Kingston families cycle into summer on fun bike ride

In a bid to encourage residents of all ages to safely enjoy Kingston’s roads and LTNs on two wheels, Kingston Cycling Campaign organised our first ever family-friendly bike ride on Sunday 4 June, to coincide with World Bicycle Day (3 June) and the start of Bike Week. 

With the weather Gods on our side, over 200 participants of all ages – accompanied by nearly 30 ride assistants who generously volunteered their time – set off from Fairfield Park on our first ride designed with all ages and abilities in mind.

What a brilliant event this was! Gave me the nudge I needed to get back on the bike after many years. (Councillor Susan Skipwith)

We counted a wide range of bikes taking part, from at least three cargo bikes and a few e-bikes to Dutch-style bikes and Bromptons, plus several local councillors, one MP (Sarah Olney), a few kids on stabilisers, and even one dog amongst the group.

Having made our way towards the river, up through Surbiton, down via Berrylands, and back to Fairfield on a sunshine-filled 4.5-mile loop, it was great to see so many riders inspired to keep up on pedalling for the final 3-mile circuit. Those intrepid riders went on to explore the Albert Road and Lower Ham Road LTNs as they headed to Latchmere Recreation Ground, and back via the new Kingston Station bridge as we returned to Fairfield. You can see the full route on https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2186208.

I loved being able to ride with my friends – it was so much fun!

The 7.5-mile route even took us past the premises of our two local partners – Full Cycle Community Bike Project and Kingston Hive – who supported our gentle ride through the borough!

What the ride demonstrated most of all is that there’s a local appetite for more family-friendly rides. So, on Sunday 10 September we’ll be setting off again on our second easy-paced outing, this time meeting in Kingston Road Recreation Ground in Norbiton so we can showcase the park’s new facilities and introduce Kingston residents to even more cycle-friendly routes. We’re busy incorporating rider feedback as we finalise our next route, and will continue to add more info to http://tiny.cc/KingstonFunRide2.

Enjoyed the family friendly bike ride – discovered some quiet roads I didn’t know, and what a great turn out!

For many riders, it was the first time they’d joined a group ride. And many participants commented on how the route introduced them to new areas and quiet roads on their doorstep that they’d never explored before – exactly what we’d been hoping to achieve!

We hope the event will help inspire more local residents to join London Cycling Campaign (of which we’re the local group) and benefit from cycle insurance, bike shop discounts, legal advice and more. And, of course, if you’re keen to join one of our longer rides for more experienced cyclists, you can read more about the different style of rides Kingston Cycling Campaign offers on https://kingstoncycling.org.uk/rides-2/rides-calendar/.

Happy cycling!

Evening ride to Molesey

A bright sunny evening, with 1 late cancellation & 1 no show, but with 2 unexpected guests, 11 Cyclists left via Lower Marsh, to find the planned route closed, so a small detour to King Charles Bridge, Surbiton, Long Ditton, Hinchley wood, Littleworth Common, Esher, East Molesey to West Molesey for refreshments at the always delightful Bell (Greene King), a bit more East Molesey, Thames Ditton, Portsmouth Rd to finish back in Kingston. Total 13 Miles, 1 new face, thanks to Jon W for back marking.

Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/1207451 (Red dotted line shows intended route).

Bread pudding ride to Woodmansterne

Sunday 21st May. A largely Sunny day, after 2 late cancellations, -with our regular leader away (climbing many big Hills in Wales)-, 18 Cyclists left via Berrylands, Tolworth & Greenway, West Ewell, Epsom, Epsom Downs (Photo), Tattenham corner, Burgh Heath, Banstead, to Woodmansterne for lunch at the Woodman (Stonegate Pubs), -with 1 extra passenger (Photo)-, Woodcote, Beddington, Beddington Park, Hackbridge, Wandle trail, Morden, Morden Hall Park for Tea & Bread pudding at the National trust Cafe, Merton park, Wimbledon Chase, Raynes park, New Malden, Norbiton, to finish back in Kingston. Total 29 Miles. Special thanks to Bai for leading, thanks to John E for back marking & others for marking corners, thanks to John D for the BP. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/623630

Epsom Downs, near Grandstand

Chris & her new friend….. is it, no it couldn’t be, but there is a resemblance of sorts.

