Report for B Group - 25th February

The pecking order having been confirmed on Tuesday, three flocks of assorted free-range poultry assembled at the Fairfield Centre for a good old cackle, then at their prescribed times they flew the coop and into the leafy lanes of Surrey.

We were sorry to find out that Ray had fallen off on the way to Leatherhead and hurt himself and damaged his bike, including broken spokes we understand. And although Brenda made it to Elevenses she decided that the funny noises emanating from her drive train were a sign that she should go to a bike shop rather than risk riding with us. And Carolyn had to attend to some urgent repair to her house and so miss the ride. Nobody else chickened out and we were overjoyed that Sue F came to join our ride with Stephen’s flock, The Old Crafty Hens. 

 

The first flock out were The Old Crafty Hens (“Oak-Aged”)

Flight departure: 10:45

Leader: Stephen

"We assembled at Leatherhead in warm weather with the sun shining and blue skies - a glorious contrast to the weeks of rain which have characterised so much of this year.  Not surprisingly, the turn-out was good.

Stephen led the first group of 8 (’the Old Crafty Hens’), consisting of Sue F, Steph, Lilian, Chris McC, Arwyn, Martin and Tim G who very kindly backmarked.

The scenic route - much enhanced by the Spring sunshine - took us up to Effingham, down to Effingham Junction, past Ockham and over the A3 on the new bridge to Wisley.  Here we got tied up with an amazing queue of cars. In answer to the question ‘What’s going on?’, the Wisley traffic managers explained that ‘the sun has come out’:  the queue was simply people trying to get to the Wisley car-park.  We were able to weave our way carefully past most of the traffic (helped some of the way by the new, partially completed, cycle lane), but it was a relief to get back onto clear roads again. 

From there to lunch at the ‘Saddlers Arms’ at Send was a straightforward loop near Pyrford.  At the pub we sat outside, somewhat amazed to be basking in sunshine.  Food was simple but good -  the home-made soup was a particular stand-out.

The Old Crafty Hens

Afterwards we headed to Ripley, Ockham - again! - Stoke D’Abernon, up Leigh Hill Road, down Sandy Lane and then an interesting route (Stokesheath Road) to Fairoak Lane (where Steph and Lilian left for home) before taking a wooded path, the footpath over the A3 and down to Claygate where 5 of us stopped for some well-earned tea.  Althogether a very enjoyable day out on a lovely Spring day!

~ Stephen

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The second flock were The Old Golden Hens (“Refreshing”)
Flight departure: 10:55
Leader: Bernard

"The body ages but the heart is forever young.  The early morning sun rays poked me awake.  I jumped out of bed with excited anticipation of a glorious day’s ride.  Cycling shorts season had arrived with just two top layers instead of the winter’s half dozen or more.

A little kid was dragging me by the hand and urging me to get on my bike, “come on, hurry, let’s go... the sun’s out!”  Like flying swallows making their way from Africa to our northern summer the kid in me spread his arms and felt the sweet breeze head on.  Sabina and I joined our fellow cyclists for elevenses at the Fairfield centre in Leatherhead; a throng of kids dropped off for a day’s cycle riding on the first sunny day of the year.

As we rode the sun spread its arms wide across the horizon.  The greys of yesterday were gone.  Only one or two sheepish small vaporous clouds made an appearance. Young hearts coasted through fields of green, blues and whites.  A blackbird perched and then darted into a hedge.  A fox flashed into the road, u turned and disappeared.  Sparrows all along chirped and chatted.  And us, kids, in our youth, pedalled to the rhythm of joy.  At Wisley we met a convoy of cars, sunseekers, escaping winter’s enforced hibernation.  We arrived for lunch at the Saddlers Arms in Send Marsh, equidistant between Send and Ripley.  Lunches pre-ordered for young souls.

Our bellies filled, our hearts happy, on our bikes we got.  The sun and the blue sky were taking good care of us and on we pedalled.  A sheep stood in a field watching us, the rest had their backs to us chumping on grass.  Hills came and pinched our muscles.  Down we glided.

We arrived at the café in Claygate where some kids were tucking into cake.

Thanks to Tim C for the route.

The Old Golden Hens

My fellow riders, ‘The Old Golden Hens’, were Sabina, Julie, Karen, (Brenda), Chris, Geoff and Tony H.

