Likely changes to Sunday 23rd November

 The printed & online rides list has Felbridge for lunch.....https://thegardencafefelbridge.co.uk/

Fine except it requires a short bit of off-road to avoid a busy section of the A264.

When I checked it out earlier this week it was quite muddy & with more rain forecast before Sunday, I've decided to postpone the visit until next Spring at the earliest.

So Sunday's 11's remains as published (Knights, Betchworth), with lunch at Redhill Aerodrome (12 miles).....https://www.hangar9cafe.co.uk/

Tea at Banstead (11 miles).

Hope to see you.

Nov 16 - Meandering to Uxbridge

It was one of those uninviting grey days of late autumn.  Not much to recommend it except that it wasn't raining, and it was only a bit cold.  Perhaps the last day of autumn before the north wind bought us a taste of winter.   Despite this, a surprising number of people turned out for the ride.   It was good to welcome Robert back from Canada, surely the longest journey to the ride.

Thirteen of us set off from the Stables cafe for a ride through bits of Southall, a few parks (Marnham Fields, Northala Park, where we surveyed the re-modeled rubble of the old Wembley Stadium, and Rectory Park), and then via Charville to Uxbridge.   A few people had never been to the top-secret WW2 bunker, so we let them in on the secret before making our way to the Good Yarn for lunch.

Unfortunately we found some glass on the way to lunch.  Jennie and I rode straight over it, and Jennie was unlucky and realised her tyre was flat just after lunch.   She and David stopped to fix it and made their own way home. 

It was a short ride to lunch and a bit longer back home, a highlight being the cycle crossing near Stockley Park where the traffic lights always change as soon as you arrive.   This time was the exception and they took ages to change, so that was quite exciting, in a nerdy sort of way.   With a following wind, we were soon in Sipson, and made our way along the country lane just north of Heathrow to Cranford, before heading down to Hounslow Heath, Crane Park and to our tea stop at Bushy Park.   I don't think we actually lost anyone on the way back but there was gradual attrition, so that only three people actually qualified for the rare and highly coveted Tea Stop Points.   These points are so rare that unusually, they don't mean prizes.   

Thanks to all for turning out and being such good company.   Special thanks to Tony H who probably showed me several parts of this route in the past, and who also led a second group on the road; and to Geoff and Jennie for back marking.

Plans for Sunday's ride to Uxbridge, 16 Nov

This Sunday I've planned a shortish ride to Uxbridge, with tea back at Bushy Park.

We'll meet at the Stables Cafe, Osterley Park, as per the rides list.   If you aren't sure how to get to Osterley Park - I'm happy to lead a group from the Teddington gate at Bushy Park, departing at 9.45 - please let me know if anyone wants this.

The ride from Osterley is pretty flat, only 12 miles to lunch and 15 back to tea.   All on roads or in parks - a few of them are reasonable quality gravel, and there could be some puddles to dodge on Hounslow Heath.   I hope you can join us.

Ride Report - Sunday 9 November 2025

 

For me the day's ride didn't start particularly well.  Perhaps I mean it started more than usually badly!   Anyway, the hastily re-assembled bike I was unadvisedly riding had only been taken out of storage the afternoon before.   No problems had shown on a quick test ride round the block, but, as you will surmise, as soon as I set off for a proper ride, the gremlins began their work.  I call this 'Saturday Afternoon Bike Syndrome', and it has manifested itself so often that I really should have known better!   In this case, an annoying mudguard rub developed.   After a few stops and starts I managed to get rid of it  and continued on my way, pleased with myself, only to realise I had forgotten my drink!   So I had to go home, collect my bottle and  set off again.   Just like what I think they call it 'the labour of Sisyphus'!

Astonishingly, I was still the first to arrive at the Golden Cafe for elevenses - only to find it chocablock inside (what else could possibly go wrong)!  Fortunately, there were vacant tables outside, and it was a pleasant day - problem solved!   My elevenses was restorative, as was the arrival of company in the form of Diane P, Chris H, Liz B, Keith R, Geoff G, and Steph W.   I must give the Golden Cafe a mention - their breakfasts are excellent, the prices unbeatable, and the service friendly and highly efficient!

Except for Liz, who pleaded common sense, all the rest of the thrill-seeking 'adventure tourists' who had joined me for elevenses decided to continue on the ride.  I can only think they had had wagers amongst themselves as to what perils might befall us! 

