Bread Pudding ride to Pyrford Lock

A Bright but Chilly day, with some light drizzle as we finished, after 1 cancellation, 1 un-cancellatiion, 1 no show, 19 Cyclists split into 2 groups, via Portsmouth Rd, Thames Ditton- 1 more for group 1 (20)-, East Molesey, West Molesey, Walton, Weybridge, Brooklands Park, Byfleet village, Wisley to Pyrford Lock for lunch at the Anchor (Hall & Woodhouse), a bit more Wisley, Wisley Bridge, Ockham, Hatchford, Cobham, (Photo Group 2), Fairmile, to Claremont Lakes for Tea & refreshments, Esher, Littleworth Common (Photo group 1), Hinchley wood, Long Ditton, Surbiton, to finish back in Kingston. Total 29 Miles, 2 new faces, special thanks to Celia for leading group 2, thanks to Steve F & Andrea C for back marking each group.

Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/2006267

Midweek ride to Hanwell

Wednesday 15th October. After 2 late cancellations, 14 Cyclists left via London Rd- alas the tail end got detached, another person almost got lost looking for the tail, soon all back together-, Norbiton, Kingston gate Richmond Park, Sheen gate, Mortlake, Chiswick Bridge, Strand on the Green, Brentford- a navigational mix up, hence a detour via Carville Hall Park-, Gunnersbury Park, to make up a bit of time another detour, South Ealing, past Ealing Studios, West Ealing, Churchfields Park (Photo), to Hanwell for lunch at the always splendid Fox, -more woe, the ‘P fairy’ had paid a visit during lunch, but soon repaired-, Grand Union Canal Towpath, -pausing briefly to see IK Brunel’s last project, the Three Bridges, (Railway at the bottom, Canal, with a Road Bridge on top)-, Norwood Green, Osterley Park, Osterley, Isleworth, Cole park, Twickenham, the Railway roughs path, to Kneller Gardens for Tea & refreshments, Fulwell, Bushy Park, Kingston Bridge, to finish back in Kingston. Total 28 Miles, thanks to Toni for back marking, thanks to Mags for being ready to lead a 2nd group. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/2240956

Churchfield Park, with the Wharncliffe viaduct (Brunels Great Western)

Challenge ride to Chislehurst

Sunday 12th October, A mostly overcast Morning, with More Sunlight in the afternoon, after 3 late cancellations, & 2 no shows, we settled on just 1 group, instead of the 2 planned, 12 Cyclists left New Malden, via the Beeline, Raynes park, Wimbledon Chase, Merton park, Morden Hall Park, Mitcham- joined by 1 more-, Norbury, Thornton heath- 1 more-, Heavers Meadow, South Norwood, Norwood Country Park, Beckenham, Beckenham Place Park, Downham, Plaistow, Elmstead, to Chislehurst for lunch at the Queens Head (Ember Inns)- joined by 1 of the no shows (15)-, a bit more Chislehurst, Jubilee Country Park (Photo), -a few loose Acorns, led to a tumble, swiftly re-mounted-, Petts wood, Southborough, Norman Park, Pickhurst, West Wickham, Shirley, Addiscombe, to Lloyd Park Cafe for Tea & refreshments & a rendition of Happy Birthday for Nigel, South Croydon, Waddon, Beddington, Beddington Park, Hackbridge, the Wrythe, Benhilton, Pyl Brook path, North Cheam, Motspur park, to finish back in New Malden. Total 43 Miles, Special thanks to Nigel for being ready to lead group 2, thanks to Chris F for back marking, 1 new face. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/3123458

Kingston’s completing two Cycleways! 🎉

Following a long pause, construction has restarted to finish two of Kingston’s long planned Cycleways:

Cycleway 29 (Kingston to Tolworth) – construction is taking place to fill in a 600m gap in safer cycling provision along Ewell Road on the Surbiton/Tolworth border.
Cycleway 32 (Kingston to New Malden) – construction of improved cycling facilities has just started on a 1.4km stretch of road along Cambridge and Kingston Roads.

