B Group Ride Report - Wednesday 21st May '25

Perhaps the location and prospect of wet weather resulted in our numbers being down for today’s ride from Caterham. Nevertheless we were warmly welcomed at the day centre and presented with a lavish selection of drinks, fruit and pastries provided for our enjoyment. A fitting opportunity to celebrate Dave C’s special day with a chorus of ‘Happy Birthday’ !

Eight of us set out, in fine weather, for our morning ride passing through Bletchingly to Crowhurst where we took the opportunity to visit the ‘Crowhurst Yew’ located in the church yard of St. George’s church. The tree is thought to be about 4,000 years old and has a hollow interior space. In 1820 a cannonball was discovered embedded in the side probably from a skirmish during the English Civil War. Today the only indignity the tree suffered was a group of inquisitive cyclists poking about it’s ancient interior. 

Moving on we cycled past Lingfield racecourse and on to our lunch stop at the ‘Royal Oak’ at Dormansland. A new venue for the B group where we were suitably accommodated under cover in the beer garden. 

After lunch we headed back through Lingfield and north via Outwood and Woodhatch and a final last dash to Brockham narrowly avoiding a sudden thundery downpour. Four of us took refuge for tea at the village hall.  Fortunately the skies cleared before we all made our own way home in fine weather. 

Many thanks to everyone involved in today’s ride and for being so cooperative and enthusiastic. Despite the gloomy forecast we all enjoyed a fine day on two wheels in scenic countryside. There are numerous photos to be viewed on the B Group WhatsApp site. 

A good day had by all !

TimG.

A group ride report 21 May: and then there were 4

Numbers were very down. Was it was the further out start in Caterham, the thought of a Kent ride, the thought of the Kent hills, the weather forecast with the possibility of showers and maybe thunder storms or indeed all of the above?

We had 8 signed up and raring to go but when I arrived in Caterham, Clive had text to say that he had needed to turn back for home having been thwarted by a closed road and unable to get there in time. Gina then defected to the B’s so we were down to 6. 

Brian, Sue, Ged, Guy and I set off after a generous spread laid on by the Westway Centre. Down the hill and through the school until the dreaded sharp left turn to go up Gangers Hill. Somewhere after that, at the top of Titsey Hill we met up with the final group member, Dave W. We then had the descent into Westerham. One bit of dangerous driving at the top but after that it was a very long, glorious descent. We agreed that it was worth the climb up Gangers for the joy of the descent. 

Through Westerham and then a right turn into another incline but as it was a pretty wooded road it didn’t seem so bad. Then a left which took us past Chartwell and we were heading downhill once more. 

We managed to see Bough Beeches but not too long after that, the skies darkened and the rain started. From then on it was heads down as the rain grew more torrential so the lovely scenery went by largely unacknowledged.

Cool and soaked through we arrived at the Henry VIII pub in Hever, mostly opting for baguettes with hot fillings plus a couple of buckets of fries. Dave needed to leave to catch a train from Edenbridge and then Ged to get his from Hever. So now we were 4. Or indeed 3 plus a photographer. 

Back on the bikes and the sun was almost out and the wind felt warmer. The afternoon hills were less and as we sped towards Brockham the sun went in and the clouds darkened. As we heard the first clap of thunder we decided that we wouldn’t be stopping for tea. However, there was only one more thunder clap and by Leatherhead the sun was almost out again. 

As Brian remarked, it was a good training ride for Trivets as we’d covered about the same elevation, leaving only about 30 flat miles to go.

Thanks to all for your cheerful good company!

A Group ride report 14 May

Numbers were well down this week and I just had one group of eight. Myself plus Sue C, Janice, Neil W, Simon, Richard, Ged and Dave W. 

We were away about 1200 after an efficiently run AGM ( Thanks, Sue F + co) heading out along Manor Park Road where we overtook a B group before the A307 lights and on to New Road and the Esher Park Estate. The next stretch from Esher through Hersham, Queen's Road, Oatlands Avenue and St Mary's Road is part of my route to Weybridge elevenses so very familiar territory. After Addlestone we cut south to New Haw and West Byfleet before picking up the Basingstoke Canal towpath from Sheerwater Road to Boundary Road in Woking only a few streets from lunch at the Herbert Wells. 

