Challenge ride to Downe

Sunday 4th October. A largely Wet day still saw 11 brave Cyclists, with 5 cancellations split into 2 groups rather than the 3 planned, leave the Fountain Roundabout via Motspur park, Joseph Hood Park, North Cheam, Sutton, Wrythe Green, & the new Pop up planters on Butter Hill, Beddington Park- with bonus points for anyone doing the Breaststroke in the ‘Guy Road Pond’-, Croydon, Heavers Meadow, Ashburton Field, Shirley, Coney Hall, Keston to Downe for a welcoming lunch at the Queens Head, High Elms, Farnbo0rough, Orpington, Southborough, Norman Park, Bromley, to Beckenham for Tea & Bread Pudding at Kelsey Park Cafe and Photo’s

Group 1 Kelsey Park
Group 2 Kelsey Park

Elmers End, South Norwood Country Park, South Norwood with more Pop up Planters 🙂, Heavers Meadow, Selhurst, Thornton heath, Pollards hill, Mitcham, Morden Hall Park, Merton park, Wimbledon Chase, Raynes park, to finish back in New Malden, Total 45 Miles, special thanks to Bai for leading group 2 also Carl for being ready to lead a third group, thanks to Mike F & John E for back marking duties, thanks to John D for the BP.

Map:-www.plotaroute.com/route/1302921

Bread pudding ride to Wraysbury

Sunday 20th September. 18 Cyclists having successfully negotiated the new booking system from LCC, in fact it worked so well, the ride was fully booked barely 4 Hours after sending the invite ! A mostly warm Sunny Day saw 16 Cyclists, with 1 late cancellation & 1 no show, the 3 seperate groups left via Kingston Bridge, Bushy Park, Hampton Hill, Hampton, Hanworth, Feltham, Bedfont

St Mary the virgin & its Topiary with group 1
who’d have thought, Group 2 at the same spot Credit:Bai Kamara

(Photo, group 1 & group 2, more on the Topiary can be found here https://londongardenstrust.org/conservation/inventory/site-record/?ID=HOU046 ), Stanwell -including a new Cycle track, not very far but might get extended sometime, Stanwell Moor, Poyle, to Wraysbury for lunch at the ‘Perseverance’, with service slightly peddestrian, but worth it when the Food & Drinks did arrive, then Hythe End, Staines, Laleham, Shepperton (with group one missing a turn, soon back tracked, whatever distracted our leader, we’ll never know), Walton Bridge, to ‘Wilde Bunch’

Group 3 enjoying Tea & Bread pudding, if the other two groups haven’t eaten it all 😉

for Tea & Bread pudding, Walton, Molesey, -all three groups struggled crossing a very busy A309, Hampton Court Way-, Thames Ditton, Portsmouth Rd & track to Kingston. Total 31 Miles special thanks to Bai & Carl for sterling work leading group’s 2 & 3, thanks to Amy, Ellie & Andrea for back marking there group, thanks to John D for the Bread pudding

Map:- http://www.plotaroute.com/route/1287729

Midweek ride to Merstham

Wednesday 16th September, with a cloudy start, a total of 9 Cyclists, split into two groups, from New Malden, Motspur park, Joseph Hood Park, Pyl Brook path, Sutton, Carshalton, Carshalton Park, Wallington, Woodmansterne, Chipstead, – with 1 extra Cyclist joining group 2-, Coulsdon, Farthing Down, -with a minor Chain slippage causing group 1 leader to take a tumble, no harm done, swiftly remounted-, Chaldon, to Merstham for lunch at a very hospitable ‘Feathers’ (Stonegate), with a glorious Sunny afternoon, Reigate Hill, Colley Hill for the superb views of the South Downs & the Folly (Photo)

Folly near Colley Hill, with group 1

Walton Heath, – with group 1 having a visit from the ‘P Fairy’, whilst a bit later group 2 took a minor detour-, Walton on the Hill, Tadworth, Tattenham Corner, East Ewell, to Nionsuch Park for Tea & refreshments, Worcester park, Malden Manor to New Malden. Total 35 Miles, special thanks to Mike F for leading group 2, thanks to Steve F and John E for Back marking their groups.

Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/1275520

Evening ride to Wimbledon

Wednesday 9th September. A warm slightly humid Evening saw 7 Cyclists, (all Socially distant), after 1 late cancellation, go via Lower Marsh, Berrylands, New Malden, Motspur park, Cannon Hill, Merton park, South Wimbledon to Wimbledon for refreshments at Wibbas Down Inn (Wetherspoons), Wimbledon chase, Raynes park, New Malden, Norbiton, to Kingston. Total 14 Miles, thanks to John E for back marking.

Map:- https://www.plotaroute.com/route/879155

2 Part ride to Chessington & Bushy Park

Sunday 6th September Part 1. A mostly bright morning saw 18 Cyclists split into 3 groups, leave 5 Minutes apart go via Lower Marsh, Berrylands, New Malden, Motspur park alas the Level crossing was down an inordinate time, allowing group 2 to catch the tail of group 1 😦, Joseph Hood Park, North Cheam, Cheam Park, Nonsuch Park, Stoneleigh, Hogsmill open Space, West Ewell, to Chessington for lunch at the very pleasant ‘William Bourne’ (Stonegate), Bonesgate Path, Tolworth & Greenway, Surbiton, Cranes park to Kingston. Sub total 17 Miles, 1 new face, special thanks to Jon W & Mike F for group leading,, thanks to Ellie, John D & John E for back marking their group.

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

Afternoon Tea stop, Bushy Park Credit: Steve J/ Amy

Part 2 saying farewell to 8 and welcome to 4 fresh faces, with group 2 in a rush to depart, before group 3 from the morning had finished, so 2 led the way via Skerne Rd, Kingston Gate Richmond Park, the Tamsin trail, (group 1 almost catching the leaders at Petersham gate), Richmond, Richmond Bridge, Ducks walk, East Twickenham, group 1 took a devious detour to pass group 2, 😉 St Margartets, Cole Park, Crane River Path, Twickenham, Fulwell, Hampton to Bushy Park for Tea & Bread pudding at the Pheasantry, Cobblers walk, Hampton Wick gate, Kingston Bridge to Kingston. Sub total 12 Miles, Total 29 Miles, special thanks to Steve J & Mike for group leading, thanks to Amy, Ralph, & John E for back marking duties, thanks to John D for the BP. Thanks to Amy for remembering to take a Photo at Tea.

Map:-www.plotaroute.com/route/1263233

Bread pudding Picnic ride to Brooklands

Sunday 23rd August. a largely bright Sunny day saw 20, -it would have been 22 but for two late cancelations with 1 extra who did make it, almost being left off the list due to an admin error-, so 21 Cyclists manage to find 4 Leaders, leaving at 5 Minute intervals, via Kingston Bridge, Bushy Park, Hampton, Sunbury, Halliford, Shepperton, Chertsey Bridge, Chertsey Meads (Photo group 2), Addlestone, Row Town, New Haw, West Byfleet, to Brooklands Community Park & the vastly improved Cycle path for our Picnic lunch near the River Wey (Photo group 1 & group 4), continuing on the new Tarmac path, Weybridge, Walton-on-Thames, West Molesey, to Molesey Boat club for Tea & Bread pudding at ‘Eight on the River’, Cafe, with group 4 taking the nearby Molesey Lock Cafe option, Thames Ditton, Portsmouth Rd track to Kingston. Total 29 Miles, very special thanks to Bai, Steve D & Mags for group leading, thanks to Andrea, John E, Mike F & Will for Back marking duties, thanks to John D for the BP

Group 1 post lunch
Group 2 Chertsey Meads
Group 4 & guest, at lunch

Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/1178559

Midweek ride to Thorpe Green

Wednesday 19th August, a mostly cloudy day, with light Rain to start, saw 6 brave (or maybe foolhardy souls), down from the booked 11, set off via Portsmouth Rd, Giggshill green, Thames Ditton, West Molesey, Walton-on Thames, Weybridge, including a new Cycletrack on Heath Rd, Addlestone, Chertsey Meads, Chertsey, to Thorpe Green for lunch at the ‘Rose & Crown’, (an ‘Eat out to help out’ venue :–)), with the Rain now more persistent, but all still happy to continue, Virginia Water village, Windsor great Park, (Photo)

with special guest, Australian Shepherd Dog, having gathered the stray Cyclists

Egham Wick, Egham, Staines Bridge, Riverside, Knowle Green, Ashford, Feltham, Hanworth, Hampton, Bushy Park (with no enthusiasm for an al-fresco Tea stop), Hampton Wick, Kingston Bridge. Total 35 Miles

Special thanks to Steve F for back marking & being ready to lead group 2.

