads past Warfield church. Missing Wellers Lane saw us riding on the A3095 rather than crossing it to Tickleback Row! At 1250 the New Leathern Bottle hoved into view where two reserved tables were ours.

An hour later we left; the skies had darkened with light hail. But the wind proved helpful as we headed along the A330 towards the Loch Fyne restaurant. On this stretch increased rubbing from my new and ill fitted mudguards was cause for comment. After Windsor Great Park, it was down Tite Hill into Egham and a queue at the level crossing; a phenomenon repeated in Staines and Laleham. Rain fell as we turned north in Shepperton and over the motorway to the reopened Longacres Garden Centre in Nutty Lane. Still raining as we split over an hour later. About 35 miles from 11s to tea.

B Group - 26th March (map)

The Map shows Pam's route from Addlestone to The Stag in Ascot (13.2 miles) then after lunch to Squires in Upper Halliford (16.6 miles).

St Raphael thanks CTCSWL for Hilly 50

Please go to SWLDA Blog!

Wednesday 19 March 2014

Our leader

On our way through Hyde park we saw ... not quite sure who!

Pleasant pub for lunch

Easy Riders - 19th March

About a dozen riders left Ashtead hall after 11's.  Judy, with a broken ankle and stick (playing football at the w/e!); went to lunch by car with Doreen and Ron.   I led over Ashtead Common towards Longmead in Ewell.  Down the cycle path and left at Green Lane to the back way of Ewell Court Park.  Down past the playground then left onto the cycle/walking path to Ruxley Lane.  Crossed over to Derek Ave., then the backways through Chessington to the Ace of Spades, and lunch at The Cap in Hand.  Only three went all the way back to Cheam.  We left Les towards home; and Sandy and I had tea and cake at Tasha's teashop in Cheam Village.

Lynda.

Maps for Tony's London Ride with A and B Groups

Tony Hopkins led an excellent ride today and for all of us who were mere passengers we cruised through the centre of London and out the other side with very little stress at all. The London rides are probably among the most demanding for leaders and Tony pulled this one off with great panache. Dave Vine too did an excellent job of leading and looking out for our secondary group and kindly led many of us as far as Wimbledon after Tea which saved us all a lot of navigational bother.

The maps, all on an old version of the Geographers' A-Z, are in a different place this time. They are at:

http://tinyurl.com/TonysLondonRide

The London Ride

March the 19^th is the London Ride and a 9.00am start from North Cheam.
11's will be at the Madeira cafe Vauxhall just opposite the MI5 building
Lunch will be at the Gatehouse pub (Wetherspoons) Highgate.
Afternoon tea will be at the La Gondola Al Parco cafe in Battersea park.

A group route to Balcombe

Jeff met and even exceeded his promise of an undulating ride to Balcombe.  I made it 40.2 miles with 2300 ft of ascent.

A Group, 12th March.

Redhill - Balcombe - Dorking

Curtain-raiser of the day was mist, soon burned away by Redhill. Standing room only at 11's before the troops fell in behind their designated leaders. Platoon A's objective was to storm the fracking fields of Balcombe. With the first roundabout negotiated without casualty, the yomp was underway, soon bearing S.E. to the welcoming undulation of Philanthropic Road, to set the circulation in motion and stretch those sluggish tendons. We skirted Redhill Aerodrome to the East and were soon within sight of the rather raggedy sails of Outwood Mill. South then to Smallfield and Copthorne to enter Old Hollow, for the short, sharp climb to meet Turners Hill Road and the steady upward angle of incidence to crest Turners Hill.

We doubled back along Paddockhurst Road and into Back Lane for the reward of a long and effortless downhill scoot through the woods of Paddockhurst Park. A glimpse of a rather hazy Worth Abbey invited a photo stop, before we resumed our downhill helter-skelter to the benign waters at the head of Ardingly Reservoir. With our destination now almost in sight above us, it took no more than a granny gear to overcome the force of gravity and arrive glowing at the door of the Half Moon Inn.

