2 part ride to Teddington & Wimbledon park

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With the former ‘Star & Garter home and Richmond terrace

Sunday 25th September. Part 1, a mostly bright day with a Chilly breeze saw 23 Cyclists leave the finish of Kingston’s half Marathon behind via Skerne Rd, Kingston gate of Richmond park, the ‘Tamsin trail’, Ham gate, Ham, Ham house, Thames towpath to Richmond Bridge, (with a small detachment almost missing the ramp to the Bridge), Ducks walk, St Margerets, Isleworth, Whitton, Twickenham, Fulwell to Teddington lock for lunch at ‘the Anglers’, then Hampton wick & Kingston Bridge. Total 13 Miles, thanks to Jon W for back marking.

The ride was followed by saying a very fond farewell to Nick & Ruth who are moving to pastures new, we’re certainly going to miss all the Photo’s from Ruth, & I’ll also miss Nick’s sage advice.

Map:- www.bikemap.net/en/route/3794578

Part 2. With 14 people saying adieu, but hello to 6 fresh faces, 15 Cyclists left via Lower Marsh, Berrylands, New Malden, Motspur park, West Barnes, Merton park, South Wimbledon, to Wimbledon park for Tea & BP, then uphill to Wimbledon village, Copse hill, Malden Golf course, Mount Pleasant, Norbiton, to Kingston. Total 16 Miles, 2 new faces, thanks to Mike F for acting as back marker.

Map :-www.bikemap.net/en/route/3795026

 

Bread Pudding ride to Harmondsworth

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Osterley park

Sunday 11th September, a bright Sunny day saw 19 Cyclists leave via Kingston bridge, Bushy park, Hampton, Hanworth, Feltham, East Bedfont, Stanwell, Stanwell moor, Poyle, Harmondsworth moor to Harmondsworth for lunch at ‘the Five Bells’, afterwards a visit to the ‘Great Barn’ was enjoyed before re-mounting the Bikes to West Drayton, then Grand union canal towpath, North Hyde, Norwood green, to Osterley park for Tea & BP, Osterley, Isleworth, Mogden works, Twickenham, (where a lack of Trains meant those who hoped to get off early were thwarted), Strawberry hill, Teddington, Hampton wick to Kingston bridge. Total 31 Miles

Thanks to John E for back marking & many others for corner marking and to John D for the Breadpudding.

Map :-www.plotaroute.com/route/285856

Reporting dangerous driving

There is a glut of internet items about how some cyclists feel pushed into retaliating in the face of dangerous, reckless or simply poor driving.  Kingston Cycling Campaign does not condone this response.

When I reported an aggressive driver a few weeks ago the duty officer confirmed that you should always report  such incidents, preferably with the vehicle number as well as the location and a description. Chances are, this information could be useful in other investigations too. The Crown Prosecution Service has a fact sheet outlining their definitions of dangerous and reckless driving: www.cps.gov.uk/news/fact_sheets/dangerous_driving/

They say:

A person drives dangerously when:

  • the way they drive falls far below the minimum acceptable standard expected of a competent and careful driver; and
  • it would be obvious to a competent and careful driver that driving in that way would be dangerous

Clearly this includes:

  • driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
  • street racing
  • a  vehicle with a dangerous fault or an unsafe load
  • driving into street furniture
  • driving the wrong way on a fast road (motorway or dual carriageway)
  • mounting a heavily-pedestrianised pavement

For non-emergencies (such as reporting a reckless driver from the comfort of your sofa) call 101. However if you feel intimated enough to wish to remain anonymous you can report dangerous driving on RoadSafe London: content.met.police.uk/Site/roadsafelondon/

London Cycling Campaign also offer advice on reporting incidents with taxis, buses and lorries.

In the week that Christopher Gard was jailed for texting while driving at 65 mph and killing a cyclist taking part in an organised event, there was a discussion on ‘Death by Dangerous Driving’ on the Today programme on Radio 4 (now on iPlayer). Gard had been convicted of using his phone at least six times prior to this.

