On your bike! Join our next family-friendly ride this September

Following the success of Kingston Cycling Campaign’s first family-friendly ride in June (ride report here), sign up on tiny.cc/KingstonFunRide2 for our next wheelie fun adventure on Sunday 10 September as we celebrate the end of the summer holidays!

Designed for all ages and abilities, our second family-friendly group ride will set off from Kingston Road Recreation Ground on the Norbiton / New Malden boundary. Gathering at 10.45am by the newly-opened park café pavilion so we can set off promptly at 11am, the 5.5-mile easy-paced route is designed for all ages and abilities.

The hill-free route will take in a mix of the borough’s quieter roads, bike lanes and low traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs), to help build confidence and showcase some of Kingston’s cycle routes. This fun group ride will also showcase the fantastic traffic-free Beeline Way, taking us briefly into Raynes Park before crossing back into Norbiton again via New Malden. And, for a truly fun day out, the ride will also start and finish by Kingston Road Recreation Ground’s new café and recently-upgraded children’s playground, helping families make the most of this fabulous park afterwards.

I loved the family ride! I love cycling on the road like my dad does but my parents don’t like it because of the cars so this was great – and I made new friends too! [Elliot, aged 8]

Organised by Kingston Cycling Campaign (part of the London Cycling Campaign), with the support of our local event partners Full Cycle Bike Community Project, Friends of Kingston Road Recreation Ground, Friends of Beeline Way and GoodGym Kingston, we hope the event will encourage Kingston residents of all ages to explore enjoyable ways to get around the area on two wheels. So invite your friends, neighbours and family – young and old – and reserve your free spot here for this easy ride through the borough!

If you’ve got the cycle bug this summer and are keen to keep on pedalling, be sure to follow us on Eventbrite, Facebook or Twitter. And if you’re keen to join one of our longer outings, you can find more info on the different style of free rides Kingston Cycling Campaign organises every week, all year round, on kingstoncycling.org.uk/rides.

Book your free place on Kingston Cycling Campaign’s next family-friendly ride (Sunday 10 September) and find out more on tiny.cc/KingstonFunRide2

Highlights of the June family ride below:

Train assisted Bread pudding ride to Ascot

A mostly bright Sunny day saw 12 Cyclists gather at Surbiton station, for an unusual Train direct to Wokingham, with 3 more already on board, with 2 visits to Virginia Water station, then a long wait (the vagaries of crunching 2 different rail journey’s together), upon arrival at our destination, to find 1 of the party having suffered a visit from the ‘P Fairy’, soon fixed, followed by a couple of navigational mishaps, finally escaping the Wokingham area, via Binfield, the edge of Bracknell,- only to lose track of the tail end in ‘the Chestnuts’-, a strategic decision to take a more direct route to lunch via the A329 Cycle path, to Ascot for lunch at the Stag (Greene King),- with a limited Menu due to a broken grill, the staff were surprisingly Cheerful-, then Cheapside, Windsor Great Park (Photo), Guards Polo ground, Egham Wick, Egham, Staines Bridge, Laleham, Shepperton, -now too late for the Walled Garden,- a detour to Walton Bridge & just in time for Tea & Bread Pudding at the ‘Wilde Brunch’, then a plea for help from another customer, Lindsay put her nursing skills to good use, before an Ambulance arrived to take over, Walton, Esher, Weston Green, Giggshill Green, Potsmouth Rd to finish back in Kingston. Total 34 Miles, thanks to Chris F for back marking, thanks to John D for the BP.

Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/2329421

Windsor Great Park, now the closest Cyclists can get to Virginia Water lake, Cycling now banned on the South of the lake & near the Totem Pole- Boo!

Evening ride to Ewell Village

Wednesday 19th July. A mostly bright Evening saw 15 Cyclists leave via Lower Marsh, Berrylands, New Malden, Malden Manor, Auriol Park, Stoneleigh, Nonsuch Park, East Ewell, to Ewell Village for refreshments at the always friendly Wheatsheaf- with a surprise encounter with the Clarencourt Cycle club-, then Hogsmill open space, a short stretch of the Hogsmill path, West Ewell, Tolworth, Surbiton to finish back in Kingston. Total 13 Miles, 1 new face, thanks to John E for back marking.

Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/2318838

Midweek ride to Pimlico

Wednesday 12th July. After a brief shower just before the start, mostly cloudy skies, after 1 cancellation, 15 Cyclists left from New Malden via the Beeline, Raynes park, Wimbledon Chase, South Wimbledon, Wandle trail- joined by 1 more, who had a visit from the ‘PFairy’, hence missed the start-, Earlsfield, Wandsworth Common (Photo), Clapham Common, Stockwell, Oval, Vauxhall- in one linked move through 5 sets of Lights-, Vauxhall Bridge to Pimlico for lunch at the always welcoming White Swan (McMullens), a very congested Westminster & many other Cyclists battling our way to join the Embankment route C3, to Southwark Bridge, (going a little off Piste in Bermondsey), Burgess Park, Loughborough, Brockwell Park, Tulse Hill, Streatham, to Tooting Bec Common cafe for Tea & Refreshments, Tooting, Colliers wood, a different part of the Wandle trail, Morden Hall Park, Morden, Cannons Hill Common, Motspur park, to finish back in NeW Malden. Total 31 Miles, thanks to Toni & John for Back marking.

Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/933539

Bread Pudding ride to Pyrford Lock

Sunday 9th July. With Grey skies to start, followed by Bright Sunshine in the late afternoon, after 2 late cancellations & 1 late booking, 22 Cyclists, split into 2 groups, leave via Portsmouth Rd, Thames Ditton, Molesey, Walton, Weybridge, Brooklands Park (Photo group 2), Byfleet, to Pyrford Lock for an early lunch at the Anchor (Hall & Woodhouse), (with a little confusion over Vegetable deliveries), -conbining as 1 group for a short stretch, Pyrford, Wanham gates, Ripley Green-, Ockham, Hatchford, Cobham, Fairmile, to Claremont lakes (NT) for Tea & Bread pudding, Esher, Hinchley wood, Long Ditton, Surbiton, to finish back in Kingston. Total 30 Miles, Special thanks to Bai for leading group 2, thanks to John E & Andrea E for back marking, thanks to Christine for the BP at very short notice.

Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/2313436

Group 2 near Brooklands Museum.

Evening ride to Richmond Hill

Wednesday 21st June, on the longest day of 2023 (what you mean it’s downhill all the way to that ‘C’ word), with a glorious Sunny evening, 22, no wait, we have 2 more unannounced guests, 24 Cyclists- I think that’s a record for an Evening ride!-,left via Kingston Bridge, Bushy Park, Fulwell, Twickenham, Junction Roughs path,Cole park, St Margarets, Richmond Bridge, to Richmond Hill for Refreshments at a very busy Roebuck & many chats with other groups from various Borough’s from South & West London, also watching the setting Sun, Richmond Park- with delightful views of Deer mingling with the various Cycle lights-, Kingston gate, Kingston Station Bridge to finish back in Kingston. Total 12 Miles, 2 new faces, thanks to Andrea for back marking thanks to Chris F & others for marking corners. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/1588396

Taking a breather, near the Roebuck: Pete M

Sunset from Richmond Hill : Pete M

2 part ride to Morden & Molesey

Part 1, with numbers yo-yoing up & down, before the ride, eventually settling on 10 Cyclists, -no wait, we have 1 transfer from part 2-, left via Fairfield, Norbiton, New Malden, Raynes park, Wimbledon Chase, Merton park, Morden Hall Park (2 visits & Photo), Ravensbury Park, Morden, Sutton Common Park, to Lower Morden for Lunch at the very welcoming Morden Brook (Greene King), Joseph Hood Park, Motspur park, New Malden, Berrylands to finish back in Kingston. Sub total 16 Miles, thanks to the new back marker Yee-Liu. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/2283507

Part 2 Now with mostly cloudy Skies, saying farewell to 6 & welcome to 5 fresh faces, 10 Cyclists left via Berrylands, Surbiton, Long Ditton, Giggs hill Green, Weston Green- almost losing 1 corner marker, as the tail found a small detour-, Esher, -with more threatening Skies, a strategic decision to shorten the route-, Molesey to East Molesey Cricket Club for Tea & Bread pudding at ‘Miss Polly’s’ Cafe, -now with light Rain-, Hampton Court, Thames Ditton, Portsmouth Rd to finish back in Kingston. Sub total 13 Miles, Total 29 Miles. 1 new face, thanks to Ellie for back marking. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/2283666

Midweek ride to West Horsley

Wednesday 14th June. Another warm, Sunny day, after 1 cancellation, 14 Cyclists left via Portsmouth Rd, Long Ditton, Hinchley wood, Esher, Fairmile, Cobham, Hatchford, Ockham -almost got sucked into a Charity ride, on a Wednesday ?- to West Horsley for lunch at the delightful Barley Mow, East Horsley, Orestan Plantation, Effingham, Great Bookham, Fetcham (Photo), Leatherhead, Ashtead Common, to Epsom for Tea & refreshments at the Old Moat Garden centre Cafe, West Ewell, Tolworth & Greenway, Surbiton to finish back in Kingston. Total 32 Miles. Thanks to Chris F for back marking & others for marking corners. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/1508730.

Bread pudding ride to Harmondsworth

Sunday 11th June. A bright Sunny morning, saw a total of 27 Cyclists split into 2 groups, leave via Kingston Bridge, Hampton Wick, Teddington, Strawberry hill, River Crane path, pausing at the Shot Tower to explain its purpose, Whitton, Hounslow Heath (Photo Group 1), West Hounslow, Cranford, Harlington, Sipson, to Harmondsworth for lunch at the Crown, (with a few electing to visit the Five Bells to spread the load), (Photo group 2), then a visit to the ‘Great Barn’,- with 1 more who missed the start, joining group 1-, resuming the ride, Harmondsworth Moor, Poyle, Stanwell moor, Stanwell, Ashford- with 1 person in group 1 suffering ‘Seized Brakes’, forced to abandon the ride, with a 2nd person becoming dehydrated, also abandoning the ride, & 2 others staying with that victim until help arrived-, Sunbury, Feltham, Hanworth, -now with dark clouds, light Rain, but very large rain Drops & rumbles of Thunder-, Hampton, Bushy Park for Tea & Bread pudding at the Pheasantry, Hampton Wick, Kingston Bridge to finish back in Kingston. Total 28 Miles, 5 new faces Special thanks to Bai for leading group 2, thanks to John E & Toni Z for back marking each group, thanks to John D for the BP.

Update Re Dot: After a refreshing Drink of Fanta, much refreshed & safely home.

Update from Paula: the shop have confirmed the Brake fluid level had dropped, it can mean in very hot conditions, the remaining fluid gets too hot, causing the Brakes to lock on.

Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/840250

Group 1 with the Hounslow Heath Dragonfly: Lindsay

Group 2 Harmondsworth Parish Church: Bai Kamara

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!