Tandem Club - South East London - 2006 EventsSunday, 26th February 2006
Sunday, 26th March 2006
Sunday, 2nd April 2006
organized by: Andy, Emily & Francesca This was an old fashioned April day with warm sunshine punctuated by rain showers (some of them torrential). Fortunately we were indoors having lunch during the worst downpour. Fifteen people met at the start at our leaders' house in Ashford, Middlesex. There were 6 tandems (1 pulling a tag-along) and 2 solos. We took an anti-clockwise route via Laleham, where we picked up the Thames Path (part of National Cycle Network route 4), crossing to the south side of the river at Chertsey, and followed it all the way to Hampton Court apart from a small diversion in Weybridge and then a couple of miles on the road adjacent to the Path in Walton on Thames which avoided some of the puddles. Despite a hose pipe ban, due to insufficient reserves of water in the area, there was plenty of water lying on the Thames Path. It’s a good route apart from the barriers and places where cyclists are forced to walk. We had lunch at the Tiltyard Restaurant in Hampton Court Palace in East Molesey (on the north side of the river) while it poured with rain outside. After the rain eased, some people tried out the famous maze. We continued in an easterly direction along the Thames Path to Kingston upon Thames and then turned northwards through Bushy Park with its many deer and then via the outskirts of Twickenham and past the Shot Tower (once used for making lead shot) in Crane Park and on to Sunbury on Thames where we posed for a photo in front of the BP Headquarters. Finally, after a very enjoyable 26 miles, we returned to the home of our leaders where they treated us to tea and cakes whilst we watched the Oxford & Cambridge boat race on their television. report by: Neville Frost click here for pictures.
Sunday, 23rd April 2006
Orpington, Kent organized by: Andy & Ruth The weather on the previous day (Saturday) had been glorious and we were expecting more of the same. Wrong! The day dawned overcast and light rain was falling and so was the temperature. We were expecting a hard ride because of the terrain but the weather made it harder. In gently falling drizzle, we headed from Orpington via quiet roads to Jubilee Park in Bromley and then on through Norman Park to Hayes, Keston and Downe, where we stopped after 10 miles for coffee and a chance to dry off. Continuing in a southerly direction and after descending from the North Downs, crossing the M25 at Clacket Lane (with a view down to its busy service area) and ascending to the High Chart we found ourselves at Chartwell - one time home of Sir Winston Churchill. An interesting feature here, apart from the restaurant, was the fact that there is a cycle parking area which can easily accommodate tandems. The weather had not improved while we ate and seemed colder and wetter when we returned to our machines. We descended to almost the lowest point of the ride at Four Elms and then, turning northwards, climbed to the highest point of the ride at the top of Toys Hill, just 4 kilometres away. As we climbed the hill there were Road Closed signs and a suggested diversion. We decided to continue on our way expecting to be able to get past the obstruction. As we neared the top, the reason for the road closure revealed itself as tree felling and there was absolutely no way past. A nearby ideally located bridleway enabled us to loop around the obstruction and although we had to walk (it was very steep and muddy) saved us from miles of additional cycling (down the hill and back up again by another route). Crossing the A25 and the M25, we now met with our final big challenge of the day – Sundridge Hill, 3 kilometres of climbing, some of which is very steep. We regrouped at the top just before the rain started to really pour and spoil our descent to Pratt’s Bottom. No matter, we were soon back at the start, drying off and enjoying our leaders’ very tasty home made cakes. Summary: Tandems: 6 People: 12 Distance: 39 miles Height Gain 980 metres High Point: 246 metres Low Point: 50 metres report by: Neville Frost click here for pictures.
