Invitation to All Day Ride to Greenwich, Saturday 8 July

You are invited to this year's All Day ride to Greenwich on Saturday 8 July.

Riders will meet at 9am at Nonsuch Park and at 9am at Beddington Park and led to the official start, at MED cafe at Merton Abbey Mills, from where we will ride in groups, the first group departing at 10am.

The ride will be at a sensible urban pace.

This year's ride will be taking a new route, through Tooting  Common and Brockwell Park for elevenses.  We will visit the Herne Hill Velodrome and proceed through Dulwich and Lewisham to the view point at Greenwich Observatory.  Lunch as usual at the Dog and Bell in Deptford, returning through Evelyn Green, Folkestone Gardens, Burgess Park, Clapham Common and Wandsworth Common to pick up the Wandle Trail at Earlsfield and finish in Morden Hall Park, from where someone will lead those who need it back to Nonsuch or Beddington Parks.  Tea at Clapham Common or Earlsfield (or both!) depending upon the weather, the time, and what riders want.

Those who want to join this leisurely tour of South London, please e-mail Paulandrewjames1949@yahoo.co.uk by Thursday evening if possible.  Groups and departure times will be sent out by e-mail on Friday.

Please also say whether you will be making your own way to the start at Merton Abbey Mills, or whether you would prefer to be led there from Nonsuch Park or from Beddington Park.

As with all our club rides, regular riders need to be members of Cycling UK for insurance purposes.

  

 

New friends and old friends; report on Beddington Beginners 17 June

By Paul

The summer had lasted over a whole week when we met at the Pavilion Cafe in Beddington Park on Saturday.  Colin was away but there were nine of us at the cafe and it was lovely to see Ray and Chris, who turned up just to keep in touch and say hello and exchange news; it will probably be a while until Ray can ride again, though his medical advice was less restrictive than last time we spoke!

We had come intending to ride to Crystal Palace but seeing the crowds in Beddington Park, we figured that the cafe there, never the quickest to serve, might be a little overcrowded and we settled on Elmers End.  We did not want too many hills in the muggy heat and we had a sub-plot to try to get back in time to enjoy some of the Wallington Music Festival.

So Elmers End it was; old hands Maggie and Paul, Anna and Roger and Ken and very welcome returnee starters Jan and Debby.  But we had not really cleared the park when someone spotted that Debby's rear tyre was as flat as a corny grandad joke and, Debby being new and having joined the ride through the internet we had not had the chance to preach the mantra; she had no spare inner tube and wheels of unusual dimensions.  Try as we might we could not get her tyre inflated and eventually we realised it was the valve itself, where it joins the tyre, from where the air was coming.  So, sadly, Debby turned back to try to make Wallington Cycles and we were down to six.

Debby is looking jolly cheerful despite her flat tyre!

There is a new cycle lane arrangement on High Street and Park Street in central Croydon, and it works better than the old one, though the hazards have switched from impatient motorists to distracted pedestrians.  Then who should we meet at East Croydon Station but Matthew and Thomas!

Dry weather is perfect for crossing the South Norwood Country Park and Branching Out, our coffee destination was just perfect.  The rain threatened and even spat, but it held off and five of us went west of Beddington Park upon our return to sample the festival.  We all had a lovely, relaxing ride; thanks everyone for the company.

Youthful music fans at the festival

And the festival?  A healthy crowd in the Library Gardens, a cold beer, local talent like Tyla Marilyn (a name for the future), Dave Sears and the Wandle Ceilidh Band; who needs Glastonbury?

Ride report - All Day Ride to Ripley Saturday 10th June

A lovely group of 26 new and regular riders signed up for the ride, with one more joining us on the day. Thanks to everyone for being prompt and also for promptly providing your food pre-orders, what a well-behaved group! I was very fortunate to have Arwyn and Madeleine sub-leading, as they both took great care to get everyone safely to lunch on time and it seems everyone had a good time in their groups, with plenty of banter and friendships formed / deepened.

Arwyn's group went first and he writes: 

No matter how well you plan, tubes, tyres and wheels get in the way. So with all the earnestness to arrive at Nonsuch Park with plenty of time to mingle and meet the team, Arwyn's tyre decided to come off the wheel's rim so a return to home was required for a change of bike arriving with two minutes to spare. So a quick introduction to Paul and Maggie J, Debbie S, Maggie G, Nikki C, Carloyn, Mariann and Mags. That makes nine. So at the first junction debrief as we leave the gravel path at Nonsuch to meet the traffic on the A road we were ten, welcome to new member Katie B and now we have the team. 

Now the team was ready to enjoy the most glorious sunshine with a forecast of 30 degrees. Wow, two days ago the forecast was for thunderstorms. 

