Cobham to Beaconsfield with a well deserved cup of tea at Shepperton

Ten A riders set off from Cobham on Wednesday with the promise of a swift ride to 

Beaconsfield for lunch. A tall order given that lunch was over 30 miles away. The route took us through New Haw, Windsor Park, Dorney and on towards Beaconsfield past Clivedon Hall and final climb up a narrow lane to lunch at The Royal Standard of England, where British history was rearranged and ‘comforting’ jokes were told. Mike set off early for home whilst the rest of the group did a back double to Beaconsfield and tea at Shepperton via Fulmer and Iver. Tea at 4.20 pm, which was good going. Well done to the group for sticking together and riding at a good pace. Thanks to Dave for backmarking and Simon for the map and stats.

     

59 miles, 2020 feet of ascent from 11s to tea. 

B Group - 6th September (Map and photos)

A very good ride with Peter T today, not a lot of miles but lovely scenery and some high quality undulation (1538 feet of climbing). The back marker suffered a puncture during the afternoon so in order to catch up he stayed on the A25 after Hollow Lane, all the way into Dorking so the map below doesn't show the official route which was our customary one up Balchins Lane and through Milton Court.

Coefficient of undulation about 0.73; well done B Group!

Big crowd - 26 at lunch

Same view taken using the B Brindley panoramic technique

Golden Beeches 2017

Golden Beeches Weekend  20-22 October 2017

Entry form and Info sheet now available.

Entry Form

Info Sheet

Tony..

Wednesday's B Ride from Cobham

We are heading into the hills aiming for the Hurtwood in Peaslake - ups and downs both before and after lunch - all tarmac.

Peter T

Wednesday's A ride from Cobham

A couple of months ago I tried to lead a ride to the Chilterns (Little Kingshill) only to be defeated by the deluge that descended that day. So here goes again, same direction but given that we are starting from a different venue a slightly shorter ride north. Up and around Beaconsfield for lunch at 38 miles, down past Hedgerley, Iver and tea at Shepperton. Away at 11 sharp from Cobham, lunch at around 35 miles with a total mileage to tea of 62 miles. A possibility of a short cut to lunch depending on time.

NB one very short off Road section which should prove no problem whatever bike you’re riding.

Mike Morley joins the casualty list

Mike Morley in the Wars

I had a call from Mike Morley this morning from his hospital bed in St Helier Hospital. I understand that he was hit by a bus on Saturday morning, while on his way to a KPRC meet at Ripley. The incident happened at a roundabout on the A24, possibly the Leatherhead by-pass roundabout. From his description, he suffered bruising and grazing, no broken bones but some concussion, hence his admission for observation and some stitches. A scan showed some intra-cranial bleeding but specialist advice suggested fortunately that this should not be a problem. He was wearing a helmet. He hopes to be discharged tomorrow, Tuesday. A status report on his bike is awaited.

We wish him well, a speedy discharge and full recovery.

Jeff

Dieppe to Paris, August 2017

Jennie, I and our friend Neil, cycled from Dieppe to Paris last week; here are our notes on a really wonderful trip.

We decided not to cycle the British side of the traditional London to Paris route, thereby reducing the time and also in reality we were only ever interested in the ride in France.

We sought advice and information from both Mark Gladwyn and Peter Tiller, both of them came ‘up trumps’, and that was invaluable.

Firstly, we didn’t actually follow the Avenue Verte route, we did parts of it, crossed it and saw lots of signs for it but on Peter’s recommendation we followed the Donald Hirsh route from Dieppe to Paris.

An early morning drive to Newhaven and across the channel on the 09.00am ferry to Dieppe, 4-hour trip, and as we decided to take two days for the ride we had planned an overnight stay at the Hotel de la Plage in Dieppe, a good hotel to stay at, bike friendly. When we booked the hotel, we were not aware that it is the same hotel many Wayfarers stay at for the Dieppe Raid, a conversation with Tim C before we left gave us this information, so on checking in we mentioned the club and in particular Pam Jones to whom the owner sends her best wishes.

