Ride Report - Sunday 5 October 2025

 

We gathered at The Ferry Cafe in Shepperton, sitting outside for our start at 11.00 hrs, enjoying the refreshments until we set off.

Around the Chertsey Bridge area, Andy was so unlucky to be stung in his mouth by a wasp, and his face soon started to swell up. He said he wanted to carry on until he could get to a chemist, so we proceeded past Virginia Water and into Windsor Great Park. A fine Sunday had brought out a lot of walkers as well as other cyclists who were taking part in the Palace to Palace ride, still we negotiated them all and exited the park and took Crimp Hill down to Old Windsor.

We then went along to Datchet and into the town itself. Lunch was at The King and Castle, Andy joined us after he had visited the chemist for some antihistamine tablets, suitably refreshed we took the traditional route back through Staines to the marina at Walton Bridge where we ended the ride, sitting in the sunshine soaking up the last rays of the sun with the good news that Andy’s lips were visibly improving.

Thanks everyone for your company to make a great day.

Jennie 

(No close-up shots of the wounded Andy as this would lack taste and decorum! - Ed)

Plans for Sunday 5 October 2025

We will meet at The Ferry Coffee Shop in Shepperton (as published) and we then be riding to Windsor where lunch will be at The King and Castle - JD Wetherspoons (change from published venue). We will then ride back to the cafe at The Marina, Walton on Thames, for tea.

Should the weather gods be against us, the tail of the hurricane still being around, we can amend our plans before we set off.

Looking forward to seeing you there.

Sunday 28th September 2025

Ride Statistics

11's - 51 Degrees North, Mickleham - 12 cyclists (9 go on to lunch).

Noisy, barely able to hear conversations....but good coffee.

Not easy to get to unless you come over the top (Headley) - 4 cyclists.

Lunch - Tesco's Extra Gatwick (Hookwood).

Screen ordering system as at Macky Dees.

Most popular choice - macaroni cheese (2).

Tea - Mickleham Church

First visit ever.

Smaller selection of cakes compared with Capel but my lemon drizzle was lovely & just £1 !

Last opening this year but from April 2026 - September 2026 - last Sunday in the month, 3pm - 5pm.

We'll be back!

Weather

Drull & deary, with patchy light rain pm but with zero wind.

Photo editing by https://www.canva.com/features/photo-straightener/ & Windows Photos.

Custom made, washable, waterproof, fabric OS maps splash-maps.com

Route provided by cycle.travel & plotaroute.com

Flat - 78%

Downhill - 12%

Uphill - 10%

Penny Farthing (Ordinary) Racing

21st September

A slightly chilly and gusty day, 11'S at the Pheasanrty, which was busy as usual, a few were already seated with the usual banter. Numbers gradually swelled to 9. 11.00 am arrived, so loo's visited, we departed. Graham headed directly home, just was we were about to leave Brian Bent  arrived and cycled with us just to the exit of Bushy Park. 

A rather direct route so we could lunch early to get to the track, We quickly got to Hanworth park and the track across, arriving at Feltham station and then across Glebelands playing fields and side roads to Gladstone Ave which once was the home of Freddie Mercury, and has the Blue Plaque. Obviously a stop for photo's. 

More back roads and a few alley's bought us to the A30 at Hatton Cross and into Heathrow using the cycle path where possible, and out to Harlington and the under pass for the M4, now only a short ride to the really busy Hayes, some tried the cycle path along side the main road, but that only wore out their bell trying to get through the throng.

The Botwell Inn (Spoons) soon came into view, The pub has railings around the outside seating area, making it ideal for bike parking, the Sun now out, we all sat outside. Service was quick and we were all soon tucking into our misconceived lunch. After lunch Dave W made hi own way home.

We were soon off on the short distance, about 2k, to the track. There were plenty of spectators and some racing had already taken place on  uni cycles. There were lots of Penny Farthing bikes to peruse, and some riders had made the effort to dress in semi period dress. Tea, coffee and a few snacks were available and as the afternoon wore on and the cold wind picked up, most of us took advantage of a hot bevy.

Then the racing started the speeds were amazing and the field soon spread out,  the course is a touch under a mile in length. We watched the 2 main races and after had a cycle round the track.

