B Group Ride from Caterham 30/7/25

John A writes :

M25: Alternative Parallel Route.

Well done to all those who signed up for our longer than average ride from Caterham 

eastwards. For much of the day we were running close to the M25 with ten passes under or 

over it. However, the day was dominated by the quiet country roads and the splendid open 

views of Kent.

Thank you to Tim G for being a subby, to Paul and Dave C for offering to be standby subbies 

and to Sue and Dave F for back-marking.

...and Tim G writes :

We had a better turnout for our ride from Caterham today compared to that earlier this year. Twelve riders across two groups departed after a sumptuous 11’s spread provided by the day centre. 

Our morning route took us out to Woldingham where we cycled through the school grounds and out to meet a challenging climb up Ganders Hill. We continued over The Ridge then down to Titsey where we followed the Pilgrims Way heading east across through the scenic Kent countryside. 

Our planned attempt to drop down to Chipstead was thwarted by a road blockage and despite our best persuasive and diplomatic attempts our safe passage was denied by the very determined and hardline attitude of the workmen on site. In fairness I suppose they were only doing their job ! A quick reassessment of the situation forced us to devise a detour via Brasted and Sundridge to get back on the planned route to Sevenoaks. By now we were joined by the second group who had to follow the same plan. 

We were all suitably fed and watered at the ‘Sennockian’ (W’spoons) in the High Street having locked and secured our bikes to some street railings. Miraculously they were all still there when we left !

Our afternoon ride took us back on our previous detour to rejoin the Pilgrims Way back to Titsey then down to Limpsfield and Oxted to Godstone where we cleverly avoided the closed High Street (due to sinkholes) and emerged back on track towards Bletchingley. Quieter lanes took us via Merstham and a couple more climbs back to Banstead. Three of us took a final well deserved break (tired legs and saddlesore) and treated ourselves to a refreshing beer in a local bar. 

A challenging ride at times but always good to head east and explore and admire the Kent countryside. 

Many thanks to all those who made today’s ride a memorable success. 

A Group ride report 30 July

Last time we went from Caterham, in May, numbers were low and indeed only four rode all the way to lunch. As it had been a nice ride on roads that we don’t use very often I decided to use the same route to Hever and then Brockham. This time we had 14 signed up which was a great turnout given how far out Caterham is for some.

The Westway Centre at Caterham put on a great spread with lots of delicious pastries, fresh strawberries, yoghurts and also, tea and coffee. Suitably fortified for the hills ahead my group of Andy H, Patrick, Steve D, Hans, Dave B, Mike R, Peter S and I set off first.

The long descent to the A22 roundabout gave a short respite before we turned into Woldingham School and from there to the sharp left turn to ascend Gangers. We met the B group at the bottom of the hill to find they were doing a longer and hillier ride to Sevenoaks!

We enjoyed being almost on the flat for a few short miles until we had the wonderful long descent into Westerham and this was enjoyed by all. Payback came soon after as we turned right and into the next climb up Hosey Hill. After that it was left to go past Chartwell but that part of the ride was somewhat spoiled by a very long stretch of loose gravel.

The hills flattened out a little and we were all enjoying the scenery whilst passing through Bough Beeches when suddenly three deer shot out and crossed about 10 feet in front of us. We were very glad not to be 10 feet further on!

After that, we passed through pretty Kent countryside (with only one idiotic driver) and it wasn’t long before we arrived at the King Henry VIII pub in Hever. It was slightly chaotic there as they had no record of my booking with them. Nevertheless we all got served eventually.

The afternoon wasn’t as hilly as the morning but nevertheless there was a bit of a headwind just to keep us on our toes. However, we arrived in Brockham with plenty of time to spare and all stopped for refreshments before the onward journey home.

 

Thanks to my group for their cheerful good company and in particular to Peter S for back marking.

