Invitation to the A Group ride to Horsted Keynes, 15 July

Wednesday 15th sees our annual A Group Ride to Horsted Keynes, where we meet the East Sussex CTC “veterans” on their home ground. Elevenses is at Tesco's, Hookwood  just off Reigate Rd RH6 OAT. The Café upstairs is hi-tech with screen ordering only. Thankfully there is Greggs downstairs.

As an indication, Hookwood Tesco is about 19 miles from N Cheam, so if you need guidance getting there please let me know.    

Lunch at the historic Green Man pub, Horsted Keynes, complete with CTC Winged Wheel. About 20 miles. The route includes the nicely-shaded gravelly Worth Way, which is easily rideable with road tyres. One longish climb at Weir Wood, but beautiful views and rarely visited lanes. With luck you may be able to witness the arrival of the Bluebell Railway’s daily steam train to Horsted Keynes.

Tea at Banstead after about 28 miles, and a couple of climbs, but downhill home for all.
The Green Man has requested us to pre-order lunch so please let me know if you are coming, by email or Spond, and your lunch choice by Monday evening, thanks. 

d.vine207@btinternet.com

 

Ladies cycle clothing (Size M) offered

A neighbour of mine who no longer cycles wondered if anyone was interested in some clothing she has. One new pair of shorts and some other mostly little used items. 

If anyone is interested please contact me.  No payment is asked for though if you wish to make a donation to charity my neighbour would be grateful.  

Lusso Coolmax shorts (unused) Size M black

 

 

 

 

Used CTC logo shorts (M)

Almost new CTC logo jersey

 Amost new blue/black jersey

 Short finger gloves (hardly used) and pair of socks (navy)

 

 

 

Invitation to B Group Ride 15th July

You are all most welcome to join the ride from outside Claygate station (Elevenses coffee at 'Parade & Albany') heading towards New Road, Ashtead Common, Leatherhead and finally West Horsley. The morning ride will comprise of nearly 6 miles of scenic off-road near the start.

Lunch is at the ever-welcoming Barley Mow pub in West Horsley. No pre-orders are required.

The afternoon ride is short at just over 11 miles to The Old Moat for tea.

I will be joined by my ever-dependable co-leaders Tim C and Steph.

If you would like to join the ride, please email me directly on fdsilva82@gmail.com before 6pm Monday evening please.

Wishing for a cooler weekend ahead.

Francis

B Group Ride Report - 8th July ’26

In 1931 Noel Coward wrote the lyrics to “Mad Dogs and Englishmen”. Its famous refrain mocks the British habit of braving the tropical midday sun while locals seek the shade. No doubt if he were alive today he would have a field day remarking on the similar behavior of CTC cyclists. Undeterred by the forecast for hot weather fourteen determined riders braved the heat and met at Weybridge to embark upon today’s adventure.

Team TG at Virginia Water

We set out in three groups led by Mick A, Tim G and Julie B towards Chertsey then via Virginia Water to Windsor Great Park. We had our first photo opportunity beside the lake. It may look timeless today but 300 yrs ago the landscape looked very different.

Team MA in front of the lake.

Although a smaller pond did exist the entire valley didn’t take shape until the 1750’s. William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland (then Park Ranger) and son of George II was initially responsible for its future development into a Royal pleasure ground. The project began in 1752 and took almost 40yrs to complete. We also cycled past ‘The Cumberland Obelisk’ erected in 1750 in commemoration of the Duke’s success in leading armies in Britain, Europe and the Americas.

Team JB enjoying a shady spot.

We then passed by ‘The Savill Garden’ commissioned by George V in 1932. The gardens a 35 acre haven of gardens, woodland and seasonal displays.

Our next encounter was the 100ft (30m) ‘Totem Pole’, gifted to the late Queen Elizabeth II in 1958 by the government of British Columbia, Canada to celebrate the province’s centenary. Apparently its undergoing plans to be lowered and ‘laid to rest’ after reaching the end of its natural lifespan.

Once north of these landmarks we headed towards and out of Ascot Gate and made our way to Woodend for lunch at ‘The Duke of Edinburgh’. Tables had already been reserved for us, with water jugs and glasses, under canopies and shaded areas. A welcome relief after a morning in the sun. Service was prompt and efficient and we were all well catered for. A venue well worth another visit in the future !

Chilling in the shade !

Our afternoon ride took us on a slight detour into Ascot racecourse where we saw the grandstand from the horses point of view and another photo opportunity.

A few old nags in front of the grandstand.