We set off back on a short route mainly on cycle tracks alongside the Parkway before crossing Hounslow Heath and onto tea at the caravan by the Shot Tower on the Crane river trail. Only a few stopped for tea, and cake. I was only a short ride home for me from there and I left the remaining group at the exit be the A316.

A thoroughly enjoyable day, thank you all for joining the ride and to Simon for bringing up the rear and Andy for the group photo.

Tony..

Bike Jumble

Sunday the 21st September

 A trip to Hayes cycle circuit to watch the Ordinaries (Penny Farthings) race.

Highly exciting event, they are amazingly fast, more than one race.

11’s the Pheasantry, Bushy Park

Lunch at the Botwell Inn, Hayes

Tea to be decided on the day

Tony..

14 Sept - Nonsuch Ride

It was to be a carefree adventure in the wild Wolds of Sussex and Kent.  But it was not to be.  Shakespeare would probably have put it more eloquently, but even if he was blessed in the language department, he didn't have a bike, so there.

The weather forecast said heavy rain and 30-40mph wind, so plan B said a more local ride.

Naturally, on the day, we woke up to calm, blue skies.  Despite the lack of ride ambition, twelve came to elevenses, eleven set off on the ride, and ten reached the summit at Walton on the Hill, Terry having diverted to Headley and Helen having come to 11s for a chat, and possibly out of curiosity.

Down with the kids at Nork Park
(Chris having a go on the track too)

That's English and Maths covered, now for Geography, History and Domestic Science: 

Tadworth and Banstead completed the climbing bit of the ride and then it was downhill to Sutton, and following a route suggested by Eric, we found the back streets to Nonsuch Mansion, which had an open day in the servants' quarters.   By now the weather had a hint of rain but no actual rain fell until around 2.30, when some had already visited the exhibition and the rest of us were about halfway round a fascinating insight into how "downstairs" worked in these large Victorian mansions.   

Mischief in the 'dry pantry'

The amazing model of Nonsuch Palace,
which, as everyone except me knew,
is different from Nonsuch Mansion.
(the last 2 photos from Niall)

By the time we set off for home, it was raining lightly but no Arks were needed, so I think we got off lightly.   And I confess, when I got home, I waited a bit until everyone would be safely home and then did a little rain dance, in the hope of a downpour to justify cancelling the trip to Tunbridge Wells.

Many thanks to all of you who joined us for your company, and to Andy for suggesting that we make use of a rainy afternoon to get to know Nonsuch Mansion a bit better - and for back marking.    I hope to reschedule the Tunbridge Wells trip for a dry day next summer.

Would it fit on my bicycle?

For weather enthusiasts ...

Actual rainfall .. wet but no deluge

Actual wind .. rather modest

vs. forecast wind

*Changed* Plans for Sunday 14th Sept - Another day for the Opera

Due to adverse weather, Sunday's ride will be a shorter ride, not going to Tunbridge Wells.  My apologies but it looks as if it might be dangerously windy, and very wet in the afternoon too.  

The weather looks OK for the morning, so I plan to lead a morning ride from Leatherhead, via Walton on the Hill and then back through Sutton to either New Malden or a cultural option suggested by Andy, North Cheam where there is an open day at the Service Wing Museum for the old Nonsuch Palace.   Either way you will be nearer home when the rain arrives. 

In the same spirit of madness adventure as the ride from Reading to Reading, I volunteered to lead a ride to Tunbridge Wells next Sunday.   This is based on a ride to the Easter Tour in 2024; dodgy weather but a lovely route which deserves repeating. 

Plans are not yet finalised, subject to a recce tomorrow (Weds) but so far it looks like this:   11s at Leatherhead as advertised; lunch at Lingfield (22 miles), tea in the glamorous surroundings of The Opera House, Royal Tunbridge Wells, which happens to be a spectacular Wetherspoons pub.  A bit longer than an average C&M ride at 43 miles, and a modest 2240 feet of climbing, but most of the hills (and some lovely scenery) are near Tunbridge Wells.

