Plans for Sunday 3 May - riding to St Albans

On Sunday we will visit the historic city of St Albans, about 35 miles, catching the train back.   There is some off-road, a section of the Ebury Way and a short stretch of the Grand Union Canal towpath both of which are solid stony surfaces.  As a bonus if you wish you can ride with me after tea to Borehamwood station, another 15 beautiful miles to get you to a London Zone 6 station.

St Albans Cathedral

We meet at Twickenham Wetherspoons, the William Webb Ellis, which is on the road out of Twickenham to the station (opposite the police station).  Lunch is in Cassiobury Park, near Watford, 21 miles later, so you may wish to bring a snack to sustain you on the ride.  The cafe may be popular on a Sunday so we will have to contend with the queues!

Tea is at a very impressive old barn, the Waterend Barn, which is also a Wetherspoons pub.

Thameslink trains run from St Albans through the centre of London to Sutton, Wimbledon and other surprising places, or you can change in London (Farringdon or Blackfriars) for westbound trains on the Elizabeth line or a short ride to Waterloo station.  Advance singles to Sutton are about £10 with a railcard and flexible off-peak tickets come out at about £13 so it may be worth going for the flexibility.  I cannot guarantee the time we will get to St Albans, so if you commit to an early train back, you might miss your tea, or even your train!   You don't need a bike reservation for the train.

I hope you are able to join us.

Sunday 26th April 2026

 It was expected to be another lovely day courtesy of high pressure that's been with us for a couple of weeks.

Twelve riders met at Walton-on-the-Hill's village café for an alfresco 11's.

I produced some historic documents from a recent meeting with Colin Q who has kindly passed them to me:

A Sou'wester from December 1979 (10p) where amongst the 'For Sales' at the back was this offer:

One Brooks B18 saddle (plastic, very hard). Suitable for someone with no feeling! - £1.00

Also a rides list from December 1990:

Lorraine headed back home whilst Dave, Simon, Eric, Alan, Steph, Sabina, Bernard, Tim, Keith & Robert joined myself to take the bridleway across Walton Heath Golf Course.

But within minutes of leaving the café, I realised I had forgotten to pay for my white americano. On announcing this, Sabina & Simon also said they hadn't paid either...a triple senior moment!

Simon kindly offered to return & settle the unpaid bill & we waited in the wood.

Thankfully, due to the lengthy dry spell, the track was free of mud & we emerged to cross the M25 & join the North Downs Way at Colley Hill.

The views were extensive across to Boxhill, Leith Hill & even the South Downs. Surely one of the best views in the whole of Surrey?

A bit further on at a clearing in the trees, is a memorial to an B-17 American bomber that crashed on the evening of Monday 19th March 1945 returning to their base in Northamptonshire after an operation near the German/Czech border.

Nine USAAF crew lost their lives.

Carved from ancient Surrey oak, the two pieces of the sculpture are placed the same distance apart as the aircraft's wingtips and made to the exact dimensions. Buried inside the sculpture, forming part of it, is metal recovered from the crash site. 

The car park & café at the top of Reigate Hill was busy as we continued downhill to a right turn on a bridleway leading to Gatton Park.

A peaceful place with the noise from the M25 becoming more distant.

Shortly after leaving the track, we traded off-road to on-road but with hills as we negotiated Redhill's lumpy bit to Philanthropic Road then later, the descent of Cormongers Lane.

The Quality Café in Merstham was our lunch stop named after the nearby Quality Street (we think).

Perhaps it should be renamed Quantity Café judging by the portion sizes with Robert unable to finish his curry!

We were down to eight with Dave, Keith & Steph leaving us as we puffed, panted, wheezed & gasped our way up Hilltop Lane

to be rewarded with the long downhill into Coulsdon via Farthing Downs.

Trig point on Pilgrims Lane as part of NDW (image from Eric)

That route, despite the vicious climb, is part of NCN 20 which we followed to tea at Oaks Park.

Thanks to Simon for backmarking, photographers - Simon, Robert & Eric & everyone else for your company.

11 miles

14 miles

In Memoriam

 It is so long since I have used this website that I have completely forgotten what to do. So much for 'tempus'. Please forgive my fumbling. Many will have no idea who the heck I am. For those few that do, my only purpose is to let you know that my younger son, Mark,  has recently died in San Francisco. I am still unclear of the circumstances. The Coroner will no doubt soon let me know. 

 His elder brother Nigel is pringing home his ashes. When I was Editor of the Newslettter. I too often was writing 'In Memoria'

I do hope that I may soon see some of you again.

With best wishes,

 Jeff Tollerman. 

Cycle Jumble

C&M ride to Maidenhead

 The ride began at the National Trust Runnymede Café, where the group assembled: Tony, Simon, Dave W, Dave E, Allan, Keith, Ray, Niall, Steph, Pam, Martina, and Robert. Ged, Carolyn and John, were also at 11's After the usual pre-ride refreshments—tea, coffee, and a chance to catch up—the group set off in good spirits.

                                                        Welcome Back Pam

                                                         By the queens Statue
 

 The route first took riders through Old Windsor and into the expansive Windsor Great Park, offering a scenic and relaxed opening stretch. Exiting via Dukes Lane, the group continued on toward the Ascot Racecourse, cycling through the grounds, not over any jumps, before joining Kennel Avenue. From there, the ride carried on down toward Cranbourne and onto Drift Road for a couple of miles, before turning right toward Fifield.

