A group ride 21 October

The ride was from Effingham and as service has been slow in the past we split from the B’s who used Laylas and we used the Vineries. In the event, service was good albeit with fewer people to serve.

The plan was to cycle from Effingham to the Scarlett Arms in Walliswood, a hilly journey of 18 miles and in the afternoon to take a slightly longer circuitous route of 23 miles to Leatherhead. I normally like to have the longer ride in the morning with an easier afternoon but in the event, the short morning with a later start worked well because of the weather.

Weather watching for the few days beforehand showed a likelihood of rain but it wasn’t looking too bad the night before. However, on the morning the forecast had changed and there was heavy rain in the morning, forecast to lighten and reduce by lunch time.

As torrential rain battered down several people text to say they were unable to make it. Gritting my teeth I set off and was heartened to find many already happily socialising at the Vineries. After a quick shuffle of the 3 groups into 2 due to reduced numbers Brian’s group set off.

Here’s Brian’s report:

Overnight the weather forecast had turned on it's head and we were now to have a very wet morning and, maybe, a better afternoon. At least I had only 5 miles to get to Effingham but after a damp start got hit by a short, sharp downpour in Leatherhead. Fortunately I just made it to the Vineries as a biblical downpour descended.

After an hour letting the worst of the weather pass my rearranged group of Sue C, Dave F, Dave V and Andy C set off in light rain. By Green Dene it was drizzle and as we looked south from Combe Bottom the sky looked a bit lighter. We mixed with various groups of Bs as far as Winterfold and conditions on Shophouse Lane were better than I had feared given the weather. By now there was just a bit of damp in the air and we arrived at the Scarlett Arms damp rather than soaked. 

Lunch was on the table in the time it took for me to walk from the bar. By now there were some breaks in the cloud and it was almost unanimously decided to continue with the full route through Rusper. It turned out to be a cold but partly sunny afternoon - well worth the hardships of the morning. The roadworks on Shellwood Road had reappeared with a total blockage before Bunce Common road. After some discussion Commando Coxhill went to investigate the potential for avoiding a long detour. Suffice to say that we were soon at Brockham where we decided to stop for tea.

Thanks to Janice for the route and my team for their willingness to battle the weather.

Frances, Guy, Patrick, Neil W and I set off at 11.30 in light rain, heading out to Shere via Green Dene and from there Farley Green, Cranleigh, Ewhuret and arriving at the Scarlett Arms just after 1. Service was fantastic and by the time we’d made it from the bar to the table most people’s sandwiches had arrived, all very good quality too. 

We set off for home via Ockley and just before the Capel turning Patrick realised he had a major problem with his brakes. Initially he and Frances set off for the shorter route home via Capel but Patrick soon discovered both brakes were out of action so he had to head home via Ockley station and Cogs bike shop in Dorking.

Guy, Neil W and I carried on towards Rusper before heading North for home. We found that Shellwood Rd was closed but managed to pass through and before long were at Leatherhead where we parted company.

Despite all that the weather threw at us, it was an enjoyable day out enhanced by the cheerful good company of my hardy fellow riders so my thanks to them and in particular to Brian for being a willing sub leader.  

Ride Invitation – October 29 - A’s

You are invited to next Wednesday’s ride, starting Teddington Elleray Hall, destination Harrow on the Hill.

With an early lunch at the Ace Café, first visited by us under the leadership of Frank Cubis, who sadly died 10 years ago. This is a re-run of Neil C's classic ride of October 2021.

13 miles to lunch all on road with a short section of canal towpath.

20 miles back to tea at Richmond Bridge with a couple of short gravel sections (approaching Harrow Hill and leaving Osterley Park). Plus a couple of miles of surfaced towpath to speed us on the return.

I intend to get us back well before dark, but remember your lights as the clocks fall back Saturday night.

I hope to see you next Wednesday. Please email (not Spond) me d.vine207@btinternet.com

 

B Group Ride Report Surrey Hills 21st Oct

Francis starts his report with ……

My ride route was exactly the one some of us rode a year ago, 16^th Oct 2025 and on that occasion we were blessed by warm sunshine. But this year, the weather gods conspired against us, with long periods of cold and rain, making this ride more difficult than it already was.

A relatively high number of riders, 15 in all, signed up for the challenging ride in deepest Surrey Hills now in lovely autumnal colours. It’s quite rare we explore the eastern scenic, quiet lanes from Shere to Farley Green, Peaslake and Holmbury-St-Mary but that involves long steep climbs up Row Lane, Winterfold Heath road and Radnor road. The upside was beautiful scenery, much of it in woods and heaths with little or no traffic. 

