Ride Report - Hilly 50k Saturday 25th April

This year’s Hilly 50k attracted a bigger bunch of riders than previous years. Was it the dry roads and perfect weather, or the promise of fewer potholes on the newly revised route? Or dare I say it, the absence of Sheephouse and Whitedown?  Or more likely, a mixture of reasons.

As well as the normal support from H50-hardened Wayfarers, we had significantly increased female support, and from B group members. So many riders that the usual “sensibly paced” group ride had to be split into two, led by Andy C and me. In addition there was a group of seasoned Saturday “Beginners” led by Steve W.    

We also had impressive support from Bella Velo (thanks Frances) Teddington Velo and Wimbledon Windmilers.    

   

     

In all 45 riders on the road, with a strong showing from the home team.

                                    

Andy’s group left on time around 10am with my group about 5 minutes later, with Peter S backmarking (thanks Peter). My group soon settled into a pattern of climbing at our preferred pace, then regrouping at the top, with occasional briefing on the next stage. 

All the groups (Andy’s, Steve’s and mine) met up for refreshments at the King’s Head Shop in Holmbury, where the staff coped admirably with our numbers, which well exceeded the estimate I had given them.     

After leaving Holmbury we descended, and rode some beautiful lanes, before the shock of Pitch Hill, which was the first of a quartet of afternoon climbs (Combe Lane, Crocknorth and Box Hill). Despite the climbing there was good evidence that we were beginning to enjoy ourselves.    

And there were some nice descents too, with chances to admire the scenery or, if you prefer, the bluebells.

All the groups arrived atop Box Hill before 3.30 where we were checked in by Terry, and delighted to find Christina had arranged a welcome feast with Sabina’s help.    

  

Special thanks are due to Maggie J who organised signing-in from early morning, and Terry who stayed to the finish, checking riders as they returned.      

Thanks also to Steve W, Paul J, Andy C, Tim C (IT support and team photographer) and Christina (finishers feast).

This year Mike Morley’s son Tim was away and he and his team will be riding  on May 16^th. So far we have collected around £1,170 for St Raphael’s, and the JustGiving site remains open for further donations, which are all much appreciated.

P.S. There's a link to Steve W's excellent Beginners report here.

P.P.S. Click here for a full collection of photos.

B Group Ride 29th April '26

You are invited to join us for next week's B group ride after our annual AGM at Long Ditton Village Hall. We will be heading out towards Chertsey via Walton-on-Thames for lunch at 'The Bridge' Hotel. The afternoon ride will return back via Sunbury-on-Thames for tea at Hampton Court.

Please reply by Monday evening to be added to the ride list.

Email - timgibbons1@virginmedia.com

WhatsApp - 07756961505

Look forward to seeing you all on Wednesday.

TimG.

A Group Ride Report 22 April - Leatherhead to Warnham

It was a beautiful Spring Day for a bike ride along the country lanes of Surrey and West Sussex, down to Warnham for lunch at The Sussex Oak. Bluebells, Spring sunshine, a 700 year old church, a duck pond and village pub. Not much more to be said really. But here are some photos to prove it:

Thank you to Dave and Brian for sub-leading. Thanks also to Mike for back marking and to the rest of my group for the company. Sorry for covering you all in sealant.

Dave’s Report

Our group (Andy C, Jennie, Dave W, Francis, Ged and Guy) set off on familiar roads, until I went off piste and took them up to Abinger Common. We wondered why Brian's group who passed us on Ranmore had managed to get back in front at Forrest Green. After that it was plain sailing down a bumpy Weare St. to the pub in Warnham.

Dave W and Ged left us there, and we set off for tea at the Reading Room, Brockham. Thanks to Dave W for back marking on the way out and Jennie on the way back.

Brian’s Report

My group of seven were Sue C, Sue F, Gill H, Gina, Neil W and Dave F. We were overtaken by Clive's group just before the Ranmore cross roads and then by Dave E's group while we stopped just after. That wasn't the last we saw of Dave's group though as they appeared behind us (!) at Forest Green and we saw them again briefly after Weare Street.

The pub did well with all three groups there together and we were on our way again withing an hour. 

It was a lovely day to be riding but the wind was cold and the dappled shade in the lanes made it difficult to read the road surface ahead. Parts of Weare Street were particularly challenging. The afternoon ride was uneventful but the wind seemed colder and stronger. It was good to be over the top at Rusper but Clive had routed us via Charlwood so there was still Norwood Hill to conquer before it was mostly downhill to Brockham.

My thanks to Clive for an interesting variation on previous routes to Warnham, to my group for their company and to Dave F for back marking.

Here’s the route:

Invitation to A Group Ride from Long Ditton on the 29th of April

 Please join me on my ride from Long Ditton following the AGM on the 29th of April.  

(Long Ditton Village Hall, 2 Ewell Road, Long Ditton, KT6 5LE).

Lunch is at Epsom Wetherspoon’s (pre-order not required).

It's about 6 miles to lunch and 17 miles to tea at the Flying Saucer Café in Bourne Hall in Ewell with about 1300 feet of climbing. The majority of that is up to Headley via Lodge Bottom Road. There is a short unpaved section through Ashtead common.

Please use Spond to say if you want to join the ride. You will receive an invite on Friday.

If you want to join the ride and are not yet a member of the Spond group please let me know on my e-mail: kmitch1963@gmail.com and I will arrange to have you added.

I look forward to seeing you.