Back into Windsor Great Park via Blacknest Gate we cycled past the polo field and the equestrian statue of Prince Albert. Queen Victoria unveiled this monument in commemoration of the the Prince’s contribution to the Windsor Estate in 1890 and the ceremony drew over 7,00 well-wishers and guests.

Paying homage to Prince Albert.

Having had our fill of cultural landmarks we headed out at Bishopsgate and on via Englefield Green, Thorpe Green, Chertsey, Shepperton to Walton Marina. By now everyone had had enough of tropical temperatures and were pleased to take sanctuary in the shade, with a cool drink and enjoy a welcome break.

Many thanks to everyone who made today’s ride a success and especially to my two subbies for their dutiful and diligent leadership. Very much appreciated. A good day out despite the hot weather ! 

TimG.

A Group Ride from Weybridge to Aldershot and Cobham, 8th July 2026.

 Aldershot is an army town. On our last trip here, in October 2022, David W. led us to view a military man on a horse - Wellington. This year I paused my group (Dave V and W, Brian and Neil W) at a memorial stone cenotaph with a bronze lion atop. Plaques commemorated the Great War horse cavalry, but also mentioned a new weapon in the First World War - the bicycle. The 8th Cyclist Brigade was formed in July1916, as the bicycle began replacing the horse for reconnaissance and patrolling. Perhaps early CTC cyclist soldiers were deployed?

Geoffrey S joined us just before our early departure - with a bloodied knee from a fall following a skirmish with a dog. (He pealed-off at Chobham). Fiona's group (see below) passed us, and were installed in the Queen Hotel as we arrived. On a hot day we topped-up bottles with the plentiful supply of iced water, and were away before 1pm. My errant navigation was corrected by Neil, picking-up the lovely new cycle path before Ockham bites and over the M25, before emerging in Pointers Lane. The air-conditioning in Gails made us very reluctant to leave!

 Fiona commented as follows. Another glorious sunny day. Setting off at 10.00 the temperature was quite pleasant. We went along many leafy lanes that gave us some shade, we arrived at Wetherspoons in Aldershot ready for some fluid.
I think in the afternoon all of us started to feel the heat particularly when we stopped pedalling.
Thank you to Dave B for back marking and to my group - as always, good company.

Thanks for Fiona for sub-leading, Dave W and V for backmarking, and for all coping admirably with the hot conditions.

A Group Ride, Weds. 8th July 2026 from Weybridge to Aldershot and Cobham.

 You are invited onto the A Group Ride on 8th July from Weybridge to Aldershot and Cobham. Elevenses will be at Cafe Verditer, 34 Baker Street, Weybridge, lunch at Wetherpoons, The Queen Hotel, Aldershot, and tea at Gails, Cobham. 

It's 21 miles to lunch, with 24 miles to tea - all on road. (The route is based on David Ward's ride to Aldershot, and the Queen Hotel in October 2022).

https://connect.garmin.com/app/course/482937064

In view of expected high temperatures I plan to start the ride early, with the weather cooler, and with the first group away at 10am. Should riders wish, a 'train assist' return from Aldershot could be taken.

Fiona and David are your sub-leaders of the faster and medium paced rides respectfully, whilst I will lead a leisurely paced group.

(Please note there are no secure bike anchor points at the pub, and bikes should be chained together on the forecourt of the pub off Victoria Rd.).

Please reply on Spond by Monday 6th July, or by email if you wish, should you want to join the ride.

Groups and departure times will be sent out on Tues.

(What with child-minding, four months injured off the bike, and trips to Nepal and New Zealand, this is my first lead ride since August 2025: be prepared to get lost!).

I look forward to riding with you.

Lost; B Group from Cobham to Kingston via Woodmansterne, 1 July

The day had begun chilly and the Tolworth closure meant the traffic was a bit heavy along Rushett lane but there had been frustration last week with the heatwave forcing the cancellation of the long ride out to Eton and despite a couple of late withdrawals we had twenty four turn up for the Bs.

By the time the first group set off the sun was strong but offset by a cooling breeze.  But once we were past Great Bookham we were cut off from the outside world by the lush vegetation.  Chapel Lane and then Little Switzerland felt like a trip through some secret forest and then we were on top of the downs with that glorious view over the Epsom Racecourse and out to the north west, as far as Wembley's arch.

 Tim's group making their way up Mill Way 

Paul's group at the top of Leech Lane

Tim and his group at Tattenham Corner

We all felt we'd had a good ride, pretty fast by B Group standards, but we had not made that much headway on the chasing groups as they joined us sitting at tables set up for the afternoon football match in the garden of the Woodman for lunch.

Well, two thirds of them joined us.  Where was Bernard and his group?

