Six Thoroughbreds to Epsom Downs; Nonsuch shorter ride 20 June

 

Report from Karen

 

A fair turnout at Nonsuch Park before the onset of tropical conditions.  Most opted for Steve's ride to Walton, leaving six of us to tackle the short but occasionally hilly ride to Epsom Downs.

Karen led the field for most of the way but Colin L was chomping at the bit when we reached the bottom of Chalk Lane and barged through as front-runner.  The going was good but the other riders struggled to keep pace. Alas, on the home straight, Colin deviated from the track and was disqualified.  So it was a photo finish between Roland and Karen - Roland winning by a nose.

Colin's spirits were revived with cake and coffee at Alexandra Park, where we lingered for some time - seemingly no-one in a rush to be anywhere else.

Glastonbury comes to Wallington; Beddington Beginners on 20 June

What with the high pressure moving in but not yet taking hold , it was a fine day for cycling on Saturday, but the gathering at Beddington Park was a little sparse.  Maggie is injured and has been expressly forbidden to ride a bike for four weeks but she walked to the Pavilion Cafe.  We knew that Anna and Roger were elsewhere and then Sharon understandably prefeered a slightly more challenging ride than we traditionally offer from BP.  

The thought had crossed out minds that nobody might come and Maggie and i could slink off to the Wallington Music Festival but in the morning Paul B told us he wanted to come and Ken was there, so I had a cosy group of three to lead out, aiming for Elmers End.

It was a good job I did go that way, too, because I discovered that the works on the Mitcham Road pedestrain underpass had further restricted passage.  We ended up having to go either up the busy one-way section around the back of the London Road shopping precinct or having to travel the quieter one way streets behind the parish church but in the wrong direction.  We opted for the latter, dismounting and pushing.  But it is less than a month now to the Greenwich Ride and the extent of these works means we will need to formulate an alternative plan for getting through Croydon to Greenwich.

After the roadworks our ride was a pleasant one even if the traffic was busier than of late and, at the northeastern end of our journey, a little ill-mannered.  We survived a car and a bike jumping the red lights and my right knee did not quite get grazed by a man in a hurry to get to the next lights two seconds earlier.

Equilibrium is to be found at Branching Out.  Last time it was the best cheese scone in the world, this time it was the bestest.

Home via a rapidly warming world through the posh bits of Shirley and then on to the Wallington Music where I arrived at the same time as Sharon, who had been on the Nonsuch ride.

Three people who have never been to Glastonbury

ELTEL, who have played Glastonbury three times.

Thanks, Paul and Ken, for you company.  I hope we all survive the heatwave.

Report for the Beginners All Day Ride to Worthing, Saturday13 June

From Alan

It was a beautifully bright day with a clear blue sky, as a total of 9 riders left Nonsuch Mansion on the Beginners All-Day Ride to Worthing, to follow a scenic and undulating 60-mile route to the coast.

The riders followed a beautiful route riding through quiet lanes and villages with good views and around 2,000 ft. of elevation.

Eight riders were riding to the coast with one rider going to Tanhouse Farm.

The route followed some familiar roads around East Ewell, over Epsom Downs and through Tadworth to Walton on the Hill. We then descended Pebble Hill and rode through the quiet roads of Betchworth, Brockham, Strood Green and Newdigate before stopping at Tanhouse Farm shop for tea.

Tanhouse Farm is popular with club cyclists and there were around 30 cyclists getting coffee when we arrived. It was difficult getting a seat!

leaving Tanhouse farm

After coffee, Stuart left us to ride back home and the remainder of the group enjoyed an undulating ride with a mixture of open views of the countryside and quiet tree-lined roads through Littlehaven, Copsale, and Maplehurst to Partridge Green.

John punctured twice around Copsale and Maplehurst but was soon riding again after replacement innertubes got him going.

Lunch was at the Partridge Pub where both groups met briefly for lunch.

After lunch we rode through Ashurst, Steyning and Botolphs, passing the “Cadence Clubhouse” Café on the way. The café offers a choice of cycling-themed toasties including: “The Manx Missile”, “Wiggo”, “The Vos” and “Lizzie D”. A potential lunch-stop for next year perhaps.

We stayed on the road at St. Botolphs’ Church, rather than following the South Downs Way through Old Shoreham on the gravel track beside the River Adur. This gave us a different view of the river and some good views across the countryside before we crossed the river over the Shoreham Tollbridge. We stopped to take a photo at the Air Show Memorial of eleven steel arches honouring those who lost their lives when a Hawker Hunter jet crashed during an Air Show in 2015.

the Air Show memorial

nearly at Shoreham

We then rode to Shoreham beside the remainder of the River Adur.

