Sunday 27th September 2026

 Sunshine was at a premium today but with slightly higher temperatures than the average for late September.

Sue C joined me for a 14 mile ride to Edwins Garden Centre, West Clandon which we last visited in January 2025.

The coffee was good, the scones pricey but friendly staff made this a great 11's stop.

The St Margarets Cycling Club all wearing their club kit, occupied an adjoining table, their destination unclear.

Leaving Niall & Dave V, Sue & myself were joined by Dave's W & E + Steve D. 

A repeat of a ride I led in May 2025, taking advantage of dry conditions, it featured a fair bit of off-road.

But first we had to negotiate the metropolis of Guildford & this we did with a combination of shared paths/quiet back roads. 

At Wood Street village, we continued west on the Christmas Pie trail, a level path going through woodland to emerge at Flexford.

Nobody objected to an unplanned extra few miles as we avoided Wanborough Hill but later had to climb & cross the Hog's Back (A31) which at lunchtime on a Sunday, is four lanes of fast moving traffic.

Not advisable & unlikely to 'attempt' again!

NCN 22 at Seale took us to lunch at The Good Intent, Puttenham.

Last year, I was impressed with the sandwiches at a reasonable price.

No sandwiches on a Sunday nowadays & I'd be less keen to visit again until they're back on the menu.

We bid farewell to Dave W & we took the usual route (NCN 22, Mount Road & One Tree Hill) to tea at The Plucky Pheasant, Newlands Corner but not before Steve attended to a rear wheel puncture.

Rain threatened to end the day but we all arrived home in the dry (I think).

Thanks to both Daves for the pictures & everybody else for joining me on one of my favourite rides! 

 

Ken Day - funeral details

Ken's funeral will be held at Randall's Park Crematorium and Cemetery, Randalls Road, Leatherhead KT22 OAG on Thursday 8th October at 1:15pm.    Afterwards, there will be refreshments at Ken and Maggie's house in Cobham.

If you would like to come along, perhaps you could let me know by email, so we can give an idea of numbers.   Maggie tells me that you are very welcome to wear cycling kit if you wish.

This Saturday....

 

Penny Racing

SUNDAY the 20th

As well as penny racing, there will also be, uni cycle racing, chopper bike racing and Brompton racing, as well as a small bike jumble. Obviously we will not be there to see all the events 

11' will be at Osterley park, it will be a short ride to lunch at the Bothwell Inn, Hayes, this will give more time to watch the Penny Racing and explore the cycle jumble, so bring your panniers. 

Tea will will be decided on the day if required

Tony.. 

Plans for Sunday 13th

 Elevenses now at The Assembly Rooms, Epsom NOT Polesdon Lacey *note change

Then via Epsom Downs, Banstead, Chipstead & Farthing Downs to lunch at Hangar 9 Cafe, Redhill Aerodrome (16 Miles)

Then some NCN21 to Horley & Surrey lanes via Leigh to tea at Brockham Church (fundriasing for Macmillan) (14 Miles)

6 September - the Teddy Bears' Picnic

If you go down to the woods today
you're sure of a big surprise

If you go down to the woods today
you'd better go in disguise

'Cause every bear that ever there was

 

will gather there for certain because

Today's the day the teddy bears have their picnic.

Picnic time for teddy bears

The little teddy bears are having
a lovely time today (?)

Watch them, catch them unawares
and see them picnic on their holiday

See them gaily gad about

They love to play and shout,
they never have any cares

At six o'clock, their mummies and daddies
will take them home for tea,
'cause they'll be tired little teddy bears.

An off-road ride from Reading?   With various cancellations and train disruptions, I wondered if anyone would turn up, but I was delighted when a whole group of adventurous riders arrived at the Gorge cafe from various directions, including Patrick who rode the whole way to Reading.

The morning ride only had a bit of off-road as we followed the Thames past grand houses, big views and alpacas, crossing the river at Pangbourne.  We loosely followed the river Pang for many pretty miles to our lunch stop at Bucklebury Farm Park.  After lunch, we climbed to the start of the off-road trail, and then descended into the beautiful and varied woods of the Bucklebury Estate, which are criss-crossed by tracks and footpaths, not to mention roots, fallen trees and other obstacles to watch out for.

After quite a few miles in the jungle there was a shout and a sort of crunch.   We went back to investigate and found that Sue's back mudguard had folded itself inside-out against they tyre.   Sue herself was shaken but not stirred.   The wheel was taken off, mudguard removed, (surprisingly looking completely undamaged), and we continued on to tea.  Arriving at Aldermaston Wharf tea rooms, we were welcomed by being told that they were just about to shut (in 25 minutes), but they were definitely not stressed about it.   We knew that because the lady told us quite forcefully that she wasn't stressed.  Anyway we enjoyed tea and cake by the canal before the deadline and continued along the canal back to Reading.

My thanks to everyone who came for taking a risk with our adventure and for your excellent company, to Andy and Ged for photos, to Eric for spotting various train warnings, and to Andy for back-marking.

Plans for 6 September - Gravel ride from Reading

You're invited to do something a bit different on Sunday.   A ride in the beautiful West Berkshire countryside, with a fair bit of gravel riding: on bridleways, through ancient woods and returning along the Kennet & Avon canal towpath.   A third of the ride is unsurfaced, so if you don't like stony surfaces, this is probably not for you.  But if you're confident on loose gravel, it's fine on a road bike.  I've done it twice with 28mm tyres and loved it.

Elevenses at the Gorge cafe, near Reading Station, lunch at Bucklebury Farm Cafe and most of the off-road in the afternoon.   We will hopefully have tea at Aldermaston Wharf tea rooms, which closes at 4pm, before the final nine miles along the canal back to Reading.   39 miles in all and 1400 feet of climbing.

Important - Travel advice

Please be ready to leave at 11, to increase our chance of getting to the tea stop in time.   This post has details of how to get to the Gorge Cafe from Reading station.

There are no trains from Richmond/Twickenham to Reading (there's a replacement bus service).   Options are:

• Elizabeth Line from Ealing/Southall/Paddington/Farringdon etc.  Farringdon connects with Thameslink trains.
• From Surbiton/Wimbledon etc, change at Basingstoke, about 20 mins from Basingstoke to Reading.
• From Dorking Deepdene, direct, takes about an hour

I do hope you can join us!