The plan .... choose a back marker with bright colours, Debbie S had come suitably prepared and accepted the role gracefully. Diane P was the head poncho designing on Komoot the maze of backroads avoiding busy main roads as much as possible throughout the ride. So, under the railway bridge we go through Worcester Park, Tolworth and Chessington safely to where the route looped around towards the green of Claygate.

At times the team can be lost without knowing it. A bit of improvisation at Claygate and a slight detour to get back on the Komoot route. Keep calm, chat and ride.

The team enjoyed the Sandown/Esher gravel shortcut over the river Mole to Hersham avoiding the busy dual carriageway connecting Esher to Hersham. So our first photo stop of three was taken by a friendly walker with the backdrop of the majestic River Mole which had amazingly meandered 50 miles from Sussex, past Box Hill to greet us.

Following the backroads of Walton on Thames, as we approach the bridge we keep to the pavement cycle path which swung down around and under the sparklingly clean new bridge and on our right white watercrafts, swans, Canadian geese, much appreciated by our Purley resident cyclist. Being the first group, the shaded table at the Wilde Brunch cafe was commandeered, coffee drunk, and water bottles refilled. At this stage the suggested 8 to 10 mph was met and the team happy with the pace. And the second of three team photos taken as we saddled up ready for the off.

At Weybridge, the team worked as a team. Mags' wheel came away from the frame, emergency communication required by Debbie S backmarker, Carolyn retreating to give assistance and Paul J taking the split group to a shaded spot in Addlestone. With the wheel refitted and the team reassembled continued on the average 10 mph. But ....... the Chinese whispers came with a request to pick up the pace as the team felt they were bunching. 

On reaching the Seven Stars pub, the increased pace had been noticed so now a lunch stop was so welcomed. However the lunch delivery didn't live up to the number of stars in the pub's name. Maybe the salmon took longer to catch than anticipated. 

The next part of the ride to Send and beyond was hillier, greener bringing additional pollen in the air to affect some. At Downside the gravel path through the fields provided photo stop number three. Thumbs up by the team, grateful to be cycling, in the sun and together.

At Stoke D'Abernon , the team split, saying goodbyes to Paul and Maggie J, stopping for a cold drink . Then there were 8. Next Mags peeling off to the train station at Leatherhead leaving 7, Debbie S and Maggie G peeled off down to 5. Nikki C and Katie knowing they were close to their homes left 3. Mariann said she had passed this way last week and was getting her body and thoughts together for the hill. How happy she was when we took the footpath from Stoneleigh Park Road avoiding the incline. 

Two riders Carolyn and Arwyn arrived at Nonsuch at 1650 just in time for a blackcurrant calippo (ice lolly). What more could one want at the end of 43.5 miles, 6 and half hours at 10.0 mph. Carolyn's response was a Pimms. Despite three wheel/tyre incidents all's well that ends well. And it ended well. 

My group was away next: 

I won't describe the route again as Arwyn has captured it perfectly, but he should take some credit for the back routes after coffee and for suggesting to find the quieter roads into Walton and home from Stoke D'Abernon, which I took onboard. We didn't rush away from the Park, and as we left Tony offered to back-mark for me, which was much appreciated. We followed the route at a steady pace, the traffic being a bit lighter around Chessington, and caught up with the first group at Esher. So we stood in the shade for a short while and chatted before continuing on to coffee. We also stopped for a bridge photo!

Lilian, Neil, Lorraine, Alyson, Karen, Alice, Karl and Tony crossing the River Mole

After refreshments the route became more enjoyable as we got onto the country lanes. We caught up with the first group once more near Walton Bridge due to Mags' wheel issue, so paused again to enjoy the River Wey this time:

Beside the Wey, near the lock 

Service at The Seven Stars was a little slow given that they knew we were coming, but was apparently down to a shortage of available serving staff that day. The food seemed to be enjoyed by all and the sunny garden was appreciated. I was just relieved that all 3 groups made it there in good time as they shut at 3pm. 

Leaving The Seven Stars

Once everyone was ready, we set off in the homeward direction following the usual routes out of Ripley and through to Cafe Barbera at Stoke D'Abernon, where we met Paul and Maggie enjoying a break from the heat. Some of us also enjoyed Lilian's walnut cake but don't tell the Cafe! Maddie's group arrived not long after us, and my memory is now a little muddled by the heat but I think my group all left for Leatherhead together. 

I made a couple of little diversions on the way home to try to get us into a bit more shade, our numbers dwindling (by design, no-one was lost!) with quite a few peeling off at Stoneleigh and so just myself and Lilian re-entering Nonsuch Park. I checked for any riders still at the Mansion House but didn't see anyone so continued home. 

