Desolation Row; Beddington Park 1-o-clockers, 17 February

It was a dull grey day in South London and only the usual suspects turned up at the Pavilion Cafe in Beddington Park.  Maggie came along to test ride her back injury, take a photo and return home and it was my first ride for a bit as I was recovering from the it-might-as-well-be-Covid virus.

We decided upon a modest ride to M.E.D, at Merton Abbey Mills, where we had not been for a while.

The leader's sock at half mast as we pass Beddington Cricket Club. Photo by Maggie

It was a bit of an urban jungle kind of ride.  These are hard times for a lot of people  and we travelled through places where it is showing.  The new, broad, tarmacked cycle lane on Beddington Lane takes you smoothly enough from the burnt-out motorcycle in Beddington Park to the broken glass alleys of the Industrial Estate where, in this corner of this year's London Borough of Culture, you certainly would not feel comfortable walking on your own even in the daytime, and felt none too comfortable cycling in the day.  

Neither is Mitcham Common a Richmond Park, and there I unwittingly rode through spilt paint and left a trail of broken white lines on the road.  The back streets around Mitcham Eastfields seemed more litter-strewn and desolate than I remembered them.  But hey, the rain held off and the traffic was light and the beauty parlours were not filled with sailors and the road surfaces were better than some in the better-off boroughs we cycle through on other days and once we had staggered our way over the big junction at Colliers Wood we found a more comfortable world with MED stacked with tasty, if pricey, pastries.

We were going to go back over St Helier but Roger was pessimistic about numerous road closures so we used the Wandle Trail and there Ken cheered us up a bit with a detour to see the crocuses emerging from hibernation in Ravensbury Park.

Crocks and crocuses in Ravensbury Park

At least we all got out and had a bit of a ride and the company as ever was welcome and the length and pace were ideal for convalescence.

Here, there and everywhere; Nonsuch Park 1-o-clockers Saturday 3 February

The rides list had us going to Boxhill and/or Walton on the Hill and as each would involve a similar amount of climbing, a bit above the norm for Beginners, we settled for Box Hill as the easier route to lead.  It was a dry day, a bit breezy but as good cycling weather as you are going to get at this time of year, and there were eleven of us.

Then there were the dissenters, who did not want to go up the zigzags, so we went for a compromise; tea at Ryka's and those that wanted could go home over the zigzags, those that didn't could go home through Leatherhead.

Trouble was, we were all so pleased to see Steve back with the group after a long convalescence that not everybody listened.

Nigel led us and we made Ryka's at a fair lick, for Beginners, and in good order but those who had not been party to the compromise (or perhaps did not like the look of the long queue of motorcyclists at the counter) wanted to go straight up the hill while they were still warmed up, which is fair enough.

So effectively the togetherness ended at Ryka's,

Steve led four up the hill for tea while Nigel and I stayed downhill where the six of us had tea in the wall-less marquee they have erected.

After tea I stuck to the original plan and went home solo over Box Hill, Walton and Banstead.  I expected to meet Steve's group because I had not lingered over my beverage, but instead I had the chance to wave to Julie and Linda, who had climbed the hill and were looking for National Trust refreshment.  Home I went only to discover when comparing notes on Strava that Steve's group had gone to Destination Bike instead of the NT.  Steve said I whizzed past, but that must have been someone else!

Everybody got home via their several routes, and since Steve' group had the presence of mind to take a photo, I felt I ought to do a write-up.  

Competition deadlines

For the photo competition please submit your photos by midnight this Sunday, 4th February. This will give the judges time to deliberate and reach their verdicts in time for the engraver to do his work before our prize-giving on 6th March.

See this link to the invitation for the rules and instructions on how to upload photos.

For the mileages league table please send me your 2023 mileage score by midnight on Sunday, 4th February. I will happily update the table with any scores sent to me after Sunday but you won't be considered as a contender for any of the shiny trophies.

For anyone who won a trophy or two last year please let me know if you will be bringing it/them to Cobham for me on Wednesday. Thank you to several people who have delivered theirs already.

Thank you

~ Tim C

 

Invitation to the 2024 Annual Lunch

CTC SWL Annual Lunch and Prizegiving

6th March 2024 at 12:30 for lunch at 1 p.m.

We are delighted to tell you that Jennie has booked the Ristorante Sorrento (379 Ewell Road, Tolworth, KT6 7DE) for our annual lunch.

This has proved to be a most popular venue for the occasion since our first visit in 2018 and we are pleased to be able to hold the event there again.

The set price for a three-course lunch will be £19.00, as it was last year (and the year before 😋). This includes a service charge, but does not include any drinks, coffee or tea. This is the menu:

(click to enlarge)

 

Please book by placing your order, and pay in advance by 15th February.

We expect the occasion will be attended by over 60 members, as it has been in recent years.

Please send an email message to Tim Court with your order for (i) a starter and (ii) a main meal. The waiters will take your orders for dessert after the main course on the day.

The preferred method of payment (£19.00) is via your online banking facility, but we can also accept cash or a cheque. For online payment please ask Tim for our bank details if you don’t already have them.

If you wish to pay cash please give the correct amount to one of the Membership Representatives, Patrick Watmough (A), Christina Berkley (B), Helen Tovey (C).

Any food allergies or Vegan requirements must be notified to Tim so that these details can be noted and passed to the restaurant staff.

All ride leaders please note that your teams should be delivered to the restaurant by 12.30 p.m. so that everyone will have time to buy drinks, chat, and browse the photography exhibition, and settle down ready to confirm orders with the waiting staff.

Thank you

Tim C