Midweek ride to Staines

Wednesday 17th Deccember. After 1 late cancellation & 2 no shows, 19 Cyclists split into 2 groups, with group 1 led by the new ‘Joyful Cycling’ winner, (see separate post), making sure everyone had a smile before the start, into a rather chillly Headwind, via Portsmouth Rd Giggshill Green, -joined by 1 more for group 1 (20)-, Weston Green, Esher, Walton, Walton Bridge, Shepperton, Chertsey Bridge- where an impatient Van driver, in a queue of slow moving traffic, decided he needed to squeeze past, even though there was no room, causing 1 of group 1 to take a tumble, thankfully no serious harm or injury, but a displaced Mudguard needed some adjustment, and the Handlebar slightly askew-, so group 2 managed to sneak in front, after taking a Photo-, Free Prae Meadow, Thorpe village, Pooley green, Egham Hythe, Staines Bridge, for lunch at the George (Wetherspoons), Staines- with group 2 taking a turn slightly early, Group 1 almost snatching the lead back, but not quite, so time for a Photo instead-, Knowle Greeen, Ashford, Sunbury, Hanworth, Hampton, to Bushy Park for Tea & refreshments at the Pheasantry, now just 1 group, Hampton Wick, Kingston Bridge, to finish back in Kingston. Total 28 Miles, special thanks to Mags for leading group 2, thanks to Celia & Steve D for back marking each group.

Map www.plotaroute.com/route/2348333

Group 1, Staines Leisure Centre, Knowle Green: Lindsay

LCC awards, 2025

Tuesday 16th December. On a rather Chilly evening who would be mad enough to attend an awards ceremony in central London, it turns out quite a few including a group from KCC rides, to see if our illustrious leader (Me) & Suzanne from the KCC committee would win an award, the answer soon came, yes we have been honoured with the title of ‘Joyful Cycling’, – for introducing a lot of new people to Cycling in our area especially many youngsters on our Fun Family friendly rides that we started in 2023, at Suzanne’s suggestion, which have been a great success. Alas Suzanne was away for the awards ceremony, but will soon receive her certificate.

Christmas special ride to Hersham

Sunday 7th December. A warmer than average December day, but with Rain in the Forecast, not too much of a surprise, many had elected to go straight to the Pub, with 1 no show, 22 Cyclists split into 2 groups, leave via Kingston Bridge, Bushy Park, Hampton, Hanworth, Sunbury, Lower Sunbury, Walton Bridge, Walton on Thames, to Hersham for our pre ordered lunch at the Royal George (Morgan Collective), ( a new venue for us), – joined by the 1 no show from the start, plus another 6 (29)-, after my speech about Highs, a number of new rides & lows, the loss of our really good friend Bai, also the shared support riders this year, Andrea C & Celia both took up the mantle, left from Bai, helping to lead a group when needed, Steve D then replied with thanks to me for leading so many rides, then announcing that to cel;ebrate my 25 years leading an estimated 1000 plus rides, a collection had been organised, then l recieved a bulging envelope & a card signed by many, many faces, thank-you all – a heavy shower fortuitously occuring during lunch-, but no appetite for a Tea stop, a bit more Hersham, Esher, Weston Green, Giggshill green, Portsmouth Rd, to finish back in Kingston. Total 19 Miles. Special thanks to Steve F for leading group 2, 2 new faces, thanks to John E & Ellie for back marking each group.

Map:- http://www.plotaroute.com/route/3138106

Thre Christmas Jumper collection: Tracey

2 part ride to Chessington & Twickenham

Part 1. A mostly Sunny morning, after 3 late cancellations, a small group of 6 left via Lower Marsh, Berrylands, New Malden, Motspur park, North cheam, – with a rubbing Mudguard soon adjusted-, Cheam Park, Nonsuch Park (Photo), Stoneleigh, West Ewell, to Chessington, for lunch at the William Bourne (Stonegate pubs), Bonesgate path, Tolworth, – with time in hand, I had thought we might try part of the newly installed Cycle path on Ewell Rd, but 1 of the group said not worth it yet-, Surbiton, to finish back in Kingston. Sub total 16 Miles thanks to Mike F for back marking.

Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/2806965.

Part 2. Slightly warmer, still sunny, farewell to 1 , welcome 2 fresh faces with 1 no show, 7 Cyclists left a very congested Market place via Union St, Skerne Rd, Aerospace estate, Ham, Ham gate Richmond Park, Petersham gate, Richmond, Richmond Bridge, Isleworth, -a rather busy Cole park area with people walking to Twickenham Rugby ground for the match against Argentina-, St Margarets, to Marble hill Park cafe- just in time as they were about to close-, for Tea & refreshments, Twickenham Riverside- but not the Embankment, now closed for muchy needed improvement works-,Twickenham, Fulwell, Bushy Park, Hampton Wick, Kingston Bridge, to finish back in Kingston. Sub total 14 Miles, Total 30 Miles, Thanks to John W for back marking, no afternoon Photo. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/2031066

Midweek ride to Ashtead

Wednesday 19th November. A cold damp start, not too surprising that 6 late cancellations, including 1 who got the wrong train! Just 12 Cyclists in 1 group, left via Portsmouth Rd, -alas a coming together of 2 Bikes, with 1 having a jammed front Brake, about to abandon the ride when Ta-da somehow Magician John managed to free it-, Long Ditton, Hinchley wood, Esher, Fairmille, Cobham, Downside, Bookham Common, Fetcham, Leatherhead,- now with a cold Headwind, Brrr-, to Ashtead for lunch at the Woodman (Ember Inns), more Ashtead, Woodcote, Rosebery Park (Photo), Epsom, – with the prospect of an Al-fresco Tea stop, not too inviting, a small splinter group still wanting to use the original route, via Nonsuch Park-, the main party continued via Ewell village, West Ewell, to Tolworth Court Garden centre Cafe, Tolworth, Surbiton, to finish back in Kingston. Total 28 Miles, special thanks to Mags for leading the Splinter group, thanks to Toni & John E for sharing the back marking duties. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/1306141

Bread pudding ride to Northolt

Sunday 9th November. A Bright if slightly chilly Morning, more overcast & a slight headwind afternoon. With 1 no show (possibly lost somewhere in the town, we did speak a little later, but couldn’t quite meet up), with 1 unexpected guest, 22 Cyclists, split into 2 groups, leave via Kingston Bridge, Teddington, Strawberry hill, Twickenham, Kneller Gardens, Whitton- 1 more for group 1-, also pausing for the 2 minutes Silence, then 2 readings from Andrea E, firstly 3 verses from ‘in Flanders Fields’, (John McRae), then 1 verse from ‘for the Fallen’ (Laurence Binyon), Hounslow, Isleworth, Osterley, Osterley Park (Photo Group 2), Norwood Green, Southall, Northala Fields, to Northolt for lunch at ‘the Crown’ (Sizzling Pubs), – a small slip approaching the Bridge over the Canal, soon remounted-, a short bit of Grand union Canal path (Photo group 1), Greenford, Perivale, Pitshanger Park, North Ealing, Ealing Common, South Acton, Chiswick Green, