Sunday August 27

It was August Bank Holiday weekend and I had expected most C&M members would either be away or else sitting indoors watching the rain fall, so imagine my surprise then when no fewer than 12 arrived at Guildford to savours the delights of Wetherspoons!   Eleven wanted to continue to lunch and our route took us around the towpaths, footbridges and back streets of Guildford to Wood Street Village, and from there to the lanes of Wyke and Tongham then by the easy route over the Hogs Back.

The Barley Mow at The Sands has a very pleasant garden and it was the ideal day to enjoy it!   The menu and prices are somewhat quirky but most of us found something to satisfy.   After lingering over lunch we set off back towards Shackleford with Brian and Keith soon peeling off to make their own ways home.    The main group first took the pretty roads along the foot of the Hogs Back, then the cycle route to Compton which was reasonably passable given the recent rainfall.  After the stiff climb up to Guildford there was another parting of the ways.   Jeff, Paul and I continued to Ripley after traversing yet more of Guildford's footbridges and alleyways, with the rest following by another route.

Thanks to all for a very enjoyable day.

11's - Don Clarke, Vic White, Paul Day, Keith Rook, Graham Hill, Irene North, Ed Sharpe, Rachel, Bob Eberhard, Brian Greenwood, Jeff Tollerman, David Ward

Lunch - Vic White, Paul Day, Keith Rook, Graham Hill, Irene North, Ed Sharpe, Rachel, Bob Eberhard, Brian Greenwood, Jeff Tollerman, David Ward

Lunch Venue Change for Sunday the 27th August

The lunch venue has now changed to The Barley Mow at The Sands GU10 1NE

Dave.

20th August - Runnymede-Bourne End-Windsor

It was a tale of four tea stops: but more of that later.   A lucky 13 met for elevenses at a sunny Runnymede, including new riders Michiko and Niall, friends of Tony & mine through another cycling group.   Bill & Margaret, Alan and Bob were heading home after elevenses, so nine set off towards Bourne End, through Datchet, crossing Slough via a couple of parks and a cycleway with several chicanes to make life interesting.   A few short sharp hills, through Burnham Beeches and some quiet lanes on the way to Hedsor with a steep downhill into Bourne End.  

At the Cinnamon Café.  Niall and Michiko in foreground.

The Bounty at Bourne End is not reachable by road, so bikes had to be carried across the railway bridge, down & up steps before a short walk along the towpath to reach it.   The situation, right on the river bank, and the eccentric nature of the pub, is worth the extra effort, although when we reached the pub and found it full to overflowing, I was worried whether we'd get served before sundown.    I needn't have worried - we found a table outside and the service was very efficient.    The original plan for tea had been Vermeulens, but the route developed in a different way so was changed to Savill Gardens: then there was a prospect of late afternoon rain so we shortened it to Windsor Farm Shop, but finally Tony came up with the idea of the Cinnamon Café in Windsor, where we ended up.  Only about 30 miles in all but a good day out with good company.   Thank you to Niall and Michiko for offering to back-mark and we hope you will join us again on a Sunday.

20 Aug - Change of tea stop

The Bounty

Just to let you know that the tea stop after our ride to Bourne End will be Saville Gardens, rather than Vermulens as previously advertised.   In the morning I plan to visit Burnham Beeches on the way to the rather eccentric but beautifully sited Bounty pub at Bourne End, with a couple of short off-road stretches along the Millenium river.  There is no road access to the Bounty - it's reached over a pedestrian bridge across the Thames, but I'm sure help with lifting bikes up the steps will be on hand, if needed.

Sunday 13th August 2017 Dorney Court - Green Man Hurst - North’s Cafe Staines

 

It was a lovely warm day for the ride to Hurst. Alan and I were first to arrive at Dorney Court soon followed in by Ed & Graham which turned out to be the full group as most had been on the Birthday Rides last week and/or V.C.C. rides this week and/or holidays. Chris turned up at 11.30 am but was too late!!  

 

Undaunted by the size of the group, Alan returned home so three turned left on leaving and continued on NCN 4 over river Thames to Monkey Island. There we turned left and went straight over the very busy A308 through Fifield and right on to B3024. After a left to Touchen End and a right fork through Paley Street, we took a left just before the M4 bridge. Through Beenham and Shurlock Row led to Hurst.  As usual the food was first class. All three tucked into child size roasts (goodness knows how big the adult size must be) 

 

On leaving pub we turned left, left and left again wending our way back through Billingbear to Moss End then across Ascot racecourse and into Windsor Great Park., down Tite Hill through Egham and home to Staines where we had tea and cakes.