Starting the next morning in bright sunlight and warm conditions we followed the route to Forges les Eaux about 35 miles all along the Avenue Verte. Coffee in Neufchatel-en-Bray, a sandwich in Forges, this stretch is very safe but can become a little boring, all along a tarmac track, barriers every half K to keep the pace down.

Leaving Forges, the ride became more interesting, some hills, a lot of rolling countryside, just the type we would all be used to, very enjoyable!
 
Our stop that night was in Chaumont en Vexin, about 10K off route but, in this area, there are not too many places to stay. We stayed in the Hotel Saint Nicolas, adequate but not great, the first day was 74 miles to the hotel, the afternoon temperature maxed out at 34 degrees.

The second day, warm but cloudy, coffee was in Menucourt and lunch in Villennes, again rolling roads, good riding. After lunch, it was mainly in forests, along paved roads and tracks and then out at the outskirts of Versailles, where we arrived about 04:00pm. We stopped to visit the Palace but were only allowed to the outskirts of the Palace with cycles.
 
Back on the bikes after Versailles, apart from the stretch in the Bois de Boulogne it is all Urban cycling, a lot of stopping at lights etc.

We arrived in the suburbs Paris at around 07.00 pm, unfortunately rain starting to come down heavily, the wet cobbled streets of Paris are great if you like cycling in London, frightening if you don’t.

The hotel that night was near the Gare St. Lazare. With information from Mark I had booked tickets from the Gare in Paris to Dieppe, the train has spaces for cycles, every couple of coaches. There is of course also the Eurostar train that returns to London, but we had a car in Newhaven.
 
We caught the 08:52am train that arrived in Dieppe at 10:58, you change at Rouen, with only 8 mins between the scheduled arrival and the departure of the next train, and having to get from Platform 2 to 8 you need to run to make it, at least 15 mins would have been better. Both trains were comfortable, clean and very reasonably priced.

Back in Dieppe we caught the 12:30 ferry back to Newhaven.

Mark had said not to think about doing the ride, rather, we should do it, he could not have been more right! We would certainly endorse that.

We want to again thank Mark and Peter for their encouragement and also Pam who, when we mentioned her name at the hotel in Dieppe, we received a better rate on our room. Always welcome.

Total distance: 136.29 miles, total climb:5374 ft, highest altitude 716ft.

No photos of Jennie as she was the one taking them!

David and Jennie Jackson

Golden Beeches 2017, Weekend 20th to 22nd October

CTC South Bucks invite you to our Golden Beeches 2017

 

A weekend event based at Great Kingshill, Bucks

   SU 876 979

All cyclists welcome . . .

.    Previously used and well proven venue
.    Quiet routes, with route maps or GPS instructions
·    Choice of rides each day, returning for refreshments
·   

·    (enquiries: e-mail )
·    Downloads will appear here later in 2017:
Contact Audrey Hughes (01296 696229)    

A Riders, Rain stopped enjoyment of all the hill climbs

There were signs of deja vu regarding today and the Tri Vets ride, I was hoping that the route would hold good unlike last year as I was leading again.
Discussions were held between myself, David V and Brian G before departing as to the best escape route should the weather turn wet but is wasn't going to happen was it? Stepping out from the Centre so the rain decided to try its luck, its luck was in.
Out we set from Leatherhead to travel on Lower Road to Effingham and then start our accent of High Barn to Ranmore Common, on the way down Ranmore Common Road we passed B group going up into the rain We gathered in our huddled masses and decided that the route from Mickleham to Bookham via Pixham Lane was to be our  best escape from the pleasure of Box and Pebble Hill.
At last we arrived at the pavilion to a welcome by a very eruditely dressed Simon wearing a Sou'Wester top, which looked very dry. Soon hot tea (rather than cold) was provided.

Several people spoke about the food that was available and as a matter of finding the recipe on line here are two websites I used.
Courgette and apple cake care of Bun Scuffle.co.uk.
Zucchine slice care of Taste.com.au
There are many more sites to choose from with different combinations of ingredients. Happy cooking.
Last but not least thanks to all those who were able to attend the A group ride and Dave V for back marking, and to Simon for coming up with the idea.  

