Lunch will be in Godalming and tea in Cobham.
It's about 18 miles to lunch and a little less than that back to tea. There is only one hill of note.
I have put in a request for good weather, so I hope you will be able to come along.
Please let me (clive.janes@gmail.com) know by Monday evening.
Thanks, Clive.
John A writes :
Thank you everyone who joined our ride from Redhill into the Surrey countryside. We were very fortunate with the dry weather window and I hope everyone got home without getting caught in the late afternoon rain.
Especial thanks to our super subbies - Alan and Tim.
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| Team TG on Root Hill |
Tim G writes :
Despite the bleak weather forecast and grey skies we managed to complete today’s ride without getting wet. My ride to Redhill was relatively quiet given the half term break and no school run.
Six of us set off for an initial climb out of Redhill and were soon cycling in quiet countryside south of Nuffield. We then headed east and enjoyed an uncomplicated ride back towards Brockham. After a photo shoot on Root Hill we avoided the muddy Coach Road through Betchworth golf course by taking a detour along Punchbowl Lane. Lunch at ‘The Stepping Stones’ provided a welcome break and service was prompt and efficient.
A shorter ride in the afternoon took us via Leatherhead and Ashtead to the ‘Old Moat’ g/c where four of us had tea and a break from what seemed to be colder outside temperatures Thanks to everyone who made today’s ride a success. Good to enjoy a February ride in dry conditions.
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| Lunch at 'The Stepping Stones'. |
... and Alan C writes :
On a cold, overcast morning with a biting wind to test our resolve, six riders in the second group gathered outside Redhill Methodist Church for our run out to the Old Moat Garden Centre in Epsom, with a planned lunch stop at the Stepping Stones in West Humble.
A brisk start up Redstone Hill soon had us loosening layers, and the sweeping descent down Redstone Hollow was followed by our second climb of the morning along Philanthropic Road. The two early ascents certainly did their job in warming us up. From there, the route took us away from the traffic of Redhill and towards the quieter roads around Earlswood, giving us a chance to settle into a steady rhythm.
Heading out into the countryside, we enjoyed the relative calm of lanes threading through Salfords, Dawesgreen and Brockham. Despite the persistent wind, the riding was pleasant and sociable, and the absence of rain was a welcome bonus after a week of unsettled weather.
A short detour agreed by the group proved a wise move. Rather than follow the planned route along Roothill Lane and Coach Road through Betchworth Park Golf Club — likely to be muddy after recent rain — we continued along Red Lane and Blackbrook Road before joining Punchbowl Lane. This also allowed us to avoid the busy A25 Reigate Road towards Dorking. Our group route knowledge paid dividends, keeping us on cleaner and more pleasant tarmac. After enjoying the long descent of Punchbowl Lane we rode towards Pixham Lane before cycling onto West Humble along the A24.
Tim and Dave C paused to provide puncture assistance to a fellow cyclist on Pixham Lane. A welcome reminder of the camaraderie that exists within our group. The remainder of us cycled on to the Stepping Stones, where we regrouped for a well-earned lunch.
Refuelled and warmed up, the group split up on the return leg. Dave F made his own way home from the pub, while Dave C, Steph and Tim each took their own preferred routes back home from Leatherhead. John and Alan pressed on towards Epsom and the Old Moat Garden Centre, aiming to beat the forecast rain — which, happily, held off for the duration of the ride.
All in all, a hilly but rewarding route on some excellent quiet roads, ridden in good spirits despite the cold and windy conditions. Thanks to John, Tim, Steph, Dave F and Dave C for their company, and also to John for planning such an enjoyable route. A great ride with the miles well earned.
The Ristorante Sorrento can accomodate another 20 diners on March 4th as only 50 of us have signed up so far. So please see the invitation and the menu which we posted in January.
We need to advise the restaurant about numbers and menu choices before the end of next week.
Looking forward to your orders
Tim C
It’s mid-February and I thought it time we stretched our legs away from the familiar lanes we have been riding all winter long. Redhill provides that opportunity and Lingfield seemed an appropriate destination, not so far that the route couldn’t be shortened, or trains taken homeward.