~ Janice

Ged's report: 

Our compact group of Sue C, Andy C, Brian and Dave V left Westway soon after Janice's fast group. It was an uneventful morning. The grind up Gangers Hill was rewarded by the swooping descents from The Ridge into Westerham - greatly enjoyed by all. However Hosey Hill soon after reminded us that the climbs weren't quite over! Despite warnings of long waits for lunch, King Henry VIII delivered remarkably quickly, some of the first group still waiting for their orders after ours had arrived. Chips were plentiful!

We collected Geoffrey S for the afternoon leg, and were snapped by Andy following a 10 secs. delay before leaving. Geoffrey did very well with limited miles in his legs, keeping pace with the group, and resisting the temptation of an early train home: we arrived for tea at Brockham only missing Sue. (I subsequently caught up with Geoffrey on the train at Epsom, having decided myself to take the easy option at Leatherhead for the last 15 miles home).

Thanks to Janice for a lovely route, and to Dave for very visible backmarking.

Brockham picnic on Wednesday 20th August

We have our annual picnic at Brockham fast approaching and I need a couple of volunteers to help with the teas and coffees. Any willing helpers please email me to offer your services - no previous experience necessary! 

Also, in order to minimise the workload, this year we will NOT be transporting picnics from 11's at Leatherhead to Brockham so you will need bike friendly sandwiches to carry with you on the morning ride before lunch. 

Hope you can all make it 

Sue F

sue.foster39@gmail.com

A Group ride from Caterham 30 July

Next Wednesday’s ride from Caterham will follow the route that we rode on a cool and rainy day on 21st May. Despite the weather on that day all thought that it was a lovely route using less visited roads (see Garmin link below).

We’ll have lunch at the Hever Castle pub and later, a break in Brockham before finally making our way home.

Ged has kindly offered to sublead and so we’ll have the possibility of a slow/medium group and a medium/faster group, pace to be determined by the requirements of those in the respective groups.

Please let me know by 6pm on Monday if you’d like to join the ride.

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/351614617

~ Janice

Invitation to a B Group ride on Weds. 30th July

Last week was the Sussex Oak and this coming week it will be seven Kent oaks. You are all invited to join our ride into the wide open spaces of Kent and to enjoy the beautiful views across the Weald of Kent. 
 
If you would like to join the ride, please email me by Monday: johnaustin04@yahoo.co.uk 
 
Please remember that we need cash to put into the collection box for refreshments at the Caterham day centre. 
 
John 

B group ride report Wednesday 23rd July 2025

It’s great when a plan comes together isn’t it? And that is what happened yesterday; perfect cycling weather, great group dynamics, nice scenery, and an excellent pub with a most hospitable landlord. Pete B and Paula had kindly agreed to sublead so we were all set. Groups departed after excellent 11’s served by the very cheerful (and patient) ladies at the Dorking Christian Centre.

From Pete:

This area has always been a favourite of mine and when the chance of sub leading arose I jumped at it.

I was asked before our departure from Dorking :- Are there any hills Pete? No I replied but I could always add a few if you so wish. But sadly, my kind offer was declined, can’t think why!!

Anyhow, on our approach to Weare St I diverted my group into Ockley Farm shop where I and one other stocked up on a few goodies.

To my surprise when we arrived at the little pond halfway down Weare St we came across the 2nd  group in the middle of a photo stop which we subsequently photo bombed. All done in the best possible way.

All good fun.

Then it was on to Warnham for a lovely lunch.

There was no call for afternoon tea so it was up the Zigzag and home.

All in all a most enjoyable ride.

Thank you to you all.

From Paula:

Paula’s group of eight set off second and had a very lovely ride with no mishaps or diversions. We stopped at Holbrook for a photo with Fixie’s friend the goose when Pete’s group (who set off first) turned up after a detour to buy jam. Which led to this mass photo (Fixie was rude to his friend so he had gone swimming instead!)

