Sport, London's free newspaper

I was on the train for a change today , taking a break from the bike. Even though the TdF isn't on there was still a couple of pages dedicated to cycling in the free newspaper that is handed out at underground stations.

Tuesday mtb

No Roger today, but me, Mark, Niall and Andy rode a few nice trails around the Downs, Blackheath and st.Martha's church.

Box Hill Revisited

 Box Hill has become a far more attractive destination for a winter stop since the last time I was here. On a cool and slightly damp morning we luckily nabbed a table just next to this furnace. Perfect.

And the flapjack and coffee was pretty good as well.  

All rather fortunate for me as we had only planned on riding to Cobham to stop at the cafe in the walled garden but I suggested going just a little further - first up through Effingham to Ranmore Common and then home via Box Hill . There were murmurings in the ranks by the time we had had a chilly descent from St Barnabas church and so sitting outside might have meant  a taste of cold shoulder for me with my coffee.  The new ,to me, coffee shop , meant all was well.

Nick

Steady Sunday ride.

Me, Jane, Julie and Al Parkinson took a nice steady couple of hours around the Downs. It was pretty dry and we all took PR's on some Strava segments.

Tuesday mtb

A nice spin around the downs in the winter sunshine with Roger, Niall and Mark. With a quick very bad coffee at Peaslake stores.

Sandy Diversions

A stunning morning meant that even tho it was on the cool side , there was a good gathering in the car park. So good that when we met Trevor , Simon and Niall at the bottom of Coombe Bottom  it meant that there were 14 of us. Our numbers were swollen by a number of guests, including David a mate of Richard's , Mark a friend of mine from Sydney  , a welcome cameo from Keith Garbutt and a mystery man who we met on Coombe Bottom and who stuck to us like glue until the sand made its appearance. He was riding deep profile rims with tubs. Andy asked him how many spare tubs he carries in the winter. "None " came the answer with a smile. "so what happens when you get a puncture" asked  Andy. "Oh I just call my wife and ask her to come and pick me up"

  Andy recoiled in shock. I would like to see Andy take that approach to punctures with Mrs Hicks……
Trevor , who had as efficiently as ever had circulated the GPX of the route , turned for home just before Haslemere.  However, Richard and I had the route,so what could go wrong? and we followed it up a lovely lane which climbed up through the woods  -leaving behind John's comment that we usually do not turn right here……

It was of course a no through road but very pleasant for all that -including the half mile descent to the house at the bottom , by now on a track in the forlorn hope it would lead us to Hindhead somehow , to the house at the bottom where the friendly but slightly bemused occupant told us that was the end and we would need to go back. Richard and I were still trying to show anyone who would look that we had followed the route almost to the top of the lane and …"the route was just over there -yes just through those trees -somewhere." "Honestly .Look just over there. "No one was convinced. Where is Trevor when you need him?

As can be seen rather than retracing our steps we took the decision to make the most of the dry weather and risk turning our ride into an MTB session for a little while . And a very good decision it was too. Superb views , certainly no cars ,wild ponies, and only a bit of sand in the chains and rear mechs……
Odd that it was the Hon SWAT secretary who was last to refrain from walking.
The path came out directly opposite the Hindhead Cafe so that quickly became our lunch destination.
Our only regret being that Alan was not there to enjoy it - a bit off road on his road bike being much to his liking.

This one from two weeks ago but it is such a fine sight, to be relished the more so as it is so unusual. As he gets older  he just forgets where he is sometimes.

Nick 

Sunday Stroll

After the trial of going out on saturday and getting soaked and frozen , the chance to enjoy the sunshine of a week ago meant a ride on sunday was too tempting. I joined Gav's Group for the 8.20 departure from Kingston gate. As there was a communal  desire to get back early Windsor was determined to be the destination. Fine with me as I had never cycled to Windsor and I was not actually sure that I had ever been there at all.  The ride of course is pan flat but the 15 minutes or so over Virginia Water and through Windsor Great Park was a joy and the whole ride made an enjoyable change .

After our coffee and cinnamon buns in the converted station we had time to observe the two minutes silence ,it being Remembrance Sunday, outside the castle.

Nick

Tuesday mtb

Roger rides the soup bowl of death. Me, Roger and Niall had a nice steady couple of hours around the North Downs on the mtb's.