Challenge ride

Challenge ride to Chislehurst

Sunday 12th October, A mostly overcast Morning, with More Sunlight in the afternoon, after 3 late cancellations, & 2 no shows, we settled on just 1 group, instead of the 2 planned, 12 Cyclists left New Malden, via the Beeline, Raynes park, Wimbledon Chase, Merton park, Morden Hall Park, Mitcham- joined by 1 more-, Norbury, Thornton heath- 1 more-, Heavers Meadow, South Norwood, Norwood Country Park, Beckenham, Beckenham Place Park, Downham, Plaistow, Elmstead, to Chislehurst for lunch at the Queens Head (Ember Inns)- joined by 1 of the no shows (15)-, a bit more Chislehurst, Jubilee Country Park (Photo), -a few loose Acorns, led to a tumble, swiftly re-mounted-, Petts wood, Southborough, Norman Park, Pickhurst, West Wickham, Shirley, Addiscombe, to Lloyd Park Cafe for Tea & refreshments & a rendition of Happy Birthday for Nigel, South Croydon, Waddon, Beddington, Beddington Park, Hackbridge, the Wrythe, Benhilton, Pyl Brook path, North Cheam, Motspur park, to finish back in New Malden. Total 43 Miles, Special thanks to Nigel for being ready to lead group 2, thanks to Chris F for back marking, 1 new face. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/3123458

Jubilee Country Park

Challenge ride to Holmbury St Mary

Sunday 10th August, a gorgeous Sunny day, after 1 late cancellation, with 1 late booking, 17 Cyclist’s split into 2 groups- with group 2 leader slightly late due to a cancelled Train-, left the Market via Portsmouth Rd, Long Ditton, Hinchley wood, Esher- joined by 1 more for group 1-, Fairmile, Cobham, Downside, Effingham, Whitedown, Abinger, to Holmbury St Mary for lunch at the delightful Royal Oak, – joined by 2 more (20)-, with a sudden change of leader for group 1 ( the back marker deciding maybe she could ‘dip her Toe in’ to see if she could lead a group), back to Abinger, Friday Street, Wotton, Westcott, Milton Court (Photo group 1), Dorking, Meadowbank Park, A24 Cycle track, Norbury Park Farm (Photo group 2), to Bocketts Farm Cafe for refreshments, – with leadership for gr 1 reverting to yours truly due to Battery running low on the Sat Nav-, Leatherhead, Ashtead, Ashtead Common, Epsom Common, Long Grove Park, West Ewell, Tolworth, Berrylands, to finish back in Kingston. Total 45 Miles, very special thanks to Nigel for leading group 2, special thanks to Chris for leading part of the ride, thanks to Chris F & Andrea E for back marking, with Celia stepping in whilst Chris was at the front. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/653318

Group 1 Milton Court Millpond: Lindsay

Group 2, on the Mole Bridge, Norbury Park Farm: Nigel

Challenge ride to Godstone

Sunday 11th May, Another glorious Sunny day, after 2 late cancellations & 2 no shows, but wait is that lady across the Road one of the missing duo…. no, her gears need attention, but sadly no time to help, so 11 Cyclists leave New Malden, via Motspur park, North Cheam, Sutton, Carshalton Beeches, Woodmansterne, Coulsdon, Farthing down, Chaldon, Bletchingley, to Godstone for lunch at the Flower Farm, Woldingham Valley (Photo), Whyteleafe, Kenley, South Croydon, Waddon, Beddington Park, Hackbridge, Wandle Trail, to Morden Hall Park, for Tea & refreshments at ‘the Potting shed Cafe’, Merton park, Wimbledon Chase, Raynes park, to finish back in New Malden. Total 41 Miles, 1 new face, thanks to Andrea C for back marking & others for marking corners. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/2959354– Note only the first Camera symbol is correct, but the valley is so scenic, I couldn’t resist adding a few more. 📷👍