*New Cycleway in construction on Ewell Road*

Kingston Cycling Campaign are delighted that construction is finally taking place to finish these Cycleways that have been in development for more than a decade. When complete, the Kingston to Tolworth Cycleway will stretch almost 7km from Kingston Station to Tolworth Broadway along a mix of separated cycle paths and quiet roads. Finishing this Cycleway creates the beginning of a Cycleway ‘spine’ route from North to the South of the Borough. It also connects to Cycleway 28 (Kingston High Street towards Long Ditton) and Cycleway 30 (Kingston to Kingston Vale)

Cycleway 32 currently begins from Cycleway 30 near Asda on London Road before ending a couple of hundred metres later along Cambridge Road. When complete, the Cycleway will continue past the Cambridge Road Estate (over 4,000 cycle parking spaces due to be installed as part of its redevelopment), past Kingsmeadow and the proposed new secondary school before ending close to the Fountain junction in the centre of New Malden. Along the way, it also gets very close to the beginning of Cycleway 31 which takes people on bikes (and those walking) along a mostly traffic free route to Raynes Park. Whilst much of Cycleway 32 will include cycle lanes which are separated from other vehicles, part of it will unfortunately involve people cycling sharing a lane with buses. We will be asking Kingston Council to monitor this carefully and to make further improvements if necessary.

The completed Cycleways will offer improvements for people walking too, with three new zebra crossings to be installed and a crossing at Hawk’s Road junction made easier for pedestrians too. After these have been finished, there will have been 20 new zebra crossings installed along Kingston’s Cycleways so far. Improvements will also be made at some side roads to make it clear that people walking (and cycling) have priority over motor vehicles when crossing the road.

When will the new Cycleways be finished?

Construction on both routes is expected to last until mid to late 2026 with works being planned around other major roadworks in the Borough.

What might be next?

Kingston Council has also applied for funding from Transport for London to commence initial feasibility studies on other potential Cycleways in the Borough. Whilst the original ‘Mini-Holland’ Cycleways will be complete after these works, the network will still not not cover many parts of the Borough including North Kingston (Kingston Station towards Ham), South of the Borough (Surbiton/Tolworth towards Hook and Chessington) as well as to Old Malden and Worcester Park.

Fountain junction in New Malden also remains a dangerous place for people walking and cycling and we hope the Council will take further steps to improve safety there.

In the meantime, Kingston Cycling Campaign will continue working with the Council to make further improvements to the current and planned Cycleways to enhance safety and usability for those on a bike or on foot.

Special Tribute for Bai ride

Sunday 28th September. A mostly overcast day, with occasional light drizzle, after 2 late cancellations, & 1 unexpected guest, 22 Cyclists split into 2 groups, leave via Skerne Rd, North Kingston, Norbiton, New Malden, Malden Manor, Cuddington, Auriol Park- busy with many youngsters coming & going from Football games-, Stoneleigh, Nonsuch Park, East Ewell, Higher Green, Epsom Downs, Tatttenham Corner, to Tadworth, for lunch at the Blue Anchor (M & B),- 5 more joined (27)-, Walton on the Hill, Walton Heath, Lower Kingswood, to Chipstead for a very special extended Tea stop at our good friend Andrea’s home & Woodland Garden- also joined by a few non Cycling friends-, after a few speech’s in tribute to Bai, more Chipstead, Banstead, East Ewell, Ewell village, West Ewell, Tolworth, Surbiton, to finish back in Kingston. Total 32 Miles, special thanks to Andrea E for hosting the delightful Tea stop, special thanks to Andrea C for leading group 2, thanks to Chris F & Celia for back marking each group. The Photo montage page is still open, if you have any memories to share; https://photos.app.goo.gl/oZCgUjcP3UeWnQva6

Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/3075810

Midweek ride to Pimlico

Wednesday 17th September. With just a few drops of drizzle, after 1 late cancellation, & 1 unexpected guest, – including 1 person who forgot the starting point,- 16 Cyclists leave on the Beeline, Raynes park, Wimbledon Chase, South Wimbledon, Wandle Trail- with a minor Gear change issue, soon fixed-, Earlsfield, Wandsworth Common, Clapham Common, Stockwell, Vauxhall, to Pimlico for lunch at the White Swan (McMullens), Westminster- thankfully before the ‘anti Trump protest march’-, Victoria Embankment (C3), Southwark Bridge (C7), also C14 & C10, Burgess Park (Photo), Loughborough, Brixton, Brockwell Park, Tulse Hill, Streatham Hill, to Tooting Bec Common for Tea & refreshments, Tooting, Colliers wood, Morden Hall Park, Merton park, Wimbledon Chase, Raynes park, to finish back in New Malden. Total 30 Miles, 2 new faces, special thanks to Ellie for back marking at short notice. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/3104112

