Nonsuch 1-o-clockers and 2-o-clockers to Moseley Rowing Club; 30 December 2023

It was windy and a little drizzly early on Saturday and my turn to take the 2-o-clock short ride.  Ten 1-o-clockers on the longer ride had left for Hampton Court and I wondered who might be there at 2.  The rain had stopped though the wind remained blustery, and Rob and Sharon were waiting with Colin under the arches of the Mansion.  My version of the schedule had us riding up to Banstead (because, it turned out, I'd got the wrong week!), but Colin's said it was New Malden, a more sensible suggestion anyway but one for which I had not prepared.

I attended to a call of nature and in my absence we had decided upon Moseley Rowing Club, a bold choice on the second shortest daylight Saturday of the year with a poor weather forecast for the evening.

We set out with Colin leading and had a pleasant ride on the most direct route, through Worcester Park, Berrylands, Kingston Bridge and Bushy Park.  The astonishing thing was that we beat the 1-o-clockers to tea!  I had assumed their absence might mean they had supped somewhere else or that they had refreshed themselves and moseyed on home, but no, when I went back to the bike to retrieve my purse they were just arriving.  Some story about a circuitous route and a puncture to mask the fact that really they were just a bunch of old, slow codgers.

The pleasurable result, though, was that we had a winter holiday tea altogether.

1-o-clockers talk to each other, 2-o-clockers text each other!

Our group set off home first and we were joined by Anna, Roger and Ken, who were to rue their decision that ours was the group to get them home first, safe and dry and before Dr Jekyll had turned into Mr Hyde.

We went a less direct route back for the purpose of making a loop but we were stringing out badly and remiss on corner-marking.  Through Thames Ditton and up the hill to Tolworth the situation worsened as some of our group were tiring in the wind and on the hills and the waiting, and sometimes the riding back to find people, delayed us further and further.

With hindsight we could, and should, have split at New Malden, the Sutton contingent going home through Worcester Park, but we chose not to and as it got pitch dark and the temperature dropped and the wind rose and the rain started we found ourselves wandering through the maze of suburban avenues that eventually get you through to Stoneleigh, a strange place where strange people live and you don't want to get lost there after dark.  Trouble is that only the leader clearly knew where he was in the dark and the difference in pace between those at the front and those at the rear increased exponentially.  Trying to link the back of the ride with the front, I missed an unmarked corner and took a wrong turning down a steepish hill, which had to be retrieved.  Fortunately those following me waited at the top. 

As soon as I got an inkling of where we might be, I informed the leader that we, the Sutton contingent, were heading for Worcester Park, which rightly or wrongly I calculated as being our quickest way home in the worsening conditions.  Three of the six remaining riders joined me and we took a more familiar and direct route to our respective Hobbit Holes.  By then, though, the weather in the Shire was turning very wet and windy and some of the Saturday night driving was at its most appalling.  At Carshalton Grove I realised I had a rear wheel flat but the lighting is not great there, I have tubeless tyres which I had no inclination to start repairing in those conditions and as I was about two Kilometres from home and soaking wet, and as you can ride on flat tubeless tyres better than you can on flat inner tubes, I decided to take the risk and ride it out on the flat.

All in all, for me, a lesson in why we chose to have winter rides starting at 1, why it is supposed to be the short ride at 2, and how we need to restrict our ambitions with the interests of riders of all abilities in mind.  It is, after all, Beginners.

Nonsuch 1-o-Clockers to Stoke D'Abernon - Saturday 23rd December

It was Christmas Eve Eve, and not many were stirring. Or if they were, they had important Christmas stuff to do. So only six (John, Karl, Tony, Paul and Justine) turned up for the long ride departing at 1pm. After a quick discussion it was concluded that some venues would be far too busy and I should lead. So we made our way via the Horton estate, Malden Rushett and through the Oxshott mansions to Café Barbera in Stoke D'Abernon. It was surprisingly quiet - maybe everyone was actually at Garsons Farm and Gail's as we had feared - and so a member of staff could be persuaded to take a photo.

Now we know who's organised enough to be able to come out for a cycle

Once refreshed we opted for a bit of off-road to and over Bookham Common and again over the River Mole at Fetcham. We turned from Lower Ashtead into Ashtead and Epsom Common, and came back via Green Lane and The Hogsmill path into Stoneleigh where, as it was getting darker, we could enjoy the Christmas lights. Thanks to everyone who came out on a mild but blustery day, and to Tony for back-marking. 

