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%

Sunday 10th August 2025

 This brilliant summer weather continues resulting in respectable numbers at both 11's & lunch.

Today was no exception despite the climb to Polesden Lacey with just Caroline & John turning for home (something about packing).

Geoff left us at Westhumble on his new ebike & Terry also left us to be reunited later whilst we continued to Brockham, Bunce Common Road turning left at the Seven Stars.

Here, Fixie Dave was spotted going in the other direction, destination unknown.

Doubling back towards Brockham Keith left us after which we stopped for a pic.

Andy C, Dave J, Alan C, Gina C, Dave W, Dave E, Niall C, Jennie J

Jennie kept us guessing up to the last minute with a lovely off-road section across Ashtead & Epsom Commons where Colin G was spotted sans bike.

Colin Q, Diane & Terry were waiting for us at Spoons in Epsom & we all stopped for a natter.

Thanks to Jennie for leading, Dave for backmarking & everyone else for their support.

Plans for Sunday 10 August 2025

Sunday’s ride from Polesden Lacey will be via Brockham and Leigh then on to Epsom for lunch at Weatherspoons, about 25 miles. If anyone wants to ride after lunch, then we can take them Bushy Park.

Mainly on road but some off road on tracks and paths.

See you on Sunday 

Jennie J

Punctures, Lights and Level Crossings

 Sunday the 3rd August 2025

What a day, got to Staines fine, left 11’s, flat rear tyre, repaired and off we go, level 

crossing barrier down, off we set again. Egham, level crossing barrier down. Through

 Egham and a short stretch of the A30 heading up to Englefield Green, road works 

and traffic lights, I think we encountered another 3 road works with lights during the

 day. 

 

 

Leaving 11's

Eventually we entered Windsor Great park(WGP) and left to take the edge of the 

Peanut round about, through Crambourne and then Maidends Green and Nuptown, 

hen Wellers Lane took us to lunch at Moss End and on;ly about 1.20. At this point 

Dave W headed for home to do allotment duties.

 

 

 

Just arriving at lunch

There were delays with food as they were a tad busy, we elected to sit outside for 

about 15 minutes until the rain started, and then quickly changed our minds, luckily 

there was seating enough for us all. The food was good and we were soon ready 

for our photo session. Time to do the road again. Heading South and Warfield, 

then along Forest road to  the gated Coach road, and into Ascot race course. We 

avoided the jumps and came out on the A330 before turning into New Mile road 

down to Cheapside, it looked expensive to me!

 

 

Kids on the naughty seat

We were soon at Blacknest Gate of WGP, but as we had already been in the park, 

we turned onto the A329 to Virginia Water, tea was planned for Walton Mariana, but 

we decided on the Ferry cafe instead, it was a straight run from there to tea apart

 from a loo stop at Chertsey Bridge Hotel. Only 4 stopped for tea, Andy, Pam, Karl 

and I, Liz, Niall and Martin headed directly home. It was nice to see Graham and

 David Vine at 11’s. Thank you all for joining the ride today, luckily the rain was very 

short lived. Thanks to Dave W and Andy C for back Marking.

 Photos courtesy of Dave & Andy

Tony..