Should I text them?  Had they had an accident?  No, we would surely meet them as we went back along Banstead Lane???  No!  They were lost.  Gone.  Wandering somewhere in the secret woods.  Was I destined to go down in history as the man who lost an entire group on a ride?  The George III of cycling?  There will have to be a Board of Enquiry.

Creepy.  The last known sighting of Bernard & his group

It was when we got down to Cheam that I got a call from Martina.  They had missed the Woodmansterne turn and were lunching in Cheam Park instead.    

So on we hammered to Kingston Church where the lady was clearly planning to close at three despite the advertised closing time of four and the promise of further custom.  I shan't be using them again.

We had our tea and coffee and awaited the others, Julie and Ray were the only survivors of John's group who needed refreshment so we went to Costa in the market where you can guard your bikes easily and there we were joined by Tim G and Bernard and Sabina, who had managed to find their way to Kingston, reporting that Dawn, who had determinedly slogged her way up the inclines (having practised yesterday in a car!) had left them to buy an electric bike.

Thanks everyone for the company.  Thanks Jane and Keith for putting up with being omitted from the riders' list.  Thanks Tim and John and Bernard for leading, and thanks, Gill and Julie for each buying me a coffee.  I hung around in the hope that some other nice woman might buy me a third but it was not to be.

EVIDENCE TO THE BOARD OF ENQUIRY 

Filed by Bernard P

Sub leader number three  write up for Wednesday ride 1^st July 2026

Cobham – Woodmansterne (or as it turned out, Cheam) - Kingston

Elevenses.  The British Legion café.  Squadron Leader’s instructions to subbies.  Time, approximately 10.45 am... fifteen minutes before subbie number three begins the ride.  I smiled and continued daydreaming about football world cup glory with me scoring a hat trick in the final whilst something was being said about lunch in Banstead, avoiding peskily dangerous roads and turning right or was it left at some roundabout, “... and that’s how to avoid that busy road, altogether much safer.  See everyone at the Woodman for lunch!”  I agreed that it was a very good idea to keep safe... in fact it was one of the top three principles I lived my life by.  The room was filtering out as the other groups departed and I marshalled our riders.

Outside it was hot, heavy with sun.  I attempted to cool the riders with a sprinkling of some homespun humour, “anyone got the route?”.... I chuckled but no one else did... it drew worried expressions. “Just joking!”  At that point Sabina reminded me to turn Garmi on.  I wobbled slightly.  Garmi made his usual burping sounds as he woke up.  I pressed ‘ride’ but nothing happened.  All eyes were fixed firmly in my direction.  I was starting to feel quite sweaty.  I pressed ‘ride’ again but nothing.  I had forgotten to convert my recorded recce into a course... this was a blunder that if it ever got out would ruin my reputation as a subbie.  I had to keep cool.  I could feel the perspiration collecting above the rim of my eyes and then the trickling of hot salty sweat made its mercilessly way down my brow... but worse I now had a hostile invader in my helmet or so it felt as an intense itch started to manifest itself at the back of my cerebrum.  I desperately tried to visualise Garmi’s written instructions within that cerebrum of mine but to no effect... I had never bothered to read them... who does! I’m a go-along intuitive sort of individual and often this works, sort of, and when it doesn’t, well, Sabina comes to the rescue.  I scrabbled through Garmi’s settings, found some options for rides, routes and courses and decided the best I could do was press one of them... pressing the wrong one would delete the recci ride altogether.... plan B would be to follow road signs and stop to ask intelligent looking individuals for directions along the way.  As is my way in times of unbearable stress I crunched my eyes shut and blindly pressed one of Garmi’s options, which one, I have no idea to this day.  Garmi made a gurgling noise followed by a kind of low pitch buzzing and ending with a popping sound... I opened my eyes and saw that the course was loaded.  I felt light and joyful... so full of happiness that I forgot I was supposed to be leading a ride until I looked up and saw all eyes fixed on Garmi and me.  "Let’s go!”

Soon we were out of Cobham and into the gentle rolling landscape of the Surrey Hills; lots of green speckled with dainty yellow flowers or perhaps weeds, whichever, very pretty.  A red kite glided above and away.  Wagtails skimmed low across the flat of the land.

There were hills to climb too.  They took their toll on me; I felt their weight, their load.  For some reason my bike felt heavy and the tyres rode thickly, but the real issue was my own physical limitations.  My calf and thigh muscles felt tight, and my lungs could only process so much air at a time.  Luckily, I was not in a race doing this for a living or I would be in trouble.  Chapel Lane albeit the easier side was tough and so was Lodge Bottom Road and Tattenham.  It was as if the rubber of the tyres was melting into the tarmac of the road and they were becoming one unified heap of slodge (a made-up word but that’s what it felt like, slodge).