Thanks to Mick for backmarking.

~ Bernard

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The last flock to depart were The Old Speckled Hens (“Distinctive”) 

Flight departure: 11:05ish 

Leader: Tim C 

The original weather forecast for this ride wasn’t very promising but as we drew closer to the day it became apparent that we could expect very agreeable temperatures and sunny skies.

We crossed the Nature Reserve by the Mill Pond and up the Lower Road towards Bookham and Effingham. At nine miles in we arrived at the Wisley roundabout and although only a week had passed since our recce I managed to lead our group a bit too far (anticlockwise) around the roundabout before I wised up to my mistake. Although the area is still a mess of major construction and we were rather confused about where we should be riding it was also exciting to imagine how it will be for cyclists once the project is complete. What really astounded us was learning that the huge buildup of traffic on the new Wisley Lane and bridge was all due to the sun shining and the multitudes deciding to visit the Wisley Gardens.

We looped through Wisley Village and Pyrford, stopping for a team photo by the lock, then around through Old Woking to Cartbridge, ultimately relieved to get away from the  fairly persistent traffic and into Send Marsh Lane for our lunch at The Saddlers Arms.

The Old Speckled Hens by Pyrford Lock

We used to visit this small pub quite frequently several years ago. As agreed with Yvonne we would just have a limited menu, mostly a lovely leek and potato Soup of the Day and several species of panini with side salads and optional chips. Still February but twenty four of us sat in the sun in front of the pub for lunch. Yvonne and the pub staff ensured that we were very well looked after and it was a shame we had to leave. We should look forward to visiting them again.

After lunch we headed towards Cobham and took the obligatory Chilbrook Road diversion then River Lane to the Cemetery, the Tilt Road and Leigh Hill Road for a nicely flowing route through to Sandy Lane and ultimately up New Road to Claygate. Anne’s chain had come off somewhere in Miles Lane but our trusty backmarker Mr Betts brought her back to us before Sandy Lane. Thank you Peter. 

Parade and Albany is a good choice of Tea stop for anyone arriving before they close at 4:30. Their Tea, Coffee and Cake is excellent. Terry, Grant and Alan had peeled off towards their homes before we got there but the rest of us enjoyed our visit to the café.

Thanks to my cheerful team, Anne, Gill F, Mags, Peter, Grant, Alan I and Terry for our lovely day out. And a huge thank you to Stephen and Bernard for leading their teams. 

~ Tim C

Invitation to join A Group ride to Annual Lunch

Unfortunately my plan to visit the new cycling infrastructure betwwen Cobham and Wisley won't happen because the end February target date for opening has been missed.

If you would like to see a little of what we're missing you can watch this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1MgK9xnZok 

It shows the route from Ockham Bites over the new Cockrow bridge. The turning to the right at the top of the ramp will lead across the M25 to Pointers Road and Painshill roundabout. 

Instead there will be an 18 mile ride to lunch with one hill to improve your appetite. Janice and I will lead two moderately paced groups. The published route is all on road or tarmac paths but if conditions are suitable my group may detour slightly from the published route to go across Epsom/Ashtead Commons from Christchurch Road to The Wells. This is a well compacted path but please let me know if you are only interested in the road version - no comment needed if you are happy with either option.

Please email me by 6pm on Monday for a place.

 

Invitation to join the B Ride from Cobham to lunch in Tolworth on Wednesday 4th March

We have a straightforward 18 mile ride from our usual British Legion venue to our annual lunch location in Tolworth. Please let me know if you would like to join the ride by Monday evening. No need to send me lunch orders!!

johnaustin04@yahoo.co.uk

Hope to see you on Wednesday,

John A.  

A Group Ride Report 25 February 2026

Finally, we had some great weather on a Wednesday ride. It was long overdue. The sunshine prompted me to dig out my shorts as it did others; some were even seen riding in short sleeves later in the day.

My group at the Jack Phillips Memorial Cloister

The ride from Leatherhead included a Jack Phillips themed tour of Godalming.

Here is Brian’s report

What a contrast with last week! Having dug out some summer cycling gear, the start proved a bit cooler that I'd expected but it soon warmed up. Apparently, we were treated to the warmest February day since 2019.

