A group ride to Shoreham 10 June

This is the annual ride from Tanhouse to Shoreham to Leatherhead.

There’s a slight change to our usual route as we approach Shoreham so that we can use the new underpass.

Also different from previous years is that we’re using a new pub in Shoreham, the Longshore, and the B’s are going elsewhere in the hope that this will lead to a swifter lunch experience. 

There are the usual options to catch a train home from Shoreham, Horsham or Dorking for those who’d prefer to shorten their ride.

I intend setting groups off from Tanhouse by 10.30.

The ride will be posted on Spond around 6pm Friday evening. If you’d like to join me please ‘accept’ on Spond and if you have any preference to which pace group you’d like to join please indicate in Spond comments. 

The Garmin Connect route is 

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/469436341

Ride Report A’s June 3rd

I should have learned by now, but this is an English summer and the weather gods rule, so the forecast of rain all day discouraged many. Of the 18 signed up 8 riders either abandoned or didn’t make it to the start, including myself, laid low by illness. However 10 hardy riders assembled in Cobham, including Brian and Steve as group leaders – thank you both. These are their stories.

Brian writes. As we all gathered outside The Bakery the first spots of rain arrived. Neil Crocker asked to join my group as his legs weren't ride fit for anything faster. My group then consisted of Gill H, Sue C, Gina, Dave F and Neil. We set off in light rain but by Plough Lane it stopped and we had a mostly dry ride to the top of Staple Lane though into a stiff headwind. Here Dave F left us as he had an afternoon commitment (or an intuitive sense of impending rain). As we set off from the bottom of Combe Lane the rain really set in and continued most of the way to Bramley. The sign in Thorncombe St showing 2.5 miles to Godalming via Iron Lane tempted several of the group but we decided to continue. 

My glasses were rain soaked and steaming up every time we stopped which wasn't making life easier and I mistakenly took an early right turn into Alldens Lane. On seeing "the wall" I quickly realised my mistake and we resumed the correct route. Climbing Hascombe Lane was particularly unpleasant with my glasses steaming up and Neil nearly hit by a piece of falling tree. At the top there was a clear desire to skip the route to Markwick Lane and head directly to Godalming. No sign of Steve's group here and it was some time before they finally appeared.

    


Occasional glimpses of sunshine appeared often while it was still raining but after holding out until after 2pm we set off. Only one shower to Guildford and then the sun came out. What a transformation! A strong tailwind swept us back with little effort and we were soon in Ripley where we took Wisley Lane and the new cycle path back to Pointers Road and Cobham. A lovely end to the day. Neil and I had stopped for a brief chat when Steve and Guy arrived and joined me for tea.

My thanks to all the group for putting up with my sometimes tentative (half blind) leadership in the rain and Neil who became unofficial, but de facto back marker.

Steve writes. After the torrential rain on Tuesday, I had decided not to ride on the Wednesday. However I saw Brian was going to Cobham to see who else would want to ride. So as I am only 6 miles from Cobham I thought I would do the same. I set off in dry weather at 9.30 and arrived at The Bakery in time for the rain to start drizzling. 10 of us were there and Hans was on his way. I was amazed to see Gill in shorts with bare legs! We got word that Hans had suffered a puncture and Brian's group were getting ready to leave at the correct time.

Dave W, Guy, Richard and I decided to leave at 10.50. I had the route as did the others, but we agreed I would lead. The rain was constant now and we started our climb up to Ockham, then East Clandon and up Staple Lane, finally descending Combe Lane to the A25 and Albury. We had passed Brian and his group before reaching Staple Lane. After the climbing we went flat through Wonersh and Bramley up to Thorncombe Street and the B2130 to Godalming. The route then took us left along a tarmac bridle path, which ended with 100m of gravel in a loop to the back of the town. Guy must have punctured along here, because shortly after turning into Mare Lane we had to stop. At first we couldn't find the hole and thought it might be the valve and so I used my valve spanner to fit a new one, but it made no difference and so Guy fitted a new inner tube and off we went again. All the standing around had made us very cold and the rain continued to soak us. I had converted my phone to IP69 waterproofness by putting my phone in a zip lock freezer bag. This now played havoc with my navigation, because the bag kept touching the screen and freezing the navigation screen. Another learning curve!

As we went along Tuesley Lane Guy hit a deep pothole 4 inches deep and punctured his rear tyre once again. By now Guy was becoming an expert and pulled off his rear tyre by hand and quickly fitted another new inner tube, kindly supplied by Richard. Soon we were coming to the back of Godalming and Wetherspoons. Dave W left us here to make for home. It was 1.45 pm when we arrived, however Brian had sensibly taken a short cut along the B 2130 and got to the pub first. We ordered hot drinks and food to warm ourselves up. My Goretex top had allowed my sleeves and jersey to get wet and my feet were wet too, but not too bad considering constant rain.

