Sunday 1st Feb ride report - Steph

Alan and I cycled from North Cheam together, leaving North Cheam at 9.15 and arriving a little wet at Polsden Lacy cafe at 10.30. Dave and Simon were ahead of us and we had coffee and left at 11 arriving at Wetherspoons Epsom at 12.10. We traversed Chapel Lane, Juniper Lodge Bottom, Headley and descended swiftly past Ashtead Garden Centre into Epsom. The weather was damp and drizzly, only 2 heavy showers fell, but enough to give us damp feet and gloves heavy with water. Lunch was a cheerful social with Colin Quemby arriving first, followed by Ed and finally Ann Bath. A very useful catch up with a couple of our non cycling members.

Plans for Sunday 1 February 2026

Spring must be on the way because we're heading back to Polesden Lacey for elevenses for the first time since since October.   But, just to be on the safe side, we'll be meeting in the Stable Courtyard Cafe, not the outdoor one near the entrance where we usually gather.   From there Steph will lead us on a lovely route to the Assembly Rooms, Epsom.

Invitation to our 2026 Annual Lunch

CTC South West London Annual Lunch and Prizegiving

4th March 2026 at 12:30 for lunch at 1 p.m.

We are delighted to tell you that Jennie has booked the Ristorante Sorrento (379 Ewell Road, Tolworth, KT6 7DE) for our annual lunch.

This has proved to be a most popular venue for the occasion since our first visit in 2018 and we are pleased to be able to hold the event there again.

The set price for our three-course lunch will be £25.25. This includes a 10% service charge, but does not include any drinks, coffee or tea. This is our menu:

Click on menu to enlarge

Please book by placing your order, and pay in advance by Sunday 15th February.

We expect the occasion will be attended by over 60 members, as it has been in recent years.

Please send an email message to Tim Court with your order for (i) a starter and (ii) a main meal. The waiters will take your orders for dessert after the main course on the day.

The preferred method of payment (£25.25) is a direct transfer via your online banking facility, but we can also accept cash or a cheque. For online payment please ask Tim C for our bank details if you don’t already have them. For a cash or cheque payment please check with Tim or your section representative. For anyone who has yet to pay their 2026 club subscription please consider adding your £3 when you pay for your lunch.

Any food allergies, dietary disorders or Vegan requirements must be notified to Tim when you advise your order so that these details can be noted and passed to the restaurant staff.

All ride leaders please note that your teams should be delivered to the restaurant by 12.30 p.m. so that everyone will have time to buy drinks, chat, and browse the photography exhibition, and settle down ready to confirm orders with the waiting staff.

Thank you

Tim C

Sunday 18 January 2026 – 11s Ride Report

 Bushy Park to Oxshott and Beyond

Bushy Park was once again the 11s venue for today’s ride. A relatively short, gently undulating route was planned, featuring a new lunch venue.

A good crowd turned out for the ride: Tony, Andy, Martina, Dave, Clive, Keith, Sabina, Alan, Simon, Graham, Carolyn, and Bernard. Joining us for the 11s section only were Dave V, Helen, Diane, and Madi.

We left Bushy Park via Lion Gate, heading south before turning left into Thames Ditton, continuing through Hinchley Wood, and crossing the Kingston Bypass to Claygate. A short detour took us up the hill at Red Lane, before turning right into Stevens Lane and onto the back end of Claygate. From there we headed west toward Esher.

We turned left onto the Portsmouth Road, riding almost as far as Cobham, where we entered Fairmile Lane for a few hundred metres. This led us onto the enjoyable downhill of Leigh Hill Road, then Stoke Road, and into The Tilt, which has been resurfaced since my last visit and was riding very nicely.

We soon arrived outside Café Barbara, the scene of the previous Friday’s 11s ride, before continuing on through Brundle Lane to Oxshott for lunch at the excellent Munch & Wiggles café. The owner, Ben, had reserved a covered and heated outdoor seating area for us, which was extremely cosy. He also organised a secure area for our bikes. Service was relatively quick, the food was very good, and we arrived just in time, as the café closes at 2:00 pm on Sundays.

We spent about an hour chatting and relaxing, helped along by some wonderful chocolate truffles kindly supplied by Ben. On departure, a few riders headed home directly, while the rest of us rode back toward Esher, turning into Sandy Lane for about a kilometre before turning left into The Ridings. Here we stopped at the blue plaque marking Tommy Sopwith’s residence in the early 1900s.

Soon after, we rejoined the Portsmouth Road for a short stretch to West End, then passed through part of the estate, riding past Wayneflete Tower, before descending to Molesey for our tea stop at Dish.

I believe Simon claimed the prize for the largest piece of cake, accompanied—as always—by plenty of banter and relaxed conversation. Eventually, though, it was time to head home.

It was a truly lovely day on the bike with a great group—thank you all. Special thanks go to Simon for back-marking, and to Andy and Dave for taking the photos.

Finally, a note for the future: it is becoming harder to fill the rides calendar, and we could really do with a few more ride leaders stepping forward.

Tony..

Sunday the 18th Jan

11's is at the Pheasanrty Lunch will be at, depending on numbers, Munch & Wiggles, additionally Cluck and Crusts or for those wanting to imbibe alcohol, the Victoria pub. Not too long a ride, but undulating. Tea will be at Dish, Hampton Court.

Tony..

Ride Report - Sunday 11 January 2026

 

It was a dull and cold start, and rain was forecast for later, but, undeterred, Simon, Keith, Lorraine, Terry, Clive and I met for elevenses at Leatherhead Wetherspoons, our first visit there for some time.

We lingered in the warm but eventually dragged ourselves back outside, by which time light rain had begun.    Keith, Simon, Clive and I continued to Pinnocks at Ripley via one of my more 'eclectic routes' (perhaps they would seem better ridden on an eclectic bicycle)?   Anyway, we took in the new Wisley Bridge, and the recently re-opened link to it from Elm Lane.   Then I went a 'bit loopy', and there were mutterings in the ranks, so I got us back on the straight and narrow!

Pinnocks was busy, but once the queuing bit was done, service was surprisingly efficient.   The rain, which had fizzled out during our ride from Leatherhead, had set in with renewed vigour while we were having lunch, and we went our separate, damp ways!

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

Invitation to take part in the 2025 Photo Competition

Although I am a somewhat inert member of the C&M WhatsApp forum it hasn't escaped my notice that you had a bumper year in 2025 and that many of you have taken excellent photos. Therefore please feel warmly invited to take part in the 2025 Photo Competition via this link to the invitation.

The invitation includes instructions on how to submit photos via my Dropbox. 

Yours in expectation

Tim C