Trains from Tunbridge Wells return to London Bridge & Waterloo East; if you have an Oyster 60+ card you can get a ticket to Orpington in Zone 6.  If you're feeling adventurous (Patrick?), then you also have the option of riding back along the Worth Way, an old railway line, which takes you to East Grinstead and Three Bridges in 23 'flat' miles.

The Met Office is currently forecasting good weather for Sunday, but if it begins to look terrible I might do a shorter ride.   However, advance single tickets are currently about £4 from Tunbridge Wells to Orpington with a railcard, so you might want to take a gamble.   Just bear in mind that the last bit of the ride is hilly so if we're running late, we will not be able to rush to the station, so I recommend a train after 18.00 to allow plenty of time for enjoying the sights.  

The ride to Tunbridge Wells will be rescheduled.

Shorter Sunday ride

A few not wanting to venture a long way south just for 11.sopted for a closer to home 

start and ride. So Lonacres GC was our 11’s stop, with Simon and Maureen already 

there when I arrived, followed by Pam and eventually Martina. 

 

We set off around 11.15 and took a well cycled route to Horton, then up to Colnbrook,

 and whirly bridge to Langley and onto the up to the Langley road.and then right

 up to George Green, an old C&N well cycled route up to Wexham and Pinewood 

GC for lunch or not, the GC has closed and is now an ambulance service centre.

So we carried on North on roads I have not cycled in a good few years, eventually 

stopping atStoke Poges and a Cost coffee  I have used before, we were fortunate 

to have a lovely community garden to sit and enjoy our sandwiches and a coffee 

in the Costa.

 

Heading back South and entering the outskirts of Slough but avoiding roads as 

much as we could by using some lovely cycle routes through parks, eventually

 coming into Eton. Then a very familiar route back to Egham and an untimely 

mishap with a bollard resulted in a slightly bloody knee for one of the group. 

Then onto tea and biccy’s at Cafe De Pam.

 

Much chatter and putting the world to rights, plus a few yawns and I was the 

first to depart. I had a strong tail wind so headed directly along the A30 at a 

blistering speed (for me that is), and home quicker than expected. 

A good day on the bike apart from the closeure  of lovely, quirky GC. Thank  

you all for joining the ride and to Simon for back marking.

Tony..

Sunday 7th September 2025

Elevenses at Farncombe Boathouse, now called the River Path café, but sadly without the rowboats, canoes or punts for hire.

The Enviroment Agency who have traditionally dredged this area for at least the past 20 years no longer have the funds to do so....& the water is just a few inches deep in places.

A small turnout means a chance for some off-road, the first of which we encountered just past Elstead.

Hankley Common is used for military training but perhaps more commonly known as a film location site with three Bond films, Dr Who & even a Blackadder episode being shot here.

In addition, large sets were constructed for the First World War film 1917 & in 2019, filming the blockbuster Black Widow, planning permission had to be granted for a 'crashed' helicopter.

Sandy in places, I was so far ahead that I didn't hear any complaining & besides, lunch was only a mile or so away or so I thought......

The Rural Life museum began in 1968 as a collection of Madge & Henry Jackson & now has 40,000 objects including a steam railway.

Last year could of been its last with admissions & donations falling but remarkably, they managed to raise £150,000 in just three months to keep it open.

A busy café sent us 0.3 miles to Squires & four stamps on my loyalty app.

Not done with 'rough-stuff', I included this section on the way to Milford.

Another Squires for tea at Milford but not before bidding farewell to Graham & Chris heading back to the station.

Alan & I made the 16.50 (class 455) at Guildford in the nick of time...phew!

31 August - A sortie from Reading

I had low expectations: Reading is such a long way for the start of a ride and it's asking a lot for people to get up extra early to catch a train.   Only a few hardcore C&M addicts would come, surely?   But no - there was a veritable crowd of us at the quirky Gorge cafe, twelve of us including David W and Patrick who had cycled there.   The rest of us came by a variety of trains.

It started badly.   We set off along the beautiful Thames towpath: tarmac at first, then gravel, then rather slippery patches of mud, clogging a few mudguards.   A short delay to scrape the mud, and we'd just made it to the road when Eric's pedal fell off.   It seems that the bolt had come loose and fallen out sometime earlier.  So Eric was forced to leave us, getting a new bolt fitted at Halfords but which subsequently came loose again, so he wisely decided to go home while he still had two pedals.

