Nonsuch 2pm Short ride " Cycling in the Rain" 23rd March

 By Roger

Despite the ride needing to end in time for the AGM that afternoon, I wondered why we said we would lead the “short ride”  down the Wandle as the wind slammed the bike shed door open and the rain slid icy fingers down my back discovering exactly where the collar of the cycle jacket did not quite fit.

We dragged the bikes out and with hail bouncing off our glasses, set out for Nonsuch and the prospect of riding along the trail, in the rain, so near to the water and so muddy and speculated if this weather might at least put off the midges.

We just about stayed upright through Sutton, despite the fierce gales funnelling through the high buildings and made it to Quarry Park Road and the only hill of the day! Through Sears Park and up Love Lane, cross by the Chippy and into Cheam Park and on into Nonsuch. Weaving through the freshly sown potholes we dripped round to the Mansion and found it in splendid isolation except for Colin sheltering close to the wall.

Where have all the cyclists gone?

Nonsuch Mansion

We waited as the rain eased and some sun crept out, and still not another soul emerged bedraggled with damp clothes and uncertain wet brakes to join us. So, at ten past two we set sail for “Spilt Milk” in Carshalton where we met Paul and Maggie and over a reviving coffee and slab of cake speculated just how horrid riding the trail in the mud and tree roots in a hail storm might be and glad that home was now just ten minutes away.

There is a theory about some people having a “Personal Cloud” as this is the second time, I have been scheduled to lead a ride down the Wandle and instead have waited in vain in a downpour for other half drowned souls to join me. Perhaps next time when there is a drought……

 

Roger

L'assessment de l'assiggino; Beddington 1-o-clockers 16 March

The leader of Saturday's ride from Beddington Park blatantly misappropriated the riders at his disposal by taking them to Kingston in order to taste the coffee and pastries on offer at l'assiggino in Park Road, Kingston.

He had first devised the ride to provide a flat(tish) ride that did not involve the River Wandle - just for a welcome change.  In the event, however, the convalescent regular could not attend because she had gone to the bike shop for a puncture repair and they had fitted a faulty inner tube.

So there were five of us who set out to cycle via Sutton, North Cheam and Worcester Park to New Malden and then meandered west through the maze that is Kingston, to get to Park road.

L'assaggino was not a disappointment, the weather stayed reasonable, if a little colder than the BBC had promised and we covered nearly 40km (my door-to-door); a success.

It was Anna's idea to take a photo pretty near the start. just in case we would otherwise forget, so we took this one outside my house

The Gang of Four outside Paul's house

. 

 

Nonsuch 1pm Long ride to Brockham, 2nd March

 

From Steve Wiltshire

First Ride Lead Since Titanium Job  

Nigel was unavailable, due to MG club duties and Paul had run off to Dorset to avoid it, so I had the offer of leading the 1.00 long ride, to a destination of my choice. How could I resist! 

Weather forecast showed soggy in the morning but OK in the afternoon and, contrary to how it usually goes, it stopped raining as I left home.  

I got to the Mansion in plenty of time (12.59) to an empty everything, cafe seating, bike racks and courtyard. Early shower I thought but two minutes later Karl, John, Stuart and Lorraine turned up almost simultaneously. Had they been hiding in the bushes hoping no leader would come? 

How about Brockham, I offered (although between you and me, the “How about” was greyed out in my head). Fortunately everyone said yes, although Lorraine was unsure of her fitness and off we set through the small lakes and minor quagmires of the path out of Nonsuch. 

The first thigh challenge was going to be Longdown Lane, up towards the racecourse but Lorraine decided her fitness wasn’t up to it, despite all Nigel’s recent support and encouragement and U-turned at the College traffic lights to return to the park and catch Diane’s short ride. 

So, we who were now four scaled the mountain and headed towards the next ride highlight, Pebble Hill descent. For some reason I’d been calling it Gravel Hill but Stuart was kind to me and said it’s been there for a long time and probably has worn down over the years. We went “Wheeeee” using the gravity drive and on to Betchworth, I like that bit because it suddenly feels like you’re in the countryside. 

Coffee at the welcoming Reading Room. An interesting range of chat topics, from Headwinds to some I felt I needed my “Don’t get me started” T-shirt for. 

It was spitting a little as we left and the distant sky was British Summer Grey. Karl suggested waiting a bit but I assured him it wasn’t going to rain and I was right, if you don’t count the minor monsoon for 2km on the A25. 

Standard route back from Pixham and we split into two twos to avoid Mudsuch. 

Very enjoyable ride, thanks everyone. 

Nonsuch Short Ride to World of Golf and St John the Baptist Old Malden

Just four of us out on the short ride, perhaps the heavy rain in the morning had encouraged other folks to find other things to do today. Lorraine, Sharon, Colin and myself waited until a little after 2pm, and then decided it was time to start moving. There were a few light showers on the way and the most beautiful rainbow. 

Having negotiated the building works, Tesco car park and the sub-way under the A3, we emerged at World of Golf where we refreshed ourselves in Costa. It was even more refreshing when the waitress decided to prop the door open "to let the air circulate"! 

Don't look behind!

After the obligatory photo with a somewhat obscured pterodactyl, we didn't cycle into Beverley Brook (it looked very much like a path from a distance) and carried on back over the A3 and into Malden Manor via back streets and alley ways. We skipped the muddy stretch by the Hogsmill to come another way to the church of St John the Baptist, about which I have recently been educated. Sadly it was closed today so we couldn't take a look at the stained glass window but we did stop to admire the outside of the building. 

Entrance to St John's

Then back home through Auriol and Stoneleigh into Cheam Park, I was very happy to have Colin cycle through the large puddles ahead of me as he confidently declared the centre of the road to be free of potholes. 

A circular route with not much traffic to worry about, and 12 miles. Thanks to Colin for back-marking and assisting with finding the alleyways.