B Group Ride 22nd April - Leatherhead Return

Francis begins with;

What a surprise to have 24 people sign up for the ride, I guess this was due to the hot, sunny weather and the first long day ride of 39 miles ‘figure of 8’ through scenic countryside south of Leatherhead.

My co-leaders describe their respective rides much more eloquently than I could mine, so I will just add a couple of highlights from my group.

After the usual warm hospitality at the Fairfield Centre, my first group, consisting of Steph, Brenda, Carolyn, Dave C (back-marker p.m), Alan C and Chris McC (back-marker a.m), left on time.

I thought it odd that we left 10 or minutes before Tim G’s group yet we arrived pretty much the same time at The Plough pub. It turned out, his group sailed through ‘closed road barriers’ waved through by workmen smitten by certain sweet-talking, whilst I had to lead my group on the long diversion. Not that I’m grumbling of course!

The wonderful Plough pub staff pulled out all the stops when the first 2 groups happen to arrive together and served us all promptly with good lunches. However, the last group did have to wait longer than expected but out in the sunny beer garden, it wasn’t too much of a worry.

Despite the long morning ride of 22 miles with a few steep hills and shall we say, ‘upward slopes’ and a post lunch 17 miles ride, all made their way round admirably and some extended their enjoyment with a cuppa at Lucio’s.

My thanks as usual to my co-leaders Tim G and Stephen.

 

Tim G continues with:

A perfect start to a perfect April ride. The sunny conditions lasted all day and provided us with ideal conditions for today’s adventure. My group of eight left promptly from Leatherhead and headed up and out towards Headley whereupon we met with a road closure at the top of Clay Lane. The ladies applied some delicate feminine persuasion to convince the road workers to let us pass through without let or hindrance. It worked perfectly!

Up and over Headley Heath and swiftly down to Betchworth we were soon on our way via Brockham, Henfold to Newdigate. The off-road section through Cudworth was dry and we then headed up to Leigh where we caught up with the first group and jointly arrived at ‘The Plough’ for lunch. Service was prompt and efficient and everyone enjoyed a welcome break outside in the continued April sunshine.

Our afternoon ride was not without a few more hills but nevertheless followed some attractive country lanes and scenic vistas. Tea at ‘Lucio’s’ in Leatherhead attracted a number from all three of today’s groups and provided an opportunity for positive reflection on today’s excursion. A good day had by all!

 

Stephen ends with;

The third group consisted of Alan I, Robert T, Mick A, Maggs M, Tim C (who kindly back-marked) and Stephen H as co-leader. After the earlier riders had departed, we were briefly able bask in peace in the Leatherhead sunshine. The weather was so lovely, and the promised ride so varied and attractive, that we suppressed any temptation to skip the challenges ahead and just walk 200 yards directly to the planned tea stop. Instead, we roused ourselves and set forth.

All went well. The sun shone and the sky was blue. The morning ride - around 22 miles - started with a haul up to Headley - including a little self-help to get past some roadworks - followed by the sharp descent towards Brockham. At this point the roads turned more rural as we headed south, with the fields and woods beautiful in the Spring weather. Just to shake things up, there were a couple of short but sharp rises, and later a half-mile or so of gravel, before the turn back north towards Leigh. By this time thoughts were turning to lunch and ‘Are we nearly there?’ was beginning to turn in our minds (and sometimes words).

Lunch in the garden of the Plough was excellent. Robert fraternised with some fellow Canadians (though apparently they came from the wrong end of the country). Maggs opted to head straight home, but we were joined by Terry for the (shorter) afternoon leg back to Leatherhead. Francis had cunningly included a recycled section of the morning route, but it was so pleasant in the Spring sunshine that we were happy to enjoy it one more time. Finally, the familiar ride back to Leatherhead and a welcome tea at Lucio’s. Altogether an excellent day out with much variety, wonderful weather and great company.

Cycle Jumble

Off the Beaten Tracks

Norwesters Ride. 

22, April Molesey Boat House to Ashley Park Inn, Walton on Thames.
Another amazingly conceived and executed Magical Mystery Jaunt.
By Tony Hopkins.

Tony, Paula, Gill, Pam, Martina, Pete, Grant, Ray, Matina; Bob, left the boathouse, full of the joys. The day was bright, the wheels were round, the birds were singing, West Molesey, East Molesey, Thames Ditton hold on, 9 left the ‘Eight on the River café, only 6 have made the right turn onto Ash Path oops. A quick recycle, our leader is very keen on conservation, of numbers that is, located Pam, Martina Pete, the only Ray to be seen was that of sunshine, would he ever be seen again? Contact was made and a meeting point down route was agreed, onwards. Weston Green, 

Thames Ditton & Esher Golf Club, nearly Hinchley Wood, circumnavigating Claygate via the common, and  back to Claygate to meet Ray. Ray? Ray? We searched The Foley, in the garden, under the tables, all the loos, no Ray. Beginning to believe that we would never see him again, we pressed on. The route, had been and continued to be absolutely fascinating, off road, on road and sometimes even in the direction of our destination.

On from Claygate, into Esher more marvellously interesting twists turns and unventured cut throughs, around Hersham and on to Ashley Park. Eight of us ate lunch. Back home was no less interesting, out of Ashley Park, another smooth off road section and then to most people’s amazement Walton Bridge was in front of us, Lower Halliford, Shepperton, Upper Haliford and followed the river home.   And Ray? While we were lunching, he was munching, beans on toast at home.

Lovely day thanks again Tony.

Bob Pannell