Bread pudding ride to Harrow

Sunday 8th September, definitely a day not to pay too much attention to the Forecast (Wet virtually all day), a bright day with a Sunny afternoon 👍, alas a few had cancelled, so just 12 Cyclists left the Market via Kings Rd, Kingston gate Richmond Park, White lodge, Sheen gate, Mortlake, Chiswick Bridge, Grove park, Chiswick, Acton, West Acton, Park Royal, Stonebridge park, Wembley, Preston, Kenton, Belmont, to Harrow for lunch at ‘Duck in the Pond’ (Ember Inns), Harrow Weald, Headstone Manor Rec, West Harrow Rec, South Harrow, Northolt, Northala Fields (Photo), the newly complete Kensington Rd path & Roundabout, Southall, Norwood Green, Osterley Park, Osterley, Isleworth, Mogden, Twickenham- The leader must remember the Subway near Kneller Gardens, is liable to flooding after heavy rain as there was the previous Evening-, to Kneller Gardens for Tea & refreshments, Strawberry hill, Teddington, Hampton Wick, Kingston Bridge, to finish back in Kingston. Total 40 Miles, Thanks to John E for back marking.

Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/755785

Midweek ride to Pimlico

Wednesday 21st August, A mostly Sunny morning, cloudier in the afternoon, after 1 cancellation, 14 Cyclists left via North Kingston, Kingston gate Richmond Park, White lodge, Roehampton Gate, Barnes Common, Putney, Putney Bridge, Fulham, Eel brook Common, Brompton Cemetery, South Kensington, a rather congested Chelsea, to pause & pose for a Photo, with some ‘special friends’, Victoria, to Pimlico for lunch at the always reliable White Swan, Vauxhall Bridge, the Oval, Stockwell, Clapham Common, Wandsworth Common, Wandsworth, a brief visit to the Wandle Trail, to Wimbledon Park for refreshments, Wimbledon, Wimbledon Chase, Raynes park, New Malden, Norbiton, to finish back in Kingston. Total 29 Miles, thanks to Toni & a little bit from Chris F for back marking. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/2710703

Who knew, Elephants, Rhino’s, Hippo’s could ride a bike? Lindsay

Bread Pudding ride to Pyrford Lock

A slightly cloudy Morning, with more Sun after lunch, after 1 late booking, 20 Cyclists, split into 2 groups, leave via Portsmouth Rd, Giggshill Green- adding 1 more for group 2-, Weston Green, Esher- 1 more for group 1-, Walton, Weybridge, Brooklands Park (Photo’s), Byfleet village, Wisley, to Pyrford Lock for lunch at the Anchor (Hall & Woodhouse)- joined by 1 more for group 2 (23)-, Wanham gates, Ripley Green, Ockham, Hatchford, Cobham, Fairmile, to Claremont Lake Cafe (National Trust), for refreshments, Esher, Hinchley wood, Long Ditton, Surbiton to finish back in Kingston. Total 29 Miles, 3 new faces, special thanks to Bai for leading group 2, thanks to Steve D & Andrea E for back marking each group.

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

Group 2, Brooklands Museum gate: Bai

Group 1, near Brooklands Museum, with Concorde just poking its tail & nose through the trees: Lindsay

Evening ride to Twickenham

Wednesday 14th August, a rather sultry Evening saw a round Dozen Cyclists leave via Skerne Rd, Latchmere, Ham gate Richmond Park- joined by 1 more (13)-, Petersham gate, Richmond, Richmond Bridge, St Margerets, Isleworth, Whitton, to Twickenham for refreshments at the ‘Sussex Arms (Big Smoke), Strawberry hill, Teddington, Hampton Wick, Kingston Bridge to finish back in Kingston. Total 12 Miles, thanks to Jon White for back marking

Challenge ride to Downe

Sunday 4th August, a largely Sunny warm day, after 1 late cancellation, 1 person unable to unlock their Bike, with 1 unexpected guest, 22 Cyclists split into 2 groups, from the Fountain, New Malden, via Motspur park, North Cheam, Pyl Brook path, Sutton, the Wrythe, Hackbridge, Beddington Park, Beddington, Croydon- with 1 of group 1 mis-timing crossing the Tram track, suffering a tumble, a quick check all was OK & a minor adjustment to straighten the handlebars-, Selhurst, Heavers Meadow, Woodside, Ashburton Field, Shirley, West Wickham, Coney hall, Keston, to Downe for a very enjoyable lunch at the delightful Queens Head- with a rendiition of ‘When that I was’, then a short detour to Down House, home of Charles Darwin-, (Photo), a long gentle descent to High Elms, Farnborough, Orpington, Crofton, Southborough, Norman Park, Bromley, to Beckenham for Tea & refreshments at Kelsey Park Cafe, a short walk through the Park to enjoy the Scenery, Elmers end, South Norwood Country Park, South Norwood, Heavers Meadow, Thornton heath, Pollards Hill, Mitcham, Morden Hall Park, Merton park, Wimbledon Chase, Raynes park, to finish back in New Malden. 45 Miles, 1 new face, special thanks to Bai for leading group 2, thanks to Chris F & Amy for back marking each group, thanks to Nigel & Will for the musical interlude. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/2152617

Bread pudding ride to Harmondsworth

Sunday 28th July, a gorgeous Sunny day, with 1 late cancellation & 1 unannounced guest, 16 Cyclists left via Kingston Bridge, Bushy Park, Hampton, Hanworth, Sunbury- with a touch of wheels, 1 cyclist suffered a fall, after a quick check, swiftly remounted-, Ashford, Stanwell, Stanwell moor, Poyle, Harmondsworth Moor, to Harmondsworth for a split lunch, some at the Five Bells, the majority at the Crown, then a visit to the Great Barn, back on the Bikes, Sipson, Harlington, Hayes, to join the Grand Union Canal towpath, Southall, Norwood Green, to Osterley Park for refreshments, at the Stables Cafe, also a Photo before leaving the Park, Osterley, Hounslow, Whitton, Twickenham, Strawberry hill, Teddington, Hampton Wick, Kingston Bridge to finish back in Kingston. Total 30 Miles, 1 new face, thanks to John E for back marking & others for watching corners. Map :- www.plotaroute.com/route/840250