Sue’s report:

No offence to the riders in other groups  but I really felt we were the elite team out on the road on Wednesday. Our peloton of 6 ( Terry, Grant, Fixie, Paul, Tim C and myself) flew through the lanes to Warnham. The only thing that could have impeded our progress was a large branch that fell onto the road literally seconds before we approached and would surely have brought down a rider. Anyway the cycling gods were watching over us and we emerged  unscathed.

A delicious lunch was served quickly at the Sussex Oak and we were soon on our way again. There were a few KOM points available on the Col du Rusper taken by Mr Court who swooped up past me so Polka Dots to him. Some good sprints from Paul J so  the Green jersey is his. Yellow jersey to Terry who managed an amazing ride given his recent recovery from surgery. Combative rider award goes to Grant and, whilst I realise I am possibly straying into difficult territory here, Best Young Rider, to Fixie who can polish off a plate of fish and chips like a teenager. 

An excellent day out. Thank you all. 

Sue F 

Directeur sportif

Norwesters ride report 23-7-25

 

A trip North was planned, not too far. Flowerland GC at Iver Heath for lunch, 11;s was the 

Ferry, as usual. And 9 merry pedlers met for coffee. The weather was okay and we set 

off through Sheperton  and over the whirly bridge across the M3 and past Longacres 

GC and skirting around Ashford, we crossed the A30 to Stanwell Moor and the delightfu

l (not) village of Poyle to the old Bath road briefly,into Colnbrook, then crossing the 

Colbrook bypass.

We then entered Lakeside road, a former flytipper favourite, now partially blocked to 

cars/lorries, but not the hardy cyclist. We then took the off road section to the newly

built Smart motorway bridge to Old Slade Lane. The bridge is lovely, but the approach

 road is still full of pot holes.

 

We were soon in Iver and heading up Swallow street to the turning for Flowerland and

lunch. The garden centre is full of everything, as well as plants. The cafe has indoor

and outdoor seating and we sat outside. The food was very good but the 

service was very disorganised and slow.

 

 

4 of these to get through

We were early so no rush, but we had to head back South and I had a little surprise for 

part of the trip back. We headed towards Uxbridge and turned off down Old Mill lane 

and onto the lovely off road trail, part of the London Loop, until just before the end we

 crowded a small footbridge onto the Colne Valley Trail. The part we were on is an old 

overground road which was an entrance to a Thames Water plant. It took lots of effort 

to get through the cycle barriers, but we were soon past Thorney Golf club, a good tea 

stop.  

We were soon passing under the M4 and cycling through Heathrow and into Hatton

 road, where Stephen's tyre went flat, he pumped it up and we continued to Feltham, 

where his tyre was flat again, so he decided on a train home from Fetham station. We 

carried on with more off-road and onto the trail along the Crane river.

 

Tea

There is a lovely tea/coffee stop right next to the shot tower with outside seating and 

toilets in the tower, so it was decided to use this as our afternoon tea stop, they did 

cafe and home made ice cream. As usual there was lots of banter and Madie said the

 day was more of an adventure than just a cycle ride.

A great group to cycle with, thank you all for making it a lovely on, and off, the bike, 

a special thanks to Ray for back marking.

Tony..

A group ride report: 23rd July

Some while back while doodling in RidewithGPS I looked for roads which I thought we should ride but rarely did and certainly not in this direction. Joining these together didn't make a very coherent route but I hoped that it might form the basis for a future ride. So when I drew the lot to lead from Dorking I had the makings of something but wasn't sure what I would make of it. 

 A bit more trial and error led to today's route which wound it's way across the Surrey Hills (with the emphasis on Hills) without obviously aiming for anywhere but ending up at that old favourite, the Scarlett Arms, for lunch. So Logmore Lane, Sheephouse Lane, Friday Street and Hoe Lane had been ticked off. By including Mole Street after lunch I continued the theme before following familiar roads back to Leatherhead. 