John visited the bike shop in Shoreham to get his back wheel checked. As we waited, Paul found the bargain of the day – a Cycling Top reduced to £10 in the sale!

We then rode over the Adur Ferry Bridge in Shoreham Town – a modern glass-sided pedestrian/cyclist bridge which is part of the National Cycling Route 2 and connects the High Street to Shoreham Beach with good views of the river.

We then followed the Beach Road, on a separated cycle path beside the sea, towards Worthing; stopping for a welcome cup of tea at a café on the beach. A chance to watch the waves and have a chat. After tea, we rode into the wind, along the coast to Worthing Pier and then through the Town Centre to the station for the train home to East Croydon.

at the seaside

A short ride through Croydon Town centre and along the Wandle Trail to Beddington Park completed the ride. We had a short chat to reflect on the day before we split to go our separate ways home.

Thanks to Paul, Justine, Kasumi, John, Brenda, Caroline and Stuart for their company and making it a very enjoyable day. Thanks also to Steph for sub-leading and for checking the route. Thanks also to each of the riders who acted as back-markers during the ride.

A total of around 60 miles covered (almost 100 kilometres) on some beautifully quiet roads with some challenging gradients and over 2,096 ft. of elevation! A memorable ride.

A sunny Saturday for two welcome visitors; Nonsuch Park 13 June

There was plenty of activity on a sunny June Saturday at the Nonsuch Mansion.

In the morning Alan, with Steph's help, had taken the All Day riders to the South Coast and in the afternoon a decent handful of the stay-behinds met at the usual time to do something more modest in the pleasant heat.  The best part was that there were some rare visitors to be spotted amongst the Nonsuch Greenery; ages since we had seen Isabel, and then there was Mick, who rarely rides with us now but who has ridden with the club for thirty five years.

Navaid, Nigel, Lorraine, Rob, Steve and isabel at the Flying Cloud

Whilst Steve took one group off to have ice cream at the Flying Cloud at Teddington Bridge, several of us, planning to go out in the evening, opted for a short ride to Oaks Park.  Frankly, I was troubled that such a ride would be a bit dull and, if asked to lead, I was thinking of going over Banstead to stretch it a bit.  But Tony was there to lead and we fell in behind and left it to him.

Maggie, giving that shoulder muscle another work-out, and Mick, rusty in the leg, were looking forward to the slightly dull trip to Oaks Park but this was Tony leading and where did he take us?  All the way up to Banstead, along to Woodmansterne and down past the lavender fields to Oaks Park. 

Roger, Anna, Tony, Mick & Maggie at the Oaks Park cafe; cheer up everybody!

 

Now we're not so close together, at least we get one smile and two half-smiles

There we had refreshment in the sunshine before zooming down the hill to Woodmansterne Lane and going our several ways.  All a bit of a contrast to Wednesday's icy showers and Sussex hills on the Wayfarers' ride to Shoreham.   

Invitation to the Beginners All-Day Ride to Worthing on Saturday 13th June

 

From Alan

You are invited to join the All-Day Beginners Ride to Worthing on Saturday 13^th June.

The ride will go from Nonsuch Park to Worthing via Epsom Downs, Newdigate, Partridge Green and Shoreham. The return journey will be by train from Worthing to East Croydon and we will ride from East Croydon to Nonsuch Park to finish the day.

The route is around 100 kilometres (62 miles) in length, which includes the ride from East Croydon to Nonsuch Park. The ride will start at 9.00 and return around 6.00pm.

The route is an undulating route with two hills plus a short gravel section with loose stones between Steyning and Shoreham-by-Sea. We will take the cycle path along the coast from Shoreham to Worthing to complete the ride.

The morning break will be at the Tanhurst Farm Café, Newdigate (17 miles); and lunch will be at the Partridge Pub in Partridge Green (35 miles). We will stop for tea/ice cream beside the sea at Worthing at the end of the ride, before getting the train back to East Croydon.

If you would like to join the ride please register by Friday 12^th June at 12 noon. The pub can then be informed how many people will be coming.

Let them eat cake; Nonsuch short ride 30 May

By Roger

We were pleased to have Adolfo and Marisol join us at the Mansion for the short ride to the Wandle. We followed the usual route through Sutton and successfully negotiated our way through the roadworks at the back of the bus garage in Bushy Road. The climb up to Greenshaw school and Rosehill Park made the five of us on electric bikes glad of the assistance and a stop for a drink was necessary for all in the heat.