Woldingham valley: Lindsay

Challenge ride to Dorney

Sunday 13th October. A mostly cloudy day, after 1 cancellation, plus 1 person ssuffiring a visit from the ‘P fairy’, on his way to the start, hoping to catch the group up, 12 Cyclists left via Kingston Bridge, Bushy Park, Hampton, Hanworth, Sunbury, Ashford, Stanwell, Stanwell Moor, Poyle, Horton, Datchet, Jubilee River path, to Dorney for our prebooked lunch’s- still no sign of the ‘P’ victim, as we finished eating, then who’s that walking through the door, yes he found us, so a slight delay, whilst he consumed his Soup-, passing Dorney Lake, across Summerlease Bridge, Fifield, Cranbourn, Cranbourn gate Windsor Great Park, (Photo), the Village, Bishop’s Gate, Englefield Green, Egham, Staines Bridge, Staines- now realising, we wouldn’t reach the planned Tea stop in time, lets try Notcutts, Garden centre, no joy they had stopped serving, how about a detour to Longacres G C, alas, a visit from the P fairy, meant we would miss that one as well, so no Tea stop-, Laleham, Shepperton, Walton Bridge, Walton, Esher, Weston Green, Giggshill Green, Portsmouth Rd, to finish back in Kingston. Total 49 Miles, thanks to Chris F for back marking. 2 P fairy visits. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/141834

Windsor Great Park, squint very, very carefully, or enlarge the Pic X 200, you might see Windsor Castle: L:indsay

Challenge ride to Downe

Sunday 4th August, a largely Sunny warm day, after 1 late cancellation, 1 person unable to unlock their Bike, with 1 unexpected guest, 22 Cyclists split into 2 groups, from the Fountain, New Malden, via Motspur park, North Cheam, Pyl Brook path, Sutton, the Wrythe, Hackbridge, Beddington Park, Beddington, Croydon- with 1 of group 1 mis-timing crossing the Tram track, suffering a tumble, a quick check all was OK & a minor adjustment to straighten the handlebars-, Selhurst, Heavers Meadow, Woodside, Ashburton Field, Shirley, West Wickham, Coney hall, Keston, to Downe for a very enjoyable lunch at the delightful Queens Head- with a rendiition of ‘When that I was’, then a short detour to Down House, home of Charles Darwin-, (Photo), a long gentle descent to High Elms, Farnborough, Orpington, Crofton, Southborough, Norman Park, Bromley, to Beckenham for Tea & refreshments at Kelsey Park Cafe, a short walk through the Park to enjoy the Scenery, Elmers end, South Norwood Country Park, South Norwood, Heavers Meadow, Thornton heath, Pollards Hill, Mitcham, Morden Hall Park, Merton park, Wimbledon Chase, Raynes park, to finish back in New Malden. 45 Miles, 1 new face, special thanks to Bai for leading group 2, thanks to Chris F & Amy for back marking each group, thanks to Nigel & Will for the musical interlude. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/2152617

Groupps 1 & 2 at Down House: Lindsay

Challenge ride to Parkgate

Sunday 12th May A bright mostly Sunny day, after 1 late cancellation, 17 Cyclists met at Tolworth Station, go via West Ewell, Epsom- joined by 1 more- (18), Woodcote, Langley vale, – a little bit of confusion with a different route-, Headley, Pebblecombe, Betchworth, (Photo), Strood Green, Shellwood Cross, to Parkgate for lunch at the delightful Surrey Oaks, Newdigate, Henfold, Blackbrook, North Holmwood, Dorking, Meadowbank Rec, A24 Cycle track, Norbury Park farm, to Bocketts Farm for Tea & refreshments, Leatherhead, Ashtead, Ashtead Common, Epsom Common, Horton Country Park, Bonesgate Path, to finish back in Tolworth. Total 40 Miles, thanks to John E for back marking, thanks to Steve D & Mike F for marking corners. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/440364

Between Betchworth & Strood Green & a very Shy Bull (not quite as shy as Lindsay)

Challenge ride to Old Farleigh

Sunday 4th February. A mostly cloudy day, after 4 late cancellations, 19 Cyclists split into 2 groups, via Lower Marsh, Berrylands, New Malden, Motspur park, North Cheam, Pyl brook path, Benhilton, Carshalton- group 1 joined by 1 more-, Wallington, Waddon, South Croydon, Sanderstead (Photo group 2), Hamsey Green, Warlingham to Old Farleigh for lunch at ‘the Harrow’ (very hospitable), -with some very light drizzle, having fallen during lunch-, Chelsham, Fickleshole, Long shaw, where the group 1 leader sadly hit a greasy spot, tumbling to the ground, fortunately we did have a Nurse with us who made doubley sure nothing was broken, thankfully aside from a few bruises & grazes, all was fine, -although my front light was now hanging loose-, but decided to ask group 2 leader to lead the whole group home, Coney Hall (Photo group 1), West Wickham, Shirley, Ashburton field, Woodside, Heavers Meadow, Thornton heath, Pollards hill, Mitcham, Morden Hall Park- now too late for a Tea stop 👎-, Merton park, Wimbledon Chase, Raynes park, Beeline & the Cut, Mount pleasant, Norbiton, to finish back in Kingston. Total 42 Miles, very special thanks to Bai for leading group 2 & later the whole the whole party, thanks to Chris F & Steve F for back marking each group, thanks to Bai & Steve for marshalling traffic during the ‘incident’, thanks to Lindsay for nursing duties.

