Midweek ride to Addlestone

Wednesday 18th October, after 3 late cancellations & 2 missing a train, with very light Drizzle as we left, 11 Cyclists via Portsmouth Rd, Thames Ditton- with 1 more joining in-, Gigghill Green, Weston Green, Esher, Walton on Thames, Weybridge, Brooklands Park, Byfleet, New Haw, Rowtown, to Addlestone for lunch at the delightful Pelican, also finding the pair who missed the Train, now 14 in total, also the Drizzle becoming steady Rain, but no dropouts yet…. Also making minor adjustments to a rubbing Mudguard, Woburn Hill, Chertsey Meads, Chertsey Bridge, Shepperton (Photo), Haliford, -a brief debate to stop for Tea or not, no stop this time with Rain gradually increasing-, Sunbury, Hampton, Bushy Park, Hampton Wick, Kingston Bridge to finish. Total 29 Miles, Special thanks to Celia for back marking, & others for corner marking. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/1868983

Second ‘park and ride’ event proves fun for all the family

Blue skies and late summer sunshine provided a glorious backdrop for our second family-friendly, guided bike ride, which saw nearly 150 local residents gather in Kingston Road Recreation Ground on Sunday 10 September.

From sleeping toddlers to spritely grandparents, and cargo bikes to tandems, the smiling participants represented a fantastic cross-section of ages and experience levels, all united by a desire to build their cycling confidence.

Adding extra excitement to the proceedings, local MP Ed Davey was on hand to meet the riders and cheer the group on after a whistle start. Our easy-paced 5.5 mile ride (route here) then took in a mix of the borough’s quieter roads, bike lanes and traffic-free routes, riding along the brilliant Beeline Way to Raynes Park, crossing back into New Malden via Malden Golf Course before weaving our way back to Norbiton.

“These rides are really fantastic at getting kids out with their mates – they help build their confidence so much.”

The gentle 5.5-mile circular route showcased a mix of quieter roads, bike lanes and low traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs), introducing many riders to fun new routes to explore the borough on two wheels.

“I’m relatively confident but being in a group makes such a difference and gives us the confidence to venture a bit further as a family.”

As with our June event, the outing represented the first group ride for many of those who joined in the fun, with the route helping introduce new corners of the borough to even some of the more experienced participants. What’s more, with such a wide range of non-standard bikes taking part, it demonstrated the importance of ensuring routes across Kingston are safe and accessible for all.

“I want to expose my young daughter to cycling, so being part of the ride was really enjoyable and positive for her.”

Thanks again to everyone – from ride assistants to participants – who helped make our scorchio September ride such a fun, family-friendly affair. And we’re especially grateful to our friends at Full Cycle Community Bike Project, Friends of Kingston Road Recreation Ground and the Friends of Beeline Way, who helped support us in the run-up to the big day and were all on hand to cheer us on.

Whether the event inspired you to join London Cycling Campaign (of which we’re the local group), come along on one of Kingston Cycling Campaign’s year-round calendar of longer rides for more experienced cyclists, or helped build your confidence to use two wheels for local journeys, we hope you enjoyed the ride.

Keep Sunday 14 January 2024 free to join our next family-friendly outing, starting from Alexandra Park in Berrylands. Sign up for your free place here.

Happy cycling!

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

Midweek ride to Maida Vale

Wednesday 20th September after 1 late cancellation, with a blustery tail wind, 7 Cyclists left via Skerne Rd, Kingston gate Richmond Park, White lodge, Roehampton gate, Barnes Common, Putney, a very congested Putney Bridge, Fulham, Brompton Cemetery, South Kensington, Kensington Gardens, Hyde Park, Marylebone, to Maida Vale for lunch at the Carlton Tavern, -now with a blustery Headwind, but still dry, for a while-, Kilburn, North Kensington, Shepherds bush, Hammersmith- finally the Rain arrived, steady rather than torrential-, C9, to Barnes Bridge to see the ‘new Non-cycle path’ under the Bridge, walk the steps onto Bridge, Barnes, to East Sheen- with a hasty debate, the vote was split 50-50, to stop for Tea or not, so just 3 stopped at Palewell only to find the Shutters down, hence a detour to Roehampton gate Cafe for Tea & Bread Pudding- What, on a Wednesday ? (still left over from Sunday), Ham gate, North Kingston, to finish back in the Market place. Total 30 Miles, thanks to John E for back marking, thanks to John D for the BP. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/1691708

Bread pudding ride to Knaphill

Sunday 17th September. After 2 late cancellations & 1 no show, with darkening Skies, 13 Cyclists left via Portsmouth Rd, Thames Ditton- collecting 1 more-, Weston Green, Esher, newly resurfaced path to Hersham, Walton on Thames, Weybridge, Brooklands Park, Byfleet, a brief visit to the Wey Navigation, Pyrford, Maybury, Woking, – with an internal Sat-nav failure and Mr Google not very helpful, a bit of ‘toing & froing’, at the third attempt-, to Knaphill for lunch at the very welcoming Royal Oak, perfectly timed as the Heavens opened shortly after arrival, much debate whilst eating, eventually a Battersea led rebellion decided to head back to Woking for a Train back to home turf, but 5 hardy souls continued in the Rain via Chobham, Stonehill, Ottershaw to Addlestone for a pause at the Crouch Oak- an 8 to 900 year old specimen-, settling on a shorter route, with no Tea stop & now with the Sun breaking through the clouds, Weybridge, to reverse the outward route via Walton, Esher, Weston Green, Thames Ditton to finish back in Kingston with full Sun. Total 40 Miles, thanks to Andrea & especially Celia for back marking duties, thanks to John D for the Bread pudding. Sorry no Photo this time. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/2391904

