Challenge ride

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

Challenge ride to Downe

Sunday 12th February. A mostly overcast day, with some ‘Misty drizzle at times, with1 cancellation & 1 no show, 14 Cyclists left via Motspur park, North Cheam, Pyl Brook path, Sutton, the Wrythe, Hackbridge, Beddington Park, Croydon, Selhurst -with 1 more joining the group-, Heavers Meadow, (with a visit from the ‘P Fairy’, soon repaired), Woodside, Ashburton Field, Shirley, West Wickham, Coney Hall, Keston, to Downe for lunch at the ever reliable ‘Queens Head’, although a little confusion with 1 food order, then a brief detour to see Down House (& Photo), home where Charles Darwin lived & wrote many works, including ‘Origin of the Species’, -as a complete coincidence, today is the anniversary of Darwins birth-, retracing our steps, then Farnborough, Orpington, Southborough, – with our leader suffering a small tumble due to a ‘sticky Toe strap’-, Norman Park -with one car park full with Film caravans-, Bromley, to Kelsey Park for Tea & Bread pudding, – with 1 person having departed to get a Train, then rejoining the group, as Engineering work had cancelled services, impressive-, alas a fruitless search for 1 BP tub, proved unnecessary, as our leader had forgotten, he was carrying 2 pots, not just the 1 he put on the table, also mistakenly almost leaving 1 person behind, oops, Elmers End, South Norwood Park, Heavers Meadow, Thornton heath, Pollards hill, Mitcham, the brand new resurfaced Dean city Farm path & new Bridge to Morden Hall Park, Morden, Raynes park, to finish back in New Malden. 45 Miles, Thanks to John E for back marking, thanks to John D for the BP.

Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/2152617

Down House, Downe, home of Birthday boy Charles Darwin

Challenge ride to Godstone

Sunday 8th August. A Drizzly Morning, with 1 or 2 heavier showers & A drier Afternoon, until just before Tea, with 2 cancellations & 2 no shows, saw 17 Cyclists, gather at the Fountain Roundabout, split into 3 groups, -alas, group 3 had navigational issues, so group 2 agreed to wait, then continue as a ‘Super group’-, leave via Motspur park, North Cheam, West Sutton, Carshalton Beeches, Oaks Park, with 2 more Cyclists joining group 2, Woodmansterne, Coulsdon, Farthing Down, Chaldon, Brewer Street, Bletchingley, to Godstone, – but what’s this, no Pub, a Farm ? But wait, ahh, now I see, we have a Brewery attached, with possibly the biggest Pub Garden anywhere, the Flower Farm also has a superb Farm shop, if only I’d brought the Trailer 😉, then the delightful Woldingham Valley (Photo group 1)

Group 2 & 3 Super group, after lunch, Flower Farm: Bai
Group 1 with somewhat boisterous cattle, Woldingham: Lindsay

Manor Park, Whyteleafe, Kenley, South Croydon, Duppas Hill, Beddington, – with a sudden heavy Shower -, to Beddington Park for Tea & Bread pudding, Hackbridge, the Wrythe, Benhill, Sutton, North Cheam, Motspur park, to finish back in New Malden. Total 40 Miles, 1 new face, special thanks to Bai & Carl for group leading, thanks to Mike F, John E & Amy for back marking duties, thanks to John D for the BP.

Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/1484198