Report for Easy Riders - 10th April

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

 

Hilly 50k Saturday 13 April 2024 – Ride Report

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.

 

In addition there were a few solo riders who had come through the CTC website, including one who had last week ridden the Paris-Roubaix sportive, and who commented on the toughness of our H50 course.We also had riders who had done the course a week ago, thanks guys for your support.

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.

Invitation to A's ride - the Blackdown adventure

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! 

Lunch is booked at the Half Moon Northchapel, and tea at the Snooty Fox (4pm cut off). To make that feasible we want to start early . .with leave times 10:30 thru 10:45.  

I have arranged for lunch pre-ordering .. please let me know your choice. 

At present the weather forecast is ok, with some sun, up to a 1/3 chance of light rain, so 2/3 chance of rain free.. 

Update Sat 13th evening .. some have said the gradient up Jays Lane is too much, there is now an alternative route up Blackdown which reduces the gradient, at the cost of two miles extra. This route option would leave the pub going south then west and north. In Komoot the Jay Lane climb is steep for about a kilometer, with max gradient shown as 12%. [ Our Strava record shows it is steeper than 12% for short durations ]. On the alternative route the steep part is 250m with a max of 8%. Please say if you want the less steep (longer) route option. 

PS: also there is Haslemere BR if the Blackdown climb takes too much out of you!

Please email me   neilwarland43@gmail.com    to join by 6:30pm Monday, preferably also with your meal choice.

Invitation to ride with the Bs on Wednesday 17th April

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.

Report for B Group - 10th April

In order of departure ...

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.

Outside were gathered the cyclists.

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.

At Peter’s calling we stopped time and went back to the 1400’s…to a manor built by the Tudors.  And then on we pedalled and neared our lunch stop.  There amid the commerce of our century, where plants in pots sell for good money, stands a 500-year-old tree.  It now kept watch over us as we settled.

It was then that we all noticed, felt, a change in the weather.  Winter’s comeback:  Those hovering clouds we had hoped to leave behind had caught up with us.  The sun was gone.  That grey shard of wet now splintered upon us.  On our bikes we got; the damp on our backs made them heavy.  On we pedalled, ever determined, up the long, long incline to our destination, Banstead, avoiding potholes, sunken drains and side ditches.  And arrive we did…all of us…our band of cyclists.

My cycling companions were Sabina, Peter, John, Stephen and Chris.  Thank you for a great ride.  Thanks to Andy for creating this route.  Thanks to Steph for your encouragement and thanks to Christina for your leadership.

~ Bernard

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.

 

The old dears by a gate at Wonham Manor

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.

Steph's merry crew in Merstham

~ Steph

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.

Standing by before departure

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

A group ride report - 10th April

My excursion to Barns Green proved more popular that I had anticipated and after 22 signed up I had to ring the pub to up my estimate for lunch. This was greeted with friendly thanks and no concern which set the tone for the day. The endless rainy weather had already made me abandon my original thoughts of tea in Brockham and home over the Coach Road. The forecast kept us guessing about rain until the day though the wind was a given.

After a couple of cancellations there were 20 of us at Dorking in three groups.

Neil W was first away:

This ride went well, a few simple changes like a new way out of Dorking making a pleasing difference. We rode into the wind ‘going’, our native bluebells were blooming in many places along the way. Partridge Lane as usual was a delight. Nearing Horsham I paid close attention to the ride notes and we were grateful for the new cycleway bridge.

After the bridge Mike rode close behind me and saved us from one or two navigation slips. Going thru Horsham suburbs light rain started. As we approached Barns Green I stopped, pointing out some flowers which Fiona knew were maids a milking. Also known as cuckoo flower. So named because they flower about when cuckoos are heard, (thks Hans). 

Most of us had the baked potato meals at the Queen's Head which were excellent. The return was apparently easier with the wind helping us. Dave B and others said to ease the pace a bit. We got back to Leatherhead without any substantial rain. Most went off for Oxshott, Steve and I had coffee at Ginger & Charlie. We all thought it was a good route and day out, Thks Brian.