Shorter Days; Nonsuch and Beddington 1-o-Clockers to Merton Abbey Mills, 16 December

Temperatures have risen to sub-tropical levels for this time of year but we had a bit of a third Saturday of the month leadership crisis on our hands with 1-o-clock and 2-o-clock rides at Beddington and at Nonsuch to organise, Lynda having pulled out of the leadership list, Karen (scheduled for this one) injured, Maggie injured, Steve still recovering from surgery and Nigel at a wedding.  

Colin took on Beddington 2-o-Clockers, I moved across to take Nonsuch 1-o-Clockers, Sue Bellamy stepped into the breach at short notice for the later Nonsuch ride and AnnaandRoger agreed to take the earlier one from Beddington.  AnnaandRoger was confident that it could find the way along the Wandle Trail to M.E.D and once Maggie had shown their group to the river (thus overdoing the ten minutes the physio had allowed her on the bike) they did just that, resourcefully using Ken's experience.

The Beddington group; great to see Ray fit enough to come and wave them off, and Maggie, also of the walking wounded, who showed them the way and then split for home.  Photo taken by an interested passer-by; perhaps a future member!

Meanwhile at Nonsuch, Peter was awaiting my arrival and then Sabina and Bernard turned up, just returned from Switzerland.  I've been to M.E.D dozens of times, and to Nonsuch hundreds of times, but never have I cycled from one to the other, so I set up a route on Ride with GPS and led using the App, thus proving once again that I do not do very well relying on electronics and that there is no substitute for recceing a ride properly.

Fortunately my group was extremely patient as we deliberately took the circuitous route skirting Mayflower Park Wetlands and the Crematorium, across Cannon Hill Common and along The Path and The Higher Path to approach Merton Abbey Mills from the north, but we also had to make a series of Oops-a-Daisy U turns.

Rendezvous successful, at M.E.D.  Photo taken by Paul.

Rendezvous was successful and both groups rode back to Sutton together, shedding riders as we went.  There were only four of us left as we crossed Gander Green Lane approaching Nonsuch from the east and it therefore took extraordinary leadership skills to lose fifty percent of my group at that juncture.  Peter and I tracked back every which way and it was a relief to get a WhatsApp call from Sabina and Bernard that they had found their bearings and were homeward bound.

Thanks especially to Sue and AnnaandRoger for filling in at short notice.

Ice on the cake; Nonsuch 1-o-clockers 2 December

The temptation was not to go out at all, but a promise is a promise and there is always someone there to lead a Beginners ride.....

At first as I rounded the bend at the cafe I thought phew, there's no-one here, I can just go home, but Nigel has to have a jolly good reason to be a no-show and Peter was there too, going for quick walks to keep his circulation going.

Leatherhead was the published destination but we had not got to the Ewell By-pass before we decided to cut it short in the freezing cold, and Nigel led us to Horton Arts Centre, where we never go, possibly because it is too close to Nonsuch.  Better than that, Nigel paid for our food and drink.

What a pleasant place it is, even if there is always an air of sadness around the old Epsom mental hospitals; so many sad histories and wrongful incarcerations, and the Arts Centre was originally the chapel for the hospital.

Still, the quiche and the chocolate were hot and outside we met a man riding a Viking Conqueror who was persuaded to take a picture of the magnificent three but appeared never to have handled a mobile phone before!  I have a collection of fuzzy images of feet and headless cyclists but one of them came out.

After the picture shoot we scooted off home.  28km door to door, shorter for the others, but at least we got out.  I forgot my overshoes but remembered to try wrapping my feet in silver foil.  Perhaps I need to try two layers of foil (and overshoes) next time it's this cold.

 

Nonsuch and Beddington 1-o-clockers to Caterham, 18 November;

by Paul

Our resources were stretched on Saturday, so Maggie went to lead the 1-0-clock ride from Beddington Park and I went to Nonsuch Park.  

Raining all morning, the promise of a brief tour of some local hills in the damp wind, what was there not to look forward to?  The host of riders awaiting me at the Nonsuch Mansion numbered one.  And Karen, on her heavy bike because of the wind and the slippery roads, did not know where we were going!

Nevertheless we set out, a group of two and went up to Banstead and down to Coulsdon and up Farthing Down, where we met up with the Beddington riders.

by Maggie

Ken, Anna and I were joined by Malik at Beddington Park.  Unfortunately by the time we got to Wallington station Malik had decided his bike needed  a service and some oil and he politely and regretfully turned back home.

