I was encouraged to see eighteen or so riders for my ride over to Oxted as the weather the previous night had been appalling. Off we set straight up towards Tilburstow Hill taking in some new routes I had found through the woods leading onto the Greensand Way.

Redhill Cycling Club invite entries for our annual early-season open time trial on Sunday 24th February.

The event, which is held over a 18 mile 'sporting' course, to the West and South-West of Dorking, Surrey, is open to all members of CTT-affiliated cycling clubs.

There is an entry fee of £7 and this must reach the organiser, along with an official CTT entry form (don't forget to sign and date), by Saturday 16th February at the very latest.

13 of us met at the NT car park. We started along the main road to Ranmore Lodge, avoiding the bridleway which was deep waterlogged mud after recent very heavy rain. Along the Drove road past Netley Heath and down to Shere then across the Railway, past Farley Green, through Winterfold Wood to Reynards Hill to admire the view. Past the windmill, through some singletrack then down the road to Peaslake. With time pressing we took the quick route back down the main road and into Rad lane where the gullies and scattered branches etc.

Following the Christmas festivities and the endless mince pies, it was time for the annual Christmas Pudding ride. We set off from Reigate Hill along the ridge to head across Banstead golf course. The heavy rain on Christmas Day had prepared a very muddy and slippery trail, staying upright at speed on the twisty track was quite a challenge.

Alan led us on a rather different version of the NCR 21. We found ourselves North of Merstham climbing up across a field where the mud stuck to everything. Pedalling was impossible and so was pushing the bike due the sheer volume of mud. The only option was to carry the bikes! Alan did make up for this by offering to clean our bikes in a puddle, once he had broken through the 2” thick ice.

The rest of the ride was fairly uneventful as we left trails of mud behind us.

Thanks Alan for something a bit different.

This week we have Gavin Garrett bravely volunteering to lead another ride on Saturday (22/12/07) at 7.30am from the bus shelter in Leigh village (opposite the Plough Pub) - Usual Surrey League based circuits. (Henfold Hill/Newdigate/Norwood Hill/Charlwood etc)

The weather forecast looks better for the weekend after a chilly week, so normal service should be resumed.

After meeting my very small group at Outwood we took to the hills via Nutfield and the second least steep hill to Chaldon thence along the ridge for a short way and back to Outwood via Bletchingley.

After a couple of pints 36 of us sat down to an excellent meal, a few pictures are attached.
John Eg made a short speech in which he remembered Barbara and Tony, he went on to thank Paul for making the arrangements.

After mince pies and a glass or two of wine I cycled back in the gathering dusk (see pic) after a thoroughly good day out.

Frank .

18 riders turned out on a grey, overcast and extremely cold morning at the top of Reigate Hill for a new ride today. After Helen & Mike fixied a puncture before the start we got off at what must be said was a fairly brisk pace in the hope of keeping warm and covering a somewhat ambitious winter distance!

This week Gavin Garrett will be "leading" the Saturday ride (8/12/07) at the revised time of 2.00pm from the bus shelter in Leigh village (opposite the Plough Pub) - Usual Surrey League based circuits. (Henfold Hill/Newdigate/Norwood Hill/Charlwood etc)

The change in time is due to the danger of icy roads first thing in the morning this weekend.

Sunday (9/12/07) will be Gavin leading the ride again, route will depend upon the conditions but probably sticking to the more heavily trafficked roads locally.

Sustrans Connect2 Wins The Peoples £50 Million!

£50 million won and we couldn't have done it without you!

This is fantastic news, and thanks to everyone who voted for Sustrans' Connect2 in the People's £50 Million Lottery Giveaway, and for your help in winning £50 million of funding from the Big Lottery Fund for Sustrans to invest in walking and cycling UK-wide. This really is an amazing achievement for our charity and the many local authority and other partners with whom we will work on Connect2. We simply couldn't have done it without you and your votes.