A table reserved for 10 was soon extended for the 12 who wanted lunch. The question of whether to order at table or at the bar was resolved by a mass migration to the bar.  After one of our number ordered diet coke, my request for diet Sussex Best caused some consternation; the beginning of a steep learning curve. The menu, food and beer were good, though the inexperience of the young and helpful staff did show, with some unfortunate delay in service. However, our hostess could not have been more apologetic. I shall return.

Our delayed departure encouraged a lively pace for afternoon tea, via Handcross (where a front wheel met a rear one, fortunately causing no more than a bruised sense of dignity), Pease Pottage, Colgate, Faygate and Rusper. Here Angie, undaunted by the earlier undulations, decided to plough her own furrow to Leatherhead. We were then on auto-pilot through Newdigate to a welcome pot of tea and cake at Denbies.

My thanks to all for their sporting company, to Mike M for his welcome work as TEC, and a special mention to Ray, who floated along all day and absorbed the ups and downs with aplomb on a single gear. We can only stand back and applaud in admiration. Other mortals may have felt a twinge or two.

Our mileage, like our vision, was 20 out x 20 back, plus whatever bonus miles you earned from home and after tea. Our feet and bottom brackets stayed dry (I have had to replace one - BB that is) and hopefully all made it home in daylight. The lengthening days and warmer weather may encourage some longer, springtime rides.

Jeff

Easy Riders - 12th March

Kingston Bradbury Centre – Kingfisher, Chertsey Bridge – Five at the Bridge, Hampton Court. 

First I would like to say how lovely it was to see Wendy & David Salmon this morning. Sadly they weren’t able to continue with us as David has just started another course of treatment which leaves him quite weak.  We wish him well.

15 left the D.C. on a beautiful sunny day to go to Chertsey Bridge via Bushy Park – Hampton Lower Road – Sunbury Village – Shepperton, We returned along the river to Laleham – Walton Bridge – Hurst Road – Molesey to Hampton Court, where 7 enjoyed tea and cakes.

Thank you everyone for a lovely day.

Irene 

Morning ride in Fuchsia, afternoon ride in Aqua

B Group - 12th March (maps and photo)

Most of us sat outside and soaked up the rays

Showing the unmapped cycle path which Terry discovered

The main ride, Redhill - Horne - Reigate

Vital statistics: North Cheam to Redhill 11.3 miles, Redhill to Horne 15.9 miles, Horne to Reigate GC 10.4 miles, Reigate GC to Friends Prov. roundabout 7.3 miles

Terry led us back to Dorking so that we didn't have to ride up Pebble Hill

B Group 12 March

 

 

 



Crowhurst yew

Yew again

Is that yew, Ed ?

Jolly Wayfarers at Jolly Farmer, Horne

 

On what was probably the best day for cycling this year so far, sixteen Bs including new Wayfarer Jenny set off north westish from Redhill on N21, but not for long due to a flooded section. An alternative was a new track to a housing estate (formerly an industrial estate) which led to Nutfield Road near Mill Lane. Back on course we were soon in Nutfield where the A25 took us to Bletchingley and we turned into Rabies Heath Road to Tilburstow Hill. A brief pause at the top to admire the hazy view then via the lanes to the next stop to see the elderly Crowhurst yew. Continuing south we were soon in Blindley Heath, then a short stretch of the A22 led to Byers Lane and the lunch venue, The Jolly Farmer at Horne.

 

Some of the food was a little slow in coming, (for which we received apologies) but we were sitting in the sun, 3s wasn't far away, and one bench had an interesting conversation - 'Will I be able to see my keys hanging on a tree above my eye-level about six miles back?' (The answer proved to be 'Yes'). The afternoon route was via Smallfield, Salfords and Lonesome Lane to Reigate Garden Centre, just over twenty-six miles from Redhill. Most stopped here and later continued on lanes to Dorking where I peeled off.    

 

A wonderful day's cycling with everyone arriving home dry and in daylight (I hope).

 

Thanks to Tim and David for keeping an eye on things at the rear.

 

Terry