Approaching Banstead I remembered something being said about avoiding turning one way or the other at some roundabout and staying alive.  And so with my intuition in full throttle mode I went straight on at the roundabout which took us down Sutton Lane instead of left into Woodmansterne Lane.  For a short second or two Garmi indicated we were off route but within the blink of an eye it showed we were back on track.

Very soon I sensed my riders’ unease, “where are we going, isn’t lunch supposed to be at the Woodman?”   I was puzzled too.  By now we should have reached the pub but it was nowhere in sight.  I expected it would pop up in view at any moment but it never did.  I had every faith in Garmi... he’s never wrong or at least he’s less wrong than me.  Soon we were in Sutton and then Cheam.  It was as if the Woodman had vanished, disappeared as happens in hideous dreams,

My fellow riders were very good about the situation.  Sabina came to the rescue... from her nannying days she knew of a cafe in Cheam Park.  This was a very impressive piece of leadership on her part... no Garmi, no map just a thorough sound knowledge of how to get to where we needed to get.

There was a summer’s day’s feel about the place... mothers chatting at one table whilst their children, toddlers, played and lolloped in the grass about them, friends and couples enjoying each other’s company, pet dogs happily snoozing away the day and a gentle happiness embracing everyone.  Just right for our weary legs.

Refreshed back on our bikes we got and Sabina led us safely back into Kingston where we finished our ride and met up with the other riders in Kingston Market Place.

All riders rode magnificently; they were, Anne, Dawn, Martina, Sabina and Keith who kindly back marked.  Thanks to Paul for putting together a great route.

Now how did we miss the Woodman Pub?  Well, I should have turned right on that roundabout in Banstead into Woodmansterne Lane where the pub is located.  By not doing so I went straight into the afternoon section of the ride and that’s why Garmi said I was back on course without me realising that I had cut our lunch stop.  Thanks to great co-riders and Sabina’s leadership skills all was saved and we had a great bike ride.

B Group Ride - Wednesday 8th July '26.

Our ride from Weybridge will take us through Chertsey and Virginia Water to Windsor Great Park and beyond to Woodend. Lunch is at ‘The Duke of Edinburgh’. 

The afternoon ride will take us back via Ascot racecourse, Windsor Great Park, Englefield Green and tea at Walton-on-Thames.

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.

MWW Cobham to Walliswood 1st July 2026 - Ride Report

 Ride organiser Fiona gave us an extended route and balances it off now with a slender report .. 

A beautiful warm day for setting off amongst the Surrey Hills.
We did a fair bit of climbing, just over 1000meters in 59 miles.
The Scarlett Arms were ready with amply filled sandwiches to give us much needed energy for our return climbs up Pitch and then Combe.

Thank you to my group for a good paced ride, good company and to Janice for back marking. 

Dave Vine writes.. 

When I signed up for this ride, without reading the small print, I was somewhat daunted to learn of a 35 mile ride to lunch. But on the day an early start with a well-matched team (Brian, Richard, and Frances) with Frances taking numerous turns on the front, helped to make it a most enjoyable experience.

On the way we stopped at Dunsfold Village Hall, which fortuitously was open, where we were invited in by the local ladies to top up water, and use their toilets. Thanks Dunsfold Ladies. 

We stopped briefly to inspect the grounded the Hawker Hunter, recently discovered by Neil, though clearly it had been there some time. 

All the groups sat together for lunch in the Scarlett Arms garden, speedily served and devoured.

Riding back, Ockley Road was blocked by road resurfacing lorries, conveniently next to an alternative route, Holmbury Road. It’s rarely climbed by us, but now thankfully resurfaced it was a useful alternative to Pitch Hill, though no less challenging. After Peaslake we rejoined Fiona’s “official” route.

The almost final climb of Combe Lane was frustrated by motor traffic blocking the road by the steep turn, which seems to happen more frequently nowadays. The frustration was thankfully dissipated by the long downwind stretch to Cobham where, Frances having parted company at Effingham, three of us stopped for tea.

Thanks everyone for your company, and to Fiona for an excellent route.

Neil writes.. 

This was my first sub-lead for a long time. I reccied on Monday two days before which was just as well as my attention to reading the route on my Karoo was scatty and I made several mistakes. The 35 miles to the pub was a long stretch but it delivered really good views and sections, some seemed new to me. Not many riders asked for a slow group, just Pete B and Gina (and Geoffrey from the Scarlett). We set off from Cobham early, we found our individual paces were well matched. We each enjoyed the scenery and lanes, especially between Wonnersh and Dunsfold.  

