7th/21st/28th May 2006

Martin from the West Kent Hardriders would be proud of Richard's led ride on the 7/05/06.
I failed to notice the Kingston Bridge start which meant I had to ride like the clappers to meet the only two other riders, Richard & Ed.
A very brisk speed to 11's at Burnham Beeches where Bob was waiting together with about 20 fast men from local clubs.The day was fine so sitting outside was very pleasant but we had to hit the road because lunch was a fair distance away. Bob thought we hadn't been to BB for a considerable number of years which is a shame because it is a delightful location.
With Richard ahead desperate to reach Ibstone, Ed & myself decided to lunch at attractive Fingest. Sitting amongst the blossom in the churchyard munching on our sandwiches with the spring sun beating we were truly enjoying ourselves. Fingest has to be one of the most beautiful of our lunch destinations. A drink in the pub over the road concluded our stop and Wow what a garden with a view down the valley to savour.
The route continued back down the valley to Hambledon across the Thames at Mill End then Cockpole Green and White Waltham,all wonderful traffic free lanes, to tea at Savill Garden.
Richard appeared having been about 20 minutes behind us and we left together taking the normal route home. Total 102.2 (easy) miles.

My run was wet, very wet. (21/05/2006)
Thanks to Keith and tandem couple John & Emma Dixon for sticking with me.
Lunch was The Good Intent at Puttenham and tea was abandoned.
Also thanks to Pete Clarke who on going home at 11's informed us that it was only a 3 hour shower!

I also led the following week (28/05/2006) due to Simon Legg's ill health.
A large number of cyclists from neighbouring clubs were at Henfold lake but the owners seemed to cope quite well with the demands of hungry riders. The Downlanders were there as well (again) just a social visit you understand no actual cycling involved.
I put forward Nuthurst for lunch in preference to Wisborough Green due to our late departure.
We left there after mending Daphne's puncture and took a unreckied route directly opposite the pub to climb up past Sedgewick Castle to rejoin the A281 at the Bird of Prey centre.
The normal fine selection of cakes greeted us at Capel with everybody having two except me.
"You can really taste the Whisky!" says Daphne.
Present: me, Keith, Andrew, Pete, Daphne, Jake & Ed, with Bob at 11's.

Website of the week:www.bikelane.com (lots of CyclingLinks)

PS. Please note the following: My Email: andycoxhill @ waitrose.com
My land line no. 020 8786 0785

Author: Tartan Socks(long)

Volunteer of the year Award

Clive Oxx - Regional Winner for London and runner up as CTC National Volunteer of the Year 2005
Clive has been a cyclist for upwards of sixty years, and a stalwart of CTC for most of that time.
He’s served as District Association Secretary and he’s a tireless organiser of events both large and small. He’s a cycle trainer, and a leader of rides. He edits the Sou’Wester news sheet for the District Association and still works with young riders at the Sutton Cycling group which has brought hundreds of young people into cycling.
He has been nominated this year for an award in particular for his work on behalf of CTC London where he has been the energising force since its formation, stepping down from a role on CTC Council to focus on the regional body.
This award recognises that without him CTC London would probably not exist.

Author: Pete

Sunday April 23rd

Ride on April 23

Syon Park Refectory found Lisa and myself awaiting the club, a text message from Jake asked if we were there as she was lost along with Ian and Leader Ed! - Losing their way in Kingston and Richmond. Jake turned for home to pack for Majorca the next day. Lisa punctured on the canal route, I punctured a bit further on fortunately outside The Old Oak Tree Pub near Bulls Bridge. An interesting visit, run by indians not much english spoken, an indian style menu served plate by plate. Highlight for Ed was passing the Art Deco Gillett building and a wonderful double Birthday Tea for Ed and Daphne at Daphne’s place at North Cheam. Steve & Ann, Frank & Francoise & Jake all met us there.
A damp day but not unpleasant.

Author: Pete

C&M Attendance up to Easter

Attendance up to Easter:
Ed Sharp 53
Andy Coxhill 44
Graham Hill 38
Keith Rook 38
Pete Clarke 35
Daphne Skingle 32
Jake Dodd 25
Terry Lowe 22
Irene North 21
Bob Eberhard 20
Steve Gordon 19
Andrew Hewett 18
Ann Bath 18
Pete Mitchell 17
Simon Legg 16
John Mason 13
Matt Schutz 13
Pam Jones 13
Michael Fry 12
Richard Delamere 12
Pete Beyer 11
Ian Appleton 10
Pete Foster 10
Grant Pyke 9
Lisa Colombo 9
Peter Matthews 8
Andy Avis 7
Ian Burt 7
Ray Dare 7
Francoise Humphrey 6
Frank Humphrey 6
Gopinath Chandroth 6
Don Clarke 5
Simon Mitchell 5
Amy Robinson 4
Bernard Brantley 4
Jen Mitchell 4
Joan from Balham 4
Rachel Coggan 4
Clive Oxx 3
Ray Harrison 3
Bev Porter 2
Christine from Teddington 2
Chrystal Sheldon 2
David Ward 2
Deanna Bailey 2
Douglas Young 2
Gerry Seager 2
Jackie Morgan-Smith 2
Joanne Fricker 2
Les Johnson 2
Neil Hewett 2
Paul Day 2
Roger Mace 2
Ron Jenkins 2
Doug from Scotland 1
Florence Hallett 1
Ron Powney 1

Author: Pete

C&M Easter Tour

Easter Tour to Canterbury
Thursday: A Day of Strong Tail Winds.