Geoff

Brockham

Our hearty thanks to Simon for defying the elements to bring us together at Brockham, in communal opposition to  global warming. The threat seems more to be one of global incontinence. Not to be intimidated, a worthy throng at Leatherhead braved the weather gods to come together at Brockham Cricket Pavilion, drenched but not unbowed, for an indoors picnic. Leader Geoff even managed to provide us with home made quiche and apple and aubergine cake. Do his qualities know no bounds? Leaders, take note. Your performance will be scrupulously monitored to match this outstanding example.   Hopefully all made it home, by one means or another, through the persistent drizzle.

Whatever the weather, I would call this a success.

Jeff

Picnic in Brockham

Thanks to the technology ...

... we just knew that a Déjeurner sur l'Herbe might be out of the question, apart from one person who remained keen on the idea of sitting on the lawn ...

... while at least one of us was fairly glad to be indoors:









In the end we all enjoyed our picnics and cups of tea indoors, finishing nicely with a slice of Geoff's fine Courgette Cake.

Many thanks to Simon for having the idea and organising this event. It was good to see people who haven't been out with us lately, especially Tim Gibbons who remains cheerful, and philosophical about his long recovery from operations to mend his broken bones, and Gill who has returned from her Arctic expedition with tales of her adventure. And Bernard now has a Moustache!


We all agreed that today's weather was quite a lot better than it was on the day of our Tri-Vets rides last year.

~ Tim

A Riders The Great British Picnic?

We shall have a couple of ups and downs followed by a flat bit before arriving at Brockham approx. 23miles ---BUT---- as with some of our rides of late the outlook is not great according to the latest weather broadcast, so we may need to cut our ride short. David Vine has offered to back mark and we will discuss tomorrow if  needs be.
The picnic time could well be extended by the weather conditions or if any wished to use the facilities of the local hostelries.
The afternoon part of the ride again has a couple of ups interspersed with a bit of flat, tea could be at the top of Box Hill or Pilgrims or Denbies. Box Hill being first choice. This again can be cut short.
The weather will play a significant part in our plans, lets hope things go our way.

Geoff

Wayfarers Picnic - Wednesday 30 Aug

Exciting News! Next week it is the Wayfarers Picnic, as advertised in the Sou'wester.   So you can plan your picnic extravaganza, here are the details:

The main thing to know is that it will be just like a normal Wednesday ride, with separate A/B/Easy Riders rides, except that all rides will meet for lunch at Brockham Cricket Pavilion.   Bring your picnic to Leatherhead for elevenses (or buy it at Sainsbury's there) and transport will be available to take your picnic to Brockham.    Tea and coffee will be available, or you may wish to bring something a little stronger.   The whole thing is just an excuse for (another) sociable lunchtime with all the groups together.  

Your leader may let you linger a bit longer over lunch, maybe not - afterwards each group will go their own way to tea as normal.   All welcome - if you don't want to ride there is car parking at Brockham, which will be open from 12-2.30pm.   See you there!

A Group 23rd August

We had a good turn out, 14 in all, for what I believe was our first ride to a quiet corner of Kent. The wind was favourable for much of the way out, on a warm but overcast and humid day. The Lamb Inn at Swanley village was very welcoming and the pre-ordered food promptly arrived as we settled in the garden. The undulating route out was via Warlingham, Keston, Chelsfield, Lullingstone and Crockenhill. After lunch Dave W left for a train home, the rest of us took a small loop to see the view north towards the Dartford crossing then on towards St Marys Cray. After negotiating some fly-tipping which completely blocked the road we stopped breifly at Star Lane cemetery to view the impressive gravestones. From there it was a fairly direct route via Petts Wood mostly following London Cycling Network route through to our tea stop at the Coach House in Coombe Wood which was a welcome break after riding into a light headwind most of the way back.
Many thanks to Geoff for back marking and the group photo, and as usual, thank you to all corner markers who keep the ride flowing.

