Our ride on Sunday 9 February was planned to be from Dorking to Cranleigh. Andy will now be offering a very similar (but certainly better!) version in March, so, to avoid any duplication, I have made alternative plans for my 9 February ride.
We will now be meeting for elevenses at Vineries Garden Centre, Effingham, and continuing to lunch at The Herbert Wells, Woking.
Please note this change.
Author: David W
Ten years ago we used the cable car to celebrate my 70th birthday. Currently e-bikes are not allowed.
I awoke to discover gloomy January had been transformed into frosty but sunny February with clear blue skies. In Bushy Park we were soon into double figures so quick decisions were taken:
(1) lunch: The George Staines aka Spoons;
(2) two ad-hoc groups led by me and Dave W; contact would be 'line of sight'.
It was not a success. After exiting via Hampton Hill Gate we "dwelt" near Roy Grove(and the posh schools). It soon became clear that Dave had taken a different route Broad Lane!?
We continued towards Hanworth then BP to Ashford where we "dwelt" a second time after losing the back markers! Again no joy. Surprisingly we were first to arrive at The George in Staines soon to be joined by the rest of the riders.
After the morning failures we opted for a single group and managed to lose nobody on the return. Along the way I pointed out the one time Holloway Sanatorium (where Bill Bryson worked), and a crowded Rose and Crown in Thorpe Green. Next came Lyne, St Peters and Addlestone before a lengthy visit to Walton Marina. A modest 30 miles door to door.
For the record Dave's route included Bronze prison and Shortwood Common.
Author: RaasayWarden
T-man 04 February 2025 at 22:19 GMT
A super ride with some interesting highlights, thanks!
Please note that the photo competition is now closed to new entries. Thank you to numerous people who have sent in their photos.
~ Tim
Author: Tim C
CTC SWL Annual Lunch and Prizegiving
We are delighted to tell you that Jennie has booked the Ristorante Sorrento (379 Ewell Road, Tolworth, KT6 7DE) for our annual lunch.
This
has proved to be a most popular venue for the occasion since our first
visit in 2018 and we are pleased to be able to hold the event there
again.
The set price for our three-course lunch will be £23.45. This includes a 10% service charge, but does not include any drinks, coffee or tea. This is our menu:
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| click on the menu to enlarge |
We expect the occasion will be attended by over 60 members, as it has been in recent years.
Please send an email message
to Tim Court with your order for (i) a starter and (ii) a main meal.
The waiters will take your orders for dessert after the main course on
the day.
The
preferred method of payment (£23.45) is a direct transfer via your
online banking facility, but we can also accept cash or a cheque. For
online payment please ask Tim C for our bank details if you don’t
already
have them. For a cash or cheque payment please check with Tim or your
section representative. For anyone who has yet to pay their 2025 club
subscription please consider adding your £2 when you pay for your lunch.
Author: Tim C
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| From left - Ruth, Martina, Sarah, Jan, me. |
My heroes are assembled in the above picture.
The most awful day to be on a bike.
Nuff said.
Author: Tartan Socks(long)
T-man 28 January 2025 at 14:11 GMT
Still smiling in the photo though! Bravo.
Hi all,
Elevenses remains Squires, Long Ditton where you find a table number, return to the counter to order (& pay).
Following a recce today, the published lunch destination (Stepping Stones, Westhumble) has many bookings & no (spare) tables on Sunday.
So Lizzie is ready to welcome us at the Headley Tea Rooms where you'll find a selection of sandwiches & hot food.
Tea location remain the same, but it's likely to be raining by then.
Hope you can join me.
Author: Tartan Socks(long)
From Bernard
It’s hibernation season in the Cheam and Morden cycling universe…this will last until about mid March to early April when the temperatures hopefully rise and stay in the double digits. Veteran bike watchers familiar with this species of cyclist get very excited to spot a small group of feisty C&M’s out and about at this time of year…this does happen but you have to know when and where to catch a sight of this blue and yellow creature…similar in behaviour in many respects to the common sparrow…sociable, liking to gather in small groups and particularly fond of eateries and watering holes; they have been known to exert themselves out of their warm retreats simply to congregate and chatter with each other and then go straight back to their cosy duvets and resume hibernation.
On this winter’s Sunday a local and intrepid bike watcher spotted a group of C&M’s chirping away at the Weatherspoons. Another bike watcher reported that a solitary C&M was seen in a little café opposite keeping watch on her fellow creatures. This was a novel behaviour never before observed and will be reported in ‘Bike Watchers World’…the general consensus amongst expert Bike Watchers is that this solitary creature is a true C&M but with a particular behaviour evolved over time…to what end no one is sure but it is bound to cause endless scientific debate amongst the Bike Watches community…we could be witnessing an evolutionary development in the C&M species before our very eyes but it is too early to say…watch this space.
So whilst the majority of the C&M community were doing everything and anything but cycling…but must probably indoors snuggly tucked into their duvets an errant bunch had ventured out to skit about the Surrey Hills.
So there we were…so many clothes and layers that we could hardly move our arms or legs never mind ride our bikes. But somehow we were oblivious to our plight and on our bikes we got…chirping away like our sparrow cousins. It wasn’t long before we were grinding our way up High Barn Road and burning thighs were added to freezing finger tips and toes. And if that wasn’t enough another hellish hill in the shape of Green Dene awaited us. Red kites swished above us…circling…and circling…always there…waiting!!!!
I was on paper at least leading our intrepid group but in truth this group didn’t need any leading consisting as it did of some C&M veterans…but what they gave me was the opportunity to learn to lead and gain confidence which was very generous of them. Of course Sabina was there to whisper in my ear when needed the correct direction and I don’t think anyone noticed! I had my garmin and my ride with gps which once or twice contradicted each other but luckily and ironically neither froze on this occasion. We reached the garden centre at Clandon and true to C&M nature we tucked into our food and chirped away very happily about everything and anything under the sun. The only slight hiccup encountered was on trying to exit the garden centre…just before the exit doors there was a particularly warm zone and we all stopped and remained there not wanting to venture out…but we did…eventually!
It was a flat straight home run to our café stop and end point Cobham via Hungry Hill Lane which made us all look forward to some well earned cake. We departed on our separate ways home to join the rest of our kind in slumberland and for another spell of hibernation until next time…maybe…depending on how cold it is!!!
Thanks to:
David (Ward) for the route.
Simon for back marking.
Andy, Niall, Ruth, Martina, Keith, Sabina, Maddie and Terry (joined us for lunch) and Ed (joined us for elevenses) for being such great co riders.
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| Up one of the hills |
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| Keith giving us a masterclass in hill climbing |
Author: Tartan Socks(long)