Ged left us before lunch and Dave W just before Ripley as we turned right from Newark Lane towards Send. Having bypassed Ripley to Grove Heath Road we went south to West Horsley before returning via the Drift and Effingham Junction to Downside. At lunch there had been a majority for extending the ride to Claygate though we left Richard at Downside to go home via Cobham. The remaining 5 cut across the path to Tilt Road and on up Blundel Lane to Oxshott and the Crown Estate where a bit of initiative from Neil resulted a group photo taken by a pedestrian.

From there it was a short ride across the much improved New Road to Claygate. Sue left us to go home and the remaining four of us had tea at the beautifully located Pistachio's in the Recreation Ground. 

My thanks to all for their company and Janice for back marking.

Cycling round the coast - again

On Sunday I set off on the next leg of my ride around the coast of Britain, which I started in 2013.   This year I start at Exeter and head along the south coast towards Dorset, hopefully beyond.  If you're still interested after all this time, you can follow my progress on my blog.

See you in a couple of weeks!

Invitation to A group ride Wednesday 21 May

Wednesday’s ride is from far flung Caterham and the forecast at the time of writing is a ‘feels like’ temperature in the high teens with no rain. 

With such a westerly start it’s an opportunity to visit some delightful lanes in Kent and we’ll be heading to the King Henry VIII pub in Hever for lunch before turning back towards Brockham for sustenance to aid the final push home. 

The ride (Garmin Connect link below) is 48 miles and 2,782ft. Lunch is at 24 miles at which point the majority of hills are behind us leaving an easier afternoon.

Please email me to reserve your place. I haven’t been asked for a pre-order of lunch.

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/351614617

B Group Ride - Wednesday 21st May '25

Our ride from Caterham will take us via Bletchingley and Crowhurst to Dormansland for lunch at the 'Royal Oak'.

The afternoon ride will bring us back via Outwood and Woodhatch for tea at Brockham or Dorking.

Please reply by Monday evening to be included on the ride list.

Email - timgibbons1@virginmedia.com

WhatsApp - 07756961505

Look forward to seeing yo all on Wednesday !

TimG.

Tri-Vets 2025 event

The Tri-Vets event will be held on the 18th of June. 

There are details of how to book your place, including a link to an online registration form, on our website.

Click here for full details

This event is generally very popular with our CTC SWL members and for our guest riders from other clubs. Places are limited so please sign up soon 🙂.

~ Mick Arber

 