Sunday, 7th May 2006
organized by: Rob & Hilary Eight tandems & one solo (15 adults & 3 children) set off from Tandridge Leisure Centre, Oxted, Surrey, cycling up to Limpsfield Chart, down to Crockham Hill and a long slog up again to arrive at Chartwell for welcome refreshments. From there we went up again to drop down to enjoy the lovely quiet lanes to pass Haxted Watermill and then a speedy B road to bring us to the Red Barn pub at Blindley Heath, Lingfield for lunch, followed by a pleasant sit in the sunshine watching the children play in the playpark. Just as we were about to leave, a puncture had to be fixed (you never notice them when you stop but only when you leave!). Through more lovely quiet lanes, past Staffhurst Wood and to our leaders' house to enjoy excellent cakes whilst sitting in the sunshine in their garden. We finally dragged ourselves away to conclude the ride of 29 miles back at the Leisure Centre. The weather had proved to be very pleasant indeed, warm and quite sunny - a nice surprise as we'd all been expecting rain from the forecast. Summary: Tandems: 8 Solos: 1 People: 18 Distance: 29 miles Height Gain 585 metres High Point: 205 metres Low Point: 45 metres report by: Tricia Anderson click here for pictures.
Sunday, 11th June
Longer ride organized by: Ken & Liz Thirteen tandems and 26 people met at Hassocks for this ride on a day that had, by far, the best weather of the year to date. We all travelled the same route for the first 5 miles and then split roughly in half at East Chiltington. The long riders struck out eastwards and a little to the south towards Cooksbridge and then northwards via Barcombe Cross and Piltdown to the highest point of their ride at Nutley before heading south again to Fletching for lunch. The short riders took a slightly shorter route to Barcombe Cross (which utilized an evil bridle path which had most people walking a short distance). They must then have been behind the long riders on the same route and at Piltdown (just 2 kilometers from the lunchstop at Fletching) it was decided to have a short break and then to add a further 3 miles to the planned route in order to arrive at Fletching at the same time as the long riders who were doing a much longer loop at this point. This worked out well as we all arrived at the Rose & Crown within minutes of each other. Most of us preferred to sit in the sunshine in the garden for lunch. A leisurely affair with seemingly no one anxious to leave. We did eventually get under way - with the long riders looping westwards via the outskirts of Haywards Heath before turning to the south and the short riders taking a slightly more direct south westerly route to our combined tea stop on the outskirts of Ditchling at the Stoneywish Tea Room. The short riders took in another tricky little bridle way and that, together with a puncture, meant that we all arrived at about the same time. We were now 4 miles from the finish at Hassocks and we took a diversion from the obvious route to ascend to the Oldland Windmill (circa 1703) where, as well as admiring the beautifully restored windmill, we could see, to the south, the Jack and Jill windmills on the top of the South Downs at Clayton.
Many thanks to David & Caroline and Ken & Liz for helping us all to enjoy a great day out. Report by: Neville Frost click here for more pictures. Summary: Tandems: 13 Solos: 0 People: 26 Short Ride Distance: 33 miles Height Gain 565 metres High Point: 79 metres Low Point: 10 metres Long Ride Distance: 41 miles Height Gain 756 metres High Point: 131 metres Low Point: 10 metres
Saturday, 17th June - Tuesday 20th June 2006
Sunday turned out to be an extremely hot day and was spent trying to find shade cover wherever possible. We'd decided on an early start (8.30am) and so enjoyed the ride south to coffee at Forges-les-Eaux in a comfortably warm temperature.
Monday was warm but cloudy all day, making it pleasanter cycling weather. We left the hotel going east and used some lovely quiet roads and tracks to get us up onto a ridge, then passing through pretty villages to take us through Conteville to our coffee stop in Formerie.