My group was reduced to 5 (Sue C, Gill, Gina and Simon) with a message from Dave E that he might join us at lunch. We had a good run to Godalming and enjoyed a leisurely lunch where Dave joined us for the return. Then off to see the memorials to Jack Philips.

Brian’s Group in the Memorial Cloister

Off road cycling is meant to be relaxing but the sun has brought the crowds out to the park. Navigating multiple pushchairs, dogs and children made me happy to return to the relative sanity of the tarmac.

We closely followed Steve's group all the way back to Tithebarn Lane where some real off road along the verge was required to bypass the road closure. 

Steve punctured here and we pushed on to Cobham where we found Clive's group having tea al fresco at Gail's.

My thanks to Clive for the route and my group for a lovely ride and Simon for back marking.

…and here is Steve’s report

I set off with Dave V, Dave W, Dave B, who offered to back mark, and Janice and Neil C. The weather started overcast, but warm at 9 degrees, but as we made our way along Lower Road the sunshine appeared. The roads were dry, but with some puddles from water that hadn't drained. So it was an uneventful, pleasant ride down Combe Lane and along the A25 to Albury and then on to Chilworth. At Shalford we caught up with Brian's first group and we joined the new cycle route through Peasmarsh to Godalming, which avoided the roadworks traffic.

After some solid Wetherspoons fare we visited the memorial garden and stone memorial to 25 year old 'Jack' Philips, the wireless operator who carried on transmitting a distress signal 3 minutes before the Titanic sank, taking him with it. Such bravery and commitment is a wonder in today's world.

Jack Phillips Memorial headstone

Dave W left us to make his own way home and so we made our way up Guildford High Street and out to the A246 Epsom Road and then left towards Send on the A247 Clandon Road through West Clandon. Tithebarns Lane had roadworks where we had to dismount. 

As soon as we remounted I ran over something that punctured my front tyre. No problem, but even with the help of the others, we couldn't find a nail or object in the tyre. So new inner tube and Co2 and off we go. 100 metres onwards and front tyre is flat. Off with the wheel and same deal, but I repaired the inner tube. More Co2 and off we go. After 200 metres I noticed the inner tube has bulged out of a split in the left sidewall of the tyre, which is why we couldn't find a nail. Pretty soon the inner tube blew. This time I put some toothpaste tubing over the split and put in a new inner tube. This held nicely although I had used 2 canisters of Co2 and had to borrow one from Dave B. Not good to get a puncture, but very grateful for the assistance of Neil and Dave's B and V for help. Thank goodness it was dry and sunny as well.

The moral of the tale? Always carry 2 spare inner tubes, pump, Co2 canisters and puncture repair kit with tyre levers. We arrived at Cobham for tea and Dave V and I stopped for a drink before heading home. Thanks to Clive for organising the route and to Dave B for back marking. It was such a relief to have some dry sunny weather to help us all back into fitness after all the rain in the winter.

al fresco at Gails

Thanks to Peter S for back marking my group and the others (Mike, Hans, Patrick, Simon W and Guy) for the company.

Link to route here.

Invitation to ride with B Group on 25th February

We are meeting in the Fairfield Centre in Leatherhead for a gently undulating ride of just 17.5 miles to The Saddlers Arms in Send. That's right, some gentle climbing in places but none of the big Surrey Mountains.

This is our route:

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/53736903

We don't need to pre-order. Their menu is relatively basic but includes a lot of the usual lunchtime essentials like pizza, soup of the day, baked spuds, and toasted paninis with fresh salad and other ingredients. Their chips are very good too.

After lunch we will ride another 13 miles to our Tea and Coffee stop at Parade and Albany in Claygate.

The weather should be at least 10°C warmer than it was for John's ride but some showers are possible. Please tell me by 5 p.m. on Monday if you're intending to join us.

Your leaders will be Bernard and Stephen and myself.

Look forward to seeing you all

~ Tim C

Ride Invitation - A Group 25th February

Next week's A Group ride is from the Leatherhead Fairfield Centre.

Lunch will be in Godalming and tea in Cobham.

It's about 18 miles to lunch and a little less than that back to tea. There is only one hill of note.

I have put in a request for good weather, so I hope you will be able to come along.

Please let me (clive.janes@gmail.com) know by Monday evening.

Thanks, Clive.