A brief panic occurred when Peter Suchy, having volunteered as sub leader did his own recce, questioned my ascent figure and described the route as "brutal". What more could I want except a willing band of foolhardy volunteers of whom there were 13. 

Peter's report:

My group (Janice, Patrick, Dave W, Andy C, Ged and Steve D - backmarking) left Dorking promptly at 10.55. Having carried out a recce on Thursday, I found there were a lot of roads I did not fully recognise, until I then realised I had ridden a number of the roads in reverse on the Hilly 50! (I don't get out much). This Wednesday, everything was going fine until we entered Leith Hill Road, immediately to be confronted by a road closed sign (not there on Thursday!). We pushed on until we arrived at the turning for Sheephouse Lane where we enquired of a workman if we could get through. The response was "maybe, maybe not". Armed with this detailed and conclusive assessment we held a quick meeting and decided to press on. As luck would have it the route took a left before the road works (tarmacking), clearly Brian's crystal ball was working well. We arrived at the Scarlett Arms at 12.35 and enjoyed an excellent lunch. Andy C kindly took a group photo (albeit photobombed by Brian)  and Dave W left us at this point. The return route was considerably less hilly than the morning and we made good speed to Dorking where Ged left for the train and I left the group and went back via Box Hill, because I felt I needed more hills (actually needed to get back home quickly for relay babysitting duties!). A very enjoyable ride, many thanks to Brian for this route and many thanks to my group for their company throughout the day, and particular thanks to Steve D for backmarking.

My group (Fiona, Sue C, Hans, Richard, Dave F and Dave V ( backmarking) left a little after 11 and immediately reverted to two feet to avoid 3 roadworks vehicles blocking Church St. All went well until Coldharbour Church where I punctured. Soon afterwards we came across the road closed sign mentioned by Peter but pressed on without seeing any evidence of roadworks. By Hoe Lane the group was definitely in glass half full mode with the route outweighing the hills in their estimation. We were a bit later than planned at lunch where we had barely ordered before Peter's group were ready to leave. I went out to say my goodbye's and obvously Andy's shutter went off before I leapt out of the way!

We had barely left the pub when the dreaded fairy struck again - Fiona this time. From there the ride was, fortunately, uneventful. Only Richard, Dave and I stopped for tea. My thanks to you all for your company and to Dave V for backmarking and Peter for subleading.

Invitation to A Group ride from Dorking 23 July

Wednesday's ride is from St Martin's Christian Centre in Dorking to the Scarlett Arms in Walliswood and back to Leatherhead. That doesn't sound much but it's about 40 miles and 2300 feet of climbing. Garmin seems to think there is less ascent than RwGPS but don't believe it. The fly crawled a very indirect route over my map taking in as much little used road (at least in this direction) as it could find so we manage to visit Leith Hill, Friday Street and Peaslake before leaving the hills behind us. 

There are a couple of hard surfaced off road sections: Milton Court Lane and the surfaced path to Westcott in the morning and the Coach Road from Brockham on the return.

Peter Suchy has kindly volunteered to lead a faster group and I will lead a slower one. If numbers become too large I shall be looking for someone to lead a medium paced group. 

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/375396618 

We have been asked to pre-order. Menus below but unfortunately it seems there will be no sausage sandwiches. Please book your place and let me have your order by 5pm on Monday. Thanks.

 

 

 

 

Ride invitation to the B ride from Dorking on Wednesday 23rd July

You are invited to join the ride on Wednesday from St Martin’s Christian Centre in Dorking (RH4 1DW), to lunch at the Sussex Oak in Warnham. It is an undulating route of 32 miles in total; 15.5 miles to lunch and 16.5 miles back to tea at Denbies.

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51699350

If you would like to join us please can you respond to me on email by Sunday evening with your lunch choice from the menu below:

https://thesussexoak.com/MenuDaily

Hope you can make it.