The Wandle trail was lovely with dappled shadows on the path, the river looking clean and rippling along and best of all – no flies!

At Carshalton we entered the park and made our way to “Spilt Milk” only to see that Colin had beat us to it and was enjoying coffee and cake in the sun.

The cakes were up to their usual standard as was the warm welcome from the staff and it took some persuading to get back on the bike again. Paul and Frank were seduced by the cakes and decided to continue soaking up the sun, over a coffee and Colin elected to make his own way home.

Mick, Adolfo, Marisol, Anna, and Roger set off to tackle the foothills of the Surrey alps – otherwise known as Hill Street and Harrow Road, heading ultimately for Mulgrave Road and Cheam. Adolfo and Marisol realised we would ride past their door, so we ended the ride there and Mick made his own way home. We covered 14 miles door to door using just 12% battery.

It was a very pleasant way to spend an afternoon.

A Muttley crew along the moat to the Old Moat; Nonsuch short ride 23 May

 

After weeks of unseasonal cold we all found ourselves in the middle of a mini-heatwave. Sixteen of us gathered at the Mansion on Saturday and though we were missing one or two regulars, we were blessed with some welcome friends who don't come every week.  It was seventeen if you include Tim, who was there to pick up an engraved trophy and who took the photos.

Because some of us were going out we were keeping to the short ride plan for Horton while the longer ride went to Garsons Farm.  I expected most would want to go further on such a day but I guess people thought it was a bit too hot, so nine of us joined in Tony's magical mystery tour to Horton by a different route.

So off we set in the wrong direction through Stoneleigh, and he took us along the Hogsmill River through Bonesgate Open Space and through the tree tunnel to Horton Country Park along lesser known gravelly routes with skiddy inclines and narrow gates.  I think he was celebrating leaving his heavy electric bike at home and riding on his pushbike.  I might have caught the odd Muttley impersonation from those who were on their electric machines, but as we were struggling at one gate/step/steep slope we let through a young man pedalling a combination with a basket containing two children, so the route was clearly going to be passable.  And when we got to sit (indoors, the only outdoor tables remaining were unshaded) there seemed to be general agreement that it was a lovely green route for such a scorching early summer's day.

Tea at the Old Moat (the targetting software had missed the Chapel, where we thought we were going).

I led us back to Nonsuch by the usual return route and that was it. 

Thanks, Tony, for making a short ride so interesting.  And to everyone else for the company.

 

Old Friends; Beddington Saturday riders to Merton Abbey Mills

A beautiful sunny morning suddenly turned to threatening grey in the minutes before our meeting.  Was it an omen?  

Far from it.  For various reasons I had not ridden with Saturday riders for a while, and Maggie was back, testing her shoulder for the first time in what seems ages on a full ride.  And she had the idea that we could meet up with the Nonsuch Saturday riders, who were scheduled to go to Merton Abbey Mills.  Needing a short ride, darkening skies and meeting everybody; a treble whammy of the best sort.

It was just the old faithfuls today, me and Maggie, Ken, Anna and Roger, and apart from Roger doing his level best to end up under a tram, it was a really enjoyable ride.  Nobody wanted to dawdle because of the cold, brisk wind, so we got on with it.  There was a fair on Figges Marsh, typically English, roundabouts and sidestalls garish in the cheap lighting, fairground music blaring out, hardly anybody there on a freezing cold day.  But soon enough we were rounding the curve to the William Morris factory and homing in on M.E.D, where it was full inside and sheltered just enough outside that we could sit there.

And, aligning perfectly with Maggie's cunning plan, along came Carolyn and the short ride riders fron Nonsuch.  Lots of old friends now.

....sat on the MED bench like bookends.

Home south on the Wandle Trail and the rain, which had held off all day, came about half an hour after we had got indoors (via another tea stop, at the Pavilion Cafe in Beddington Park).

Old friends, Maggie's shoulder tested, kept dry, had a good ride, two tea stops, Roger survived to tell the tale.  Can you envisage a better Saturday?  Thanks everyone for the company, and Anna for taking up the role as back marker.  

All Day Ride to Egham, Saturday 9 May

A Grand Day Out

From Roger

Stiff legs and uncertain knees confirmed the next morning that it had been a good ride.

We had chosen a lovely day to make our way to Egham when eleven of us set off from the Mansion.