Weirdly, instead of further rain expected in the afternoon, it was dry with glimpses of sunshine, though it remained cold.When we climbed back up the ridge via Hoe Lane, Pursers Lane and later via Combe Lane/Bottom to tea at Café Barbera, Stoke D’Abernon. 

My sincere thanks to my stead-fast co-leaders Mick A (and chief mechanic) and Tim G for undertaking the tiring recce with me and for supporting their respective groups on the day. A big thank you to all the back-markers for their diligent work keeping us in line at the back.

A special mention to my mixed group (more about this later in Mick’s report) Gill, Paula, Carolyn, Alan C, Julie, Keith, Bernard and Sabina who made the whole day fun and enjoyable 😊

Mick A continues …

Mick, Bernard, Sabina, Keith and Julie left Layla’s cafe in the rain and cold. 7 miles into the ride we came across Francis’ first group a short distance from Shere Village, fixing a puncture for Paula but was having some trouble removing the tyre as it was firmly stuck to the inside of the rim which unfortunately had residual glue left there when it was tubeless before Paula changed to inner tubes. Mick took over as the puncture repair was complicated and time-consuming.

We decided that Francis would continue with my group as everyone was getting very cold at this stage and that I would help with the puncture and then continue with his first group of Alan, Gill and Paula and we didn't arrive at the pub until 2 pm.

After a nice lunch at The Royal Oak, we set off again a little after 3pm for the afternoon ride. The rain had stopped and the sun even came out. As we approached Stoke D'Abernon, Gill and Paula peeled off to go home, Alan and I stopped for a cup of tea :-)

Tim G ends with ……

We all enjoy a challenge from time to time and today we had one. Our leader’s persuasive invitation on the blog did make mention of a few big hills morning and afternoon on the ride but still a sufficient number signed up to warrant three sub-groups. Surprisingly the number of cancellations was minimal despite the gloomy weather forecast.

Gathering at Layla’s cafe in Effingham a mournful number of wet and dripping characters assembled to seek temporary relief from what was to prove a challenging prospect ahead.

Brave and determined expressions were etched on each face as we faced our first accent up Green Dene to the top of Staple Lane. At this point, one of our company thought better of it and departed to seek drier and warmer conditions. I was very tempted to follow but overcome by an acute sense of duty continued and led the decent into Shere.

Another climb out of Shere and on through Farley Green, we experienced the further wet and autumnal wonders of Winterfold Heath and on to Jelley’s Hollow. The group’s appetite for storytelling and historical pearls of wisdom, by this stage, were in short supply so sparing them any further endurance we headed on and descended into Peaslake.

Our final climb of the morning led us up Radnor Road and around Holmbury Hill to reach our lunchtime destination of ‘The Royal Oak’ at Holmbury St.Mary. Groups had become a little mixed by this point due to an earlier incident with a puncture. Service was prompt and efficient and a welcome opportunity to take shelter and dry off a bit.

All suitable refreshed, we set out on our afternoon adventure up Hoe Lane, back through Shere to confront our final challenge up Combe Lane by which time the novelty of hill climbing was beginning to wear thin. At least we had the conciliation of bluer skies and drier conditions.

After a swift ride down Shere Road to West Horsley, up The Drift and on past Effingham Junction we were soon enjoying a well earned tea break at Cafe Barbara’s, Stoke D’Abernon giving our legs a rest and congratulating ourselves on completing today’s challenging but nevertheless enjoyable day out.

Tim G.

 

A new play about Cadel Evans

There is a new play, 'CADEL: Lungs on Legs', at Riverside Studios in Hammersmith about the legendary Australian cyclist and winner of the Tour de France (2011), Cadel Evans.

John and I have booked our tickets to see the play which is on now and until Sunday 15th November.

~ Carolyn B.

Club Kit

Just to inform everyone that the Club Kit is now being organised by Sabina and Bernard.

Please contact them in future for any requirements.

Jennie J

A Group Ride Invitation - 21st October from Effingham

This ride starts at Effingham Vineries and from there we’ll take a lovely ride through the Surrey Hills and lanes to the Scarlett Arms in Walliswood. After lunch we’ll take a slightly longer route to Leatherhead for tea. 18.45 miles/1512ft to lunch and 24 miles/1031ft after lunch.

If need be, after lunch the route can be cut short by turning L to go via the more usual route home through Capel. 

All road surfaces were poor but particularly on the L hand bend in Ruckmans Lane immediately before Weare St (which was also fairly shoddy). Let’s be careful out there!

If you’d like to join myself and sub-leaders please let me know by 5pm Monday 19 Oct. Please respond using Spond, if you have it, otherwise email at janice.dawes@gmail.com.