 Casualty update; I’m pleased to say no more than the bruises & grazes mentioned earlier 👍

Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/821611

Group 2, Sanderstead: Mirella
Group 1 & a few ‘imposters’ from group 2: Andrea

Challenge ride to Chislehurst

Sunday 8th October, a glorious,, Sunny day- can someone just check, it is October, not August-, with 1 late booking, 1 cancellation & 1 no show, 17 Cyclists left the Fountain roundabout, Motspur park, a devious detour to avoid the Gas pipe works, the Hamptons, North Cheam, Sutton, the Wrythe, Hackbridge, Beddington Park, Waddon, West Croydon, Selhurst, Heavers Meadow, South Norwood country Park, Cator Park, New Beckenham, Beckenham Place Park, Downham, Plaistow, Elmstead, to Chislehurst for lunch at the Queens Head (Ember Inns), a bit more Chislehurst, Jubilee Country Park (Photo)- enter left a ‘Photo bomber’, sadly he wouldn’t come back for a second shot-, Petts wood, Southborough, Normon Park, Pickhurst, West Wickham, Shirley, Ashburton Field, Woodside, Heavers Meadow -again-, Thornton heath, Pollards hill, Mitcham, to Morden Hall Park, for Tea, -except most people just missed out, the Cafe closing 15 mins earlier than stated-, so a dry Bread pudding stop-, Merton park, Wimbledon Chase, Raynes park, to finish back at New Malden. Total 44 Miles, thanks to Toni & Chris for back marking, thanks to John D for the BP.

Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/2410955

Jubilee Country Park & Photo bomber: Tracey & Lindsay

Challenge ride to Walliswood

Sunday 6th August. A rather windy but Sunny day saw 12 Cyclists leave from Tolworth Station, via Chessington, Claygate, Princes Coverts, – somewhat of a Mudbath after recent heavy rain, (don’t blame the ride leader, an act from the Weather gods, or the other bloke, absent without leave)-, Stoke D’ Abernon, Fetcham (Photo), Bookham, Effingham, Whitedown, Abinger, Holmbury St Mary, Forest Green, to Walliswood for lunch at the delightful ‘Scarlett Arms’, -a slight delay as the ‘P Fairy had paid a visit -, Okewood hill, Weare St, Ockley, Capel, Newdigate, Shellwood Cross to Brockham Church, – doubley handy, as there was no Bread pudding provider for this ride, but the Church had many delicious Cake’s to fill in-, Pixham, Mickleham, Norbury Park, Leatherhead, Ashtead Common, Epsom, West Ewell, to finish a bit later than expected back in Tolworth. Total 50 Miles, Very special thanks to Bai for leading, thanks to John E for back marking, thanks to Chris F & Celia for marking corners.

Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/103102

Fetcham Footbridge

Challenge ride to Dorney

Sunday 14th May. A rather grey morning, with the Sun appearing in time for lunch & Afternoon, after 1 late cancellation, 14 Cyclists left via Kingston Bridge, Bushy Park, Hampton, Hanworth, Sunbury, Ashford, Stanwell, Stanwell Moor, Poyle, Horton, Datchet, Jubilee River path, to Dorney for lunch at the fantastic Pineapple, -famous for their Doorstep Sandwiches, some did I believe take some home as it was too much in one go-, Summerleaze Footbridge, Fifield, Cranbourn Chase, Cranbourne gate Windsor Great Park, Bishopsgate, Englefield Green- including an unintended tour of the Cricket Green-, Egham, Staines Bridge, Staines, a short stretch of Thames path, Laleham, Shepperton, to Walton Bridge for Tea & Bread pudding at Wilde brunch Cafe, -a slight delay getting all moving, led to 1 of the group leading us ‘off Piste’, which makes a change from the leader going astray 😉-, Walton, Esher, Thames Ditton, Portsmouth Rd, to finish back in Kingston. Total 49 Miles, thanks to John E for excellent back marking, thanks to John D for the BP. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/141834

You can also watch Tracey’s brilliant video https://www.relive.cc/view/vxOQQB7Qw2O

Jubilee River path, Datchet. Credit Tracey & Lindsay