B Group - 23rd August

After sampling free cakes (apparently donated to the centre by Tesco) at Caterham ON THE HILL, ten Bs (including newcomer Dave Whiteley, welcome Dave, hope to see you again) set off south in muggy but dry conditions up Roffe’s Lane. Following a steepish descent, over the M25 we then turned left to Bletchingley. Continuing on the very quiet roads south to Outwood, Horne, Smallfield and Copthorne we were soon at The Shipley Bridge. Here the food was good and quite quickly served. Sitting outside we could watch the airliners on approach to Gatwick and listen to the M23 but it didn’t prevent conversation.

After lunch we crossed the M23 then turned right into Peeks Brook Lane and continued on the track at the Lane end, eventually joining Haroldslea Lane, leading to the Balcombe Road and Horley. The weather had improved, we frequently saw the sun. Having passed through Meath Green (and noticed the teddies in residence) we were somewhat surprised to see a new building estate. I think Lonesome Lane won’t be lonesome for much longer. We arrived at Reigate Garden Centre promptly at 1500 hrs for a leisurely break, then most rode home via Dorking.      

Thanks to Tim for being tec, others for corner marking and all for company.

Terry

The new Dave

John and Gillian

The well-fed team

Thanks to Steph for the segments of our route which my dodgy phone failed to record

~ Tim

A Group 23rd August

Keith took us out to the East today, terra incognita for most, but interesting riding and a good pub.  Neatly back through the suburbs to an ample tea at Lloyd Park, Croydon.

A very enjoyable day out.

Mark

A Group ride 23rd August Caterham

This weeks ride is to the Lamb Inn in Swanley village. About 21 miles from Caterham, mostly nice little lanes out, but mostly suburban route home.
We will need to pre-order lunch, I will have a copy of menu and take orders at 11ses.
Unfortunately there is no online menu available.

Easy riders 16th August

Twenty one of us gathered at Ashtead Bike Beans for coffee, then most of us followed Lynda down through Leatherhead and along our well-loved cycle route next to the A24 through Pixham Lane to the lovely Watermill Pub.  The beautiful garden terrace looking across to Boxhill viewpoint was empty as we arrived, so we spread ourselves across half of it, as you see! A lovely relaxed sunny lunch enjoyed by all, with our individual orders arriving in strict rotation from the kitchens...it took a long while with so many of us, but we were happy to linger.

On the way home a few of us headed along the railway line from Leatherhead station, over Ashtead and Epsom Commons, and to the Moat House tea room near Horton Park, lead by John Bellamy; while most of the group followed Lynda back to Chad's in Epsom for tea.

A lovely day out enjoyed by all.

B Group - 16th August

Despite the gloomy prognostications from South West Trains 14 riders met at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre for our ride. Steph had taken no chances with the railways and cycled all the way from Wimbledon to Elevenses. Chapeau !

To avoid the terminally horrible A281 we took a series of cycle paths which comprise Dagley Lane (aka NCN22) to Shalford. A quiet meander through Chinthurst Lane and Tannery Lane brought us back to the A281 which led to Foxburrow Hill Road and Munstead Heath.
Near Milford Hospital in Tuesley we picked up a beautiful new cycle path which took us around to the level crossing by Milford Station. The path is so new that it hasn’t yet appeared on OpenCycleMap.org’s website.
 
After Mare Hill Common we all turned off from the Lea Coach Road to ride the bobbley but rather lovely track through The Shrubbery, by Thursley Lake, to French Lane, apart from Dave Ward who probably feared a confrontation with the Knights who say ‘Ni’, and so opted to continue on paved roads and ride along the A3, the lesser of the two evils for him no doubt.
 