See also:

Bread pudding ride to Virginia water

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Virginia water

Sunday 21st August. A mostly bright day saw 20 Cyclists leave via Portsmouth Rd, (passing the steadily growing Cycle track), Giggshill green, Weston green, Esher, Walton on Thames, Ashley park, Walton bridge, Shepperton, Chertsey bridge, Chertsey meads, Addlestone, Bretlands to Lyne for Lunch at ‘the Royal Marine’- with some electing to move on to the ‘Virginia water Cafe’ as an alternative lunch venue -, then Trumps green, Virginia water, to reconvene with the rest of the group in Windsor Great park, and a busy Pedestrian/ Dog/ Buggy & Cycle path, via the ‘Totem pole’ to the Savill Garden gate, Egham wick, Egham, Staines bridge, Staines, then Thames towpath, Penton hook, Laleham, Shepperton, Upper Haliford, Sunbury – where the intended Tea stop at the ‘Walled garden’ had already stopped serving before 4pm-, so continuing via Hampton to Bushy park & the ‘Pheasantry’ for Tea & BP, Hampton wick gate & Kingston Bridge. Total 38 Miles, 4 new faces.

Thanks to Steve for Back marking, (and assistance from John) & others for watching junctions & John for the Bread pudding.

Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/272606

 

Evening ride to Twickenham

Casualty update : Andrew is fine but with a very swollen Wrist, he didn’t visit Hospital last night, but has had an X ray on the Wrist as a precaution. He still hopes to join us on another ride soon.

A bright evening saw 10 Cyclists leave via Kingston bridge, where an accident for 1 of our party led to us calling the Ambulance service, who rapidly sent a Cycle paramedic to assess the victim,- who was still feeling very dizzy, I will check on his condition later- the remainder of the group continued via Bushy park, Hampton, Fulwell, River Crane path, Kneller gardens to Twickenham for refreshments at ‘the Sussex arms’, then Strawberry hill, Teddington, Hampton wick to Kingston. Total 8 Miles, 4 new faces.

Thanks to Steve J & Jon for back marking

Challenge ride to Sutton Abinger

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Friday street, near Dorking

Sunday 7th August, a mostly cloudy Morning, with bright Sunshine by Afternoon saw 18 Cyclists leave the Market place, with 1 more catching the tail on Portsmouth Rd, Long Ditton, Hinchley wood, Esher, Claremont, Fairmile- where the Back marker did his best to get lost, whilst consuming a Banana,-Cobham, Downside, Effingham Junction, Effingham, White hill, White down to Sutton Abinger for a well earned lunch at ‘the Volunteer’, then Abinger common, Friday street, -with 1 faller suffering some minor grazes,- Wotton, Westcott, Milton court, Dorking, Meadowbank Rec.,-with the leadership briefly passing to Nick, while 1 person was helped to find the correct Station for the train to London,- Norbury park farm, Givons grove, Bocketts farm for Tea & BP, Hawks hill, Leatherhead, Leatherhead common, Ashtead common, Epsom common, Manor park, St. Ebba’s path, Hogsmill path, West Ewell, Tolworth greenway, Berrylands, to Kingston. Toatal 44 Miles, 1 new face. Thanks to John for Back marking & the Bread pudding, and to all the ‘assistant Marshals’ for marking corners.

Map :-www.plotaroute.com/route/263139

Feeder ride to London Freewheel

Ride London 2016Saturday 30th July. A mostly cloudy day with an appearance from the Sun in late afternoon, saw a gathering of 100 plus Cyclists leave the Market place via Skerne Rd, Kingston gate, Richmond park, (gathering more along the way, approx 130 in all), Roehampton gate, Barnes, Thames towpath, Putney bridge, Fulham, Parsons green, Brompton Cemetery, South Kensington, Belgravia to Buckingham Palace. After Lunch, and touring a much improved ‘Central Route’, approx 70 Cyclists gathered on Constitution hill, via Hyde Park, Serpentine path, Kensington Gardens, South Kensington, Brompton Cemetery, Putney bridge, Thames towpath, Barnes, Roehampton gate, Richmond park, Kingston gate to the Market place. Special thanks to Steve for back-marking, and all the other Marshals, it made for a very enjoyable day.

Map of our outward and return route at www.plotaroute.com/route/258450 and you can see photos of everyone on the feeder and return rides in Prudential RideLondonFreeCycle 2016 at www.flickr.com/photos/kingstoncyclingcampaign/albums

Ham cross, Richmond Park

Ham cross, Richmond Park

Prudential RideLondonFreeCycle – check your bike!

repairing a puncture on the rideJoin our feeder ride tomorrow – bring the family along! And please make sure you’ve checked all the bikes in your party – see lcc.org.uk/articles/checking-your-bike if you need a quick refresher.

As with all our rides, remember to bring a spare inner tube too (there’s more useful  information about our rides at kingstoncyclecampaign.wordpress.com/rides-2/rides-calendar/#on-the-ride)