 

                                             Ascoot Race Course

The route then headed onward toward Bray, passing the well-known The Mucky Duck, before joining a particularly enjoyable off-road section. This led the group neatly to a well-earned lunch stop at The Bear Inn (Wetherspoons), at around the 20-mile mark. With glorious sunshine overhead, the group sat outside to enjoy food and refreshments. Dave W left the ride just before reaching the lunch stop.

Refuelled and ready, the group set off on the return leg via a more direct route, heading for Halliford. Travelling east, the riders joined a short stretch of the Jubilee River before leaving it at Dorney and continuing down to Boveney. From there, the route followed the riverside path to the bridge on the Royal Windsor Way, notable for the striking graffiti beneath its arches. The group crossed over and continued into Windsor, then on to Datchet, navigating the level crossing before riding through Horton and Poyle, eventually picking up off-road sections into Staines.

 

A network of back roads and cycle paths led the group onward to Ashford for a final tea stop. With the day drawing to a close, options were limited as many places were shutting, so refreshments—tea, coffee, and cake—were enjoyed alfresco.

 

At this point, the group began to gradually disperse. Simon kindly took the lead for the final stretch toward Feltham, with numbers thinning along the way. The last few miles saw individuals peel off toward home, with myself eventually making their own way back home.

In total, the ride covered approximately 55 miles. For some a lot more, the distance proved a challenge after not having ridden over 40 miles in recent times, but it was nonetheless a thoroughly enjoyable day. It was especially good to welcome Pam back, who rode strongly throughout.

Thanks go to everyone who took part for making it such a successful and enjoyable outing, and special thanks to Simon—celebrating another year—for expertly back-marking and supporting the group throughout.

Tony..

C&M Ride to Langley

A windy Sunday morning with a chill in the air set the scene for our ride. Elevenses took place at Fat Boy’s Café in Poyle (no reflection on the group!). While it was a little further northwest than usual for some, it sparked memories of past meets at Bolter’s Lock and Jenner’s Café in Maidenhead—perhaps destinations better suited to a long summer ride. Now there’s a thought.

The Start

Simon kindly led Geoff, Alan and Christina from Twickenham Station, and they arrived just before me. Dave Ellis and Martina had already arrived separately, and before long Dave W and Andy joined the group.

With toast, tea, coffee, and bacon sandwiches enjoyed by all, we were ready to set off. I had the route in mind, though without GPS I tend to adapt as I go.

The Ride Out

We began with a lesser-used off-road route passing under the Bath Road and skirting the edge of Harmondsworth Moor—pleasant and not too muddy. From there, we followed a mix of roads and cycle paths through West Drayton and onto Tavistock Road, leading to Trout Lane and then onto an off-road section of the London Loop.

                                                            The London Loop

 

We paused on the bridge over the Slough Arm of the Grand Union Canal for a group photo, courtesy of Andy. Continuing along Old Mill Lane, we turned right into Iver Lane and then immediately left onto the canal path heading north, eventually exiting at Cowley Mill Road.

 

    

                                                           Coming off the cana

A gradual climb followed, taking us over the M25. We then continued along Slough Road before turning into Swallow Street, passing the intriguingly named Whip & Collar pub (no idea why the name—you do wonder!). Shortly after, we took a short off-road section and across Wood Lane and entered Langley Park.

This scenic stretch led us past a static mobile home park, onto St Mary’s Road, and finally to our lunch stop at The Red Lion. Dave W left us there to make his own way home.

Lunch Stop

With the sun now shining, we sat outside in the pleasant garden. Food arrived promptly and was very enjoyable. We relaxed, chatted, and made the most of the sunshine before eventually setting off again.

 

The Return Journey

The return was shorter and more direct. A good cycle path took us across London Road and into Ditton Park. We skipped a planned photo stop as rain began to fall and continued across the M4, following cycle routes through Colnbrook to Heathrow, and the cycle to Stanwell, before heading straight down to Ashford.

                                                                 Stanwell
 

A tea stop had been loosely planned, and Chaii Coffee was chosen. Only Simon, Andy, and Martina stopped, while Dave Ellis headed home independently. Geoff, Alan and Christina followed me towards Feltham and on to Hampton, where we parted ways.

Summary

A total of 37 miles for me, though most had cycled further. It was a thoroughly enjoyable day on the bike, with some sections I hadn’t ridden in quite some time.

Many thanks to everyone for the great company, and special thanks to Simon for back-marking.

Next Sunday, and exciting ride fromom the Nation Trust cafe at Runnymed   to The Bear at Maidenhead, we will cycle through Ascot Race Coure.

Tony..

Cheam & Morden Easter Tour 2026

This year's Easter Tour was to Lechlade, near the Cotswolds.  36 people joined the tour for two days of rides and three evenings of socialising in the lovely New Inn.   Each day there were two alternative road rides led by Pete B and Carolyn & John B, or a mountain bike ride in the surrounding countryside.

Just some of the riders outside our hotel

A great time was had by all.   Many thanks are due to Lilian, the ride leaders, people who wrote ride reports, everyone who took photos and all who attended for excellent company.

You can read about the different rides and see lots of photos here:

• Riding to the Tour
• Saturday rides: Pete · Carolyn & John
• Sunday rides: Pete · Carolyn & John
• Mountain bike rides
• Riding home