Evening ride to Twickenham

Wednesday 10th September, with some light Drizzle, after 1 late cancellation & 1 unexpected guest, 7 Cyclists left via Skerne Rd, Latchmere, Ham gate Richmond Park, Petersham gate, Richmond, Richmond Bridge, St Margarets, Isleworth, Whitton, to Twickenham for refreshments at the Sussex Arms, also meeting a few other old friends, then Strawberry hill, Teddington, Hampton Wick, Kingston Bridge to finish back in Kingston. Total 12 Miles. Map:-www.plotaroute.com/route/837624

2 part ride to Twickenham & Morden Hall

Sunday 7th September, Part 1 A mostly Sunny Morning with 1 late cancellation & 1 late booking, 10 Cyclists left via Kingston Bridge, Bushy Park, to stop briefly near the site of SHAEF, (Photo), Hampton, & Nurserylands estate, Hanworth, Hanworth Air Park, Leitrim Park, River Crane path, Kneller Gardens, to Twickenham for lunch at the Prince Blucher (Fullers), Strawberry hill, Teddington, Hampton Wick, Kingston Bridge, to finish back in Kingston. Sub total 14 Miles, thanks to Lindsay for back marking. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/3097236

Bushy Park near the site of SHAEF: Lindsay

Part 2 An absolutely packed Market place with the Kingston Carnival taking place, saying farewell to 4, welcome to 3 fresh faces- 1 no show, possibly unable to find the group-, 9 Cyclists left via Lower Marsh, Berrylands, New Malden, Motspur park, Joseph Hood Park, Morden Park, Morden, to Morden Hall Park for refreshments at the ‘Potters Shed Cafe’, Merton park, Wimbledon Chase, Raynes park, Beeline, New Malden, Norbiton, to finish back in Kingston. Sub total 14 Miles, Total 28 Miles, 1 new face, special thanks to Andrea C for leading, thanks to Wendy T for back marking. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/3089822

Midweek ride to West Horsley

Wednesday 20th August. A rather cloudy Morning, gradually brighter in the afternoon, with a late surge in bookings & finding that the Co-leader had decided to do a Recce ride without support, alas 3 late cancellations, & 1 late booking, 17 cyclists split into 2 groups, leave via Portsmouth Rd, Long Ditton,- 1 more for group 1, (18)-, Hinchley wood, Esher, Fairmile, Cobham, Hatchford, Ockham (Photo group 1), to West Horsley for lunch at the Barley Mow, East Horsley, Orestan Common, Effingham, Bookham, Fetcham, (Photo group 2), Leatherhead, Ashtead, Ashtead Park, Woodcote, Epsom, to Alexandra park for Tea & refreshments at Park view Cafe,- now just 1 group-, Ewell village, West Ewell, Tolworth, Surbiton, to finish back in Kingston. Special thanks to Celia for superb leading of group 2, without a ‘shadow leader’, as had been planned, thanks to Steve D & Toni for back marking each group. 2 new faces. Total 33 Miles. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/1508730

Group 1, Long Reach, West Horsley: Lindsay

Bread pudding ride to Addlestone

Sunday 17th August. A glorious sunny day saw 21Cyclists- hang on, there’s 1 extra who hadn’t booked (22)-, split into 2 groups, leave via Portsmouth Rd, Giggshill Green, Weston Green, Esher, Walton, Weybridge, Brooklands Park, – Oh look my Limo, no wait, they’ve sent 2 identical, no there’s even more, turns out they were celebrating 60 Years since the Rolls Royce Silver Shadow first appeared-, Byfleet, New Haw, Rowtown, to Addllestone for lunch at the Pelican, -next to the Wey Navigation-, Victory Park, Chertsey Mead, (Photo group 1), Chertsey Bridge, Shepperton, Halliford, to Lower Sunbury for Tea & refreshments at the walled Garden, Hampton, Bushy Park, Hampton Wick, Kingston Bridge, to finish back in Kingston. Total 29 Miles, 1 new face, special thanks to Mags for leading group 2, thanks to Ellie & Will for back marking each group. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/1868983

Kingston Cycling Campaign

Promoting safer and more enjoyable cycling in South West London and beyond