Bread pudding ride to Woodmansterne

Sunday 9th June. A Bright sunny morning, with more cloud in the afternoon, after 1 late cancellation, 23 Cyclists, split into 2 groups, leaving via Fairfield, Norbiton, New Malden, Raynes park, Wimbledon chase, Merton park, Morden Hall Park (Photo 1 & 2), the simply splendid Wandle trail including Ravensbury Park, Mitcham & Hackbridge to Carshalton, continuing on NCN 20, Little Woodcote, to Woodmansterne, for lunch at the Woodman (Stonegate Pubs),- then with One of group 1 needing a little more Air in a Tyre, group 2 took the lead-, Banstead, -Group 1 almost snatching the lead back 😉-. Burgh heath, Tattenham corner, Epsom, Epsom Common, to the Old Moat Garden centre Cafe for refreshments, Manor park, Long Grove Park, St Ebba’s path, a brief bit of Hogsmill path, West Ewell, Tolworth- with a touch of Wheels, causing a fall, thankfully no lasting damage-, Berrylands, to finish back in Kingston. Total 29 Miles, Special thanks to Bai for leading group 2, thanks to Amy & Ellie for back marking each group.

Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/623630

Group 1 Morden Hall Park: Lindsay

Group 2, is that the same Tree in the background, from a differentv angle ?

Evening ride to Hampton

Wednesday 22nd May, A rather damp drizzly evening, not a surprise that 5 of the 9 who had booked, decided to cancel, so just 4 hardy souls left via the Fairfield, London Rd track, North Kingston, Tudor Estate, Ham, Teddington Footbridge, Teddington, Hampton Hill, Hampton- with a lost screw on 1 rack, causing a short pause-, to find the intended stop, the Railway Bell has ‘closed until further notice’ 👎, so onward to the Jolly Coopers for refreshment, then Bushy Park- with a full Moon for company-, but alas a visit from the ‘P fairy’ for our leader, despite insisting the others should all continue, 2 rightly did, but the Back marker, insisting he would stay to give some illumination- Thank-you John, with a stubborn shard of glass, a not so speedy repair, eventually back on the road, Hampton Wick, Kingston Bridge, to finish back in Kingston. Total 12 Miles, very special thanks to John E for back marking.

Map www.plotaroute.com/route/1872658

Bread pudding ride to Addlestone

Sunday 19th May, a mostly Sunny day with 1 extra unbooked person a total of 20 Cyclists left via the Portsmouth Rd track, Giggshill Green, Weston Green, Esher, Walton, Weybridge, Brooklands Park (Photo), West Byfleet, New Haw, Rowtown, to Addlestone for lunch at the very friendly Pelican, next to the Wey Navigation- with a couple of Swans showing off their young family-, now joined by 1 more it was decided to split into 2 groups, via Chertsey Meads, Chertsey Bridge, Dockett Eddy Lane, Shepperton, Haliford, to Lower Sunbury for Tea & refreshments at the Walled garden, Sunbury, Hampton, Bushy Park, Hampton Wick, Kingston Bridge, to finish back in Kingston. Total 30 Miles, sppecial thanks to Bai for leading group 2, thanks to Toni & Celia for back marking each group & others for marking corners. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/966549

Brooklands Community Park with part of the Banking from the original Race track: Lindsay

Midweek ride to Deptford

Wednesday 15th May. A mostly cloudy morning, with much more Sun in the Afternoon, with 1 late booking, 15 Cyclists left New Malden via the Beeline, Raynes park, South Wimbledon, Colliers wood, Tooting- joined by 1 more (16)-, Tooting Bec Common, Streatham Hill, Tulse Hill, Brockwell Park, Loughborough, Camberwell, Burgess Park- pausing briefly to chat to Sustrans-, to join C10 via South Bermondsey, back of Millwall FC, Folkestone Gardens, to Deptford for lunch at the Dog & Bell, then a fairly new C4, NCN425, Greenland Dock, & Russia Dock woodland (former Surrey Docks, a real delight), Rotherhithe, & the Brunel Museum, a brief visit to the Thames Path, Bermondsey, Potters Field- near Tower Bridge, only to find the intended sculpture for the backdrop to our Photo has been moved (see before & after below), the Borough, Waterloo, Lambeth, the Oval. Clapham Common, to Wandsworth Common for refreshments at ‘the Skylark Cafe’, Earlsfield, Wandle trail, Wimbledon, Wimbledon Chase, Raynes Park, to finish back in New Malden. Total 33 Miles, thanks to Ellie for back marking & others for marking corner. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/2532828

A previous view of Tower Bridge,

With Tower Bridge today, lacking our friends & there ‘Tandem’.