Another most enjoyable event excellently organised by Alan & Wendy with help on routes from Ken & Liz. Report by: Tricia Anderson click here for more pictures. Summary: Tandems: 9 Solos: 0 People: 18 Saturday Ride Distance: 25 miles Height Gain 529 metres High Point: 89 metres Low Point: 0 metres Sunday Ride Distance: 55 miles (the longer option!) Distance: 45 miles (the shorter option!) Height Gain 1166 metres (the shorter option!) High Point: 233 metres (the shorter option!) Low Point: 77 metres (the shorter option!) Monday Ride Distance: 52 miles Height Gain 1175 metres High Point: 255 metres Low Point: 80 metres Tuesday Ride Distance: 50 miles Height Gain 1429 metres High Point: 218 metres Low Point: 0 metres
Saturday and Sunday, 1st & 2nd July 2006
There were rides on Saturday and Sunday with a family ride on Sunday. organized by Dave & Lana Most of us had arrived at Folly Farm campsite by Friday evening and, once tents were erected and dinner eaten, formed a cosy circle on this very warm evening to catch up on the chat. Liz & Ken led Saturday's ride and 12 tandems (2 towing buggies) set off at 9.30am to try to beat the heat. We succeeded for the first hour, riding south in the not too hot sunshine up and down hills to Hampnett then east via Sherborne and along the Windrush valley, arriving at Little Barrington to enjoy an "al fresco" coffee stop & Ken's excellent cakes, on the newly mown green. We were persuaded back onto our tandems to continue on to busy Burford, reaching Shipton under Wychwood via Swinbrook (our buggies left us here) for lunch in the Shaven Monk's garden. By now it was extremely hot so we stopped just a mile along the road at Milton under Wychwood's village fair for ice creams whilst watching a sheep having its hooves clipped and (for some) winning wine on the tombola stall. In sizzling heat now we attacked yet more hills to Bourton-on-the-Water, where we stopped to dangle our hot feet in the very cold River Windrush, eat ice creams and do the necessary shopping for the evening barbecue. To top off our 36 mile ride we tackled the long drag out of Bourton and back to the campsite via Cold Aston. Showered and rested, the various barbecues were readied for the evening "meat burning" and a very pleasant sociable evening followed. Sunday's ride was our official family/easy ride led by Dave & Lana, with Leon in buggy. We set off again at 9.30am in, what was now, a humid heat - 13 tandems today. Out via Cold Aston, passing by Bourton to Lower Slaughter, where the new tube Phil had fitted only that morning decided to go bang! A beautiful spot to have to wait though, with the River Eye running through the village. From here we went north, up an arrow hill near Stow-on-the-Wold then west to Condicote, where a very convenient shelter (with a bench too!) was sited near the green, to enjoy another "al fresco" coffee and cake stop. A little further north to Hinchwick before turning south west and tackling another arrow hill before arriving at Cotswold Farm Park to have our picnics under a big old shady tree, followed by tea and ice creams in the café. It was just too hot to walk around the unshaded farm so various options were taken to get us back to the campsite; some went the most direct way back, some a little loop and others did Liz's longer loop going west towards Cheltenham (where a chain broke and we were "devoured" by horse flies while fixing it - gosh, they hurt), turning south on the old Salt Way then east via Hawling towards Naunton, south through Aylworth and back to complete a mere 29 miles even for the "longer" riders; but it was oh so very hot and humid! Dave & Lana did an excellent job of organising the campsite and superb rides in this spectacular rolling countryside. Camping weekends always seem to prove popular and this was no exception, with 28 people taking part. Report by: Tricia Anderson click here for pictures. Summary: Tandems: 13 Buggies: 2 Solos: 0 People: 28 (3 were children) Saturday Ride Distance: 36 miles Height Gain 695 metres High Point: 245 metres Low Point: 100 metres Sunday Ride Distance: 29 miles (the longest option!) Height Gain 691 metres High Point: 287 metres Low Point: 140 metres
Sunday, 6th August 2006
organized by: Justin & Jenny
We took the very attractive off-road Crab & Winkle Way uphill to Canterbury, stopping to allow breath to be regained on this very hot, humid day: the "breath regaining" was quite a frequent theme of this ride as Justin led us up several rather steep and some long hills (Justin is very fit having just taken part in the Etape!). A stop was made for photos to be taken of several Highland cows with calves encountered in a field (we only saw 3 Highland cows during the week of the National Tandem Rally based outside Edinburgh!) and also some "rare breed" sheep and a small (unidentified by us) cow/deer type of animal.
