Midweek ride to Maida Vale

Wednesday 13th November. A bright day, with some Sun, after 1 late cancellation, saw 15 Cyclists leave the Christmas Market place, via Skerne Road, Latchmere, Ham gate Richmond Park, White lodge, Roehampton gate, Barnes Common, Putney, Putney Bridge, Parsons Green, Brompton Cemetery, South Kensington, Kennsington Gardens, Bayswater, to view an odd House or 2, Paddington, to view an ‘arty Clock’ & a few ‘Animals’ enjoying lunch- sort of-, a rather congested with traffic Marylebone, to Maida Vale for lunch at the Carlton Tavern, Kilburn, North Kensington, Shepherds bush, Hammersmith to Ravenscourt Park for refreshments at the recently refurbished Paddenswick Tea Gardens, Cycleway 9, Chiswick, Grove park, Chiswick Bridge, Mortlake, Sheen gate Richmond Park, Kingston gate, to finish back in Kingston. Total 29 Miles, thanks to Dave P for back marking & others for marking corners.

Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/2162317

With ‘Wild Table of love’, a Gillie & Marc piece, near Paddington Station: Lindsay.

Note; see more G & M art, in Kingston Town centre at the moment.

KCC receives Community Activator Award

Kudos to our members whose dedication meant we received the Community Activator Award at the Kingston Borough Sports Awards on Monday 11 November! From family-friendly rides and cycle buddying to bike repairs for vulnerable residents and bike light giveaways, huge thanks to all our members for making such a positive difference.

As we were given the honour from our local Mayor at Guildhall, the judges told us the award recognises all our volunteers’ exceptional commitment to campaigning and promoting cycling in Kingston and reaching our goal to make cycling a fun and accessible way to explore Kingston, and beyond.

A particular thank you to everyone who has helped marshal our fun, confidence-building rides over the past 18 months, which has raised our local profile further and inspired our being nominated for this award.

Bread Pudding ride to Thorpe Green

Sunday 10th November. A cloudy grey day, with light Mizzle (misty Drizzle), with 1 late cancellation, 1 forced to abandon the ride due to a defective brake, 1 extra guest, who had mistakenly booked on a different event, 20 Cyclists split into 2 groups, group 1 not quite ready, so group 2 led the way via Kingston Bridge, Bushy Park, Hampton, to Hanworth to pause at the War Memorial for the 2 minute silence, -but as they were in the midst of a longer service, sadly no chance for Andrea to read from Laurence Binyon’s ‘For the Fallen’-, Sunbury, Ashford, Staines, Staines Bridge, Egham, Stroude, to Thorpe Green (Photo group 1), for lunch at the Rose & Crown (Barons Pubs), – very speedy service, with great food & drink, (Photo group 2), alas 1 of group 1 had a visit from the ‘P fairy, despite a slightly confused assistant, who got the Tube’s mixed up, soon fixed-, continuing via Lyne, Bretlands, Addlestone, Weybridge, to Walton Bridge for refreshments at ‘Wilde Brunch’- joined by 1 more (21)-, Walton, Esher, Weston Green, Giggshill Green, Portsmouth Rd, to finish back in Kingston. Total 30 Miles, 1 new face, special thanks to Bai for leading group 2, thanks to Celia & Amy for back marking each group.

Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/2802886

Group 1, approaching lunch, Thorpe Green: Lindsay

Groupp 2 (and 1 refugee from group 1), at lunch

Bread pudding ride to Brockley

Sunday 27th October, with the clocks having returned to GMT, a bright Sunny day saw 20 Cyclists split into 2 groups, -alas about to depart, 1 of group 1 found a flat, thus a change of groups, 2 became 1 & vice versa-, leave via Raynes park, Wimbledon Chase- sadly 1 of group 1 had a tumble, a couple of bruises, but quite shaken, decided to head for home-, South Wimbledon, Colliers wood, Tooting- joined by 1 more for group 1-, Tooting Bec Common, Streatham Hill, Brockwell Park, (Photo group 2), Dulwich, Dulwich Park (Photo group 1), Peckham Rye Park, Nunhead, to Brockley for lunch at the Brockley Barge (Wetherspoons), a bit more Brockley, then Ladywell fields to join Waterlink way, via Catford, Sydenham, & Cator Park, then Beckenham- Group 1 decided to ignore the ‘path closed sign’s, for South Norwood country Park, whilst group 2 took a new detour via Beckenham Cemetery, (Red dotted line on Map)-, Norwood, Heavers Meadow, Selhurst, West Croydon, Wandle Park, Beddington, Beddington Park, to Carshalton for Tea & refreshments at ‘Sassis in the Grove’- joined by 1 more unexpected guest-, the Wrythe, Benhilton, Pylbrook path, North Cheam, Motspur park, to finish back in New Malden. Total 32 Miles, 1 new face, special thanks to Bai for leading group 1, thanks to Ellie & fresh back marker Andrea C for back marking each group. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/2415136