We climbed out of Tilehurst to Upper Basildon on the Berkshire Downs, through woodland and freshly harvested cornfields, enjoying wide views and quiet roads, until it was time to plummet down to Streatley and cross the Thames to Goring.   By now we were running an hour later than I expected, so we decided to stop for lunch in Goring.   We split into smaller groups in two different cafes: one got fast service, the other was still waiting to be served when the faster group had finished.   But soon afterwards we were away after posing for one of Andy's timed photos with the camera precariously balanced on the other edge of the bridge, between the traffic and the deep blue Thames.

Goring is down in the valley, so it was up and away towards the Chilterns.   After a few miles we emerged from a wood to a memorable few miles through cornfields, with panoramic views into the distance to left and right.   With the wind behind us it was almost silent except for the oohs and aahs from happy cyclists.

We reached the planned lunch stop, the Black Horse in Checkendon, around 3pm; some of us thought briefly about an early tea stop but decided against it.  Shortly afterwards Keith punctured but this was quickly mended, while others picked some of the plentiful blackberries just out of reach to ordinary folk.

 

Excellent news about the Maharajah's health

I decided to shorten the route back to Reading.  This was a popular move, because the short cut was a delightful long descent almost all the way, interrupted only by another puncture (Martina this time) and then a short but brutal hill just as we thought we were nearly there.  Back at the station, most went directly home, but a hardened few of us stayed for a station cup of tea, before getting trains just before 6pm.

I'm delighted that so many of you were able to enjoy the beautiful countryside beyond Reading, and that the rain was merely annoying (several very short showers that stopped by the time we had put waterproofs on!).   Sorry that you weren't able to do the whole ride Eric.  Thank you all for coming along and for your excellent company.  Special thanks go to Andy for back marking, puncture assistance and the photos.

Plans for Sunday 31 Aug

David W dared someone to lead a ride from Reading, and I couldn't resist.   Please read the "how to get to 11s" below.

In a varied ride, we'll do a bit of Thames riverside, some of the Berkshire downs, (and ups) and some of the lovely Chilterns.   Lunch is at the lovely old Black Horse, Checkendon, if it hasn't fallen down since my last visit.   It's a basic menu, probably ham or cheese baguettes, maybe one or two other options, before returning to Reading riverside for tea.   Around 36 miles with about 2000 feet of climbing.  There's a bit of unpaved Thames towpath and a couple of other short bits in the afternoon, 1.5 miles in total.

I look forward to seeing you for an exciting ride!

How to get to 11s.

11s is at The Gorge Cafe on the roundabout near Caversham Bridge, 3/4 of a mile from the station.  I understand it's an old C&M haunt.   To get there, you can either follow the route to the roundabout, or as follows:

• Come out of Reading station on the north (Caversham) side.
• Follow cycle route signs to Caversham until you get to the river bank.   
• Turn left along the river bank.   Past the footbridge (don't cross the river).
• Turn left again immediately before the road bridge, which brings you to the roundabout.   The Gorge cafe is opposite.
• If you get stuck, ring me on 07952 932 823, or contact one of the others.

How to get to Reading

Of course you can ride there!   There are many train routes, but among the ones I know about are:

• GWR from Paddington (calls at a few places like West Drayton)
• Elizabeth Line from Paddington (FREE for London Freedom Pass holders, stops at Ealing Broadway, Southall etc)
• SW Railway from Richmond/Twickenham/Egham
• GWR from Dorking Deepdene
• Surbiton-Basingstoke-Reading via SW Railway

Most of these journeys take about an hour, but the Surbiton one takes 1h17 and the GWR Paddington train is faster.

Ride Report - Sunday 24 August 2025

When I first read 'Little Dribbling' (on page 70 of 'Notes From a Small Island' by Bill Bryson) my reaction was that I'd been there. Ten years on my thought was, could it be part of a C&M ride? The Colne Valley Trail and Ncn61 said 'Yes'.

So perhaps unwisely we headed north from the Staines Lammas. The roughstuff started just after the incinerator. It continued under the M25 past three fallen trees, aggressive plants and insects, and several metal stiles. Relief came in the form of the B470 northeast of Iver.

