Sunday Ride, Polesden Lacey to New Malden via Redhill

Today was stage 15 in the Giro d'Italia, starting from Voghera in Lombardy and according to official sources finishing in Milan some 919 miles from Polesden Lacey in Colline del Surrey (Surrey Hills); at this juncture we made the break. 

 

We surged with the full force of tension cabled limbs.  The bottom bracket of each bike a vortex of power.  Lungs like burning furnaces powering our thighs.  The soles of our feet pumping levered pedals.  Wheels cutting the dust on the tarmac.  Down the short descent to the first real test of the day, the infamous Vicolo della Cappella (Chapel Lane), under a fireball sun blasting a temperature of 30 C plus, mercilessly whipping our backs on this the hottest day of the year and hotter than any day in May... ever.  

 

Like gladiators staring into the eye of Destiny we tore at our foe.  We held our lead.  And on we pressed in the silence of the blistering heat, louder than the baying crowd of the anfiteatro (amphitheatre).  And out came gladiatore after gladiatore; Vicolo della Grande Coppa da Punch (Punchbowl Lane), Collina Trompe (Trumpets Hill) and Via Doods in the citta di Collina Rossa (Doods road, Redhill).  We were so far ahead.  When I looked back Vingegaard (overall leader in this year’s Giro) and the rest of il gruppo (peleton) were nowhere in sight.   

 

We took a short break at the Taverna del Sole (The Sun, Whetherspoons).  Back on our biciclettes we got.  The gladiatori were waiting, the combined chill boning horrors of Vicolo de la Collina Roccioso (Rocky Lane), la Salita de Markedge (Markedge Lane) and worst of all the hellish Via de la Salita de Cannonica (Rectory Lane).   

 

We had conquered...Rome was a long way but la Citta de Banstead was ours.   It was not over. One final test... the notorious downhill descent from Banstead to Worcester Park. And there it was, the Flamme Rouge, one final kilometre to the end of the dream. 

 

This had been a day where the hills had come alive to the sound of bicycles*, where the Giro had entered the Surrey Hills on a gloriously sunny day; “e bello essere un ciclista!” (it’s good to be a ciclyst”). 

 

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*Thanks to Steph for the clever twist on this line from the Sound of Music. 

 

My fellow Ciclistas were: Christina, Steph, Sabina, Karl, Eric, David W and Andy.  Keith, Carolyn, Diane, David and Audrey joined us for Elevenses at the Court Cafe in Polesden Lacey. 

 

Not knowing how to speak the language my recent new great buddy, AI, provided the Italian dressing to this piece. 

 

There is a real link to this day in May, 24th, in the Giro apart from it being stage 15 of this year’s race.  Back in 1987 Stephen Roche, on this day, won the time trial in stage 3 taking the overall lead and eventually winning the race overall.  That year he also won the Tour and the World Race Championship, Cycling's ‘Triple Crown’.  I looked it up! 

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Good morning everyone

Here are links to the routes for Sunday's ride

Morning

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/54325929

Afternoon

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/54325933

Hopefully this will give you access to the routes but any problems just get in touch and I'll send them to you direct.

And to make up for my earlier mistake here's another photo of the ride taken on our recci back in March.

Have a great ride today with the Wednesday riders and see you Sunday.

Bernard

Ride Report - Sunday 17 May 2026

 We met for elevenses at the Whitley’s Community Cafe, 11 riders came for coffee and 9 of us actually started the ride. The cafe was very welcoming and had an amazing selection of cakes!

The weather was good and we headed out towards Cobham, I had intended to go from Cobham to Ripley but due to to the clock ticking on I decided to turn at the Plough pub near Ockley and make our way towards Effingham and then onto Leatherhead. At Ashtead we took the off road route using the common exiting this close to the Wells Estate and down into Epsom. At the Assembly Rooms we met Ed and Colin already there and enjoying their lunches, it was really great to catch up with them both.

A big thank you to all that joined me on the ride, a lovely day and we were very lucky with the weather, and a big shout out to Dave W for back marking.

Good evening everyone

I'm leading the Sunday ride this weekend and I have prepared a morning route and an afternoon route.

In the morning we start in Polesden Lacey with lunch in the Sun, Whetherspoon in Redhill.  

In the afernoon we head back to New Malden.... we can have our tea in the Watchman, Whetherspoons or a little along the High Street there are other cafes such as Nero's, Costa's or a local independent 601.

Below are links to the two routes and if anyone has trouble downloading please let me know and I'll send out the routes direct.

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/54325929?privacy_code=9kcpn6KB5Suq7bA8xJi08qJzSeFqtp9b

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/54325933?privacy_code=vZEu6x6D16iQtdnHCVRiqiYs16qVXGtM

And here is a photo taken on the recci Sabina and I did on 22nd March.  We'll be doing another recci this Wednesday just to make sure the route is in good order.

Have a great week.

All the best

Bernard

Sunday 17th May 2026

 Only my second visit to the fabulous Whiteley (Community) Village café where 11 met in the spacious surroundings.

In May you'd perhaps expect to be outside but this year "Spring" seems to be dragging its feet.

I saw cake, sausage rolls & fresh bacon rolls being devoured.....all to satisfaction.

Leaving Niall & Terry we (Jennie, Christina, Tim, Martina, Dave W, Keith, Ruth, Jan & myself) set off for Epsom passing Hersham Station & an old favourite bit of off-road where the River Mole continues north to join the Thames at Hampton Court.

 

BW10 was on Dave W's route to work & he recounted a funny story to me. 😂

Many roadies were on the Portsmouth Road, not a particularly enjoyable stretch but needs must because we were making for Cobham.

Plough Lane took us to the Black Swan PH where a change of plan 'cut short' the planned ride.

Nobody complained & we arrived at the Assembly Rooms (Wetherspoons) at about 1.30pm but not before a photo at the pond in Leatherhead.

The track layout of the minature railway just across the pond can be clearly seen on this map.

The Surrey Society of Model Engineers: http://www.ssme.co.uk/

Great to see Ed & Colin too at the (always) busy 'Spoons.

Thanks to Jennie for leading, Dave for backmarking & everyone else for your company.

Plans for Sunday 17 May 2026

Sunday’s ride starts from Whiteley Village Community Cafe KT12 4EG, and travels towards Cobham, Ripley, Leatherhead and finally onto Epsom, approx 23 miles.  with a mixture of tarmac and off-road paths.

In Epsom, we shall enjoy a leisurely lunch  at our usual venue, The Assembly Rooms, and have the chance to catch up with other club members.

As the weather forecast at present does not look good I propose to end the ride there.

Plans for AGM ride Sunday 10th May 2026

 Elevenses at Café Barbera, Stoke D'Abernon.

Fourteen miles to lunch/AGM at Merton Abbey Mills where there are multiple food outlets.

I plan to visit in the coming days to identify a suitable venue.

But it may be an idea to carry sandwiches just in case.

No afternoon tea.

GPX on request.

I hope you can join me!