Thanks all for a lovely day out in such hot weather.

Madeleine's group included Ed who departed after coffee, and was back-marked by Alan who had been waiting in the wings in case required for sub-leading duty. Here is a small selection of the many photos taken on Saturday! 

Al Fresco Lunch

Roger, Anna and Ken keeping cool in the shade

All Up! 

 

     

Plans For All Day Ride to Ripley Sat 10th June

 Hi All 

Hope you're all enjoying the sun this week. Here is the rides list for the day, we'll have 3 groups departing Nonsuch Park at 10 minute intervals so we don't overwhelm the kitchens when we arrive for refreshments. 

Group 1	Depart 10.00am
Arwyn	Chunky chips & apple pie with ice cream
Paul James	Scampi, chips and peas
Maggie James	Cheese and tomato baguette
Debbie Sands	Cheese and tomato baguette
Maggie Gibson	None
Nikki Clack	Salmon with vegetables
Carolyn JB	Prawn JP
Mariaan	Bacon & brie baguette
Mags Mckinlay	Chunky chips and a side salad

Group 2	Depart 10.10am
Diane	Cheese and coleslaw JP
Tony Hooker	Smoked salmon baguette
Alice Betts	Cheese and tomato baguette
Lilian	None
Lorraine	Ham egg & chips
Karl Mitchell	Garlic/Mushroom/bacon JP
Alyson Young	Ploughman's with mixed cheeses
Neil P	Sausage egg and chips
Karen Cochrane	Tuna baguette

Group 3	Depart 10.20am
Madeleine	Bacon & sausage baguette (no Brie, no onions)
Alan	Cheese (no coleslaw) JP
Linda Morris	Prawns JP (no butter)
Roger Parsely	Ham egg & chips
Anna Parsely	Ham egg & chips
Ed	Cottage pie
Maureen	Ham egg and chips
Ken Jones	Ham egg and chips

Please put your bikes in the pub garden at the far end, and pay for your food when getting your drink. 

It's looking like a hot afternoon so don't forget your suncream and to top up your water bottles. 

See you on Saturday

Diane 

Nonsuch Beginners 3 June, short ride to Carshalton

By Karen

A larger turnout at Nonsuch Mansion this week for rides to Cobham and River Wandle.  Steve led his group off first, closely followed (in the opposite direction) by the short ride, initially comprising Roger, Anna, John, Lynda, Stephen, Maggie and myself.

 

Full steam ahead until The Green, where Maggie realised there was something not quite right with her bike.  I doubled back to find Colin had joined Maggie and Stephen in a screw-tightening exercise.  It was suggested that the forward party proceed without further ado and the bike engineers would catch up anon.  At Hallmead Road, we ran into Godfrey Potter out for a solo ride and, after a brief natter and an invitation to join us (he politely declined), we resumed our course towards Hackbridge.

 

We diverged to avoid the much-loved narrow humpback bridge and reached the park without further incident.  I suggested an outdoor option for refreshments as it was such delightful weather, but the clamour for “proper cups” was too strong.  So we headed for the popular “Spilt Milk” cafe on Carshalton High Street, where we were soon joined by Colin, Maggie and Stephen.   The staff were very welcoming as usual and I'm pleased to report that Lynda liked the coffee.

 

Stephen and Maggie left us after coffee and we remaining few returned to Cheam duly exercised and refreshed.

Here comes the sun; Nonsuch Beginners Saturday 27 May

 By Paul

What a beautiful day for cycling!  Sunny and not too hot, yet the gathering at Nonsuch was a little smaller than has been the case through all the miserable cold wind and rain.

Still, there were eleven up for Steve W's long ride to Garson's Farm, and we decided to split the group for safety, so we formed up in a five and a six and I took the second group.

The plan to give the front runners a few minutes didn't work at first because we caught them up at the Ewell By-Pass, but our own contretemps with the traffic lights there soon put adequate distance between us again and things worked out well from then.

We followed them past Chessington North and over the A3, zinging down the hill through Claygate, up through where the posh people live to the tricky junction at Esher and down the hill to Garson's.

The trick at Garson's is to get into the quickest cake queue but this clever dick went and left his mobile phone on the counter.  Thanks to the young lady for bringing it to our table along with the tea!

A lovely leisurely cake and a good journey home, whizzing down le Col du Sandown, where we remembered to take a picture.

At the foot of the Col du Sandown descent

Home through Weston Green and Surbiton and we went our several ways at Worcester Park, everybody cheered up by a happy, easy-paced ride in the best cycling weather.

Sometimes, group cycling is such a joy!  Thanks to everyone for your good company.