We three then cycled up through the Wallington backstreets, towards the Webb estate and down  Woodcote Grove Road to Coulsdon where we made our way across the roundabout and turned right on Ditches Lane to the viewpoint (car park) at the top of Farthing Down. 

Turning to admire the cloud covered view we spotted two brightly jacketed cyclists making their way towards us.

Paul again

Up Doctor's Lane together and over the switchback to the C and C cafe, where they have enclosed the outdoor area and we kept warm while we had a pleasant coffee and cake.  

Happy snacks at Caterham-on-the-Hill

Down the long hill to Coulsdon and then one last steep climb up to Clock Tower before working our way across to the Smallholdings on Telegraph Track and going our several ways.

A good ride, a bit of exercise and some pleasant company.

1pm Nonsuch Beginners 11 November; Anna leading to Hampton Court

 

To Hampton Court and back via Weston Green – my first ride as leader

by Anna

As this is my first official ride as leader, I am hoping for a small group; we are twelve altogether.  In a moment of bravado, I reject the idea of two groups of six and decide to take the whole group together.

Paul is convinced I know where I am going, whereas I don’t even know how to get out of the park, but he tells me to follow the Ride with GPS instructions and sure enough, it takes us out of the park to the correct exit.

There I stall all the traffic by encouraging everyone to block the road, as I expect the traffic to move more quickly than it does and we end up in a muddle, but eventually reach the other side of the road, in line and facing the right way.  I am now at the back of the group of riders so quickly whiz to the front to reclaim my position as leader.  We make it safely to Worcester Park.

When you ride an electric bike and there is no one in front of you, you tend to go at maximum speed, which is usually at least 15.5mph, because that is the point when your motor cuts out.  Mindful of those toiling behind me without electric assistance, I try to keep the speed to between nine and eleven miles per hour, but it feels extraordinarily slow.

The GPS seems to repeat some commands, so when it says to turn left onto Central Road for the second time, I assume I am on the right track but miss the left turn after Worcester Park station, so we go off piste.  Nigel saves the day by leading us down some nice quiet backstreets until we are back on the right road and we continue, only going off course a couple of times.

Even though I have been on this ride several times with Paul or Nigel leading, I don’t recognise some of it, which is a bit of a nuisance when you are supposed to be the leader.

All twelve of us make it to 8 on the River and we enjoy some lovely tea and cakes, marred only by the worry that my phone will run out of juice before we get home, on account of the cable from the energy store I borrowed from my son is not charging the phone. Better go home at top speed to get there before
the phone dies!  Not to worry, says my son – turn it to airplane mode and all will be well.

Photo by Maggie, on Weston Green in the afternoon Autumn sun

It has now gone very cold, so we set off home and make only one wrong turn, and I speed up a bit because it is very chilly.

At South Lane we all agree that no one needs to go back to Nonsuch Park so we get back to Worcester Park and everyone cycles cheerfully away, and Roger and I arrive home while it is still light, which is the big advantage of starting a 1pm.

Cold and hungry, we are relieved to get into the warm and I still have 37% left of my phone battery, so airplane mode has saved the day.

Thanks for the route, Paul, and thanks for back-marking, Maggie. Thanks, Nigel, for saving us having to make a U-turn on a very busy road.  Thanks to everyone for not falling off, not getting punctures, and for being good companions along the way.

I had a nice afternoon – let’s do it again sometime.

Nonsuch Beginners first winter 1pm ride, 4 November

 Weather-dodging in the daylight hours

The clocks have gone back and the time had come to implement the decision at Beginners AGM to start the longer winter rides at 1pm.

The weather, however, has been miserable and although the BBC forecasters promised some remission on Saturday afternoon, the morning was as wet as could be. 

The sun came out temporarily and there were nine of us for a ride to Garson's Farm, out through Ewell, Claygate and Esher and back through Sandown Park, Weston Green, Lower Ditton , Surbiton and Worcester Park.

Garson's Farm

Most would say that the BBC forecast was wrong; rain to the left of us, rain to the right of us, rain before us and a downpour while we were in the garden centre having a slowly-served tea and cake.  But for 1pm Beginners it was right; incredibly, none of it fell on us.  Moreover, we all got home without riding in the dark through South London streets.  To this end the rides might have to get a little less ambitious as the deep midwinter comes.

Rain's over, back on the road!

Thanks to everyone for the company.