Come ride with us! 2023-24 cycling calendar revealed

We believe bikes are perfect for exploring. So, on top of our cycle campaigning, we organise year-round rides for all ages and abilities that are always fun, and always free. From towpath trips to family-friendly outings, and evening explorations to adventures further afield, our new calendar of upcoming rides (Wednesdays and Sundays) is now out for the year ahead.

And on 4 June and 10 September this year we’re hosting our first family-friendly fun bike rides through the borough – shorter, easy-paced outings that take in a mix of quieter roads, bike lanes and low traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs), to help encourage more Kingston residents of all ages to feel confident using their bikes for local journeys.

So, whatever your experience or energy levels, you’re sure to find the perfect ride with your name on it. Simply pop the dates in your diary, book your place via our website and join our friendly group.

After all, life is like riding a bicycle – to keep your balance, you must keep moving. We look forward to seeing you on one of our rides soon!

More info and booking links over on https://kingstoncycling.org.uk/rides-2/rides-calendar/.

Challenge ride to Dorney

Sunday 14th May. A rather grey morning, with the Sun appearing in time for lunch & Afternoon, after 1 late cancellation, 14 Cyclists left via Kingston Bridge, Bushy Park, Hampton, Hanworth, Sunbury, Ashford, Stanwell, Stanwell Moor, Poyle, Horton, Datchet, Jubilee River path, to Dorney for lunch at the fantastic Pineapple, -famous for their Doorstep Sandwiches, some did I believe take some home as it was too much in one go-, Summerleaze Footbridge, Fifield, Cranbourn Chase, Cranbourne gate Windsor Great Park, Bishopsgate, Englefield Green- including an unintended tour of the Cricket Green-, Egham, Staines Bridge, Staines, a short stretch of Thames path, Laleham, Shepperton, to Walton Bridge for Tea & Bread pudding at Wilde brunch Cafe, -a slight delay getting all moving, led to 1 of the group leading us ‘off Piste’, which makes a change from the leader going astray 😉-, Walton, Esher, Thames Ditton, Portsmouth Rd, to finish back in Kingston. Total 49 Miles, thanks to John E for excellent back marking, thanks to John D for the BP. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/141834

You can also watch Tracey’s brilliant video https://www.relive.cc/view/vxOQQB7Qw2O

Jubilee River path, Datchet. Credit Tracey & Lindsay

Midweek ride to Hanwell

Wednesday 10th May. A pleasant mostly Sunny Morning, saw 11 Cyclists try a new variation via Fairfield, North Kingston, Kingston gate Richmond Park, Sheen gate, -with an inattentive motorist, almost wiping out a couple of the group-, Mortlake, Chiswick Bridge, Strand on the Green, Gunnersbury Park, West Acton, Ealing Common, Ealing Studios (Photo), West Ealing, Churchfield Park (with Hanwell Viaduct just visable above the trees), to Hanwell for lunch at the always delightful Fox, -with 1 brief heavy shower during lunch, & mostly light drizzle to follow-, passing the series of 6 Locks on the Grand Union Canal, Norwood Green, Osterley Park, Isleworth, Cole Park- with an unwelcome visit from the ‘P Fairy’, but Bright sunshine to help the repair-, Twickenham, Crane River Path, -to find the Path flooded under the Railway, but a very narrow raised path alongside, just wide enough to push the Bikes along-, to Kneller Gardens for Tea & refreshments, Fulwell, Bushy Park, Hampton Wick, Kingston Bridge, to finish back in Kingston. Total 27 Miles, Thanks to Dave P for back marking. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/2240956

Ealing Studios

Evening ride to Hampton

Wednesday 26th April, after 1 late cancellation, 7 Cyclists left via the Station Bridge, North Kingston, Ham, Teddington Footbridge, Teddington, Fulwell, Hampton hill- with a slight navigational hiccup-, to Hampton for refreshments at the almost hidden Railway Bell, a bit more Hampton, Bushy Park -No moonlight & barely any Deer, but some very bright Cycle lights-, Hampton Wick, Kingston Bridge to finish. Total 12 Miles, thanks to Jon W for back marking.

Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/1872658

Bread pudding ride to Effingham

Sunday 23rd April, A day with mostly light Rain after 2 cancellations, saw 17 Cyclists leave via Cranes park, King Charles Bridge, Tolworth, West Ewell, Long grove Park, Ashtead Common, Ashtead, Leatherhead, Fetcham, Bookham to Effingham for the recently re-opened Queen stage for lunch, Effingham Junction, Ockham, Hatchford,- with 2 people deciding to (almost) Swim the flooded road, whilst the remainder of the group taking a small detour-, Cobham, Fairmile, to Esher for Tea & Bread pudding at Claremont lakes, -now with bright Sunshine-, Esher, Hinchley wood, Long Ditton, Surbiton to finish back in tthe Market place. Total 29 Miles, Special thanks to Bai for leading a few sections of the ride (and entering the Duathlon), thanks to John E for back marking & others for marking corners, thanks at short notice to Christine for the BP. Sorry no Photo this time.

Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/1866719

Bread pudding ride to Harrow

Sunday 16th April, Spring has finally arrived, a dry warm day, sadly nott much Sun, (let’s not be greedy), after 1 late cancellation & 1 un-announced guest, 16 Cyclists left via the Station Bridge, Kingston gate Richmond Park, Sheen gate, Mortlake, Chiswick Bridge, Grove park, Chiswick, Acton, Park Royal, Stonebridge, Wembley, Kenton, Kenton Rec, Belmont, to Harrow for lunch at ‘Duck in the Pond’ (Ember Inns), Harrow Weald, Headstone Manor Rec (Photo), South Harrow, Northolt, -alas a dropped chain led to the tail briefly losing touch with the main party, at probably the most complex part of the ride to cross Target Roundabout-, Northala fields, Southall -with a touch of wheels causing a fall, no injuries, but another slipped Chain-, Norwood green, to Osterley Park for Tea & Bread Pudding, Osterley, Hounslow, Whitton, Strawberry hill, Teddington, Hampton Wick & finally, the reopened Cycle path on Kingston Bridge. Total 40 Miles, thanks to Amy for back marking, thanks to John D for the BP.

Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/755785

Headstone Manor Rec & Tulips: Lindsay

Midweek ride to Thorpe Green

Wednesday 12th April. An extremely Blustery, windy day,saw 2 cancellations & 1 no show, 12 hardy Cyclists left via Portsmouth Rd, Thames Ditton -joined by one more-, Molesey, Walton, Weybridge -with 1 more addition, now 16-, with an impatient Motorist almost wiping out half the group, on the wrong side of the Road, Addlestone, Bretlands, Lyne, to Thorpe Green for lunch at the Rose & Crown- thanks to the Pub for letting us move the booking indoors-, just ready to depart when the Skies darkened & Rain began, so many wardrobe adjustments, – 2 heading for an early exit via Virginia Water Station-, Stroude, Egham, Staines Bridge, Staines, -2 more heading for the Train-, deciding to forego the delights of the Towpath, direct to Laleham, Shepperton, Haliford, to Sunbury, -the leader doubting the ‘Walled Garden Cafe’ would have room indoors, proved wrong, so Tea & refreshments were taken-, now with a tail-wind, also some rather poor Road surfacing, 1 hole causing a dropped Pannier, Hampton, Bushy Park, Hampton Wick, Kingston Bridge to finish back in the Market place. Total 32 Miles, thanks to Steve D for back marking & several others for marking corners. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/849407

Sorry, no appetite for a Photo.