 

Thank you Ed (who had a very long day but I gave him cake to help him on his way) and Graham.

Sunday the 6th August

After leaving a very crowded (with cyclists) Dabbling Duck at Shere, Lilian, Jeff, Brian, Keith, David, Ed,Vic and I (leaving Bob) headed south. Brian left us at the railway bridge, we carried on via quiet, deserted lanes to Brook, Farley Green and Winterfold Heath before entering a rather congested (roadworks) Cranleigh. The eagle eyed amongst us might have noticed a couple of Irene and Graham lookalikes munching lunch on a bench. We continued south, eventually turning onto the A281 briefly near Bucks Green then turning off it to The Blue Ship at The Haven. Lunches had been pre-ordered and were ready and waiting for us. What service !

David left us after lunch, for the rest the afternoon route was the ‘usual’ – Rudgwick, Okewood Hill, Weare Street (quiet geese today) to Capel. A brief discussion here – everyone was in favour of Brockham cakes rather than Denbies. Jeff left us here, the cake fanciers rode on via Newdigate and Parkgate to the usual wonderful display. Worth remembering – as closing time approaches a ‘two for one’ offer may be made.

A very enjoyable day, no rain, not much wind and plenty of sunshine. Thanks to all for company, also corner markers and back markers.

Terry.

Sunday 6th August

Lunch on Sunday 6^th August is at The Blue  Ship, The Haven. They don’t normally do sandwiches on Sundays but  will if we order in advance. I will  have a copy of the menu on Sunday but you could also look it up and choose. The long range weather forecast is better than today.

SANDWICHES

A CHOICE OF WHITE OR BROWN BREAD. SERVED WITH A SALAD GARNISH.

PRAWN MAYONNAISE

£6.50

CHEDDAR CHEESE & PICKLE

£5.75

BACON & BRIE WITH CRANBERRY SAUCE

£6.25

HOME COOKED HAM WITH MUSTARD

£5.75

O'HAGAN'S OXFORD SAUSAGE

£6.45

AVAILABLE IN CIABATTA FOR AN EXTRA £1.50

GLUTEN FREE CIABATTA ROLLS ALSO AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST FOR AN EXTRA £2

ADD A PORTION OF CHIPS FOR £2.00 OR SWEET POTATO FRIES FOR £3.00

 

 

PLOUGHMANS

SERVED WITH A WARM MALTED COTTAGE LOAF, GHERKIN, PICKLED ONION AND CHUTNEYS

 

WITH A CHOICE OF CHEDDAR, STILTON, BRIE, MIXED CHEESE OR HAM

£10.00

 

OMLETTES

SERVED WITH SALAD & FRIES

PLAIN - £8.00

CHEESE - £9.00

CHEESE & HAM - £10.00

CHEESE & MUSHROOM - £10.50

 

YOUNG & NOT SO YOUNG MENU

SAUSAGE, SCAMPI OR CHICKEN DIPPERS      

GLUTEN FREE FISH FINGERS

SERVED WITH CHIPS & A CHOICE OF BEANS OR PEAS

HAM, 1 FREE RANGE EGG AND CHIPS

SAUSAGE, MASH 7 PEAS WITH GRAVY

£6.50

 

SIDE ORDERS

CHIPS - £3.00

CHEESY CHIPS - £4.00

SWEET POTATO FRIES - £4.00

SIDE SALAD - £3.00

HOMEMADE COLESLAW - £3.50

GARLIC BREAD - £2.00

BREAD - £1.75

 

SUNDAY ROASTS

ROAST TOPSIDE OF BEEF

ROAST LOIN OF PORK

SERVED WITH ALL THE TRIMMINGS £10.50

SMALLER PORTIONS AVAILABLE £6.50

 

ALL OF OUR FOOD IS COOKED FRESH TO ORDER SO WE ASK THAT YOU PLEASE BE PATIENT DURING OUR BUSY TIMES. WE PRIDE OURSELVES ON QUALITY FOOD NOT FAST FOOD.

Terry.