 

 

Janice led the second group:

Our group comprising Andy C, Frances, Dave’s E and V, Mark, Ged and I left Dorking in between Neil W and Brian’s  groups. As the pub had not required pre-ordering we were obliged to keep a five or 10 minute gap between the groups either side of us.

There had already been a fair headwind just to get to Dorking and the forecast was showing the possibility of rain earlier or later, depending on which one you were looking at.

As we left Dorking and headed South it seemed that we were directly into the headwind virtually all the way to lunch. There were a few spots of rain and somewhere around Horsham we stopped to put on rain jackets and various other waterproof items. This of course ensured that the rain never became heavy so that those who hadn’t put on waterproofs could have a pleasant and comfortable ride!

Not long after this we travelled mile after mile seeing freshly bloomed bluebells which were a lovely sight to see, particularly as they hold the promise of summer being around the corner. We stopped to take a photo with a carpet of bluebells in the background although of course they’re not as stunning in the photo as they were in real life.

Not long after the stop we must’ve turned North as we were at last out of the headwind as we headed for the Queen’s Head at Barns Green. Although the food on offer wasn’t the same as we’d seen online it was good and served quickly.

After some delay in getting the group together (not entirely successfully as Ged was missing) we took our usual pub photo.

And then we were off for a speedy return with a blissfully strong tailwind. Apart from a bit of a delay waiting for a tree to be felled near a power cable it was straight through to Leatherhead to stop at Charlie and Ginger for refreshments. The only flapjacks left were miso flapjacks which we were rather dubious about; however, we all agreed they were delicious and they’re now my favourite flapjack!

We all agreed it was a lovely route, made special by the first display of bluebells this year. Thanks to Brian for that, Dave V for back marking my group and the good company of all.

My group of Sue C, David and Jennie, Dave F and Neil C set off after Janice. The headwind was tough but nothing like that on my recce. We stopped for a photo on the new cycleway over the A264.

A light shower followed but we didn't stop and it soon cleared. Then onwards south until we reached Marlpost Lane which had been rather lifeless on my recce but now was full of bluebells and even a bit of sunshine to highlight them. Lunch at the Queens Head was excellent, even if the first group had eaten all the jacket potatoes. Good food, generous portions at reasonable prices and very efficent, friendly service in a traditional pub setting. We need to make sure that it's not another 10 years before we return.

Then home with the wind behind us but the rain chasing. We stopped for jackets by Tanhouse Farm as the drizzle turned to rain but by Newdigate it was almost dry again. Road Closed and diversion signs as we passed Red Lane were followed by the sight of a huge crane filling the road. The workmen helpfully invited us to walk past and we were soon on out way.

David and Jennie headed for the train at Dorking and Sue and Neil headed home at Leatherhead. Dave and I just made it to Charlie and Gingers before the downpour and joined the other groups for a recap of a most enjoyable day. 

My thanks to my group and especially Jennie for back marking.

Reminder - Hilly 50k This Saturday 13 April

A reminder that this year’s Hilly 50k will be next 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 await you. For full details see our Hilly 50 web page.

Stop press after yesterday's final route check. Logmore Lane has been beautifully resurfaced - ride it while you can.

Yesterday's route checking team

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

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. So far we have raised about £450 of our target of £1,000. Entry is free but donations of £10 (or more if you prefer) via our JustGiving page (with Gift Aid) to this most deserving cause.

Photos thanks to Ged

 

                         

Invitation to a B Group ride - 10th April

We will have 11s at the delightful St. Martin's church café and lead an undulating ride through many quiet and familiar, sometimes not so quiet or familiar, country lanes before and after lunch to Banstead High Street for afternoon tea/coffee.

This is our route:

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45860084

It's about 15 miles to lunch at the Priory Farm Garden Centre Café, and just over 10 miles to afternoon tea/coffee.

