The Joys of Spring; 17 March

 

By Steve H

 

Having postponed last Saturday's ride for meteorological reasons Paul and I decided on a mid-week excursion instead. It was cold and cloudy on the Wednesday morning although the sun was trying to break through but it eventually gave up the attempt and went back to bed. This time I had my pockets stuffed with flapjacks and Jelly Tots for in-flight refuelling as we set off down to Cheam. We passed round the outside of Nonsuch Park to join the ancient Stane Street or A24 as it is now more prosaically known. This was built by the Romans to connect London and Chichester and in places the original road surface can still be seen. We only went as far as Ewell before heading towards Epsom, avoiding the town centre and joining the B280 out of Epsom by Stamford Green. This heads out into the countryside, a fast road in places which crosses the main Leatherhead Road at Malden Rushett on the way to Oxshott.

At Oxshott we entered the woods from the station car park onto a broad level path that was popular with dog walkers; sometimes dogs and wheels don't mix but it wasn't a problem on this occasion. It emerges onto Blundel Lane where we had to wait at the level crossing before heading on to Stoke D'Abernon for an early lunch break at the Bakery. They serve nice sandwiches and coffee, the latter being free for cyclists wearing the appropriate kit which these days of course includes masks. As we were getting ready to leave, Maureen and Francoise arrived; they were also out on a mid-week pairs ride. We had a chat and posed for a correctly distanced photograph before going round to the station for a quick pit stop at which point it started to rain. We parted company with Maureen and Francoise, but what we hoped would be a passing shower set in for the duration and it became colder. Paul and I carried on to River Lane, crossing the River Mole and along paths to rejoin the road at Downside Common where the small St Michael's Chapel stands. On to the Bookham Road, passing under the M25 and railway in quick succession and heading down towards Great Bookham Common. It was still raining as we entered the common so we made our way through the mud, past the Isle of Wight with a stop for an action shot before emerging at Fetcham.

The Great Bookham temperate rain forest

Thence to Leatherhead down past the cemetery where I managed to overshoot the turning at traffic lights thereby dragging us into the Leatherhead one way system which Paul was trying to avoid, my apologies for that! We emerged unscathed and made our way round to the footpath over the M25 where we stopped to finish the last of the supplies from the cafe before the final leg home. Back through Ashtead Park past the school where the hearty lads were playing rugby in the rain (I remember it well from school days!) before joining the Headley Road at the end of Pleasure Pit Road, another of our regular cafe stops. We climbed Headley Road, crossing the line of Stane Street again before branching off into the narrow Chalk Pit Road and dodging the fertiliser to join Langley Vale Road. The final climb of the day was up from Langley Bottom to the Grandstand at Epsom Downs racecourse where it finally stopped raining and the sun came out.

The roundabout in front of the Grandstand was blocked with cars queueing up to enter the car park for the virus jab, the racecourse being one of the first public vaccination centres. Fortunately the logjam gave us a clear run along the finishing straight to Tattenham Corner and round to Great Tattenhams for the route back. Paul and I managed to become separated on the short climb up to the traffic lights at the Reigate Road and inadvertently chose different entrances to Nork Park. We met at the far end in The Drive where another photograph was taken, this time in bright sunshine under blue skies. Then along past the Tumble Beacon, a former link in a previous long distance communications line, across the dual carriageway and down past Pistachio's cafe to Banstead High Street.

 

The sun at last; Nork Park

At this point it's 'finished with engines' for the fast descent across the Downs, drifting out to avoid the perennial flood point and turning right at the end into Downs Road with the winning post just up the hill. Paul carried on the last few miles to Wallington while I had a chance to rinse the mud off the bike before a well-earned brew. Hopefully we will be able to repeat the ride later in the summer when the weather is warm and sunny ...

Blow wind, blow

In fact it was the mud, not the wind that brought us to a standstill. 

A host of golden daffodils

Ken and I followed our usual cycle tracks up through Wallington, crossing Foxley Lane and cycling passed Cumnor House Schools to Wallington Village Green. Today we crossed Smitham Bottom Lane to Meadow Hill then continued on down The Bridleway to Clock House. Deciding that the wind wasn't a problem we carried on along The Mount to the quagmire that the weather had made of Hatch Lane.  Stopped in our tracks with no sign of dry surface ahead we turned round without much discussion!  So let's try another route to Banstead. Retracing our steps and then going down Grove Lane, what a pleasure that was, we turned right at the bottom onto St Andrew's Road. This long, rolling road was an interesting challenge. The wind, head on, reduced any speed we had built up. Finally we gratefully  turned left on Sandown Road to go under the railway bridge.