Map:-http://www.plotaroute.com/route/1242596

Evening ride to Twickenham

Wednesday 12th August. A Hot, sultry Evening with 2 late withdrawls, saw 12 Cyclists split into 2 groups, leave via Kingston Bridge, Bushy Park, Hampton, Hanworth, Hanworth Park, Leitrim Park, Crane River Park, to Twickenham for refreshments at ‘the Rifleman’ ( now a Twickenham Brewery Pub), Strawberry Hill, Teddington, Hampton Wick, Kingston Bridge. Total 12 Miles, special thanks to Jon W for leading group 2 and to Mike for being on standby, thanks to John E & Chris A for Back marking duties.

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

Challenge ride to Walliswood

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Group 1, Weare Street Duck pond

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Group 2 Fetcham Meadows

Sunday 9th August, A hot steamy day was perhaps not the best day to pick one of the Hillier rides we might do, but having to plan, organise sub groups & book ahead at the moment meant we had to stick to the plan. 14 Cyclists (after 2 late cancellations), split 3 ways, leave via Kingston Rd Cycle track, Chessington, Claygate, Princes Coverts, Oxshott, Fetcham (Photo 2, (who is the masked crusader? Me thinks it might be Chris)), Bookham, Effingham, with group 1 deciding wrongly in hindsight to use the Bridleway past the Roadworks, groups 2 & 3 wisely walked past the obstruction, Whitedown, Abinger, Holmbury St Mary, Forest Green to Walliswood for lunch at the always delightful ‘Scarlett Arms’, then Okewood Hill, Weare Street (Photo 1), Ockley, Capel, -where things started to go slightly awry-, 2 of group 1 decided to take a detour to visit ‘Dorking Brewery’, then had to backtrack, hence Group 2 caught up & took the lead, Newdigate, Henfold, Stonebridge, -only to lose 2 of group 2 off the front (a reminder to listen to instruction from leader if you get in front)-, hence Group 1 retook the lead, Pixham, A24 Cycle track to Burford Bridge, for Tea & Bread pudding at ‘Rykas’, with group 3 splintering, some heading for Leatherhead & Train, 1 missing a turn & heading straight for home, the last man standing joined group 1, the 2 groups remaining electing to take an easier less Hilly route than planned, Leatherhead, Ashtead Common, Horton, West Ewell, to Tolworth. Total 49 Miles, special thanks to Bai for leading group 2, & Mags leading group 3, thanks to John E, Steve F & Will for back marking each group, thanks to John D for the BP.

Map:-www.plotaroute.com/route/1238121

Bread Pudding ride to Northolt

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Group 1 Northala field

Sunday 26th July , a mostly bright day with light rain at the end of the lunch breaks, & steadier Rain after the Tea stop, saw 15 Cyclists, split into 3 groups of  5, having managed to find an alternative to Garmin’s non functioning Website for group 2, leave via Kingston Bridge, Teddington, Twickenham & the new ‘Railway Path’, Isleworth, Syon Park, Brentford, South Ealing, Boston Manor Cycle track, Hanwell, Churchfield Rec, High Lane Path, Southall, Greenford to Northolt for lunch at the very hospitable ‘Crown’ (Sizzling Pubs), all 3 groups electing to stay in the Garden, then Northala field, (Photo group 1), Southall, Norwood green, Osterley Park, Osterley, Hounslow, Whitton, to Kneller Gardens for Tea & Bread pudding, -with group 2 finding an alternative route, & temporarily mislaying 2 members, oops-, 20200726_145553group 3 arrived before 2  (Photo group 3 at Tea), Crane river Park, Fulwell, Bushy Park, Kingston Bridge, to find group 2 had found a different route to Bushy Park, usurping group 1 in the process. Total 29 Miles, very special thanks to Carl & Bai for leading groups 2 & 3, thanks to Mike, Ralph & John E for Back marking each group, thanks to John D for the BP.

Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/1212522