Austen and Boelo, Duo and Solo; Nonsuch, literally, 24 October

Storm Austen had done its worst and the follow-up Storm Boelo was predicted to open its floodgates around three-o-clock on Saturday but that was surely no reason not to go riding at two-o-clock?

Having been thoroughly soaked and chilled on Wednesday, Paul turned up to provide leadership cover in the dry(ish) lull between the storms to find no-one other than Colin, on foot, loyally manning his post to the last like that sentry whose remains were found in the ashes at Pompei.  Then Steve and Rob turned up.

So they rode as a duo to Charlie and Gingers and Paul took the short ride, a solo one home.  He got there before the really heavy rain began and thus ducked another telling-off for getting cold and wet.

 

But where are the riders?  There are none such.

***REMINDER - CHANGE OF START TIME FOR SATURDAY AFTERNOONS ***

 This weekend marks the end of BST.  As of Saturday 31 October ALL rides from Nonsuch and Beddington Parks will depart at 1pm.

A Night on the Tiles; 17 October Beddington Park Ride

It had been a long while since I rode on a Saturday for one reason or another and it was good to use a beautiful sunny autumn day to reacquaint myself with the Beddington Park Cafe, the dazzlingly original new name of the Pavilion Cafe.  This was especially so as Maggie was coming out for the first time in a while to continue rehabilitation of her shoulder.  As she was restricted to 15Km by the Physio and to no hills, the Wandle Trail was her only realistic option.

Since that destination had apparently been a regular one during our absence, we were prepared for me to lead the others on a different ride while she went to see Willian Morris' old printing house.

There was another consideration, too.  Five of us were planning a knees-up night out and since I had seen somebody googling Night Life in Wallington I was looking very much forward to this and wanted to get back in good time to get changed for an adventure and a few ratafias and absinthes in the Hellfire Club.  The only potential fly in the ointment was the possibility of a newcomer; I could hardly just take them for two laps of the park and a cup of tea in the caff just because I wanted to live the life of a dissolute.  

All five potential stay-outs were there but we were really pleased to see Clive had turned up too; he had not been put off by his August ride with us.  And it all fell in place because the other ravers felt even Elmers End would be too far in the circumstances and Clive had already decided to accompany Maggie rather than ride with us lot.  So we agreed to meet at MED, Maggie and Clive going the short route up the Trail, the four of us going the exciting route where you get to pass no fewer than two bus garages, cross two tram lines AND - get this - wait at a proper level crossing.

We might even have got there before them, too, had I not forgotten where we were going and headed off towards Elmers End instead.  Nobody said anything; they all assumed I had invented a new route!

All turned out well, to a point.  The pumpkin and ginger cake at MED was especially delicious, Clive enjoyed himself and the rest of us got to go out.  It was not a night club to which Ken and I were taken but the Epsom Philharmonic where we watched a six foot fourteen year-old lad play Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto rather well.  He must have been practising.  And Anna and Roger went to the picture house to watch a talkie.  I hope their night out was more exciting than The Whispering Moon in Wallington; ours certainly was.

The last all day Sat ride for 2026

Brilliant blue skies tempted 3 cyclists out today on a scenic ride to East Horsley. Thanks Lillian, Alan and Anne for their good company and Alan for a lovely pot of tea at Claremont to round off the day. The Barley Mow did not disappoint with quick service from their Thai menu. Our route criss crossed with a big running event centred on Boxhill and Denbies, with 30 km and 50 km distances for runners. They were well spaced out so not difficult to pass and interesting to see some carrying walking poles for some steep descents. A great day out with some fab views.

Last all day ride Saturday 10th October

This popular route will run again as the last all day Saturday ride of this year. Starting 9.15 sharp at the Nonesuch cafe this coming Saturday and visiting the scenic highpoints at a leisurely pace. Coffee at Box Hill . Lunch at Horsley. Book your places now to avoid disappointment. Steph and Alan. text 07909774234

Coming soon - the new-look Sou'Westers website

The website gnomes have been working to update our website, to make it more easier for us all to find the info we need, and to make it simpler for prospective new members to discover the joys of riding with us.

We hope you will still find it simple to use and to get access to the blogs, rides list, and other important information.

The website address will not change, so when you go to the website you will see an updated front page like the picture above. 

Many thanks to the webmasters, Paula and the committee for their input into the re-design.  We hope you like it.   

If you discover any mistakes or if you have any queries about how to find things, please do drop me a line at simon.lambourn@gmail.com.

Short Ride to Merton Abbey Mills - Saturday 19 September 2026

 Anna writes:

Beddington to MED

With Paul and Maggie out of the country and Roger incapacitated with a swollen ankle, it was left to me to lead the ride from Beddington. Although I would have liked to go to Elmers End, the only route I had on my Beeline was to MED, so MED it was. Or at least that was the plan. Two turns in, I realised we were heading towards Elmers End after all. Naturally, I blame the bike and not my own inability to pay attention to the Beeline.

A quick detour restored both the route and the illusion that the leader knew where she was going.

We crossed the tram tracks where Roger nearly got himself killed last time we were there (without incident this time) and eventually ended up at MED, much to my relief.

After coffee, cake and a good chat, someone spoiled the mood by asking if I knew the way back. The Beeline route ended at MED, so from that point on the plan was less “navigation” and more “confident improvisation”.

We set off and, with commendable efficiency, almost immediately took another wrong turn. Fortunately, I spotted it in time for a discreet turning in the road, then nearly missed the next turning as well, at which point Ken’s local knowledge became less a bonus and more the entire navigation strategy.

Dropping Ken off at the end of his road, Karen, Sharon and I sailed on until eventually Karen said goodbye and it was left to me to lead Sharon back to Beddington, which she didn’t really need as she knew the way.

Still, we got there and back without too many detours, punctures or nasty accidents, so I shall declare my accidental leadership a complete success.