All day ride to Woking on May 10th

 Helen Tovey is leading the all day ride on May 10 to Woking from Nonsuch park. please put your names down on The Nonsuch Saturday What’s app .

Helen can be contacted on WhatsApp or by text on 07429 398023

All day ride to Charlwood, 12 April 2025

We were praying that the good weather at the end of March would hold for our first ride as leaders on 12th April from Nonsuch Park to Charlwood – and we weren’t disappointed!  Sunscreen, shades and shorts were liberated from winter hibernation for the 45 mile round trip through some beautiful Surrey countryside.  

Arriving at Nonsuch Mansion Café half an hour before departure we found several keen early-bird riders ready and raring to go!  Anne’s group with Lilian, Alice, Paul, Peter and Rob, with Sandy as back-marker set off at 09:50.  John’s group with Bernard, Sabina, Sue, Frank, Ken and Karl, with Karen as back-marker followed 10 minutes later.  Both groups took the same route through the Nonsuch estate, past Nescot, through Alexandra Rec and up to Epsom Downs.  From there we climbed steadily to Tadworth and on to Walton-on-the-Hill for coffee where Anne’s group was joined by Jane and James.  The Village Café was unusually quiet – a real bonus as we got quick service and were able to bag all the outside seats for refreshment in the sunshine.  

Our route from Walton took us down Pebble Hill Road, a thoroughly enjoyable run, made all the more satisfying as we knew we wouldn’t have to climb back up on the return leg!  On to Brockham looking particularly splendid in the Spring sunshine, and then along the Wheelers Lane route to Leigh.  Smalls Hill Road followed – lived up to its billing – to take us into Deanoak Lane where the sound of gunfire from the Surrey Shooting School started to feel a little too close for comfort.  Upward along Irons Bottom Lane led eventually to a nice downhill spin along Norwood Hill with clear views of aircraft landing at Gatwick before finally reaching the pretty village of Charlwood and lunch at the Half Moon.  We were warmly welcomed and had an enjoyable outside lunch – mainly uneventful but for a wayward parasol attempting to crush an unsuspecting Rob, who coped manfully with the challenge!

A number of cyclists visited the beautiful church of St. Nicholas with its spectacular murals dating from around 1300 – a real find in this quiet (aircraft noise excepted) part of Surrey.  Charlwood may not always have been quite so peaceful, and John’s group were reminded of the area’s more turbulent past when visiting the village gaol at the start of the return leg.  Dating from 1792, a heritage plaque informed us that village ‘wrongdoers’ were once held here awaiting trial.  The return route took us past the impressive Lowfield Heath Windmill which presented a photo opportunity taken by both groups.  On we climbed to Partridge Lane, again through very pleasant Surrey countryside with the North Downs now more clearly in view.  Returning through Brockham, we followed the A24 cycle path to Leatherhead for tea at Lucio’s.  This was the first parting of the ways as some riders headed directly home, a small group returning via Ashtead and Epsom to Nonsuch Park.

The Lowfield Heath Windmill

As well as having wonderful weather for our ride, the company and camaraderie in both groups was brilliant, making for a superb day out for all involved.  We’d like to thank Maureen for great guidance, support and encouragement in planning this ride.  Special thanks go to Sandy and Karen for back-marking so efficiently, and to Bernard for excellent corner-marking.  

Anne and John

Short ride to Teddington April 5th

From Karen

Short Ride to Teddington - A Road Less Travelled.........

The list indicated a leader-less ride to Oaks Park but, following a scrum down with Sue B, we agreed that Teddington Lock might be a more appealing option and, more importantly, we both had some familiarity with the route.  Our relatively small group gathered in the shade next to the mansion house, soon to be joined by John B.  There was a cast of thousands clamouring to join Steve's ride to Box Hill (or so I thought), but in fact several were soaking up the sun in excited anticipation of the short ride - so we were now 14!  In the meantime,  John B had offered to lead a quieter route to Kingston, avoiding WP traffic lights.

Once we'd cleared the Kingston market and riverside sections, it was a relatively clear and pleasant ride via Lower Ham Road and the path leading to the Teddington Lock footbridge.  All present and correct, we crossed over to the Flying Cloud Cafe where, especially considering our numbers, we were served relatively quickly.  There were no flying clouds in evidence but the sail canopy above us flapped loudly in the wind and the cake and coffee cups were ready for take-off at any given moment - I wondered why Anna asked for porcelain cups?!

Did Anna get a porcelain cup?

After a slight delay due to some mislaid bike-lock keys, we were ready for the off, John B again offering to lead - this time a variation on the route to and through Bushy Park and thence towards Hampton Court.  Thereafter it was somewhat of a magical mystery tour of roads less travelled around Thames Ditton, ultimately heading through Surbiton and towards home ground (for some). Thanks to the stalwart back marker and corner-markers we managed to keep the large group together and it was a lovely day for a more extended short ride.

~ Karen