A ride from Caterham May 20th

Caterham is always a challenge - both to arrive and often soon after departure. This was no exception. With other commitments ahead of the ride I decided to rerun one I led in 2023. The day was cool and breezy and although sunshine was limited we were fortunate that the threatened afternoon rain didn't materialise. 

Eleven of us met at Caterham and I let the first group away of Dave E, Dave F, Karl, Neil W and Andy C. Our ride up through Woldingham School was in the best sunshine of the day and the valley looked glorious. Gangers Hill provided the usual challenge but fortunately little traffic. We collected Dave W at the end of Beddlestead Lane to complete the group. After leaving Clarks lane we had a lovely and very lightly trafficked route to lunch at Lingfield via Trevereux Hill. 

We arrived at The Star shortly after Steve and Fiona's group. Lunch was promptly served and very good. Highlight of the day was meeting Geoffrey S at lunch who joined us for the return run to Brockham.  Even better he took the lead along Smallfield Road to give me a break from the wind. It was great to see him again in such good form.

 

My thanks to Geoffrey, to Steve and Fiona for subleading and to Andy C for back marking.

 

Steve's report...

Any ride from Caterham involves climbing to get to the coffee start (in my case from Bookham 1239 ft) and then going down to start climbing back up again. So I decided to leave early and go slowly on the way to Caterham to save my legs. I left with my fellow leader Fiona, Mike R, Richard B and Frances. Our gradual climb through Warlingham school I kept slow, as I knew what was to come after the recce. We all selected a low gear fro the hairpin left turn up Gangers Hill which was now a steeper gradient. The next hazard was a right turn into Rectory Lane, which bypassed Wesrterham. Here we spotted Brian's group ahead.  We passed them on the bridge over the M25 at Clacket Lane. Then a lovely section of single track south to Lingfield. This was subject to a strong South Westerly headwind. On the recce it was coming from the West and proved very tiring.

After arriving at The Star we met Geoffrey S who had cycled there for lunch. He joined us for tea at Brockham too. Our food was served promptly and was good. Fiona led us to tea at Brockham and in places we had a bit of help from the wind. It was about 1500 ft of climbing over the whole route, but generally gentle climbing, apart from Gangers Hill.

 

 

 Thanks to Brian for a very lovely route and for organising the pub. I appreciated the company of my fellow riders and particularly Fiona who did a turn as back marker and then led us faultlessly to Tea.

Do Join the 'A' Group Rides from New Haw on 27 May

Invitations will be sent out to the usual suspects via 'Spond, but please contact me (cycledave23@gmail.com) if you're not on 'A' group 'Spond but would like to join either of the 'A' group rides on offer.

There are two separate rides presented as separate events on 'Spond - please see my previous post https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/8196660132091707769/5352538944410772474 if you're in any doubt which to choose (don't sign up to both)!

Whichever option you choose, when accepting the invitation on 'Spond you also need to let me know your menu choice (or 'no food') by submitting a 'Spond 'Comment'.  Here are the menus:

Apologies - not very clear photos (not my work), but for enlargeable versions of the menu, please see https://photos.app.goo.gl/7ZYMoanf7CT1o6uU8 and https://photos.app.goo.gl/VqSBKtGnMihx4WVS6 .

The Alternative New Haw/Greywell/finish at Ripley option still needs a ride leader - please let me know if you can help.    Otherwise, Andy C has very kindly proposed an alternative within an alternative (!) - a different return route from Greywell to Ripley for those not continuing to Basingstoke.   But note that it's rather longer than the official version and has some off-road sections, and a tea stop at the Watts Gallery, Compton, before continuing to Ripley.  If you're want to join Andy, sign up for the Alternative ride on 'Spond (Ripley Return) and we'll sub-divide the group on the day.   

Report for B Group ride from Caterham on 20th May

After the rugged undulations of Mt Banstead and Farthing Down we were pleased to arrive at the Westway Centre and sit in their small but cosy recovery room for our Tea and Pastries.

Traversing Farthing Down

Twelve had signed up but Martin and Julie were unable to join us on the day. So we ran with two teams rather than three; John led the first group of five and another Tim led our second group for which I was happy to be the back marker; I know my place.

The morning ride was unchanged from our previous runs down to Horley in recent years although we did have some discussion about whether we should opt for the safety of using the network of footpaths to get from one side of the Ann Summers roundabout to the other. But though it is notionally safer we decided that we would just be careful and ride around to the third exit into Woldingham Road as we usually do.

But the real delight of this ride comes after we peel off to the right under the railway bridge into the road leading down to the Woldingham School. The school’s mission is to develop “courageous, confident and compassionate” young women and, unusually for this ride, we came across a number of these young women, all exuding these worthy virtues. The road through this beautiful Woldingham Valley and part of Marden Park is always a joy to ride for its exquisite scenery and lack of traffic, if not for the quality of the road surface. The cows always look as if they are posing for John Constable although Steph stopped earlier to take some photos of a now rare breed (traditional English Longhorns) that the artist may never have encountered.

An English Longhorn studies his visitors 

Beyond the school and down the Quarry Road we passed up our opportunity for the challenge of Gangers Hill as that experience had been earmarked for the pleasure of A Group. We enjoyed our long and fast descent of Flower Lane and were soon enjoying the next highlight of the day, Church Lane and the splendid architecture of Church Town. Our leader Tim G gave us a brief history lesson, describing the 12th century origin of St Nicholas Church, verified by Paul who recognised the Norman style of the arch over the door. The church had endured several reconstruction projects through the centuries but was notably restored in a 13th century style by Sir (George) Gilbert Scott around 1872. We also noted briefly St Mary’s almshouses and chapel which Gilbert Scott designed in a Victorian Tudor/gothic style. The famous architect lived in the village for a time.