B Group Ride from Redhill - 18/2/26

John A writes :

Thank you everyone who joined our ride from Redhill into the Surrey countryside. We were very fortunate with the dry weather window and I hope everyone got home without getting caught in the late afternoon rain.

Especial thanks to our super subbies - Alan and Tim.

Team TG on Root Hill

Tim G writes :

Despite the bleak weather forecast and grey skies we managed to complete today’s ride without getting wet. My ride to Redhill was relatively quiet given the half term break and no school run. 

Six of us set off for an initial climb out of Redhill and were soon cycling in quiet countryside south of Nuffield. We then headed east and enjoyed an uncomplicated ride back towards Brockham. After a photo shoot on Root Hill we avoided the muddy Coach Road through Betchworth golf course by taking a detour along Punchbowl Lane. Lunch at ‘The Stepping Stones’ provided a welcome break and service was prompt and efficient. 

A shorter ride in the afternoon took us via Leatherhead and Ashtead to the ‘Old Moat’ g/c where four of us had tea and a break from what seemed to be colder outside temperatures Thanks to everyone who made today’s ride a success. Good to enjoy a February ride in dry conditions. 

Lunch at 'The Stepping Stones'.

... and Alan C writes :

On a cold, overcast morning with a biting wind to test our resolve, six riders in the second group gathered outside Redhill Methodist Church for our run out to the Old Moat Garden Centre in Epsom, with a planned lunch stop at the Stepping Stones in West Humble.

A brisk start up Redstone Hill soon had us loosening layers, and the sweeping descent down Redstone Hollow was followed by our second climb of the morning along Philanthropic Road. The two early ascents certainly did their job in warming us up. From there, the route took us away from the traffic of Redhill and towards the quieter roads around Earlswood, giving us a chance to settle into a steady rhythm.

Heading out into the countryside, we enjoyed the relative calm of lanes threading through Salfords, Dawesgreen and Brockham. Despite the persistent wind, the riding was pleasant and sociable, and the absence of rain was a welcome bonus after a week of unsettled weather.

A short detour agreed by the group proved a wise move. Rather than follow the planned route along Roothill Lane and Coach Road through Betchworth Park Golf Club — likely to be muddy after recent rain — we continued along Red Lane and Blackbrook Road before joining Punchbowl Lane. This also allowed us to avoid the busy A25 Reigate Road towards Dorking. Our group route knowledge paid dividends, keeping us on cleaner and more pleasant tarmac. After enjoying the long descent of Punchbowl Lane we rode towards Pixham Lane before cycling onto West Humble along the A24. 

Tim and Dave C paused to provide puncture assistance to a fellow cyclist on Pixham Lane. A welcome reminder of the camaraderie that exists within our group. The remainder of us cycled on to the Stepping Stones, where we regrouped for a well-earned lunch.

Refuelled and warmed up, the group split up on the return leg. Dave F made his own way home from the pub, while Dave C, Steph and Tim each took their own preferred routes back home from Leatherhead. John and Alan pressed on towards Epsom and the Old Moat Garden Centre, aiming to beat the forecast rain — which, happily, held off for the duration of the ride.

All in all, a hilly but rewarding route on some excellent quiet roads, ridden in good spirits despite the cold and windy conditions. Thanks to John, Tim, Steph, Dave F and Dave C for their company, and also to John for planning such an enjoyable route. A great ride with the miles well earned.

Redhill to Westhumble

Annual lunch and Prize Giving - still time to sign up

The Ristorante Sorrento can accomodate another 20 diners on March 4th as only 50 of us have signed up so far. So please see the invitation and the menu which we posted in January.

We need to advise the restaurant about numbers and menu choices before the end of next week.  

Looking forward to your orders

Tim C 

Ride Report – A’s Redhill to Lingfield - Feb 18th

It’s mid-February and I thought it time we stretched our legs away from the familiar lanes we have been riding all winter long. Redhill provides that opportunity and Lingfield seemed an appropriate destination, not so far that the route couldn’t be shortened, or trains taken homeward.

The Star at Lingfield has a long history with CTC, being recommended in my 1893 CTC Road Book. Our blog reveals that it was a regular annual destination for Pete Mitchell’s groups in the 2000’s serving up, we are told, “huge portions for all”. Today it has gone up-market but still provides a reasonable value lunch.