Evening ride to Twickenham

Wednesday 13th September. After 1 cancellation, 10 Cyclists left via Kingston Bridge, Bushy Park, Hampton, Hanworth, Hanworth Park- is this a ‘Night hike’ our leader is on ?, with 2 people slightly detached from group, soon found thanks to Andrea-, Leitrim Park, River Crane path, Kneller Gdns, to Twickenham for refreshments at the Sussex arms, Strawberry hill, Teddington, Hampton Wick Kingston Bridge to finish. Total 12 Miles, thanks to John E for back marking.

Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/1236586

2 Part ride to Chessington & Marble Hill Park

Sunday 3rd September. Part 1, a glorious Sunny morning, with 3 late bookings 15 Cyclists left the Kingston Carnival preperations behind, via Fairfield, Norbiton, New Malden- with 1 of our party suffering a ‘fat lip’ from a Bee sting, very many thanks to the local resident who had some Anti Histamine tablets-, Malden Manor, Auriol Park, Stoneleigh, West Ewell, Long Grove Park (Photo), Horton Country Park, to Chessington for lunch at the William Bourne (Stonegate Pubs), then Bonesgate Path, Tolworth, Surbiton to finish back in an extremely congested Market place. Sub-total 16 Miles, thanks to Toni for back marking.

Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/860017

Part 2, saying farewell to 5 & welcome to 7 fresh faces in the hordes celebrating the Carnival, leaving via Skerne Rd, Aerospace Estate, Ham, Ham Gate Richmond Park- with the Marshal at the gate insisting, ‘no Cycling allowed anywhere in the Park’, but we could walk 😉 even kind enough to move the barrier to allow the group entry, also not much evidence of the recent high speed Car crash, that demolished 1 gate post-, out of sight of the Marshal, remounting to Petersham gate, Richmond, Richmond Bridge, Ducks walk, Isleworth, St Margarets, to Marble Hill Park Cafe, for Tea & Bread pudding, Twickenham, Fulwell, Bushy Park, Hampton Wick, Kingston Bridge to finish back in a still busy Market place. Sub-total 14 Miles, total 30 Miles thanks to Chris F for back marking, thanks to John D for the BP.

Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/2031066

Evening ride to Wimbledon

Wednesday 23rd August, A mostly bright sunny Evening saw 9 Cyclists, with 1 extra unannounced visitor, 10 in total leave via Lower Marsh, Berrylands, New Malden, Motspur park, Cannon Hill, – with a very dark threatening Cloud, doing nothing more than that-, Merton park, South Wimbledon, to Wimbledon for refreshments at the ‘Wibbas Down Inn’ (Wetherspoons), Wimbledon Chase, Raynes park, New Malden, Norbiton, to finish back in Kingston. Total 14 Miles, thanks to Andrea forr back marking. Map:- http://www.plotaroute.com/route/879155

Bread pudding ride to Ashtead

Sunday 20th August. A bright Sunny day, after 1 late cancellation & 2 no shows, due to navigation problem but 1 late booking & 1 unannounced visitor, 20 Cyclists split into 2 groups, leave via Portsmouth Rd, Long Ditton, Hinchley wood, Esher, Fairmile, Cobham, Downside (Photo group 2), Bookham Common (a little bit of soft Mud, & a fallen Tree for group 1), Fetcham, Leatherhead, to Ashtead for lunch at the Woodman (Ember Inns), Ashtead Park (Photo group 1), Woodcote, Epsom, Nescot path, to Nonsuch Park for Tea & Bread pudding,- with group 2 taking an alternative route, due to a sat-nav malfunction-, electing to ride as 1 group for the final stretch, Worcester park, Old Malden, New Malden, Berrylands, to finish back in Kingston. Total 29 Miles, 2 new faces. Special thanks to Bai for leading group 2- & a little help from Mags-, thanks to John E & Amy for back marking each group. Special thanks to Christine for the BP. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/312617.

Group 2 near St Michaels Chapel, Downside: Bai

Midweek ride to Egham

Wednesday 16th August. A gorgeous Sunny day saw a Bakers dozen (13) Cyclists leave via Kingston Bridge, Bushy Park, Hampton, Hanworth, Sunbury, Ashford, Staines (Photo), Staines Bridge, Egham Hythe, to Egham for lunch at the very hospitable ‘Red Lion’ (a new lunch stop), then Stroude- with a a couple of Motorists outraged that we weren’t using the inadequate Cycle path-, Thorpe Green, Lyne- with 1 of our party suffering a ‘Pedal issue’, soon sorted-, Chertsey, Chertsey Bridge, Shepperton, Walton Bridge to the Boathouse for Tea & refreshments (a new venue), Walton- with a pleasant surprise, a newly resurfaced Bridleway-, Esher, Weston Green, Giggshill green, Portsmouth Road, to finish back in Kingston. 31 Miles, 1 new face, thanks to Steve D for back marking. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/2348333