We left at 2.30 pm and followed Dave V's interesting route through Farncombe, up, up to Pilgrim Wood and then down to the A3100 familiar road to Guildford. Up the cobbled high street and to the cross-roads between the A246 and London road. When the lights turned green, I pushed hard on the pedals and snapped my chain clean in two! Guy rescued it from the road, but could find no trace of the broken link. Fortunately I always carry a spare quick link and so five minutes later we were on our way again. Must have been a fault in the chain. The good news was it had finally stopped raining! From here we went to the A3 cycle path, taking Potters Lane to Send Marsh, then Ripley and Ockham. After this Richard left us to make his way home. Then Guy and I finished at Gails for tea and cake with Brian. It was 4.10 pm when we arrived. What an adventure! We were pleased just to get there, but as a bonus the sun appeared and we sat outside and dried off. We even took our wet gear off to ride home. The rain had made progress very difficult, but excellent exercise for mind and body. 

It was such a nice route, we must repeat it in sunnier times. As always I enjoyed good company in my small group and it was good to meet up with everyone else.

Respect to everyone who came out today. Strangely  nobody mentioned the beautiful views along Thorncombe St which was the inspiration for planning the route.

Apologies I (or perhaps Blogger) have temporarily lost the ability to post photos. I'll try again another day. 

B Group Ride Report - 3rd June '26

Perhaps the ominous weather forecast of wind and rain resulted in a reduction in our numbers from an initial twenty-four to fifteen. Nevertheless three groups of determined cyclists set out under dull and cloudy skies to be soon accompanied by rain and heavy downpours.

We headed south via Boookham Common to Effingham then turned north to Effingham Junction and further on to join the smooth and re-surfaced Elm Lane. Rain persisted as cycled over Pyrford Lock, up and along Dodd’s Lane then off-road to the Wey Navigation.

Team TG on Dodd's Bridge

A fixie selfie?

The rain by then had sufficiently abated to warrant a photo opportunity on Dodd’s bridge. The journey along the towpath was quiet and free of the usual runners and dog walkers as we approached the footbridge at Woodham Junction to join the Basingstoke canal. A smoother surface provided swift progress as we approached Sheerwater where we left the canal and headed towards Woking.

Team FD'S at Woodham Junction 

I was particularly interested, when planning the route, to pass by the house once occupied by H.G.Wells at 141 Maybury Road. In 1891 Wells married his cousin Isobel Mary Wells. The couple separated in 1894, when he had fallen in love with one of his students, Amy Catherine Robbins, with whom he moved to Woking in 1895. They lived in the then rented house in Maybury Road for just under eighteen months. 

Team TG outside H.G.Wells house.

This short period in Woking was perhaps the most creative and productive of his whole writing career. While there he planned and wrote ‘War of the Worlds’, ‘The Time Machine’ and completed ‘The Island of Doctor Moreau’, together with other novels and literary works. In late summer 1896 Wells and Amy moved to a larger house in Worcester Park !

Having payed homage to this illustrious location (blink and you’d miss it) we moved on to take shelter in ‘The Herbert Wells’ (W’spoon’s) no doubt named in his honour. The first two groups were already installed and some ready to leave just as we arrived. The pub seemed a bit quieter than usual and we soon secured our table and installed ourselves in warm and dry surroundings.

Suitably fed and watered we embarked upon our afternoon adventure via Horsell, Dunstall Green, along and past Foxhill towards St Peter’s Hospital. Weather conditions continued to improve and we were soon cycling under sunny skies toward Addlestone, Chertsey, Shepperton and Walton-on-Thames.

We took tea at Walton Marina where we met fellow cyclists installed outside on the balcony. A happy finale to a varied route in varied conditions mostly of an aquatic nature. Thanks to everyone who made today’s ride a success and especially to my two subbies, John and Francis for their loyal support. A good day (eventually) had by all !

TimG.

B Ride to Shoreham - Wednesday 10th June '26

I am posting this notice a few days earlier than usual so that riders can have a chance to ponder with others their preference for our annual ride to the coast, next week.

Our groups will set out from Tanhouse Farm a bit earlier than usual to allow for the longish journey to lunch in Shoreham. 

You do not need to commit yourself, but it would be helpful if you could indicate, when booking, your probable option from the following:

Ride from Tanhouse to Shoreham [30 miles]

1. and then train home
2. and then cycle onwards to Horsham and train home from there [30 + 22 miles]
3. and then cycle all the way back to Leatherhead [72 miles].

I shall try to arrange morning groups from Tanhouse according to these options or other comments you may wish to make regarding speed (no B group will be ‘fast’!) 

or earlier / later or with a particular person.

Please contact me by the evening of Monday 8^th June on

johnaustin04@yahoo.co.uk

Take care,

John A.

B Group Ride - Wednesday 3rd June '26

Our ride from Cobham will take us south towards Effingham then north up to Wisley and along the Wey Navigation and Basingstoke canal to Woking. Lunch is at ‘The Herbert Wells’ (W’spoons). 

The afternoon ride will take us back via Horsell and Chertsey for tea at Walton-on-Thames.