B ride report for 7th May

The ride was well attended by 23 riders and an interesting route heading west out of Cobham. A very happy ride with much interminglinging between subgroups and a jolly lunch. Bernard's account is especially apt as the Tour de France approaches and a group of wayfarers attended the Matt Rendell talk at Esher Theatre on Thursday evening. Mental health awareness is important in all sports and communities. Thank you to Bernard for his account and Christina for managing the reccys and the ride, but most of all our wonderful riders for going with the flow. “¡Aupa Luis! ¡Bienvenido!” “¿Qué tal Bernardo?” “It’s great to have you join us Luis… thanks for coming”. “No problem… I’m looking forward to a leisurely ride through beautiful English countryside”. And there he was, unbelievably right next to me, kitted out in his Bic jersey and on his Speedwell titanium bike made in Birmingham with ‘Motobecane’ decals. Luis was from Priego in Castilla-La Mancha, Spain. The land of Don Quixote with its hard granite and arid landscape so different from the lush green and rolling hills of the South England. The intensity of his stare under his jet black hair was broken by his smile. “The coffee here is good and service with a smile… they spoil you here!” and he genuinely meant it as he looked around the Cobham British Legion quarters and smiled kindly at the lady serving us. On our bikes we got. I was subleading for Christina. The energy fizzed through Luis… and with one swoop of his pedals he was already so far ahead of us. He took to riding as a child on some old banger bike as a way of escaping and finding some joy in his otherwise poverty stricken youth. Always he cycled for the sheer pleasure of it and if there is such a thing as reincarnation surely he would be so high up in the skies, a swallow scooting, gliding, diving for ever criss-crossing the infinite blue. We rode past Notre Dame school. “You have a little piece of France here!” Luis connected… at some point in his childhood poverty had driven his family to France where they settled. It was wonderful to witness how Luis became one with the bike… man and machine in total harmony. And yet I noticed how slender, almost fragile his frame was. I couldn’t fathom where he got his strength from. At Chertsey Bridge we crossed the Thames. This made a huge impression on Luis, “I can’t believe it” he said, “I’m going over the so famous Támesis!” Then as we rode into Windsor Great Park Luis suddenly stopped. Pointing to some men on horses, “What are they doing?” “Ah… they’re playing Polo. See those clubs they’re swinging… see how they are hitting the ball along the ground”. At this Luis laughed… he laughed so hard… “I heard this country has its fair share of eccentrics, but this, they’re crazy!” And on we cycled to our lunch stop, Datchet. There on the green were a couple of Romany Gypsy horses. One of them had got its foot tangled with its reins. Luis went over… stroked the animal to calm it and gently freed its leg from the leather strap. The afternoon teas stop was in a garden centre in Sunbury on Thames. There was a gentle breeze soothing our limbs under the hot sun. Somewhere along the way Luis left us. I thought I had heard a faint “¡Ciao!” from up ahead but I didn’t realise that would be the last goodbye. I’m sure our ride had made an impression on Luis… I could tell he loved the landscape and was so grateful to Christina and Steph for planning it. It had been great to have him ride with us and I was really looking forward to summer and the arrival of the swallows. Postscript Luis Ocaña was a professional Spanish cyclist born in 1945. He won the Tour de France in1973 but his greatest achievement and what immortalised him in the history of cycling was the 1971 Tour. His rival in that race was the cycling phenomenon, Eddie Merckx. In 1971 Merckx was in his prime… unbeatable, winning everything, cruelly stunning all his rivals into his slipstream and defeat. All riders, except one, feared him. Such was Merckx’s dominance over and destruction of his competitors that he was known as “the Cannibal”. On stage 11 of the 1971 Tour, ending with the climb up Orcières-Merlette, Ocaña took on Merckx, ‘mano a mano’ as they say. He took the lead on that stage and Merckx as always would turn predator and endeavour to hunt him down and spit him out. Ocaña accelerated and with each pedal stroke he took distance over the Cannibal. Ocaña crossed the finish line first at the top of the brutal climb. The hunted had become the hunter… it wasn’t until another eight minutes later that Merckx and the rest came in. With only a few stages left to the end of the Tour and with his ferocious will Ocaña would have won that Tour. On 19th May 1944 at the age of 49 Luis committed suicide. May is the month of mental health awareness Thanks to Christina for the overall lead, to her and Steph for the planning of this ride and for their good company, my fellow peleton riders: Tim G, Bob P, Brenda B, Peter B, Ann B, John A, Maggie, Keith and Sabina. Thanks to Tim G for backmarking.

A Group post AGM ride

Time constraints and a change of date mean that this is a rehash of last year's ride (thanks, Ged). The downside is that Thames Ditton is 4 miles further from Woking than Hersham so it's just over 15 miles to lunch. Feast at breakfast (or elevenses) to keep going until about about 1.30!

The outward route will vary slightly from last year avoiding the A320 and taking in the scenic canal from Sheerwater. Lunch at the Herbert Wells (Weatherspoons). I will adjust the afternoon to offset the late lunch - that's tomorrow's job.

I don't have any subleader volunteers. I will take one group and probably need one more. If necessary those assigned to the second group can "volunteer" someone.  I am assuming that any committee members who stay on to tidy the hall will make their own third group.

Please let me know by 5pm on Monday if you wish to join. Thanks.

 

B group post AGM ride to Lunch

Post AGM Ride. It will be a short ride to lunch as the AGM inevitably finishes around 12. It is a 12 mile ride to lunch at Chertsey Bridge Hotel. Afternoon tea is an 8 mile ride to Dish at Hampton Court. Please let me know ASAP if you intend  to join the ride. Whatsapp me direct, not the group Whatsapp, or message me on 07770952554, or email at  tonyiahopkins@gmail.com

Tony..

2025 AGM: Wednesday 14th May 2025. Your Votes, your Choices

 2025  AGM: Wednesday 14th May 2025

Further to the Notice of the AGM posted on Thursday 1st May, and with reference to Agenda items 6.1 and 6.2, I now attach the papers setting out the respective backgrounds, and the two options for each motion that you are being invited to vote on at the AGM.

Notice

Proposals for the future on Engraving Trophies

Proposals for the future of the printed Sou'Wester

Please click the relevant google drive links above to read these proposals before attending the AGM. Printed copies of these will not be available at the AGM.

A report on the A group ride to Eltham Palace

 Urban rides are a bit like Marmite, love them or hate them. Therefore I was surprised & delighted to recruit seventeen riders for the trip to Eltham. The route to the Palace took in Richmond park, Streatham Hill up & on to Crystal Palace and eventually to Eltham Palace and to lunch via the quiet King John’s Walk. There was limited opportunity to see the palace but we were rewarded with an excellent lunch at the highly recommended Park Tavern.