Challenge ride to Parkgate

Sunday 12th May A bright mostly Sunny day, after 1 late cancellation, 17 Cyclists met at Tolworth Station, go via West Ewell, Epsom- joined by 1 more- (18), Woodcote, Langley vale, – a little bit of confusion with a different route-, Headley, Pebblecombe, Betchworth, (Photo), Strood Green, Shellwood Cross, to Parkgate for lunch at the delightful Surrey Oaks, Newdigate, Henfold, Blackbrook, North Holmwood, Dorking, Meadowbank Rec, A24 Cycle track, Norbury Park farm, to Bocketts Farm for Tea & refreshments, Leatherhead, Ashtead, Ashtead Common, Epsom Common, Horton Country Park, Bonesgate Path, to finish back in Tolworth. Total 40 Miles, thanks to John E for back marking, thanks to Steve D & Mike F for marking corners. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/440364

Between Betchworth & Strood Green & a very Shy Bull (not quite as shy as Lindsay)

Evening ride to Molesey

Wednesday 24th April. A rather chilly evening, make that just COLD, after 2 late cancellations, 9 Cyclists left via Cranes park, Surbiton, Long Ditton, Hinchley wood, Littleworth Common, Esher to Molesey for refreshments at the Bell, Thames Ditton- with a surprise encounter with another regular, on her way home-, Portsmouth Rd, to finish back in Kingston. Thanks to John E for back marking. Map:-www.plotaroute.com/route/1207451

Bread Pudding ride to Maida Vale

Sunday 21st April. A mostly cloudy day, with patches of Sun, with a chilly Head wind, after 2 late cancellations, saw 19 Cyclists split into 2 groups, leave via Skerne Rd, Latchmere, Ham gate Richmond Park, White Lodge, Roehampton gate, Barnes Common, Putney, Putney Bridge- joined by 1 more (20)-,Fulham, Brompton Cemetery, South Kensington, Kensington Gardens, Hyde Park (Photo group 1), Marylebone, to Maida Vale for lunch at the charming Carlton Tavern rebuilt , Kilburn, Westbourne Park, North Kensington, Shepherds Bush, Hammersmith, Hammersmith Bridge (Photo group 2), Barnes, East Sheen, to Palewell Common, only to find the Cafe had shut early, so waiting briefly for group 2, then Sheen Gate, to the Pen Ponds Cafe for refreshments, Ham Cross, Kingston Gate, to finish back in Kingston. Total 29 Miles, special thanks to Bai for leading group 2, thanks to Ellie & Chris F for back marking each group. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/2162317

Group 1 Hyde Park
Group 2 Hammersmith Bridge- will they get nabbed by security ?…..

Midweek ride to Effingham

Wednesday 17th April A mnostly cloudy day with some Sun & a blustery Wind, saw 18 Cyclists leave the Market place via Lower Marsh, Berrylands, Tolworth & the Greenway- extension to Tolworth Station almost ready by the look of things-, West Ewell- joined by 1 more (19)-, Horton, Ashtead Common, Leatherhead, Fetcham, Bookham, to Effingham for lunch at ‘the Queen Stage’, (a Cycling term for the toughest stage in a long multi day Cycle race), Effingham Junction, Martyr’s green, Hatchford, Cobham, Fairmile estate (Photo), Portsmouth Rd, to Claremont Lakes Cafe (National trust) for refreshments, Esher, Hinchley wood, Long Ditton, Surbiton to finish back in Kingston. Total 28 Miles, thanks to Toni for back marking & several others for marking corners. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/523447

Fairmile Estate, with my ahem Country Cottage in the background, & our new LCC flag: Lindsay

Bread pudding ride to Eton

A bright largely Sunny day, with a strong blustery wind, after 2 no shows, & 1 very late booking saw 24 Cyclists split into 2 groups, leave via Kingston Bridge, Bushy Park, Hampton, Lower Sunbury, Haliford, Shepperton, Laleham, Staines, Staines Bridge, Egham, Englefield Green, Bishops gate of Windsor Great Park, the Village (Photo group 1), Rangers Gate, Spital Meadow, Windsor, to Eton for lunch at the Watermans Arms, -alas group 1 losing touch with with One of the party-, the Brocas, a brief visit to the Jubilee River path, Datchet, Wraysbury, Hythe end, to Lammas Park for Tea & refreshments, Staines, Ashford, Feltham, Hanworth, Hampton, Bushy Park, Hampton Wick, Kingston Bridge to finish back in Kingston. Total 41 Miles, 2 new faces, Special thanks to Steve F for leading group 2, thanks to Celia & John E for back marking each group. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/530830

Update: The ‘lost sheep’ successfully found his way home, albeit via a less scenic route.

Group 1 at The Village Pond Windsor Great Park, with a mystery foreign object ! I blame the Photographers assistant.

Group 2 with a very faint Windsor Castle in the background: Steve F.

2 Part ride to Sunbury & Epsom

Sunday 24th March A mostly bright day, with a slightly chilly wind, after 4 late cancellations, saw 18 Cyclists leave via Portsmouth Rd, Long Ditton, Hinchley wood, Littleworth Common, Esher, Walton, Walton Bridge, Shepperton, Haliford, to Sunbury for a superb lunch at the ‘Flower Pot (Brakspear), more Sunbury, Hampton, Bushy Park (Photo), Kingston Bridge to finish back in Kingston. Sub-total 17 Miles, Thanks to Steve F for back marking, thanks to Bai for leading a couple of sections.

Map:- http://www.plotaroute.com/route/2551761.www.plotaroute.com/route/2551761.

Bushy Park: Lindsay

Part 2 Saying farewell to 11 welcome to just 1 fresh face, 8 Cyclists leave via Lower Marsh, Berrylands, New Malden, Malden Manor, Cuddington, Nonsuch Park, East Ewell, Nescot path, to Alexandra Park for refreshments at Park view Cafe, Ewell village, West Ewell, Tolworth, Surbiton to finish back in Kingston. Sub-total 15 Miles, Total 32 Miles. Thanks to John E for back marking. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/2559381