We split into two groups a few minutes apart making the usual way Ditton and on through to the rear of Sandown Park where it made commonsense to let Paul G, Ann and Alice ride on ahead lead by Karen as they were so much quicker on their road bikes.

I was on my trusty Anytour electric and Ken, Helen and Anna were on electric bikes too. Sue on her conventional bike had no problem keeping up with us.

It was tempting to sit all day in the courtyard of the Barn theatre café at the Walton coffee break and we savoured the ten or fifteen minutes extra time in the sun while Karen and her crew toiled on ahead of us. Walton to Chertsey bridge was uneventful except for the Bee Line navigation to sometimes decide to switch off or to issue directions just a hint too late.

At Chertsey bridge we began a delightful ride alongside the river, just us, the sun and the Thames – the Thames path was as lumpy as ever but had few walkers and everywhere the gardens were in bloom and even the Swans looked freshly scrubbed and polished.

Staines was the usual conundrum of busy town centre roads and fast traffic and the problem of ascertaining how we could safely get onto the cycle track back over the bridge without threading through pedestrians. We tried crossing the traffic by stopping it (which was surprisingly easy and effective) and once on the correct side of the road, we soon found the cycle track.

All day we had to deal with road works and closed carriageways, but they saved the best until last when they dug up the pavement and carriageway under the bridge leading to Egham town centre and the high street. We did in the end find a way past and though the barriers and blocked off lanes and safely made our way through, to the usual warm welcome at The Crown.

As previously, they were very bike friendly, letting us bring the bikes through the bar so we could keep an eye on them as we sat in the rear garden. The service was good and the burgers overstuffed and of the dimensions you could only eat in the company of friends.

Again, the temptation was to just stay, replete in the sun in the back garden enjoying the company.

We gave Karen a head start and were soon following Bee Line towards Lyne and Shepperton and even negotiating Chertsey town centre avoiding the impromptu tour of housing and industrial estates Bee Line had directed us to in the recce trips.

This time the unrelenting head wind we had experienced as we checked out the route the week before, had relented into a refreshing breeze that allowed us to revel in the countryside as we made our way up the long gently rising gradients and the short sharp pulls where the road crossed and then recrossed the motorway and we could relax and enjoy the downhill.

We easily found the almost hidden turning to the splendidly named Dockett Eddy Lane and on again to the Thames path, lined this time with six figure bungalows with gardens in full bloom and a wonderful view of the river, complete with a handy place to park the motor cruiser.

At the ferry café by Shepperton lock the whole group were reunited and over coffee and cake, Sue announced it was her birthday. This brought forth a ragged rendition of “Happy Birthday to you” – and most of us knew all the words. A large slice of cake with a candle appeared which was ceremonially lit and extinguished and the cake pronounced delicious by Sue.

Happy Birthday, Sue

Back on the bike, the Bee line had fits of staying silent when one needed reassurance, but by the detour round Sunbury, we were navigating by memory and experience and the route was just as lovely as ever. We found the track alongside the reservoirs and up into Hampton and eventually into Bushy Park where Sue showed us some alternative tracks which got us out to the foot of Kingston bridge.

The ride ended at Kingston but the square was still busy with the meandering souls preoccupied with the smells from the food stalls, as we threaded through the square and onwards to home.

Door to door we had covered 53 enjoyable miles enjoying lovely weather and good company and the electric bikes were a joy to ride, returning with an average of 45% battery to spare.

Invitation to join the All Day Ride to Egham on 9 May

From Anna

The all day ride on Saturday 9th of May is to Egham. Approximately 50 miles along highways, byways and cycle paths, down secret alleys and alongside the Thames. Mostly flat with one or two gentle inclines.

We stop at Walton on Thames for coffee, the Crown in Egham for lunch and The Ferry café at Shepperton for tea.

If you would like to join us, please WhatsApp Anna on (07939) 036939 by Thursday evening, 7 May.

Sunny with a Chance of Rain Later; Nonsuch short ride 2 May

 

By Karen C

Having finally recovered from a wind-beaten recce to Egham on Wednesday, and buoyed by the fine (for now) weather, I headed over to NSP for a more leisurely option.  Some of our faster members had headed out on the long ride earlier, and Steve arrived thereafter to take up the slack.

However, there was still a fair few chomping at the bit in anticipation of the short Malden Church option. There was much milling around awaiting TBD leader to step forward when, thankfully, Tony arrived and volunteered his services.

So it was pretty much the usual suspects joining us for the short ride, with the welcome additions of Sandy from the Midweek Wayfarers and Nigel C, returning to cycling after an extended injury-related absence.