Sizing up the unattended bike

We now stopped. There were two choices. Turn right and we cycle uphill to Banstead or turn left and cycle straight along Chipstead Valley Road to DD's for tea. DD's won the toss and we were welcomed as always. Turning for home we decided to differ our route to visit Daffodil Alley, or Silver Lane, just off Wallington Village Green and then Briar Hill. We were soon on Foxley Lane and joining our route home again.

Recruiting the Abominable Snowman

Ray was out cycling now and he flew passed in the opposite direction.  No stopping for pleasantries,  Ken and I had white van man on our tail and he wasn't going to give up his sport! I got home moments before the hail came down. Goodness, I hope Ken was able to shelter somewhere! 

Fingers crossed.....All Day Saturday Rides, the first on Saturday 10 April

 

Restrictions permitting........

Tony Hooker's All Day Ride for Saturday 10 April

Departure from Nonsuch Park cafe at 9.50, 

For those on Strava, details can be found here

Tony is looking for sub-leaders, assuming we will be able to ride in groups if six by then

Stef will lead May's ride to West Horsley via Box Hill, also from Nonsuch at 9.50, on 8 May

Tony will lead on 12 June to Virginia Water

Paul will lead on 10 July to Greenwich

Tony is looking for leaders for the remaining months, second Saturdays, up to and including October.

Sue B's year of cycling alone

 From Sue B

Well, who would have thought it’s now, almost a year since the 1st lockdown and I am still solo cycling and walking.

We did manage a few weeks of cycling in groups of 6 thanks to the leaders and co leaders for all their hard work organising these. I, along with a lot of other members really appreciated these and enjoyed them.

I haven’t been as adventurous as most of you. Although I did get down to Dorking once, the Stepping Stones weren’t visible due the River Mole flooding! Most of my rides have been looking at the wildlife in Home, Bushey and Richmond Parks. If I didn’t keep stopping to take so many photos and watch what  was going on, I could either get home sooner or cycle further, but I really enjoy that part of it as much as the cycling.

                                             

I managed to go along the towpath in Richmond twice during high tide. Never experienced this before. Pleased I didn’t get stuck anywhere like some people did. In January I walked to Nonsuch Park. What a good job the rides weren’t still going out, as the entrance I go in was completely flooded, even with wellies on it was still deep. Not many cars were in there due to depth of the massive puddle as you can see from 1 of the photos.

                                             

Really looking forward to seeing you all again soon, that’s if everyone behaves and our Covid numbers don’t go up too much.

                                             

Please stay safe and well everyone.

                                             

A Hunting We Will Go

By Steve H.

Saturday was cold and cloudy so I had put on every layer of insulation I could find before Paul and I headed for Richmond Park.  A route through Cheam and Worcester Park took us on to New Malden for the long climb up Traps Lane, where I had to stop for a breather half way up.  We then entered the prestigious Coombe Estate and at the far end of Warren Road past Telegraph Cottage, the house occupied by Dwight D Eisenhower during World War II.  This was named after a nearby semaphore tower that was part of the London to Portsmouth optical telegraph line at the beginning of the nineteenth century.  On a good day a message could be sent from the Admiralty to the fleet at Portsmouth in under eight minutes.  You'd struggle to do that today!  Crossing the main road we entered Richmond Park at Ladderstile Gate.  Richmond Park is a wonderful oasis of rural in urban surroundings, a Royal Park originally established for the purpose of deer hunting although this is now limited to the annual deer cull.

We made our way round to the main cafe at Roehampton Gate but this was very busy with lots of cyclists and walkers out for their permitted exercise and social distancing so we decided to press on, dancing on the pedals up past White Lodge,  to the Pen Ponds cafe for a much needed hot drink, as much to warm the fingers as anything else.

Steve wearing cycling, rather than ballet, shoes

Descending to Robin Hood Gate we decided that Wimbledon Common might be a bit muddy so we took the scenic route back via the cycle path alongside the A3.  This is sadly strewn with much fly-tipped rubbish, dumping a mattress next to a busy dual carriageway must be no mean feat.  The return to Sutton through Raynes Park and Lower Morden took us to the path next to St Helier Hospital, which passes a good viewpoint as the trees open out.

I was definitely low on fuel for the final ascent from Sutton and had switched to the reserve tank by the time we reached the top of Banstead Road South.  Fortunately there were no more close encounters on the final approach to the house and my thanks again to Paul for a good ride.  I must remember to eat plenty of cake at the cafe stop next time!   