We looked inside St Marks Blackheath, the art and crafts church..

We had a break in the shade at Dunsfold village store. then viewed the Hawker Hunter. The jet was sadly neglected. 

I asked Gemini to smarten the picture up, it did a good job, on us as well. 

On the return roadworks thwarted the ascent via Pitch Hill so we went via Radnor instead, possibly more difficult? Gina overcame her doubts and rode all the way up Coombe Bottom and then we flew the remainder mostly downhill to Cobham.

An excellent day out,  it's a thumbs up from us for the occasional longer ride in good summer conditions.
Many thanks to Fiona that was a super route and organisation.

Dieppe Raid 2026 - Discount for ferry bookings now available

Two alternative 20% discount codes are available for ferry crossings, one for over 60s, on any crossing (as far as I can see) and one for any age but on specific crossings.  From the Dieppe Raid/Tour des Trois Vallees Facebook page:

20% discount code for booking DFDS ferries now issued.  The wait is finally over ! The code is LTV26.

It applies to these routes:

• 18 and 19 September: Newhaven-Dieppe (8h30 departures)
• 21 September: Dieppe-Newhaven (12h departure)

https://www.dfds.com/en-gb/passenger-ferries/ferry-crossings/ferries-to-france/newhaven-dieppe

This discount cannot be used in addition to the 20% Over 60 discount mentioned below.

An earlier post says: The 20% discount for over 60's reduces return fare to £44.80. Book at: https://www.dfds.com/en-gb/passenger-ferries/ferry-crossings/ferries-to-france/newhaven-dieppe/senior-discount

Ride invitation B Group Wednesday 1 July

You are invited to join me on the ride from Cobham on 1 July

We are going to go over Great Bookham Common to Chapel Lane, down to the Steeping Stones, across the A24 to climb Little Switzerland and then through Walton, Tattenham Corner and Banstead to the Woodman at Woodmansterne.

After lunch everybody except Fixie can just take the feet off the pedals and coast down through Cheam and Worcester Park, past Berrylands to Kingston Church for tea.

There's a few ups and down in the morning but Little Switzerland is the only fruity climb.

The current draft of the route can be found here.  It is subject to what we find on the recces on Friday and Monday; a final version will come out with the running order on Tuesday.

No pre-ordering for lunch.  The forecast is for gentle, cooling snow.

Please let me know by e-mail before Monday bedtime if you would like to join me and the team of super-trained, expert sub-leaders.

Paulandrewjames1949@yahoo.co.uk 

CANCELLED - Egham Wednesday 24 June

In accordance with club guidelines, the ride from Egham has been cancelled due to a Red weather warning being in place for extreme heat on Wednesday.

This applies to all groups (A & B) that were due to start from Egham. 

Ride Invitation - A Group Wednesday 24th June

 Wednesday’s ride is from The Manor Farm Day Centre in Egham. 

It is 22 miles to lunch at the Sip & Spoke Cafe in Warren Row, no pre-order required. After lunch it is 27 miles to tea at The Ferry Cafe in Shepperton. It’s a flattish route overall with just 490 metres (1,600 feet) of elevation all on tarmac. There is a short section on a surfaced path around Dorney Lake.

We will be going through some delightful lanes and villages of Berkshire so I hope you can join me.

Please respond via Spond if you can.

The route and sample menu is attached to the ride in Spond  

Invitation to B Group Ride 24 June

You are invited to join the B group ride on 24 June.  We will be starting at the Egham Manor Farm Day Centre (TW20 9HR), which is not far from Egham station for those who don't want to ride all the way out. The route will take us through Windsor Great Park, Sunninghill, Ascot, Fifield and Windsor to lunch at the Waterman's Arms across the bridge in Eton.  No need to pre-order (or put on your starched Eton collars).  

The afternoon ride back is shorter and more familiar, and will include the Thames path from Staines to Chertsey, ending at Walton Marina for tea (or, as I would recommend in the warm weather, their home-made milk shakes).

Please let me know (shfhickey@gmail.com or text 0798 344 5252)  by Monday pm if you'd like to join.

The weather outlook looks good, and we look forward to seeing you!

Stephen

The roads less travelled and the right gear; B group ride from Banstead to Wimbledon via Kenley

“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I –

I took the one less traveled by

And that has made all the difference”

                                Robert Frost

I was a bit worried when we only had two takers by Sunday night but Banstead never draws the biggest crowds and we had more by deadline time.  Then there was the forecast rain.  Sure enough there was a steady drizzle by the time I left home but it was not at all cold.  I toyed with the idea of saving time by just putting shampoo in my hair and shower gel on my top half and cycling up to Banstead in nothing but my bib but decided that it might cause too much of a stir at the Community Centre and lead me to fall out with the rides secretary.  