After leaving the hustle and bustle of Cheam and the Sutton bypass, we followed the cycle route to and through Fairlands Park and the back woods of North Cheam.  We then headed towards Raynes Park via the Sir Joseph Hood recreation ground.  We eventually made it to the World of Golf after what seemed like multiple slopes and subways criss-crossing the A3.  It was somewhat of a start/stop route so not ideal for Nigel's return to cycling on a heavy ebike, but he soldiered on without complaint.

After coffee, natter and observations about golf balls caught in the netting, we set off towards Motspur Park - with the inevitable footbridge thrown in.  Intermittent drizzle was falling by the time we reached Stoneleigh but most of us (sorry Sharon!) made it home before the heavy stuff arrived.

Saturday Gang go Hilly; 25 April

 

Report by Steve W

One beginners long ride, a couple of weeks ago, I asked whether anyone fancied doing the Hilly 50, you know, that annual ride for charity, where we ride up several of Surrey’s finest hills because they’re there and not just to get to a nice coffee stop? Once I’d dragged everyone back out from behind the benches and trees they’d run to, to hide behind, I found I’d got 5 very willing volunteers.

So, six of us got to Rykas around 9.45 on Saturday to sign on, 3 by train, Peter from some family duties, not too far away and Stuart and I cycled from Nonsuch Mansion.

                                 Steve, Peter, Justine, Stuart, Paul and Rob – ready for uppage

We’d signed up for Dave Vine’s expedition but because of a very good turn out, Dave suggested we ride separately, to avoid an unwieldy group size. Oh no, I thought I could do a bit of following today, for a change lol. Undeterred, off we set at 10.05 sharp for the first challenge of the day.

Unfortunately I forgot to recommend taking the almost hairpin, near the top of Ranmore Common Road, as wide as possible (if no cars) to avoid the nasty incline increase on the inside. This caused a couple of the gang, on not properly warmed up legs, to stall. We regrouped and recouped at Denbies back gate and the second group replaced us as we resumed pedalling.

Next came the first weeeeeeeeh moment of the day, down Ranmore Road, to Dorking and on to the start of Coldharbour Lane (which used to go to Brixton, when I was a kid but seems to have been moved and pointed up). Everyone found this fun and we spent a few moments laughing about it at the beginning of Logmore Lane.

Hahahaha

After the interesting surface features of Logmore and a nip of adrenaline on the A25, the scent of tea was beginning to be sensed in the air, when a tyre incursion by sharp and leak producing object occurred, in Hollow lane, not far from the Pasturewood Rd turn. Paul was instantly on the case, with well-practised efficiency (I keep trying to persuade him to get something tougher than the GP5000 S TRs but he has a need for speed).

The second group passed while the plug injection procedure was in progress, we got a few hellos but no offers of help, I guess because of our aura of cool competence.

                                                         Competent flatness alleviation

After a few more undulations we reached the King’s Head tea stop, where the second group were in various stages of being served and it looked a bit busy, so we back tracked to Heartwork’s, which was relatively quiet and new to the rest of the group.

Undulating onwards, passing through Shere without stopping at any of its excellent eating places (shocked emoji, sad emoji) and a jink across the A25 lined us up for Combe Lane. This is another climb with a sharpish left turn on it, best taken wide if possible, that not everyone was aware of but I definitely didn’t hear any swearing behind me.

At the top we went into The Pitch, in West Hanger car park for a bonus tea stop.

Bonus tea stop – not sure what Peter said

We proceeded to proceed along Combe lane, with its nicely wooded edges and clumps of (probably invasive) bluebells. “Is this it, now, until Box Hill?” A voice enquired. I had to say that there was one more gravity realisation experience before then. And in what seemed like no time at all, we turned into Crocknorth road.

Regrouping at the top, as had been our practice all day, we performed the Saturday gang Haka and headed for Ranmore. All present confirmed that the Common Road is more fun going down than coming up.

And so to the Col De Box. There was definitely a sense of foreboding as we approached it but I think the consensus at the top was that it wasn’t as bad as expected, probably due to the nastier stuff that preceded it!

We signed out, grabbed further refreshment from the cafe and chatted with the other riders still around, until it was time to go. A little debate ensued, then everyone decided to ride home. Peter went down the hill and the rest of us turned right. Justine and Paul went their own way and myself, Rob and Stuart aimed for Headley, a bit more climbing but one last nice  weeeeeeeeh down the other side.

All in all a great day, great route and great beginners effort – a much bigger funload (it’s still not work!) than the usual Saturday ride.