The return trip seemed to be more popular, quieter roads and three park lands made the trip less challenging. 

My thanks to Dave Ward for leading the second group & to Dave Jackson for stepping up to lead the third group at the last minute.

Invitation to A ride 7 May from Cobham

 We’ll ride 22 miles and 1700ft from Cobham over Pitch Hill/Winterfold then double back down Shophouse Lane to Farley Green and lunch at the Grantley Arms in Wonersh. After lunch, just 16 miles and 740ft back to Cobham for tea and fond farewells. All on tarmac apart from short gravel section across Bookham common. Many thanks to Brian for the route.

The sandwich menu is below. To join the ride, please email michaelreynell@gmail.com with your lunch choices by 7pm on Monday 5 May.  

SANDWICHES

All served on white or brown bloomer –

with a choice of a handful of chips or a mug of soup:

Maple cured bacon, tomato, gem lettuce / 853 kcal / 9

Cyder battered haddock, tartare, gem lettuce / 923 kcal / 11

Davidston cheddar, green tomato pickle / v / 1021 kcal / 8

Cumberland sausage, Young’s onion chutney, rocket, / 657 kcal / 8

Invitation to B ride Wednesday 7th May from Cobham

You are invited to a B ride from Cobham RBL on Wednesday 7 May. We will have 3 groups departing at 10.35am, 10.45am and 10.55am as there is a 25 mile ride to lunch at The Royal Stag, Datchet, passing through Virginia Water and Windsor Park. The ride after lunch will be a shorter 10 mile ride to tea either at Squires GC Upper Halliford or Nauticalia at Shepperton. We will ride on stretches of roads, cycleways, gravel and a couple of short unlit tunnels. Please email cberkley33@gmail.com or Private WhatsApp on 0737 6886 367 by 7pm Monday 5 May if you are interested in joining the ride .

Notice of 2025 AGM

The AGM for CTC South West London will commence at 11:00 in the Long Ditton Village Hall (Upper Hall) on Wednesday 14th May 2025

Long Ditton Village Hall, 2 Ewell Road, Long Ditton,  KT6 5LE 

N.B. This NEW location marked below has been a struggle to secure as traditional venues have prioritised regular weekly bookings. This venue is no longer close to a traditional 11's Day Centre for those attending and wanting a quick coffee before the Meeting. Your ride leaders MAY choose to nominate alternative coffee stops (Thames Ditton, Squires Woodstock Lane North, Surbiton) to meet up and then ensure that riders leave their cafes in adequate time for a prompt start. Otherwise the rides will start after the AGM.

    

Signing in sheets will be circulated once you are sitting down. The AGM Agenda, 24/25 Annual Report (including Treasurer's Report) and Minutes of the 2024 AGM, are now available to read in advance online via the links below. Please take the time and trouble to do so as this will help the meeting run smoothly and get us all back on our bikes quicker. 😀 We have to vacate the Hall and return it “as found”  by 13:00  No rubbish please. As last year, a reduced number of papers will be printed and will be available on the day to share.

There is no official bike parking but there are plenty of sturdy railings around the building and the park over the road.  Security however cannot be guaranteed, so please feel free to use your more secure  locks and ideally please “double up” with someone in your subgroup to both save bike parking space and increase security.👍.

 

Please send any further apologies via my email dlferrett@hotmail.com rather than any subgroup WhatsApp’s.

 Please click the relevant google drive links below to read the AGM documents:

AGM Agenda

Annual Report 2025

Minutes of 2024 AGM

The eagle-eyed will notice that  Agenda items 6.1 and 6.2 include proposals for members to vote for their preferred options. Papers setting out the backgrounds and the two options for each will be posted separately before the meeting.

Posted 1 May 2025

Report for B Group - 30th April

A beautiful sunny day was perfect for the B ride to the Fox Inn in Hanwell- on the Grand Union Canal. A lap of Richmond Park got any hills out of the way- the deer were especially in evidence today! Syon Park, Osterley Park, River Crane and Richmond Riverside all looked great in the sunshine and were mostly traffic-free. The Fox Pub were very welcoming and enjoyed by all. Paula’s group were joined by Robert, his son Mike and partner Hana visiting from the USA. Also Gill H, Lilian and Ann B (despite having completed the London marathon 3 days earlier!)