The Scarlett Arms requires a pre-order for lunch so please also let me know your order, preferably using the event comments in Spond. Please also say if you have any preference for a slow, medium or fast group and I’ll do my best to accommodate you.

Due to being away on holiday it’s likely to be Sat 17 Oct before I’m able to obtain and post the sandwich menu (the menu changes).

Here is the route:

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/520356720

Invitation to B Group Ride 21st October

Elevenses will be at Layla’s café, The Street, Effingham KT24 5LQ

This is the same ride route I had last October, enjoyed by those who joined it.

The morning ride into deepest Surrey Hills, will be 16.5 miles with about 1,700 ft of elevation but that elevation is concentrated in a few challenging hills such as Row Lane, Winterfold Heath road and Raynor road but we will be rewarded with lesser -known scenic heaths and woodland areas including the iconic Jelley’s Hollow. Lunch will be at The Royal Oak, in beautiful Holmbury St Mary.

The afternoon ride will be 14 miles and about 1,000 ft of elevation, concentrated in a few big hills as we head back up to the ridge at Green Dene via Hoe Lane, Purser’s Lane and Combe Lane/Bottom.

Tea will then be a short ride away at Café Barbera, Stoke D’Abernon.

I shall be joined by my two intrepid co-leaders, Mick A and Tim G.

The Royal Oak pub requires pre-orders so I need to know your lunch preference before 5pm Monday evening at the latest, so I can email the pub that evening.

You can see the menu below. There is a wide variety to choose from, including sandwiches.

If you would like to join the ride, please email me fdsilva82@gmail.com directly before 5pm Monday evening. Thanks.

Look forward to seeing you on Wednesday.

Francis

Starters:

Homemade Soup of The Day with Bread & Butter £7.50

Mixed Olives with Bread (v) (vg) £5.95

Salted Padron Peppers (v) (vg) £7.50

 Halloumi Fries with Sweet Chilli Dip (v) £7.25

Pate of the Day with Toast £7.50 

Calamari with Garlic Mayo £8.50 

Special Prawn, Crab & Smoked Salmon Cocktail with Beetroot Coulis & Lemon £10.50

Mains :

Traditional Beer-Battered Cod, Chunky Chips, Tartare Sauce & Crushed Minted Peas £18.95 

Sirloin Steak, Chips, Grilled Mushroom & Tomato with Peppercorn Sauce £34.95

Classic Chicken Caesar Salad (va) £17.95

Butternut Squash Risotto with Sage & Shaved Parmesan (v) £16.50

Pie of the Day with Mashed Potato & Greens (va) £18.95

Gammon Shank with Pineapple, Roasted Tomato, Fried Egg, Peas and Chips £19.95

Beef Burger with Smoked Bacon, Cheese, Tomato, Baby Gem, served with Fries £18.50

Seasoned Chicken Burger with Tomato, Baby Gem, Avocado & Garlic Mayo £17.50

Plant-Based Vegan Burger, with Vegan Bacon & Cheese, served with Fries (v) (vg) £17.50

Lunch: all served with Fries.

Steak Sandwich on Ciabatta £15.00 

Goat’s Cheese Sandwich on Brown Bread with Beetroot, Rocket, Fig & Pear Balsamic (v) £12.50

 Classic Club Sandwich on White Bread £15.00 

Smoked Salmon & Cream Cheese on Brown Bread £13.50

 Beer-Battered Fish Fillet Sandwich with Tartare Sauce on White Bread £15.00

Classic BLT on White Bread £12.50

Sides: 

Chunky Chips or Fries (v) (vg) £5.00

Mixed Leaf Salad with Pomegranate seeds & Wholegrain Dressing (v) (vg) £4.95

Tomato Salad in Port Vinegar Sauce (v) (vg) £4.95

Truffle, Parmesan Fries (v) £6.95

Desserts Home-Made Fruit Crumble with Custard (v) £7.95

Coffee & Walnut Sponge with Rum & Raisin Ice Cream (v) £7.90

Desserts: 

Home-Made Fruit Crumble with Custard (v) £7.95

Coffee & Walnut Sponge with Rum & Raisin Ice Cream (v) £7.95 

Cheesecake of the Day (v) £7.95 

Sticky Toffee Pudding with Vanilla Ice Cream (v) £7.95

Cheeseboard Platter for 2 to Share (v) £15.00

Boozy Chocolate Brownie Sundae \(v) £9.50

3 Scoops of Ice Cream (v)(gf) £7.25

PLEASE MAKE STAFF AWARE OF ANY ALLERGENS

V=VEGETARIAN VG=VEGAN GF=GLUTEN FREE VA=VEGETARIAN AVAILABLE VGA=VEGAN AVAILABLE