The omens hadn't been good, I admit, but, for once, I actually had a route planned, and a vague idea of where I was going (but only because one of the group had asked for the route a couple of days before).  So, against all the odds, we got to Wetherspoons at Woking in good time for lunch, and without getting lost, and left again in good time  to reach home well before dark.  And Wetherspoons wasn't closed for refurbishment!  And my 'Saturday afternoon' bike didn't fall apart!  What are the chances of that ever happening again?

Thanks all for putting up with it, and thanks for your company!

Sunday 2nd November 2025

 I pulled back the curtains to reveal rain (as per forecast).

Arriving at Surbiton station it was sunny (as per forecast).

Simon & Chris were already on the platform & a short while later our eight coach (soon to become four) train glided into the station.

Onboard was Dave Vine, a very nice suprise!

Today, we were to ride the delightful lanes south of Hook in Hampshire where we arrived at 10.16am.

The planned 11's was Newlyns, a complex that included a café but quite quickly I decided that waiting to be seated (let alone served) could eat into the planned ride & so moved off to ride a couple of miles to Odiham.

On the way, fortunately we spotted Dave Ward (who had ridden from home) going the opposite direction & we were soon enjoying treacle tart...a favourite of some! at Fountains Coffee Shop, a fine establishment we all agreed.

Dave W was away first & our quartet soon followed going south to a right turn (Woodhill Lane) past the control tower of RAF Odiham, home to the Chinook helicopters.

Care was needed on this little used narrow lane after the overnight rain & fallen leaves.

We turned left through the village of Long Sutton then right in Well to descend to Lower Froyle & a flooded road (passed with ease).

After Bentley, we climbed to enjoy lovely views over the surrounding countryside.

Dave & his Airnimal folding bike

 

Chris demonstrating the "Traditional Countryman's way" !

Lunch was at the gargantuan Redfields Garden Centre, Church Crookham where I'm sure you could buy a car tyre if that's what you wanted!

The wait for cooked food was around one hour, so we were forced upstairs to the Tree Tops café & made do with cakes etc.

It was a flat 9 mile pleasant ride back to the station & our cancelled train!

Out came the phones & some head scratching but we all agreed to take a train to Basingstoke where there would be more opportunities to get home.

We split with Chris, him taking a direct train to Clapham Junction (stopping additionally at Hook!).

Dave, Simon & myself took a semi fast to Surbiton/Wimbledon & had a nice chat with some lady mountain bikers travelling back from a recce (Guildford to Winchester - offroad).

Thanks to my small group for joining me on one of my favourite areas to ride a bike.

15% uphill 12% downhill 73% flat

To Eltham, Oct 26th

Was it the cold, was it the fresh north wind, the promise of rain, the do-it-yourself lunch, the start of winter dark evenings?   Was it the fact that the B group had only just been to Eltham?  For whatever reason, a smaller than usual group met at the Nonsuch Arms, just eight of us.  Colin Q, Dave V and Graham were going no further, leaving the hardy five of us to hit the trail eastwards.  Dave W, still under the weather, turned back just after Waddon Ponds, where we pondered the source of the Wandle, so well researched by Mark G here.

Pondering at Waddon Ponds

The route had been designed to visit lots of parks, partly based on my 2018 London ride, but adapted to give us a quick return in case of rain, which never quite materialised.  Crystal Palace park was omitted, since it's being renovated, saving us a hill, but we still managed ten parks on the way to lunch at the lovely Park Tavern in Eltham.  The pub doesn't do food on Sundays but it was packed.  Andy managed to bag the last table while (as agreed with the landlord) three of us bought something from Sainsbury's.

View of London from King John's Walk

After a cosy lunch, another five parks and several quiet cycleways led us to Battersea Park for tea.  It was just after 4pm but the cafe was still doing brisk business.    Nobody opted for the train, so lights on for riding home, rather lovely to ride alongside the Thames in the dark but a reminder that winter's on the way.

Admiring the view from Greenwich Park

Thank you to those who turned out for 11s and the ride for your company.

Plans for Sunday 26 October

For this Sunday I have devised a scenic route to Eltham and a shorter route back to tea.  Elevenses is at Cheam (the Nonsuch Arms) as advertised, but lunch and tea are slightly different to the rides list.

Lunch will be at a cafe in Eltham - I need to check this out and will confirm on the blog.   And tea will be at the Pear Tree cafe in Battersea Park, just a mile away from Clapham Junction if you want to get a train home.  I'm happy to lead an after-tea ride to Richmond Park (Roehampton Gate) if that helps anyone.  20 miles to Eltham, 15 back to Clapham Junction.

Please bring a decent lock for parking your bike in Eltham, and bike lights - the clocks go back this weekend.