Group 1 Dulwich Park; embracing a modern art piece.

Group 2 Brrockwell Park, with colourful Trees in the background: Lindsay

Midweek ride to Northolt

Wednesday 16th October. A rather Dull grey Morning, with a bright Sunny afternoon, after 2 late cancellations, 14 Cyclists left via Kingston Bridge, Bushy Park, Fulwell, Crane River path, Whitton- joined by 2 more (16)-, Hounslow, Osterley, Osterley Park, Norwood Green, Southall (including the new Cycle path on Kensington Rd), to Northolt for lunch at the Crown- very good service, with only 1 person, serving/ Waitering, without issue-, alas as about to depart, 1 person had suffered a visit from the ‘P fairy’ with a new gadget to get the Tyre back in place, ‘Tyre Glider‘-, alas more woe, the intended path has been closed by HS2 works, so retrace our steps, more Northolt, Greenford, Perivale to vist the Art Deco Hoover Building (Photo), – now some flats & a Tesco store-, a missed path led to a slight detour, vis North Ealing-, Ealing town, South Ealing, Brentford, to Syon Park for Tea & refreshments, Isleworth, St Margarets, Twickenham, Strawberry hill, Teddington, Hampton Wick, Kingston Bridge, to finish back in Kingston. Total 31 Miles, thanks to Toni for back marking & Celia for marking corners.

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

Challenge ride to Dorney

Sunday 13th October. A mostly cloudy day, after 1 cancellation, plus 1 person ssuffiring a visit from the ‘P fairy’, on his way to the start, hoping to catch the group up, 12 Cyclists left via Kingston Bridge, Bushy Park, Hampton, Hanworth, Sunbury, Ashford, Stanwell, Stanwell Moor, Poyle, Horton, Datchet, Jubilee River path, to Dorney for our prebooked lunch’s- still no sign of the ‘P’ victim, as we finished eating, then who’s that walking through the door, yes he found us, so a slight delay, whilst he consumed his Soup-, passing Dorney Lake, across Summerlease Bridge, Fifield, Cranbourn, Cranbourn gate Windsor Great Park, (Photo), the Village, Bishop’s Gate, Englefield Green, Egham, Staines Bridge, Staines- now realising, we wouldn’t reach the planned Tea stop in time, lets try Notcutts, Garden centre, no joy they had stopped serving, how about a detour to Longacres G C, alas, a visit from the P fairy, meant we would miss that one as well, so no Tea stop-, Laleham, Shepperton, Walton Bridge, Walton, Esher, Weston Green, Giggshill Green, Portsmouth Rd, to finish back in Kingston. Total 49 Miles, thanks to Chris F for back marking. 2 P fairy visits. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/141834

Windsor Great Park, squint very, very carefully, or enlarge the Pic X 200, you might see Windsor Castle: L:indsay

Healthier streets for all the community

We know that encouraging people to consider using a bike for local journeys not only saves them money on transport costs and helps with fitness levels but can increase independence while reducing their carbon-footprint. But for many Kingston residents there are still a number of barriers to overcome.

We were therefore grateful to be awarded £5,000 earlier this year from Kingston Council‘s Community Resilience Fund to support our campaigning activities for safe and enjoyable cycling across the borough.

As part of this, during Sustainable September our volunteers are out and about at a trio of cycle-focused Kingston events encouraging people on bikes to stay safe and seen after dark, and lock their bicycles up correctly.

From lighting up Surbiton Station (19 Sept, 5.30-7pm) and giving out more bike lights to cyclists along The Cut / by New Malden Station (26 Sept, 5.30-7pm), we’ll also be on hand at Surbiton Festival (28 Sept, 10am-4pm) to answer any other cycling-related questions to help keep residents active this autumn and build their cycling confidence.