The Star at Lingfield has a long history with CTC, being recommended in my 1893 CTC Road Book. Our blog reveals that it was a regular annual destination for Pete Mitchell’s groups in the 2000’s serving up, we are told, “huge portions for all”. Today it has gone up-market but still provides a reasonable value lunch.
It was a slight disappointment to find that only 8 Wayfarers signed up. Could it have been the ever-changeable weather, rain followed by more rain, and this time with a cold wind too? Or perhaps the hills, but surely not the distance, only 38 miles to tea?
The Mighty Eight who arrived at Redhill (Gill, Sue F, David W, Brian, sub-leader Clive, Patrick, Steve, and Sue C) seemed keen to get going, minds doubtless concentrated by the forecast of heavy rain mid-afternoon.
Thanks to the wind some of the roads were dry, but they got wetter as we moved east. Amazingly, the very worst of the potholes I had warned about following my recce on Friday had been filled, the last in Merstham only minutes before we passed through. But constant vigilance was required as there were many more to avoid.
En route we passed Haxted Mill, once the last working water mill in Surrey, then a museum with tearoom known as a cycling destination, now sadly a private house. Shortly after we were buzzed by a passing buzzard, but that was the only excitement of the morning.
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| The Mighty Eight outside the old Star |
We all arrived at The Star before 12.30, where Dave W left to follow his own way home. A round table had been reserved for us, food was quickly served and devoured, and we were soon ready to leave. Time only for quick photo outside the old Star (now a residence) as visited by CTC in the 1890's before we were on our way. Minds were doubtless concentrated on getting to Banstead before the rain. The afternoon was hillier than the morning, and with windchill appeared colder, but the wind was mostly in our favour, and at least the climbing helped to keep the cold at bay.
We all arrived at Banstead before 3.30 and thankfully dry. Three “full value” riders stopped for tea at the Lavender Café in Banstead, while the rest of us made for home with hopes of dodging the rain all day.
Many thanks to everyone who came out. Especially to Clive as sub-leader, and to Brian for back marking my group.
Norwesters.
These presents were: Tony, Ann C, John C, Arwyn, Carolyn,
Christina, Diane, Geoff, Gill F, Lillian, Paula, Pete,
A Norwesters ride was organised to fill the gap for our members in the far North West, and we were pleased to see a good turnout at Molesey Boat Club. The C group were also present, preparing for their 11’s ride.
Lunch was booked at Longacres Garden Centre in Row Town, and the warmth was very welcome upon arrival. Despite the café being busy—it is a large venue—a table had been reserved for us. We arrived at around 12:20, and service was impressively efficient given how full it was. The food was also very good, which made for an enjoyable stop.
There was plenty of conversation, but with the possibility of worsening weather in mind, we did not linger too long. The return journey took a shorter route, at times into a chilly headwind. By the time we reached Walton Bridge, no one was keen to stop for tea, so we agreed to make our own way home from there.
Although the ride was shorter than planned, it was still a rewarding outing with good company. Thank you to everyone who joined the adventure, and a special thanks to Geoff for keeping the two groups within sight of each other throughout the ride.
Tony..
We now have a club Social Media and Communications policy approved by the Committee. More and more of our communication both for practical ride information and other cycling related issues are conveyed via social media and email. This Policy is intended to provide guidance to help understand acceptable standards of use by members and to assist everyone in understanding what the potential risks are in using social media and how these can be avoided and managed.
You can access the policy via the link above or from the Information Hub on our website.
Sue F
Wednesday’s A ride from Redhill will be to Lingfield, about 19 not-to-hilly miles with opportunities to shorten the route if the weather is bad. More optimistically, some lovely quiet lanes, just mind the potholes.
Lunch at The Star, a pub with a long association with CTC, last visited by us in August 2023 when Brian was leader.
Tea at Banstead after 19 miles, and a couple of hillier hills, but it will be downhill home for all.
All on road, easily navigated by GPX. I will need at least one subleader, so please volunteer if you are able.
The Star have asked us to pre-order, so please choose from the menu here.
I look forward to your company. Let me know if you would like to come, with your lunch choice by Monday 6pm – d.vine207@btinternet.com