Sue F

Sue.foster39@gmail.com

Ride Report – A Group to Horsted Keynes

Ideal weather for our annual excursion into deepest East Sussex, dry and not too hot. Nine of us had signed up, meeting at the delightful Hookwood Tesco’s, where it was a lovely surprise to see Fiona who had ridden out to say hello.

It’s a challenge to get everyone started from Hookwood in reasonable time to get them back to Banstead before the tea shops close. I elected for starting both our groups at around 10.30

Steve D who had originated the current Worth Way version of our route a few years ago had volunteered to lead one group. And here’s his account.

Having completed a recce of the route I was confident on the day. However, getting a coffee from the screen ordering devices on the first-floor cafe at Tesco proved difficult. The process involved inputting a number which I thought was the table number until Dave V showed me it was the locator beacon number and then you placed the device on the table plate where you choose to sit and the beacon sends a signal of your table number to the kitchen. Personally I would have preferred a human being who was already employed to serve the customer with their order. But I expect the next time we visit there will just be a robot.

Anyway I set off shortly after Dave V, with Patrick, Dave B and Peter S at 10.32. We were delayed at several junctions out of Gatwick on a glorious sunny day. It was about 24 degrees. Not too hot and not too cold. We caught up with Dave V's group after a mile of the Worth Way. We were making good time. The route and weather were a joy! Unlike the Sunday recce there were very few walkers and so we made good progress. The countryside enveloped us with no real landmarks past Gull Edge Pond and the Worth Way nature park. Finally we had the wonderful descent of Chilling Street into Horsted Keynes.

We arrived at The Green Man at 12.10 pm. The sandwiches and baguettes didn't disappoint. Lots of chips, a nicely dressed salad and freshly baked baguette at a reasonable price. Dave V's group appeared very shortly after we arrived and many pictures were taken in the sunshine. Fortunately too the wasps I had shared my meal with on Sunday had found their way to the pub kitchen. So the kitchen had to deal with them whilst we were relatively clear.     

My group were keen to tackle the 28 miles to Banstead and so we left at 1.10 pm. It was now hotter and we had lunch legs, so the climb out of Horsted Keynes, past the station and up Highbrook Lane was arduous. It wasn't made easier by the road being closed for tree clearance. The sign had said 'Closed except for access' and the trees to the left had already been felled and so we crossed the barrier and checked with the first digger driver that it would be OK to pass. There was no CCTV and so we carried on having been warned of huge vehicles ahead. We almost got through until a huge tractor with a trailer appeared. Fortunately we were only 4 and rode up a driveway so it could pass.

After this it was plain riding on fast tarmac up to Turners Hill and then a sharp right along Old Hollow, north to Copthorne and then Smallfield. It is surprising how, once you recognise familiar roads it is easier to pedal, because you know how far it is to your destination. So the route up to Nutfield and down to Merstham was made better, especially because of little traffic, which all seemed to be on the A25. However my legs didn't propel me up Markedge Lane as well as I wanted. It was a relief to arrive at The Lavender cafe Banstead, where ice cream and coffee were the order of the day! We arrived at 3.25 pm which was earlier than planned and I left at 4 pm for a prior engagement. (Steve also played in the summer concert at the Leatherhead Institute later that evening)

I led Andy, Guy, Neil W and Ged as back marker. Steve has described the conditions, and we made good progress. Andy had expressed an interest in the Bluebell Railway, and diligent research with the timetable small print revealed that a train would be passing, but not stopping, around our likely arrival time. So Andy left us, with camera, on a short diversion to a scenic viewpoint, while the rest of us tackled the final challenging ascent to the pub.

       

We arrived on time just before 12.30 where we met up with Steve’s group. It was disappointing that the East Sussex cycle club were not there, apparently due to a misunderstanding. But the original CTC sign was still there, proudly displayed on the wall.