As it is a school holiday week, road traffic should be relatively quiet, and being a Wednesday, our lunch place probably won't be over-crowded, but expect some parents and children especially as there is a children's "Discovery Land" next door with facilities and trails.

It is advisable to locate a table and get the table number prior to ordering food and drinks.

On our reccy on Friday 5 April (considered a busy day), it took about 15 - 20 minutes to get the hot drinks and foods of good quality. You might like to pack a sandwich if you don't like queueing for long.

Please email me cberkley33@gmail.com if you would like to join the ride.

~ Christina

Invitation for A ride April 10th

Our ride from Dorking on Wednesday is to the Queens Head at Barns Green - some six miles south of Horsham. The first A ride visit since 2014 (yes, that was me too!).

We don't need to pre-order but you might like to look at the menu to speed things up when we get there.

Queens Head

It's not particularly hilly with nothing too steep though we have to climb to Rusper in both directions . Outward via Parkgate, Rusper, Horsham and Brooks Green, back via Warnham and Newdigate. It is quite long as we're coming back to Leatherhead for tea. About 24 miles each way, just over 48 in all. 

Please email me by 5pm on Monday if you would like to join. I would appreciate replies before the earlier cut off as I'm out on Monday evening. Thanks.

Report for B Group - 3rd April

Cobham - Walton on Thames - Bushy Park

a ride by Robert T.

Steph writes:

Being first to leave Cobham we were about to pedal off at 10.40 when Vic White cycled up hoping for a chat with folk before the ride.

Team Steph heading out

He has enough lung capacity to chat as he cycles and so accompanied us up Plough Lane.  The route was perfect for those who'd had a cycling Easter at Eastbourne and we were soon happily through Ripley and on the scenic loop through to Lock Lane.  However all was not well.  A collision held us up a bit but no damage done and we had the pleasure of accompanying Vic home with an added tour of his garden.

We then picked up the route in Weybridge and arrived at the same time as everyone else.  
An enjoyable afternoon and tea at the Pheasantry.   Thanks Robert for the route and Ray and Pam and Bob for backmarking/advising on routes etc.  A great day out.

~ Steph


Robert writes:

A total of 31 enthusiastic riders were at Cobham for the B ride (excluding Vic who joined Steph's group at the start).

We divided into 3 groups led by Stepanie, myself and Fixie Dave. My group of 11 included Francis as back marker, Diane, Michael, Chris, Sabina, Bernard, Tim C, Ann, Anne and Alan I. We headed for Ripley then turned north to reach the Wey Navigation Canal.

The first part of canal path was good as we passed under the 1751 Murray’s bridge to New Haw locks. After that to Cox’s lock, the path was muddy with most of us opting to walk partway.

After each group had its own problem, ours being Sabina’s flat tyre (easily fixed at lunchtime), we all ended up at The Ashley Park in Walton for lunch at about 1pm. However, the Pub coped with the large number very well. They had given us the party area and, without pre-orders, managed to serve us all within 20 minutes. Several of us took advantage of the daytime mains, including a good value 3-course meal.

After lunch we crossed the Walton Bridge and followed Thames Side before circling round to Bushy Park for a pleasant tea [exchanging pleasantries?] at the Pheasantry, in Bushy Park.

~ Robert


Dave C writes:

Our group of ten cyclists was the last to Leave Cobham at 11:10am. But not the last to arrive at our lunch destination, in Walton-on-Thames. Amusingly all the groups arrived at the same time, but not all from the same direction.

Taking part were Christina, Mags, Paula, Ian W, Peter B, John A, Stephen H, Geoff G, Tony Hr, Dave C (aka Fixie)    

Thank you Geoff for coming forward to take your place at the back.

I blame our group ride leader for avoiding the River Wey (mea culpa) . I was concerned that somebody might fall by the Weyside.  

Sadly Mags needed to leave our group before lunch, due to the bolt holding the Saddle onto the Saddle stem breaking. A temporary/ad-hoc fix got Mags to the nearest Station.

The group photo of saddle repair specialists

Thank you Robert for an interesting route.

~ Dave