It was a slight disappointment to find that only 8 Wayfarers signed up. Could it have been the ever-changeable weather, rain followed by more rain, and this time with a cold wind too? Or perhaps the hills, but surely not the distance, only 38 miles to tea?  

The Mighty Eight who arrived at Redhill (Gill, Sue F, David W, Brian, sub-leader Clive, Patrick, Steve, and Sue C) seemed keen to get going, minds doubtless concentrated by the forecast of heavy rain mid-afternoon.

Thanks to the wind some of the roads were dry, but they got wetter as we moved east. Amazingly, the very worst of the potholes I had warned about following my recce on Friday had been filled, the last in Merstham only minutes before we passed through. But constant vigilance was required as there were many more to avoid.

En route we passed Haxted Mill, once the last working water mill in Surrey, then a museum with tearoom known as a cycling destination, now sadly a private house. Shortly after we were buzzed by a passing buzzard, but that was the only excitement of the morning.     

The Mighty Eight outside the old Star

We all arrived at The Star before 12.30, where Dave W left to follow his own way home. A round table had been reserved for us, food was quickly served and devoured, and we were soon ready to leave. Time only for quick photo outside the old Star (now a residence) as visited by CTC in the 1890's before we were on our way. Minds were doubtless concentrated on getting to Banstead before the rain. The afternoon was hillier than the morning, and with windchill appeared colder, but the wind was mostly in our favour, and at least the climbing helped to keep the cold at bay.

We all arrived at Banstead before 3.30 and thankfully dry. Three “full value” riders stopped for tea at the Lavender Café in Banstead, while the rest of us made for home with hopes of dodging the rain all day.

Many thanks to everyone who came out.  Especially to Clive as sub-leader, and to Brian for back marking my group.

    

 

A Cold Day in February

 Norwesters.
These presents were: Tony, Ann C, John C, Arwyn, Carolyn, Christina, Diane, Geoff, Gill F, Lillian, Paula, Pete,

A Norwesters ride was organised to fill the gap for our members in the far North West, and we were pleased to see a good turnout at Molesey Boat Club. The C group were also present, preparing for their 11’s ride.

Sixteen riders had originally planned to take part, although the cold weather understandably discouraged a few. The initial route was set at around 30 miles, finishing at Hampton Court. However, with the threat of freezing rain forecast for mid-afternoon, the decision was made to shorten the route, reducing the distance to lunch to approximately 11 miles.

Lunch was booked at Longacres Garden Centre in Row Town, and the warmth was very welcome upon arrival. Despite the café being busy—it is a large venue—a table had been reserved for us. We arrived at around 12:20, and service was impressively efficient given how full it was. The food was also very good, which made for an enjoyable stop.

There was plenty of conversation, but with the possibility of worsening weather in mind, we did not linger too long. The return journey took a shorter route, at times into a chilly headwind. By the time we reached Walton Bridge, no one was keen to stop for tea, so we agreed to make our own way home from there.

Although the ride was shorter than planned, it was still a rewarding outing with good company. Thank you to everyone who joined the adventure, and a special thanks to Geoff for keeping the two groups within sight of each other throughout the ride.

Tony..

Social Media and Communications Policy

We now have a club Social Media and Communications policy approved by the Committee. More and more of our communication both for practical ride information and other cycling related issues are conveyed via social media and email. This Policy is intended to provide guidance to help understand acceptable standards of use by members and to assist everyone in understanding what the potential risks are in using social media and how these can be avoided and managed.

You can access the policy via the link above or from the Information Hub on our website.

Sue F

Ride Invitation – A Group 18th Feb

Wednesday’s A ride from Redhill will be to Lingfield, about 19 not-to-hilly miles with opportunities to shorten the route if the weather is bad. More optimistically, some lovely quiet lanes, just mind the potholes.

Lunch at The Star, a pub with a long association with CTC, last visited by us in August 2023 when Brian was leader.

Tea at Banstead after 19 miles, and a couple of hillier hills, but it will be downhill home for all.

All on road, easily navigated by GPX. I will need at least one subleader, so please volunteer if you are able.

The Star have asked us to pre-order, so please choose from the menu here.

I look forward to your company. Let me know if you would like to come, with your lunch choice by Monday 6pm – d.vine207@btinternet.com