     

Excellent food and friendly service at the Green Man, but soon it was time to go, with a 28 mile hilly course to complete. Highbrook Lane (the biggest climb of the day) was signed as closed ahead, but we were reassured that it would be passable because Steve’s group was ahead. Unfortunately near the very top we were blocked by the most obdurate and unhelpful tree-felling crew. So the only way forward was to return to the bottom of Highbrook and take the alternative climb up to Sharpthorne.

    

After the long and welcome descent from Turners Hill, the north wind became evident, from which there was no shelter until the Nutfield climb. Thankfully Guy pulled ahead and sheltered me from the worst, thanks Guy. Neil left us in Smallfield looking for a less hilly way home.

After Nutfield there remained “only” two more climbs (and two fast descents) before Banstead, where we arrived at 4.30 about ½ an hour later than I planned. Fortunately the lavender Café was still open, and tea and cakes did not disappoint.

Thanks to everyone who came out and made the day so special. Special thanks to Steve for leading his group, and Ged for back-marking my group, and to all who contributed photographs.

Finally, I was a little disappointed that our numbers were down on previous years. I know that some riders were away, but for next year remember that it’s a delightful route into country we rarely visit.

 

 

 

Wed 16th July B Ride Report from Claygate to Cobham via West End

First and foremost, I would like to thank Keith R and Francis D for volunteering to reccy and sub-lead on the day. Both of your contributions gave me much confidence and joy for organising the ride.

Paul J was the original leader/designer of the ride in July 2021, we particularly liked the many quiet and undulating on and off roads from Chobham to lunch and nearly all the revised route after lunch including over 2 miles along Basingstoke Canal. Thanks Paul. 

Many thanks to Tim C for editing and revising our "smooth" route after our recce on 4 July.

Many thanks for all the riders to join us for the ride. We had 24 riders in total, 3 groups of 8 riders. On my last group of 8, thanks to Martin G for back marking, Julie B and Paul J for helping me navigating at times, Mick A for leading Dawn M to Woking station after lunch, Alan I and Martina S for joining us.

Our lunch stop Hare and Hound at Donkey Town / West End excelled at providing us tasty and nutritious food and drinks promptly at a reasonable price. No doubt we will be back there in the future.

~ Christina

The ride for my first group went well, with no incidents apart from my Garmin map not displaying the route correctly, which resulted in one or two corner mistakes. Due to some navigation confusion, we deviated a little from the designated route through a very pleasant woodland track, but soon got back on track. It proved to be a very popular route, on mostly quiet and shady roads (Thanks to Paul for the original route, and Christina for resurrecting it)

The Hare and Hounds at Donkey Town provided very efficient and friendly service of good food and beverages. The return route via Woking and via Pyrford lock, including a very pleasant stretch of the Basingstoke Canal, ending up in Cobham for afternoon tea. Many thanks to all of the group for their company and support, and particularly Karl for back marking all day.

~ Keith

Overall, my middle group of 8 (Tony Hs, Brenda, Liz, Ray Y, Arwyne, Jane and back-marker Tim G) just loved this route, a nice mixture of road and off-road woodland tracks. Personally, many of the roads and tracks were new to me and I hope we can use this route again in the near future. Our favourite roads, long, quiet and tree-lined were the wonderfully named Gracious Pond road, followed by Windlesham road and Rye Grove.

After 19 miles, we soon arrived at the the Hare and Hounds pub in Donkey Town aka West End. A pub that not only served good portions, but with a lovely smile and service. The temperature had certainly gone up a notch as we departed for the 17 miles to tea. The highlights in the afternoon was the enjoyably long Basingstoke canal ride, my frozen Garmin screen (first time) that needed rebooting and the 'site entrance' path from the new Wisley bridge down to Elm lane, now nicely tarmac'd.

A couple of the group headed to tea in Stoke D'Abernon as it was on their way home and the rest headed home from Cobham. An enjoyable day for all with a great route and amiable company. My thanks to the ever-dependable Tim G for back-marking all day.

~ Francis