 

Morning route:  https://ridewithgps.com/routes/55394657

 

Afternoon route:  https://ridewithgps.com/routes/55394670

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

 

Email - timgibbons1@virginmedia.com

WhatsApp - 07756961505

Look forward to seeing you all on Wednesday. 

TimG.

Ride Invitation A's Wednesday June 3rd

Wednesday’s ride from Cobham will be straightforward, 25 miles out to Godalming, 18 miles return to Cobham. All tarmacked except 100m.

Lunch at the Jack Phillips ‘spoons.

On the way we will take in the beautiful Thorncombe St. valley. By pure coincidence (honest) my route is remarkably similar to that taken by Simon, leading the C&M Sunday riders. Taking the hint that Simon’s ride was rather hill-heavy, I have avoided the steepish Mare Lane.  

Please join me. Responses by Spond if possible. Thanks.

Report for B Group - 27th May

Our recce confirmed that this should be an enjoyable ride thanks to the variety of terrain and a route which mostly avoided roads with too much traffic.

Perhaps because New Haw is quite a long ride from home just eleven riders signed up for the day. But 'Well done!" to those who cycled all the way there.

With record breaking May temperatures in recent days there was perhaps some fear of a meltdown. However, the day was many degrees cooler so rather than being roasted we were gently steamed.

We learned before setting out that Martina wouldn’t be able to join us. But out of the blue Grant had arrived at the DC for his cuppa. And Pam was there too after the first leg of her mission to visit our venerable club member, Vic.

Brenda with her elite team at the DC

Brenda took off with her group, Paula, Tim G, Peter, Steph and Chris McC and navigated the intricacies and scenic pleasures of the first seven miles. However, after enjoying the delights of the Basingstoke Canal, the Hoe Stream scenic path and Westfield Common, Paula fell off in Sutton Green Road and despite a soft landing this resulted in major damage to her hand and the likelihood of a broken finger. A kind local resident offered to accommodate Paula’s bike and drive her to a medical centre in Woking to have it seen to. But given the severity of Paula’s injury she ended up going to Guildford Hospital. Much later, after a complicated journey home on public transport Paula reported that her finger joint had dislocated and that it took a very painful manipulation to reconnect the joint.

Mick, after a blissful start to the ride with Sue C (guest from A Group), Paul, Linda and Julie, arrived at the scene. After clarifying what was happening with Paula, a decision was taken that Brenda’s team should reassemble and head for lunch while Mick, and Julie would follow, rather than everyone hanging around.

Brenda and team near Newlands Corner

 

On the Drove Road (NDW)

Grant and I were last to leave the DC and picked up Ian W and his daughter Amanda from near the library. After skirting the Fullbrook School we walked across the canal at the Woodham Lock and followed the Basingstoke Canal path for two and a half miles. We wiggled through the posh suburban streets of Woking and through the park, soon to join the delightful Hoe Stream path down to Westfield. Around Jacobs Well Ian explained that the battery powering the Swytch Conversion Kit on his Brompton was starting to fade, due in part to his earlier journey to New Haw with Amanda being more complicated than it should have been.

Although Ian’s battery was about to conk out, Ian himself was not, so at the traffic lights they crossed and rode along the A3 cycle path to Ripley and, as Ian describes, they “dived into the Bakery where after sandwiches drinks and shade we recovered our mojo …”. As we’d understood earlier Grant planned to ride the same way then on to the Barley Mow to meet the rest of us and he did.

 

Now, on my own at this stage, I tweeked up the power level to ride through the quiet lanes of Burpham and Merrow and soon caught up with Mick, Julie, Steph and Linda near the top of Trodd’s Lane to learn about Paula’s misfortune. We reached Newlands Corner and turned onto the Drove Road (North Downs Way) which is always a real favourite in dry weather. Shere Road too is a beautiful route for cyclists but in either direction there is what feels like a Hors Catégorie climb and we found it tough.

At the top of the climb

On the Shere Road climb

Mick storming to the top

Lunch at The Barley Mow

But we soon arrived at the pub, just as Grant arrived via his own route.

The Barley Mow is a relaxed sort of place and most of us chose our lunches from the Thai menu. Brenda led her group away for our Tea destination in Claygate. We sat around for a little longer then took off. In Cobham we took Leigh Hill Road and later, Sandy Lane where we turned onto a north bound track into Fairmile Common, crossed the A3 (Esher Bypass) into Esher Common for an undulating ride through the pine forest on perilously sandy tracks leading to a complicated crossing point on Copsem Lane and so into Arbrook Common for a blissful ride through the trees, emerging into Claygate for our Tea, Coffee and Cake stop at Parade and Albany, another venue which is ideal for our post-ride refreshment.

In Esher Common

 

Massive thanks to Brenda and Mick for leading so well and coping with an unexpected variation to our routine. Thank you to all who came to enjoy the ride which included a few paths which were new to some people. Thank you to all who supported Paula and we wish her an easy recovery and return to cycling when her hand is strong again. Especial thanks to Julie who drove down to Sutton Green later to collect Paula’s bike. 

~ Tim C