Then I remembered the last time we were at Banstead when it drizzled like this and we all but drowned in the Surrey Hills.  But this time the drizzle never got too serious and everybody turned up who said they would, and came in the right gear for a rainy morning and a sunny afternoon.  So we had eleven starters in two groups, which is pretty good for Banstead on a rainy day, and very good when you consider that I used the dreaded H word in the ride invitation.  Well, you can't pretend that Rickman Hill, Southerns Lane or Hilltop Lane are flat and that was not counting Doctors Lane or Furze Lane or a few others.  I was relieved to see that Fixie, too, had for once come with the right gear.

In a way, the drizzle was good for us as coolant, for it was muggy and there was a fair amount of up and down in the morning, as can be seen from the profile.  My group had Karl, Christina, John A (who peeled off before lunch), Mick and Tim C (who back marked; thanks, Tim).  

Half way up Southerns Lane

The countryside was superb, dotted with ancient houses as we went along the road less travelled and everyone in my group made it up the hills.  There is a certain satisfaction in successfully climbing challenges like Hilltop.  

One strong man takes luggage up Hilltop!

To cap our morning our circuit of RAF Kenley coincided with some glider action.  On the downside Mick had a puncture so close to lunch that we might have made it to the pub before total deflation had set in had not our official photographer faffed around making us strike embarrassing poses.

It's a good job John had peeled off; he wouldn't have had any of this nonsense!

The pub was welcoming, the weather by then inviting us to sit in the garden where Mick took his wheel off and worked at the table while the food came and Tim G's group (Julie, Anne, Fixie, Stephen) arrived with stories of their success on the hills and, being gullible folk, we believed them.

More sensible people at Kenley

They ribbed us a bit about taking our time departing lunch but were unlikely to catch us save for acts of God, such as Mick's recurring puncture just outside Purley Fire Station.  Odd this, because the cause of the original was a drawing pin and we could hardly question the expertise of the man who leads our maintenance courses.  When he extracted the offending replacement inner tube, however, it was marked with half a dozen scuffs and grazes.  He swore it was brand new but upon closer questioning confessed that he had bought it in 1948 and it had been stuffed in a box full of wire brushes for more than half a century.  Something like that.  He put a new, new one in this time.

The incident meant that we were overtaken by Tim's group, now led by Julie.  They passed us cheerily but it proved their nemesis, because we learned their naughty secret.  We got going again fairly efficiently and surprised them on the aptly named Hill Road in Purley and could hardly believe our eyes as we rode past; they were all dismounted, pushing their bikes up the hill mumbling some lame excuse about road works.  The shame!  And one of them in club kit!  

Let us hope it never gets out on social media.  I shan't tell anyone.  

Once we had climbed to the top of Woodcote Village the afternoon was a complete contrast to the morning.  Bright sunshine, almost all gently downhill, or flat and bitty long the Wandle Trail.  But the highlight was being greeted enthusiastically by the Queen of Clyde Road as we passed her Victorian palace.

We were well within opening hours when we achieved Wimbledon Windmill Cafe.  A couple had peeled off home along the way but we survivors all agreed we felt more tired than a mere 35 miles warranted.  Interestingly, too, we felt that it was the stop-start, the barriers, dogs and schoolchildren on the Wandle Trail that had tired us despite our breathless morning.  Our pleasure of the roads less travelled had surpassed the efforts we had made riding them (or in the case of one team, walking them).

 

 

'A' ride - Wednesday 17th June 2026

 It was raining.

Not bucketing down but the annoying light stuff.

Banstead rides start with a climb....for everybody, even before you turn the Garmin on.

Still I'd 'chosen' Banstead, & so did 16 others, happy to join my ride into West Sussex.

Lunch was to be at Tulleys Farm.

"Steve's got a puncture"....that's bad luck I thought & even before the 'off'!

Steve was leading the other group so we wished him well & set off for Farthing Downs.

My group of Simon, Sue C, Ged, Sue F, Dave F, Dave V, Dave B, Neil W & Clive paused at the toilets (as you do) whilst Ged took a photo.

The earlier rain had given way to warm sunshine by the time we got to the North Downs & the descent of Hill Top.

At the bottom, Hans jumped ship from Steve's group that by now had caught us & we made him welcome.