Nursery slopes

Ken and I last cycled to Wimbledon Common in November before the current lockdown. It had been busy then and we were under no illusion that it would be less crowded today but we'd both had the first Covid vaccine a month ago so had some protection from whichever variant was out there!

It was a cold afternoon but no snow or rain were forecast.  Immediately we were cycling on the grass through Beddington Park as families milled across the path and youngsters happily meandered on their new bikes and scooters. We left the the park to cycle over the bridge by Hackbridge Station and turned left at the mini roundabout onto Hackbridge Road planning to join the Wandle Trail at the Hack Bridge. I could see there was a problem ahead as a cyclist was facing tall barriers where the path joins the road. Imagining we were going to have to rethink the route we  cycled down Riverbank Way just in case there was an exit onto the path. Thankfully there was a new short, narrow path leading us onto the trail. 

It was an afternoon for families to be out with their children and it was lovely to see.  Children, some of them really quite small on their own bikes and babies in seats in front or behind their parents'. We repeated the route of November ending up climbing the hill and making our way through muddy puddles on  Wimbledon Common before stopping briefly at the windmill cafe for a comfort break. The cafe was too crowded so we cycled back to Eastfields for tea.  

The Windmill at Wimbledon Common

The temperature had been dropping and when Ken took his gloves off his hands were blue. We quickly downed our drinks and set off back along the Wandle trail to return to our warm houses. As I left the Wandle trail I was behind a young boy of about 5, with his Dad, returning from cycling to the Thames!  I wonder how far he'll be going in a few years.

We're anticipating warmer weather soon and also possibly returning to cycling in groups of six around Easter.  Let's hope so!  

Two arms. two legs, keep moving

 

From Steve H

Steve modelling the latest PPE

Just as the dreaded lurgy was getting into full swing last March an unexpected health problem put me off the road for the duration with the advice not to drive or cycle for at least a year in case of interruption of service.  Later on, riding was allowed but only in groups which, of course, was not allowed.  This left me with at least six idle wheels and unable to take advantage of last summer's unique but unfortunate combination of fine weather and quiet roads.  Nonetheless my New Year resolution was to break the Lockdown Lethargy and get back into the saddle.  To mitigate the possible consequences of a solo unplanned dismount I decided to equip myself with some elbow and knee protectors of the type worn by mountain bikers to hurl themselves down hillsides, reasoning that it would be easier to mend a limb than a joint.  The knee ones were fine, but although the elbow set was the correct medium size according to the measurements they were extremely tight and caused my forearms to swell, better even than spinach.  The large size replacement turned out to be a bit too large but as they did not sell a Goldilocks size I had to strap them on as tightly as possible and persevere, although I haven't tried zip ties yet.  Thus accoutred I decided that the time had come to bite the bullet and, er, hit the road.

A bit apprehensive at first after such a long lay-off, I was delighted to find that as soon as the wheels started turning I was away, the bike almost riding itself until I came to the first climb when it became immediately apparent that light pedal assistance was required.  After a few local loops through Banstead, Woodmansterne and Epsom Downs I was ready for the fray.  Although group riding is off the menu we are allowed to ride in pairs and Paul kindly offered to take me out on my first long ride, so on Saturday we set out from Belmont for Hampton Court in glorious sunshine and blue skies.  We skirted Nonsuch Park and made our way through the back roads to Worcester Park.  Being away for so long I had forgotten the routes and didn't recognise the roads and junctions but it turned out that we were going a different way to avoid the traffic.  On out through Tolworth and Thames Ditton, heading for the river.

The green opposite Hampton Court station was very busy with everyone having to stay outside, fortunately we found a small cafe and bench far from the madding crowd.  Suitably fortified by tea and cake we returned through picturesque Weston Green, pausing at the lake for a photo op, thence through Berrylands to north Cheam for another short break.  We passed the famous bottle house in Sutton and later the ornate house once lived in by the artist Graham Sutherland, he of the infamous Churchill portrait.  We parted company at Downs Road, and when I got back I had exactly 25 miles on the clock; not bad for a first effort and my thanks to Paul for a grand day out.  The climb up from Sutton was hard work with the Lockdown lack of fitness beginning to tell, hopefully this will improve with the miles, although I suspect that climbing will remain a work in progress.

Blood, sweat and gears

The sting in the tail was having to fend off a large car that was attempting to overtake just as I was signalling the final right turn into the house, it nearly was my final right turn.  Welcome back to cycling!