Midweek ride to West Horsley

Wednesday 24th July, a largely bright, somewhat humid day saw 16 Cyclists, split into 2 groups, no wait, 1 extra unannounced guest wants to join group 2, leave via Portsmouth Rd, Long Ditton, joined by 1 more for group 1, Hinchley wood, Esher, 1 more for group 2- total 19-, Fairmile, Cobham, Hatchford, Ockham, to West Horsley, to find the Pub not yet open, we’re ‘Twirlies’🤣- a term some here when trying to use a Bus Pass, ‘too early‘- , soon we found the landlord, so lunch at the Barley Mow, even though a couple of food orders did need chasing, East Horsley, Horsley Common, Effingham, Bookham, Fetcham & Pond (Photo group 1), Leatherhead, Ashtead,- almost losing group 1 back marker-, Ashtead Park, Woodcote, Rosebury Park, Epsom, to Alexandra Park, only to find the intended Tea stop had gone on holiday this very day, a quick discussion, group 2 settled on a Tea stop in Ewell village, group 1 continued, West Ewell, Hogsmill Park, to Court Farm Garden centre Cafe, for there Tea stop, Tolworth, Surbiton, to finish back in Kingston. Total 33 Miles, special thanks to Nigel for leading group 2, thanks to Dave P & Toni for back marking each group. Map:-www.plotaroute.com/route/1508730

Evening ride to Ewell

Wednesday 17th July, a mostly Sunny evening, after 2 late cancellations, just 7 Cyclists left via Lower Marsh, Berrylands, New Malden, Malden Manor, Cuddington, Auriol Park, Stoneleigh- with a small Road rage incident, thanks to Christine for standing up to the driver-, Nonsuch Park, East Ewell, to Ewell Village for refreshments at the Wheatsheaf,- although we arrived just after the Clarencourt off Road group, we managed to beat most of them to the Bar🍺👍-, West Ewell, Tolworth, Surbiton, to finish back in Kingston. Total 13 Miles, thanks to John E for back marking.. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/2318838

Train assisted ride to Tottenham

Sunday 14th July, a largely bright day, with splashes of Sun, saw 23 Cyclists gather at Blackfriars Station, having mostly travelled on Thameslink from Wimbledon, split into 2 groups, follow Cycleway 6 (C6), to Farringdon, Islington, then C27, De Beauvoir town, London Fields (Photo group 2), ‘Well Street Common’, Victoria Park, Hackney Wick, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, River Lea navigation Towpath, Leyton Marsh, (Group 2 with a small sat-nav hiccup), Walthamstow Wetllands, to the edge of Tottenham for lunch at the Ferry Boat Inn (Stonnegate pubs), Tottenham Hale, Haringey, Downhills Park, Wood green (Group 1 navigation hiccup), Alexandra Park (Photo group 1), Parkland Walk (North), Muswell Hill, East Finchley, Hampstead Garden Suburb, Golders green, West Hampstead, Brondesbury, to Queens Park for Tea & refreshments, Kensal town, Ladbroke grove, Shepherds bush, Hammersmith, a dismount to walk across Hammersmith Bridge, Barnes, Richmond Park, Ham gate, Latchmere, to finish back in Kingston (much to 1 persons surprise). Total 35 Miles, 1 new face, special thanks to Bai for leading group 2, thanks to Steph & Ellie for back marking each group. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/2684884

Group 1, a little *mistified*, with ‘Tree sculptures’, Alexandra Park (Ally Pally Park).

A clearer shot of group 1, at the same spot: Casspar

2 part ride to Twickenham & Wimbledon Common

Sunday 23rd June. Part 1. A bright Sunny Morning with 1 late booking, 1 late cancellation & 1 unannounced guest, 18 Cyclists- no wait, 1 person tried following a different group, Kingston Wheelers? Despite the valiant efforts of the back marker, he couldn’t be caught-, so 17 left via Kingston Bridge, Bushy Park, Hampton- pausing to visit the Memorial to General Roy, ‘Grandfather of the Ordenance Survey’-, (Photo), Hanworth, Hanworth Park, Leitrim Park, River Crane path, Kneller Gdns to Twickenham for lunch at the Prince Blucher (Fullers), also joined by the ‘lost Sheep’ (18), Strawberry hill, Teddington, Hampton Wick, Kingston Bridge to finish back in Kingston. Sub-total 14 Miles, special thanks to Andrea for back marking & attempting to recover the lost sheep. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/528789

With the Cannon planted to mark 1 end of the line first measured across ‘Hounslow Heath’ by General Roy, some 230+ years ago.

Part 2, still warm, but mostly cloudy afternoon, saying farewell to 6 Cyclists, welcome to 3 more, plus 1 more unannounced guest, 16 Cyclists left a rather busy Market place, via Skerne Rd, Latchmere, Ham gate Richmond Park, Pen Ponds (Photo), Roehampton gate, Roehampton, Putney Heath, Wimbledon Common, for refreshments at the Windmill Tea rooms, Crooked Billet, Raynes park, New Malden, Norbiton, to finish back in Kingston. Sub-total 14 Miles, thanks to John E for back marking, Total mileage 28 Miles Map:-www.plotaroute.com/route/632080

Near Pen Ponds, Richmond Park: Lindsay

Kingston Cycling Campaign

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