Next Step ride on the 15th June posted by Cliff Whitfield

  Meet in Nonsuch Park at 10 o'clock then ride to Gatton Manor Golf Club for lunch via Brockham, Capel, Ockley and Mole Street.

  Return via Okewood Hill and Weare Street in reverse and stop at Brockham for tea. I can also consider on the day Pyrford Lock via Send and return via Wisley for tea stop if preferred by the riders.

Ride on 7th June to long Ditton

  This ride takes you through Auriol Park, Malden Manor, Tolworth and ends up down by the Thames at Long Ditton. After savouring the bucolic delights of the river a short climb then takes you to Squires Garden Centre Cafe.
  This has a pleasant outdoor seating area, and after refreshments the ride returns via Hook rise and the Hogsmill Walk in West Ewell. Primarily, you pass through suburbia with its rows of almost identical semi detached homes. Here and there older houses remain, especially on Ditton Hill, relics of a more rustic past.
 Carolyn was the leader with Lynda as back marker and there were no mishaps or mechanical failures on an warm, often sunny afternoon. Can we dare to herald the arrival of summer?

Colin's action photo.

Ride to Morden Hall Park on 31st May

  17 riders set off from Nonsuch on a dry, if rather cloudy at times, afternoon. A contrast to the previous weeks torrential rain which saw many abandon before even setting off. Down the hill toWorcester  Park and the newly resurfaced Green Lane past the stables and the cemetery. Entering Morden Park, sections through the woods were still muddy despite copious amounts of top dressing of wood chips and those with new bikes had good reason to curse. Through the suburban Merton Park to Morden Hall park where most stopped at the Stable Yard cafe with its ample outdoor seating if rather limited supply of cake.
  The return was via Ravensbury Park , Rose Hill and Sutton Garden suburb to Angel Hill where Colin lay in wait to get an action photo of the group. Riders peeled off as we proceeded via Western Road and Cheam Village back to the Park.
 A good afternoon out with no punctures or other mechanicals. About 10-12 miles in total.

Nigel's ride on the 17th May

  I missed off a bit of David's post by mistake, and here is another photo from the ride.

  As I'm sure Emelia would agree, you don't have to have a mountain bike to
enjoy a day out off road on a dry and sunny day.  Having had a fall, Nigel
may not agree.

  Nigel had a nasty fall. The picture of him in the previous post about the ride sitting on the ground was not him relaxing and grinning. He will be off cycling for about another 6 weeks, so we all wish him well.

Ride Leader Profiles. Brian Bent.

  Brian kindly agreed to become the first Beginners Rides Leader to have a short profile added to the blog so people coming on rides can recognise leaders and know a bit about them.
  He started leading rides last year as there was a shortage of leaders and wanted to do his bit to help.
  His three aims on a ride are to keep everyone together, ride at a steady pace and keep everyone safe.
  His favourite destination is Woodcote Garden Centre as it has good facilities, especially seating.
  His favourite bike is the 1950's Carlton, pictured above, which always excites interest from other riders.

Thank you to Brian from me. More profiles will follow when I can catch willing subjects.

Nigel's ride on the 18th May posted by David Aylett

The Big Bike Ride left only three of us to enjoy Nigel's all day off road
ride to West End Lane Esher on Saturday.   Emelia, Nigel and I waited in
vain for more to join us but eventually set off through the woods following
the Hogsmill River, then from park to park along bridle ways and paths to
Chessington, Claygate and the beauties of Esher Common where we passed
Bluebells, Rhododendron and Camelia all flowering together. Lots of chat and
an enjoyable lunch at The Prince of Wales.  A recommended day out for the
future, thanks Nigel.