But we were all eager to tackle The Enterdent, high on our list of fun climbing experiences in Surrey so we zoomed down past the Old Packhouse (painted pink) which dates from the 15th century, and then got on with our climb.

On The Enterdent I was able to ramp up my power level to get ahead of the bunch and take a few action photos as Tim and the others chuckled their way up the incline. Fun indeed!

 

We joined the Old Tilburstow Road for a fast descent to the A22 junction and in Blindley Heath turned into Byers Lane to cruise through the countryside all the way to The Farmhouse Pub in Horley. John’s group were well into their lunches when we arrived, and we didn’t have to wait very long for ours. This is a nice venue for us; the alternative would have been the Spoons in town, but the Farmhouse pitches us on to quiet roads for the afternoon ride without having to negotiate downtown Horley.

John's speedy team

Tim G is hiding behind the umbrella

 

For the sake of varying the afternoon route, rather than taking the Avenue Verte (NCN 21) up to Whitebushes, we crossed the A23 south of Salfords and headed along the wide cycle path into Meath Green, a route pioneered by Steph several years ago. Once beyond this housing development it was very agreeable cycling along Lonesome Lane up to Doversgreen. We rode west then practised our descending techniques for the Freewheel Competition, riding down Root Hill, then turned into Tilehurst Lane for our usual route to Tea at Lucio’s in Leatherhead.

Action on the Col de Tilehurst

We sat outside with our tea, coffee and cakey things, marvelling that we had cheated the forecast of rain. However, on the home leg I got caught in a shower and I suspect others did two.

Thank you to Tim G and John for leading their teams. Thank you to everyone who joined us and enjoyed the day.

~Tim C

Basic Bike Maintenance Course Notes

 Following the recent Basic Bike Maintenance I've updated the notes and linked below.  I've added Steve D's DIY lube, Clik valve details and corrected a few links.  Let me know if I've missed anything.  Mick A

Basic Bike Maintenance Notes PDF

Bike maintenance session - a success!

 Monday saw a good turn out in Bushy Park for the maintenance session on brakes and wheels - despite the threat of showers.

Mick and Steve took us through our paces, and we are now more knowledgable about disc and rim brakes!

Christina's bike was a good test for learning how to replace rim brakes. The session was good fun and was attended by Jennie, Francis, Steven, Christina, Paula and Julie. Thanks for the excellent tuition by Mick and Steve and for Jennie for organising.

Invitation to A Group ride 20th May

The invitation to our ride from Caterham is now on Spond. Please reply using the app.

We will be riding 21 miles from Caterham to The Star at Lingfield. Then 18 miles to tea at Brockham. All the significant hills are in the first 13 miles, then quite gentle.

This is a repeat of my 2023 ride via Clacket and Trevereux Lanes on the outward route. 

https://connect.garmin.com/app/course/456268658


Lunch order required - you can view pdf of Food Menu from this link.

https://www.thestarlingfield.co.uk/our-menu-the-star-inn-lingfield

 

B group ride 13th May

 It was with trepidation that we set out from the YMCA Hawkers Centre in Kingston to The Ashley Park pub in Walton on Thames. The weather was not too promising. The first group set off in a heavy rain shower at 10:40 led by Mick A who had kindly volunteered to lead a sub group comprising Tony H (who left us in Bushy Park), Fixie Dave, Tim G, Jane  F  and Paul J.

After a littlle debate about the weather, my group was reduced to 3 riders, Gill F, John A and myself, we followed Tony's sinuous route via Bushy Park, Thames Ditton, Claygate and Esher to our destination. In Claygate during another heavyish shower John decided to call it a day. I also was having second thoughts, and Gill decided to carry on to the pub alone. After showing John a way back to Ewell, I had a change of heart and decided I should carry on a more direct route to the Ashley Park, where I met up with the rest of the group. 

 

We had a good lunch at the pub and five remaining riders set off to The Old Moat for tea. Unfortunately I punctured in Hersham, this was soon repaired with the help of Paul with his electric pump. I then discovered that the replacement tube was also deflating slowly, but was able to continue with a few stops to pump and dash.

Overall the weather was kind to us, with quite a few moments of bright sunshine. Thanks to Tony for the route out and too all for your company on a somewhat trying day, especially Mick who stepped in to sub-lead at short notice.

Following is Micks report: 

Keith had kindly agreed to take over lead of the ride as Tony could not do so.  He lead the 10:50 group with Mick sub-leading the 10:40 group.

 

The 10:40 left on time in freezing rain.  Myself, Tony, Fixie Dave, Jane, Paul J with Tim G backmarking.  As we looped round into Bushy park the rain subsided and the sun came out, the rain was back later.  As usual Tony had devised an interesting route on quiet roads and paths.  Although he was not able to do the full ride he communicated the route through RwGPS/gpx which Mick was able to follow with the help of the group. 

 

Six of us reached the pub where the remainers of the other group Keith, Gill F and Don E joined us. After lunch Gill and Don and Jane headed for home so Mick, Fixit Dave, Paul, Tim G and Keith set off towards the Old Moat.  Keith punctured but Fixie Dave was at hand to hold a pump so it was partially fixed.  Keith still had a slow puncture so he, flanked by Dave setoff for home.  Mick, Paul and Tim were the only three to make the Old Moat.