We encountered more hills and pretty villages before stopping for tea at the Apple Craft Centre on the outskirts of Faversham. Then the flat part of the ride using Bike Route 1 (with the excitement of having to negotiate some interesting barriers) across the Graveney Marshes before returning to Seasalter after 26.5 miles and enjoying ice cream whilst sitting on the sea wall searching for the distant sea (the tide goes out a very long way here). Report by: Tricia Anderson click here for pictures Summary: Tandems: 4 Tagalongs: 1 Solos: 2 People: 12 (2 were children) Distance: 26.5 miles Height Gain 436 metres High Point: 105 metres Low Point: 0 metres
Sunday, 27th August 2006
Sunday, 3rd September 2006
organized by: Frank & Pat The weather looked as though rain would descend at any minute but, only slightly daunted, we all set off through Crawley. We were amused to see that, due to the hose-pipe ban, the once resplendent flower-boxes now contained either signs requesting people to conserve water or were filled with plastic flowers! Heading in a north westerly direction, we passed through Charlwood, Leigh and Betchworth and then, just as the hills of the North Downs were getting ominously close, we turned to the west towards Brockham. This was our lunch destination and we were early so, we headed on to the southern outskirts of the town and spent a very pleasant 20 minutes at the children’s playground – well this was a Family/Easy ride! We were joined here by two more friends who had cycled by tandem from Ashford in Middlesex After a very pleasant repast we bade goodbye to our friends from the north and set off southwards. Whilst we were lunching the weather had changed from lowering to very sunny and warm and so the return journey was a real pleasure. We returned to Charlwood via Parkgate and then, following our outgoing route to Crawley, went right past our starting point and after a further 3 miles arrived at the home of Pat and Frank, our leaders, where we had a pleasant stop for tea and biscuits. The final leg then retraced our steps to the starting point. Many thanks to Pat and Frank who had delayed their departure for holiday in order to organize the ride Report by: Neville Frost click here for pictures Summary: Tandems: 4 (5 at lunch stop) Solos: 2 People: 10 (12 met for lunch) Distance: 30.0 miles Height Gain 374 metres High Point: 111 metres Low Point: 47 metres
Sunday, 24th September 2006
Whilst waiting at the start, many vintage cars passed by with lots of small 1930s Austins present. After some delay due to access problems for some people, the ride from Milford Post Office headed in a south westerly direction via Bowlhead Green and Thursley before heading northwards to Elstead where we again encountered some of the old cars. We also had to wait briefly whilst a cycle race came by and also a little later a horse event of some sort crossed our route. The coffee stop at the Manor Farm Craft Centre in Seale is a favourite haunt of cyclists and today was no exception with some of our group heading off after some solos, thinking they were tandems! A cycle time trial was starting here, so there really was an influx of cyclists which the staff in the coffee shop took in their stride. It was nice to also see famous tandem rider and event organiser, Linda Stinchcombe here, though not on a tandem! After coffee, we headed off in a westerly direction via Farnham, where we crossed the busy A31, and continued to Crondall where we had excellent lunches in the Plume of Feathers. Our sole solo rider left us soon after lunch and the 12 tandems headed southwards, passing through Alice Holt Forest to Rowledge and then eastwards through Millbridge to Tilford where we stopped for ice-creams. Unfortunately, the usual ice-cream van was absent and no ice-creams were available, leaving some of our number very disappointed. We then continued eastwards through Elstead and back to the start at Milford where our hosts had prepared a huge selection of cakes to go with cups of tea. This had been a hilly ride and everyone was pleased to sit around and relax before heading homewards. We'd had an excellent day’s riding and socializing in really warm, dry and sunny conditions. Report by: Neville Frost click here for pictures Summary: Tandems: 12 Solos: 1 (part way) People: 25 (1 part way) Distance: 38.0 miles Height Gain 832 metres High Point: 148 metres Low Point: 44 metres