We headed west (easy) to Langley Park - busy but the cafe was OK. South we rode to Langley and Colnbrook where half turned east. We continued to Horton and Wraysbury. Just to the east of the M25 we crossed the Thames using the footpath mentioned in Bill Bryson's book. Here we abandoned the planned route after an offer of tea from Pam! Approximately 50 miles door to door for me.

~ Raasay Warden

(Editor's Note - The 'aggressive' wildlife was disappointingly benign with the exception of one beard-loving bee or wasp! Also, there was no Dribbling, on any scale, but we did pass through Little Britain!).

Report to published in due course...

 

River Colne

Plans for Sunday 24 August 2025

Graham cordially invites you to join him for Sunday's ride.   Please note the change from the printed version of the rides list - we'll be starting from the Green Boat Cafe, Lammas Recreation Ground, Staines (by the river).   The cafe does not take cash.

The 35-mile route has several off-road sections, including part of the Colne Valley Trail.  There is no mud but there could be some aggressive vegetation, so give thought to this when choosing your outfit for the day!   There are also several stiles and fallen trees to negotiate, but we'll all be able to lend a hand with lifting bikes.

Lunch will probably be at Langley Park Cafe, and tea at Addlestone or Walton.

There is a theme to the ride and Graham will explain all on the day.  I'm writing this on his behalf as his computer is currently o/s!

Sunday 17th August 2025

 Today's 'adventure' took us in an easterly direction, rare for C&M in recent years but I was determined to get to Westerham, whatever it took.

These days the 'official' start is at 11's but keen to attract a little more interest, I opted for a 9.40am start from Oaks Park, Carshalton.

Dave W, Alan & Chris were already there when I arrived at 9.39am & I hastily called the troops together for the descent into Purley via Foxley Lane.

The climb of Purley Downs Road was long but thankfully relatively traffic free & we arrived at the elevenses stop in Selsdon, a Wetherspoons.

Julian Huxley was a evolutionary biologist who grew up at Shackleford, Surrey but helped support the Selsdon Wood Nature Reserve & the pub bears his name.

Old Farleigh Road or Selsdon Hill as it was called pre 1918 looking towards Selsdon and apparently the cottage on the left is still there & we rode past it today!

Our quartet was joined by Martina, Gina, Eric & Keith plus Dave V popped by to say hello whilst on a recce for a future ride.

Noticably cooler than of recent days courtesy of a north-easterly breeze but pleasantly sunny all the same.

We bid farewell to Dave V & continued on Old Farleigh Road to eventually pick up the Limpsfield Road still climbing to the top of Westerham Hill.

Fast descent to Titsey church & onto Pilgrims Lane going east.

Just after we waved Dave W off who continued going east, Alan had a rear tyre puncture.

Keen not to slow the ride, he sent us on & rejoined at Westerham where we had decided to lunch.

A pleasant town to linger & linger we did.....including the odd charity shop!

Our brief visit into Kent at an end, onwards & upwards (literally) to Farleigh Church for tea & cake(s).

The photo op was at an art installation.......

Inspired by the very creatures that, 65 million years ago, formed the foundations of the North Downs Way, ‘Coccolith’ invites visitors to take a seat and immerse themselves in this rolling and quintessential landscape.

This ‘Inspiring views’ commission, designed by artists INSTAR (Trish Evans and Nick Humphreys), is built using traditional dry-stone wall techniques, using a hand-picked selection of local ironstone rock excavated from the Titsey Estate along with ‘clunch’ chalk.

https://www.surreyhillsarts.org/permanent-works/coccolith/

Coccolith

Eric loves off-road!

The route thereafter was via the delightful Beddlestead Lane to the brutal Hessiers Hill at 15.6%.

A 'closed' road (SES Water) 500yds from the church didn't impede us but I was astonished by the queue at St Marys Church!

Grade 1 listed, built late 11th century it is clearly popular with locals with not a spare table in sight!

Forty-six miles for me with a sprinkling of hills & hillocks.

Thanks to Dave for backmarking & everyone else for your company.

Ride data from plotaroute:

Uphill 24%

Downhill 25% 

Flat 51%