Sunday 30th August 2026

 

A feature of Summer 2026, the sunflowers as seen here at Shere.

Elevenses (West Horsley, Squires) - Andy C, Keith R, Dave W, Eric G, Sue F, Terry L, Dave V, Caroline & John B + Dawn.

Conventional roads to Farley Green then we took the pretty but still climbing Shophouse Lane & a short off-road exploit which was perfectly rideable even after the recent rain.

A very brief shower just before a cheeky back route through Cranleigh School took us to a quiet B2128 & lunch at Notcutts, Cranleigh

We all went our separate ways in the afternoon but I followed the published route to Ockley then to Broomehall Road to climb up to Coldharbour from the south.

The wiki entry for Broome Hall:

'The actor Oliver Reed bought the 56-bedroom property in 1971, and became the so-called "Master of Broome Hall" for eight years. 

Reed only bought the house because he was looking for a field for a horse he had bought from Johnny Kidd, the father of future supermodel Jodie Kidd, who ran a stud farm in Ewhurst. 

He then spent a fortune renovating it.

The naked wrestling scene with Reed and Alan Bates in Ken Russell's 1969 film Women in Love is said to have been filmed there. 

Reed was banned from his local pub there for descending a chimney naked and shouting out: "Ho! Ho! Ho! I'm Santa Claus'.

Later, the Grade II-listed building was bought by a property developer & converted into eleven flats.

Thanks to Keith for the ford photos & everyone else for your company.

Cycling UK Awards

Two of our longest-serving members, David W and Andy, were presented with awards from Cycling UK yesterday, recognising their dedication and hard work to support the Cheam and Morden section over the years.

In the days when Cheam and Morden had a reputation for hard riding, Andy was Rides Secretary for many years, developing a programme of longer rides to far-flung places, usually with a picnic lunch.   In later years David took over the Rides Secretary role, and Andy has now taken over the General Secretary role. Under their leadership, the Cheam and Morden section is in good health with a combination of quite adventurous rides plus some more local outings to include those who don't want a longer ride.

Both David and Andy are prolific ride leaders, drawing on their long experience of riding to come up with interesting rides, and are very deserving recipients of these Cycling UK awards.   Thank you, David and Andy, for your steadfast and quiet, no-fuss service and dedication, turning out week after week; and creating an easy-going atmosphere where people are welcome and there’s always an interesting ride on offer.

Thanks are also due to Maddie and Alan for their work behind the scenes to make these awards happen.

Doubly-discombobulated - Ride Report for Sunday 23 August 2026

 

We were having a very enjoyable al-fresco elevenses beside the river at Staines when Simon, very ominously, stood up, demanded silence, and began to make an announcement.   Oh crikey, I thought, I've been rumbled at last.  In front of everyone, including our chair and our secretary, my bicycle pump is going to be ceremonially broken in two,  my CTC badge torn off, and I'm going to be formally (and rightly) expelled from the group for disservices to cycling!   And not before time, either, you say!

Imagine my surprise when, instead of suffering this fate, Andy C and I were presented with impressive 'certificates of appreciation' from CUK for services rendered.   Many thanks, everyone, your appreciation is greatly appreciated!

Anyway, somewhat discombobulated, I began the ride I was due to lead to Camberley.   All went without incident until we were near Blacknest, when my chainset decided to spontaneously deconstruct itself!   It is somewhat disconcerting to suddenly find your left foot still connected to a pedal and crank which are no longer connected to your bike!

It could easily have been far worse!  Fortunately, the rest of the group managed to avoid me, and I managed to recover and refit enough parts to get mobile again, if not 100% roadworthy.    My first thoughts were to abandon my ride, and Simon very kindly offered to take over the lead, but, after brief reflection, I saw I had to get home somehow and seemed a good idea to ride along with the group for a bit and see how things went.   

As it happened, there were no further problems, and things worked out better than I had hoped, although I was, by now doubly-discombobulated!   I stopped to check my bolts every now and again, and in the end, was able to enjoy lunch at The Claude Duvall with the group, and then lead them on to tea at Great Cockcrow Railway.  How fortunate for them!   I don't doubt it will be of great comfort to C & M riders in future to know that have two certified people to lead them!

Many thanks to everyone for your company, and for putting up with a more than usually disjointed ride from me, and special thanks to Simon, and to Andy for back-marking, and the usual photo credits to all.

Unpublished photos from the Cambridge ride 9th August...

 

Plans for Sunday 23 August 2026

 

Sunday's ride will be as billed, from elevenses at Staines to lunch at The Claude Duvall, Camberley, and then back to tea at Lyne.  In the event of a wet start, elevenses will be at The George, Staines, but you can safely assume it's at the Little Green Boat Cafe, Lammas Recreation Ground unless you hear to the contrary

As it's a long ride for some from home to Staines, it's a fairly short ride to lunch (about 15 miles), then about 12 miles back to tea at old summer favourite, Great Cockcrow Railway.

The route is here https://connect.garmin.com/app/course/503733675

Plans for Sunday 16th August – Ride to Hayling Island

You are invited to join this week’s ride from Tilford to Hayling Island on an undulating route via Rushmoor, Headley, West Liss and Petersfield (where will stop for lunch). Our afternoon route is via Buriton, Idsworth, Rowlands Castle, Havant and Langstone to Hayling Island.

The return journey will be by train from Havant back to London.

The route is around 42 miles in length, which includes the route around Hayling Island and back to Havant. 

The ride will start at The Little Latte Coffee Shop in Tilford. Lunch will be at Petersfield with the lunch venue to be decided by the group. Petersfield has numerous pubs, coffee shops and cafes to choose from. Tea will be at Langstone overlooking the Harbour.

The route has two hills plus a gravel section on Hayling Island between Langstone and the Sea Front. This follows the disused Hayling Billy railway line and is loose gravel and stones.

Dave has kindly offered to lead a group from West Byfleet station to the Little Latte Coffee Shop to arrive in time for Elevenses. He will be leaving West Byfleet station at 8.30 sharp if you would like to ride with this group. There is a connecting train which leaves Wimbledon and Surbiton and arrives at West Byfleet at 8.24 if you were considering this option. Alternatively, the closest stations to Tilford are Milford or Farnham stations.

I look forward to seeing you on Sunday.

Alan

The GPX file of the route has been sent by WhatsApp.

Remembering Ken Day 😢

Ken nearest camera - April 2015

Pondering over the map with Jeff T - August 2015