Sunday, 1st October 2006
organized by: Henry & Maureen
Shorne Wood Country Park has a fantastic new visitor centre built from local Kent timber and using all sorts of "eco-friendly" principles - wind turbine, solar panels, woodchip boiler, rainwater, bio-digester. After refreshments for tummies and brains (lots to read about the eco-friendly stuff) and a passing shower, Maureen decided we'd do the 2mile cycle route around the park: Liz & Ken discovered yet another puncture (No. 2) so we left them fixing it and set off into the woods to follow the "blue trail". Well - what a trail! It was real mountain bike stuff with narrow, steep, loose and muddy paths both down and up; Christopher even got "foot spin" whilst helping to push the tandem and trailer bike up one hill - it was all challenging stuff. Half an hour later, after much mirth, we emerged to collect Liz & Ken who were just about to come in search of us as they couldn't believe that such a short route could have taken us so long! We had a fairly sedate ride in the sunshine through quiet little lanes through Higham and Cliffe to lunch in Cooling. The sky had blackened and soon after leaving the pub and climbing up to High Halstow, we were all pelted with driving rain which stopped once we had all managed to struggle into our rain gear! Down to Hoo Marina for a look at a couple of Thames barges moored there and lots of rotting boat carcasses protruding through the mud (& a couple more short showers), then along the Saxon Shore Way, accompanied by thunder and lightning, where the 3rd puncture of the day occurred and was fixed just before another downpour. No sooner had we emerged back onto the road than "bang" and Liz & Ken had a very split tyre - an extreme excuse we thought for them to decide to walk back to their campsite which we'd passed a mile earlier! As they left us the weather dished out its final helping with little hail stones turning into large ones, which Liz & Ken had to walk in but we were all lucky enough to cram into a nearby bus shelter whilst watching the road outside flood. It all stopped and we achieved the car park only to find that David's car tyre had a nasty bulge in it so had to be changed. A day of extreme weather, extreme off road cycling, 5 punctures (including the car) and lots of fun - Christopher reckoned it had been a really good ride! Report by: Tricia Anderson click here for pictures Summary: Tandems: 6 Tagalongs: 1 Solos: 0 People: 13 Distance: 25.0 miles Height Gain 450 metres High Point: 116 metres Low Point: 4 metres
Sunday, 22nd October 2006
After this welcome break, we finally set off on the last leg, with most people heading back to Dorking and others heading more directly homewards. It had been a wet day but the autumnal trees and scenery and the well planned stops had made it a great day out. Report by: Neville Frost click here for pictures Summary: Tandems: 9 Solos: 0 People: 18 Distance: 32.0 miles Height Gain 663 metres High Point: 226 metres Low Point: 18 metres
Sunday, 19th November 2006
Onwards and upwards to the top of the North Downs, along the top, with amazing views to the south, then down again, over the M25, another hill up past Godstone Farm to whiz down to a sharp left turn (only one tandem overshot!) to arrive at the Brickmakers Arms pub at Crowhurst Lane End, Tandridge for excellent lunches. After lunch we went south to Dormansland, turning east along a beautiful little lane beside a stream and lakes to Holtye Common, through Cowden, up yet another hill, an arrow one this time, to Markbeech before the final run down into Edenbridge, where Mary produced huge hunks of yummy apple cake to be consumed whilst loading tandems back onto cars and chatting in the fading sunshine. It had been a fabulous day's cycling, 35 hard miles in glorious countryside with the sun shining on us through the remaining orange and brown tree leaves. Report by: Tricia Anderson click here for pictures Summary Tandems: 14 Solos: 2 People: 30 Distance: 35 miles Height Gain: 838 meters High Point: 273 meters Low Point: 38 meters
Sunday, 3rd December 2006
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