Plain sailing due south, we made good progress to the delightful Cogmans Lane eventually arriving at the Curious Pig in the Parlour PH, previously called The Hedgehog & before that The Effingham Arms.

Turners Hill Road is not particulary busy but the speeding cars make the road unpleasant to ride on.

Relieved to take a right turn to Rowfant & a sign to the Centre Café.....worth investigating I sense?

Getting to the tearooms at Tulleys required a climb where we arrived just after 1pm.

I was somewhat suprised (& alarmed) at the humungous queue which had formed behind some office workers on a jolly.

But very quickly folk we able to order & crucially, be served in record time....so hats off to the amazing team in the kitchen!

The portions looked generous too - a baguette with two fillings, salad, crisps & garnish coming in at £6.75 - enough for a hungry cyclist.😉

Tulleys Farm hasn't been a 'farm' for years & even my memories of strawberry picking fields have give way to what's called in the business as an 'event space'.

But they retain some Guineafowls.

Photo by Simon

On the return through the suburbs of Crawley, Sue F left us for the train, whilst we continued the ride on National Cycleway Network 228 through shady woods emerging at Faygate lane.

All together descending Partridge Lane, Hans, Dave B, Sue C & Ged swung a left at Shellwood Cross.

Clive, Neil, Simon, Daves F & V joined me for tea, iced or otherwise at The Plant House café, Knights GC at Betchworth arriving at 4.10pm.....20 minutes before closing...phew!

Thanks to Steve as always, willing to help me leading the other group, Dave V for backmarking my group & everyone else for your company.

Here is Steve's report:

I arrived at Banstead Day Centre in full waterproofs having been drenched by light rain over Epsom Downs. I then noticed dodgy steering and a deflated front tyre so I checked the valve and it wasn't tight so I fixed this and pumped up the tyre again. However it was only 10 am so I went for a coffee to discover the B's had arrived even earlier and blagged the seats. After finishing my drink outside I checked my tyre to discover I had a slow puncture. It was now 10.45 and my group were ready. So it wasn't until 11 am, after a quick repair, that I left with Patrick, Fiona, Guy, Janice, Andy H with Hans back marking. By now the rain has stopped and it was very humid.

We followed the usual route through Coulsdon and up Farthing Downs. Why Downs? We always go up. I always have a struggle to ascend here, but Hans seemed to be worse than me. We caught Andy's group here, but after a drink stop carried on after them. We caught up with them again at the Bletchingley Road turn and Hans left us to join Andy's slower paced group. At the junction between Rendell Road and Water Lane I misread my sat nav map, but finally took the correct path leaving my group behind in the process. Andy C was the first to show and told me my group were following. After regrouping we continued the route south through Bletchingley on more familiar roads past Outwood windmill and then onto the aptly named Cogman's Lane!

This became Dowlands Lane and further south we reached the B2028 where we split into two groups for safety. 2 miles of this and the sun appeared until we turned right at Wallage Lane. Of course I sailed right on down the B2028, until I was called back by Andy H. At Tulleys Farm tea rooms we were served promptly with good food and afterwards Janice produced her electric pump so I could inflate my front tyre to 84 psi! We arrived at 12.45 and left at 1.45.

At the start of the ride to tea Patrick left us to visit a friend. So now we were down to 5. I seem to have this effect on others.... The Worth Way was a revelation. Hard packed earth made for a smooth ride west. Soon we were on the Crawley Greenway and then cycle route 228 where more of my navigation errors tried to take us back the way we had come! Eventually we found our way out to Faygate Lane and familiar fast roads where we made good progress through Parkgate, Dawes Green and finally Knight's Garden Centre, where Janice left us to head for home. As it was 3.15 pm four of us took some tea, before heading home. We left at 4 pm in time to see Andy C and his group arriving.

Another adventure on Andy C's unusual and diverse route, which deserves special praise! Many thanks to Hans and Janice for back marking and to Andy H for helping out leading and navigating and of course for the company of my fellow riders.

B Group route from Banstead for 17 June

 Please find the route here

Invitation to B Group ride from Banstead on 17 June

You are invited to next Wednesday's B Group ride from Banstead.

We have a fairly hilly morning in the North Downs, but we have all been practising hills on the way to Shoreham and back, and there is a refresher course on Wednesday by simply getting to Banstead for elevenses.

The morning ride includes green country lanes most of us have not ridden before, and a trip around RAF Kenley, the best preserved of the Battle of Britain airfields.

Lunch at the Wattenden Arms just tucked under the airfield.

After lunch it is back to Wimbledon Windmill for tea, at first along roads seldom travelled, then along the Wandle Trail to Earlsfield before turning through Wimbledon Park and up to the Common by the gentlest route.