Team Julie

Paula and Maddie’s groups chose to cycle along more of the Grand Union canal, whereas my group chose the smoother route along Boston Manor Road. Riders were fascinated by the elegant engineering of Three Bridges- where the railway line goes under the canal, and the road bridge on top. Maddie’s group were Tim C, Pat, Pam, Gill F, Ray, Liz and John. I was joined by Dan, Steph, Bernard, Sabina, Alan and Jane. Tea was enjoyed in Bushy park in the sunshine.
 
Julie

Team Madeleine

Leaders at Afternoon Tea in Bushy Park

Team Paula by Osterley House

Three-way traffic

Ride Report - Hilly 50 Saturday 26th April

Yesterday we were blessed with almost perfect conditions, no rain, not too hot and hardly any wind. Even the potholes looked more benign with dry surfaces almost everywhere.

Tim Morley, Mike Morley’s son brought his usual group of enthusiastic riders, in memory of his late father, whose idea it was to use the H50 as an occasion to raise funds for St Raphael’s Hospice.

 

   

Their enthusiasm extended to a very early start, shortly after 8am, and doubtless an early finish too. 

Other, no less enthusiastic riders started arriving after 9am and to be greeted and checked-in by Tim, who collected cash donations from those who had not used JustGiving.

Frances brought a strong group from Bella Velo. Kingston Phoenix was represented by a sole rider, Roger seeking a different Saturday challenge. Thanks Roger.

I left around 10am with in a group of 13, comprising mostly H50-hardened Wayfarers drawn from both A and B groups and their friends. On our way up Chapel Lane I spotted at least one of Tim Morley’s early riders returning only 2 hours after leaving – well impressive.

Impressive too was our group, everyone making it up Sheephouse Lane (my personal least-favourite) and up White Down (seemingly everyone else’s least favourite).     

In between we had a welcome break at the King’s Head Shop, situated almost perfectly about half-way round.

Arriving at Box Hill NT café after 2.30, Tim C had wisely already left us. But we were all smiling, the sun shone and once we had got our teas it was difficult to leave.

Thanks to Tim C for support at the start, not to mention all the less visible, but vital work on website and IT. Thanks for support on the reccies from Andy C, Peter S and Bernard. On the day Peter S backmarked, no easy job on such a hilly ride, with everyone climbing at different speeds. Steve D, Ged and others helped by corner marking to keep us moving. And thanks to everyone who contributed photos, and their good cheer and enthusiasm.

Overall we were a little down on numbers from last year, despite the good weather. Nevertheless, we have collected around £1.045 so far for St Raphael’s and the JustGiving site remains open for further donations, which are all much appreciated

Hilly 50 riders

I arrived at Ryka's (8:30) way too late to see Tim Morley and his speedy friends take off for the hills but with plenty of time to catch the elite BellaVelo team and our very own Wayfarers with guest riders who departed with Dave Vine leading at 10 a.m.

~ Tim

A Group ride to Eltham Palace

 Our ride from Kingston on the 30 April will take us on an urban adventure to Eltham Palace across the badlands 😁 of south london. The route takes us through Richmond Park & on to Crystal Palace and Eltham Palace. Lots of quiet roads and track ways and paths, some 9% hills and a few more busy stretches of tarmac. Lunch will be at The Park Tavern in Eltham. Tea at the Windmill Cafe in Wimbledon on a route through Dulwich, Brockwell and Wimbledon parks. Morning ride is 22 miles & the afternoon just over 17.

If you’re  interested in joining me ( & Dave Ward) on the day please email me before 6 pm on Monday at hansformella@gmail.com.

Invitation for a B ride to the Fox Inn, Hanwell on 30th April

You are invited to a B ride next Wednesday starting at the Hawker Centre, Kingston. The route takes advantage of many traffic free paths, which on the whole are fairly smooth. Thames path, Richmond Park, Grand Union canal, Syon park and Osterley park are all en route. The weather forecast looks sunny so bring plenty of water! Lunch will be at the Fox Inn, Hanwell, a lovely traditional pub on the Grand Union Canal. No pre-orders required but the menus can be viewed here:

https://www.thefoxpub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Fox-Lunch-Menu-3.pdf

https://www.thefoxpub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/The-Fox-Main-Menu-6.pdf

If you would like to join the ride please can you let me know by email or by WhatsApp (07803 005 516) by Monday 6pm.

Here is the route:

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50480470

Julie :)