In addition to sharing information to inspire more Kingston residents to consider cycling, we’ve also been busy supporting RBKares to target vulnerable groups in the community and help them access more affordable travel.

Over the past 18 months, the charity has been working with our friends at Full Cycle Community Bike Project to deliver bikes to RBKares Wellbeing Day guests in the greatest need, from refugees to NHS workers. In addition to regularly joining the monthly event to help give guest bikes much needed TLC, our resilience fund grant has already allowed us to donate 40 quality bike locks to help keep their new transport secure.

The grant has also helped us promote our confidence-building activity, from family-friendly rides – such as our autumn escorted group event, starting from Claremont Gardens (Sun 6 Oct, 10.45am) – to the 1-on-1 Cycle Buddy scheme we promote via London Cycling Campaign. This free service connects new and experienced cyclists, helping residents plot and practice new routes, whether riding the kids to school, commuting to work or heading to the shops.

We’re grateful to Kingston Council for this community grant and the difference it is helping us make to those who live or work in Kingston.

You can find more information on how to stay safe whilst cycling in Kingston and plot new routes here.

2 part ride to Molesey & Twickenham

Sunday 22nd September, sadly a gloomy Forecast led to 3 cancellations for Part 1. An overcast dry morning, saw 12 Cyclists, use a novel route via the Bittoms, Lower Marsh, Berrylands, Tolworth, Chessington, Claygate, Esher, -still too early, a lap of Molesey, a Pic at St Mary’s Church, as some wag remarked, ‘the Bell in Cycling, means 1 more lap’-, soon parked in the Garden of the Bell, for a delightful lunch, then Thames Ditton, Portsmouth Rd, to finish back in Kingston. Sub-total 15 Miles, thanks to Toni for back marking. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/1684206

Part 2. With 1 more cancellation, farewell to 4, welcome 1 more, 9 Cyclists left via Kingston Bridge, Bushy Park (Photo), Hampton, Hanworth, Hanworth Park, Leitrim Park- now with steady drizzle-, River Crane path, Kneller Gardens, Twickenham, St Margarets, to Marble Hill Park Cafe for refreshments, Twickenham riverside- where a young child suddenly rushed out from behind a parked Car, in front of our leader, a swerve to the Left, to avoid hitting the youngster, meant a tumble, luckily as it was relatively low speed, the only injury is a grazed knee & minor adjustment to 1 brake lever-, Strawberry hill, Teddington, Hampton wick, Kingston Bridge, to finish back in Kingston. Sub-total 15 Miles, Total 30 Miles, thanks to Andrea E for back marking. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/2760114

Casualty update; Knee is a little stiff this morning, but not as much as expected the wound does look messy, thanfully only skin deep.

Midweek ride to Hanwell

Wednesday 18th September, a cloudy morning, with more Sun in the afternoon, after 2 late cancellations & 1 no show, 15 Cyclists, left via Kingston Bridge, Bushy Park, Fulwell, a short bit of Crane river path, Whitton, Hounslow, Osterley, Osterley Park (Photo), Norwood Green- with a loose bag, leading to the tail end missing a turn, soon corrected (leader must make sure we are all together)-, Grand union Canal path to Hanwell for lunch at the delightful & friendly Fox, Churchfields Rec- with the viaduct just visable through the trees-, West Ealing, Hanger Hill, North Ealing, Acton, Acton Park, South Acton, Chiswick Green, Grove park, Chiswick Bridge, Mortlake, to East Sheen for refreshments at Palewell Common Cafe, Sheen gate Richmond Park, Kingston Gate, to finish back in Kingston. Total 29 Miles, thanks to Celia for back marking & Toni & John E for marking corners. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/786525

Evening ride to South Wimbledon

Wednesday 11th September. A rather chilly evening, after 2 late cancellations & 1 no show, 11 Cyclists left via the Guildhall (roadworks on 2 Roads we might use causing a novel route), Lower Marsh, Berrylands, New Malden, Motspur park- with the group split by the level crossing interupting progress-, Cannon Hill Common, Merton park, South Wimbledon for refreshments at the Sultan, -a small navigation hiccup-, Central Wimbledon, Wimbledon Chase, Raynes park, New Malden, Norbiton, to finish back in Kingston. Total 14 Miles. Thanks to Andrea E for back marking. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/879155

Kingston Cycling Campaign

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