Unfortunately the pub wants us to pre-order.  Menu attached here.

I will publish the final route after a bit of recce work this weekend to minimize the unavoidable afternoon climb over Woodcote.

Please let me know by e-mail by Monday evening if you would like to come, and your choice from the menu. 

Paulandrewjames1949@yahoo.co.uk

Ride report A’s to Shoreham 10 June

 The forecast showed showers were likely for much of the day and we had a new untested pub for lunch. However, the route was mainly our tried and tested one, tinkered slightly to divert through the pretty village of Bramber which then put us in the right place to enter Shoreham using the new underpass and an old bridge.

Fiona’s group was first to leave at 10.15:

We were the first group off from Tanhouse and almost got to Bramber before the heavens opened and we were rushing to put on our wet weather gear. The rain didn’t last long and the ride into Shoreham dried us out. The Crown and Anchor served us a good lunch and were efficient.

Dave and Mike sat out the next shower before heading to Brighton to get the train. The rest of us set off in freezing wet, windy weather - we didn’t even make it onto the beach for the customary photo. At Horsham Patrick and Clive went to the train station. Leaving Steve, Guy and I to make it amongst intermittent showers to Leatherhead .

Thank you to Janice for a good route, my group for cheerful company and Dave for back marking.

My group was away next with Neil W, Karl, Richard B, Dave E and Brian.

 It was a bit windy but the sun was often shining and we made steady uphill progress, pausing to admire the pond and fine show of waterlilies at Warninglid.

The ride continued and around Small Dole the sky darkened, the wind increased and after the first few spots of rain we stopped to put rain jackets on. We had 3 miles of busy and very wet road before things improved again.

Somewhere around Botolphs we passed Fiona’s group as they had stopped to fix Steve’s snapped chain so we were first at the Crown & Anchor. The pub proved to be a success as it was reasonably priced and service was both friendly and very quick.

We left in sunshine and we stopped at the beach for a photo, by which time the weather deteriorated and for the next few miles it was a howling gale and torrential rain. Never mind as we dried off in sunshine by Horsham. Brian, Richard, Neil and I stopped at the leisure centre intending to cycle on but the weather changed to torrential rain again and as a train was due to depart all but Richard headed to the station where our journeys home continued in sunshine. There was just one more downpour just before we got to our front door.

Dave’s was the final group and here’s his report.

My group (Sue C, Gina, Dave F, Neil C, Steve W and new to Wayfarers Rob) gathered at Tanhouse in pleasant sunshine. As we set off the clouds gathered and the temperature fell. But we kept dry until around Wineham, where the first of several showers forced us to pause to don waterproofs.

This set the pattern for the rest of the day with much stopping and starting to don and un-don. At Small Dole it was clear we had missed a major downpour, with surface water everywhere. That and the unpleasantly heavy traffic on the approach to Upper Beeding caused us to reassess the route, and get off the roads for a while. So we took the traditional gravel track to Shoreham, a bit puddly at first, but later givingus a smooth ride, where we could exchange greetings with a party of B riders.

Lunch was excellent at the Crown & Anchor. Thanks, Janice for finding a pub with reasonable food, reasonably priced, speedily served too. And we were allowed to park our bikes safely on the terrace. Can we go back next year please.

However at lunch we learned that other groups had not been so lucky, and to avoid getting soaked we delayed our departure by 15 minutes. Getting to the beach for the traditional photo, we managed to capture a patch of blue sky.On leaving we met Steph, completing her own solo marathon trip.

Sue had planned to return direct from Shoreham, but the rest of the group headed back, this time taking the tunnel route, shorter and less wind exposed than the road. I had hoped for a wind assisted return, but it was not to be. No takers for ice cream at Partridge Green as we decided to make the most of a dry spell and ride on.

One more rainstorm around Copsale, before we arrived at Horsham Leisure Centre around 4.30, ahead of the café’s 5pm closure. There were no takers for the train, so it was onto the last climb of Old Holbrook with leaden legs, followed by the pleasure of descending from Rusper, with legs encouraged by thoughts of home. We all parted company at or just before Leatherhead, with nobody stopping for tea.

My thanks to my group for their unfailing good humour, and especially to Neil for back marking all day. It appears that we were the lucky group, seemingly always behind the worst of the rain, which meant that we could “enjoy” the full Shoreham Experience.

A memorable day out. Well done to all those who completed the ride all the way to Leatherhead despite the weather, hitting 100 plus miles. 

Thanks to everyone’s cheerful perseverance and especially to Fiona and Dave for sub-leading.