After Thursley we skirted around to the South of the MOD ‘Managed Access’ territory then had a fast run up through Rushmoor to the Barley Mow on Tilford Green.
We sat outside in the Garden just above the banks of the River Wey (South Branch). We had pre-ordered and although it took a wee while to deliver our food it was good stuff when it arrived. The staff looked after us well and we allowed ourselves to become blissed out in the sunshine a little longer than we usually do, especially as nobody had seen the sun on a Wednesday since July.
 
Sadly Terry discovered a flat tyre just as we were leaving the pub so retired to replace his tube while the rest of us carried on with the afternoon ride. We stopped for photos on the old 13th century West Bridge just around the corner from the pub.
 
We headed North until we reached Seale Lane on the Pilgrims’ Way where we turned East through Seale and Puttenham, then took a very scenic route along a rather grotty bit of route 22 to emerge near the Watts Gallery. In Compton we veered off the main road to find a quiet path through the trees on Compton Common, after which it was plain sailing into Farncombe for our Tea stop at Natters Café, a nice place where excellent coffee and tea was served by cheerful staff.
 
After Tea, rather than ruin our enjoyable day with an unpleasant ride along the A3100, we took the scenic route, leaving Farncombe on Furze Road, then Stakescorner Lane past Loseley Park, and down Sandy Lane to ride an unavoidable stretch of the A3100 which we soon left for a sharp climb up Mount Pleasant then a footpath and Guildford Park Road which brought us to the back entrance of the station.
 
Many thanks to Terry for back marking and several who marked corners, without whom the group may have become quite widely dispersed throughout these unfamiliar parts of Surrey.
 
17.8 miles to Lunch, 11.4 to Tea, 3.8 to Guildford Station, over 1700 feet elevation gain
 
~ Tim

A Group 16 August: Guildford - Grayswood (Haslemere)

Well, despite derailments and other disruption at Waterloo, a decent crowd showed up at Guildford for coffee outdoors - the first time that's been possible in about a month.  We left fashionably late, allowing just enough time for John Bassett to join the group of 15.   The warm-up hill out of Guildford was The Mount, leading us to a stretch of off-road, which was pretty dry.  Things went downhill from there, past Watts Gallery to Puttenham where we turned south west towards Elstead and Tilford, where the Bs were due to lunch at the Barley Mow.   Someone, who shall be nameless, suggested that we drop in and eat the B group's pre-ordered lunches, but we told him that even riding from London to Edinburgh wouldn't excuse him for such a sin.   

We were making good time, or so I thought (wrongly, as it turned out), so we did a little additional loop round Frensham and Spreakley, quite pretty, before heading past Frensham Pond and up hill towards Churt.  In fact, a little extra up hill as I took a wrong turning.  On the plus side, a little extra down hill as we corrected my mistake.    A nice ride along (and up) Whitmore Vale took us to Grayshott, where some people were thinking hopefully of lunch, being as it was well past 1pm, and Grayshott sounds a bit like Grayswood - but no, still another six miles to go, I cheerfully informed them, and they, less cheerfully, weren't sure if I was joking.  Skirting Hindhead we descended a rather exciting "access only" lane to arrive at Haslemere, where David J had to leave us, and it was a short hop to The Wheatsheaf at Grayswood, where they were almost as pleased to see us as we them.

Food was served promptly and consumed eagerly, (sitting outside!!) and we were on our way.   27 miles and two hours to lunch, but only ten miles to the Boathouse at Farncombe, passing through more quiet lanes and a bit of Godalming.  The proprietor at Farncombe was rather grumpy, as he thought we'd told him we were arriving at 3pm.  It didn't help things when I said we hadn't booked at all, but the combined charm of the A group won him over and he forgave us, serving us big pots of tea and cake, outside watching the boats come and go.   I reckon about half of the group had ridden to Guildford and were riding home - it would have been an 80+ mile ride for them.

Nice to ride on less-familiar routes, mostly quiet roads with quite a few lanes through woods or along scenic valleys.  Thank you to Geoff for the photos, to Mike B for back marking, and also to those who marked corners - it makes a big difference to everyone's enjoyment.  The route was devised by my brother Peter, who knows the area better than me, so you can blame him for the bits you didn't like.