We met at the Knights garden centre at Godstone. Pete M, Joanne Fricker, Pam Jones, Don Clarke, Jake Dodd and Terry Lowe. One idea was to have a stop at Shoreham Museum but it only opens on a Sunday! Lunch at The Kings Arms went down very well and so onward past Lullingstone Castle (only open at weekends) to cross the busy A20 on to Meopham gently rolling down to the M2 Medway crossing. The cycling track has turned into a fast railway since my map! Fortunately the cycle track is now on the opposite side of the bridge. Rochester for a tea stop & on to a warm friendly welcome from Margaret the manager at Medway YH. Highly recommended for its showers and above average food.
Friday dawned overcast turning to steady rain. Cycle route 4 was diligently followed to Sittingbourne & its steam train providing great interest but no tea bar! Coffee in the town at a nice café & onward still in the rain onto Cycle route 1. A complete disaster to start with – poor signs (none) to start with, dead end in a brick works, Don punctured, through a mucky travellers site complete with rubbish and eventually onto good lanes well signed to lunch at Faversham for a pub feed: 9 of us having sandwiches and coffee! The cycle route & weather improved all the way to icecreams in the warm sun at Whitstable Harbour followed by the undulating "Crab & Winkle" route - 7 miles off road into Canterbury, where finally all 22 of us got together for an Italian meal in the evening.

Author: Pete

Sunday 9th April 2006

The C&M hardriders assembled at the start for "a Richard ride" into the little explored area of Kent east of Trottiscliffe.
Being hardriders, we began with just four (Richard, Ed, Keith& myself) to be joined later by Ian A.
Progress was swift through to West Wickham and as the obligatory toilet stop was reached, Ray Harrison was seen disappearing over the horizon. A few miles up the road we exchanged pleastries and discovered he was on his way to breakfast at a diner? at Polhil. His parting remark reminding me of the inclement weather that was expected to roll in (when he was safe in doors!).
Ian arrived as we were about to leave (as usual) but we of course waited a few minutes whilst he gulped down his tea and then took the main road to Farningham. Shortly after this we lost Keith at a dodgy junction, for him to only to reappear half an hour later just past Fawkham Green.
A number of discussions were had in relation to the chances of making Birling by 1pm, however on reaching the attractive village of Trottiscliffe it was felt that we would only continue to Ryarsh (3/4 mile short).
After lunch,the route took us via Wrotham and the fine track through St Clere, Kemsing and emerging on the footpath at Otford BR.
I managed to influence the choice of route from there and we took the quarry road next to the A21 to bring us out to Knockolt hill.
Evolution 1 is the name of Downe's tea shop and very impressive are the rock cakes (£1.25). Incidentally, the church hall reopens 11 June-8 October inc(Sundays).
Unfortunately, the ride home was in rain and sleet but later in the evening my thoughts moved to the forthcoming Easter Tour at Canterbury, my first club tour for around 10 years.

Website of the week: http://www.southwarkcyclists.org.uk/
All you need to know for the 2006 Dunwich Dynamo (8/9 July). Use Simon's night rides as a warm up to the event.

Have a Happy Easter!

Author: Tartan Socks(long)

2nd April 2006

Today,I wheeled a bike from my shed that hasn't seen the light of day since my last trip to Mallorca several years ago.On that occasion Britannia Airways took such wonderful care of my machine that on inspection at home,the handlebars had suffered an enormous weight being placed on top and were rendered useless.So when Ed Sharp recently started supplying me with unwanted cycle stuff,I was pleased to find a set of handlebars.
We seemed to take all the spare tables at Runnymede which allows for some descrepancy in numbers but it totals around 14.I made a mental note of the establishment opening New Years Day 11-4.
With Irene cracking the whip 10 set off for Dinton Pastures.With a keen NWesterly bringing a couple of downpours,the destination was moved to Jealott's Hill and a pub with a few farm animals in the yard.It was with some amusement we watched the local children feeding the goats ......................chips from the kitchen!
With Pete M still heading NW,the rest(Graham,Gopi,Joan,Ed,Keith,Terry,Jake,Irene & myself)
made for Irene's place for tea.Still dodging the showers,we came upon the little piece of heaven that is home to Mrs North.After Graham had provided the obligatory tour on three storeys we settled down to drink and eat.I think we all agreed that Irene had bagged a lovely appartment that seemed to good to be true (superb views of the Thames on her doorstep,good shopping within a stones throw,very high standard of fixtures & fittings together with virtually no redecorating required).
With no sign of the "Boat Race" ever getting underway,we returned to our homes(no views of the Thames)via the rather enjoyable Thames cycleway which even after the considerable soaking proved pretty easy riding.


There is now a link that I have set up from "Bicycle Blogs Directory" http://links.tortoiseandharedesigns.com (Click on "clubs" and see a link to our page)

Author: Tartan Socks(long)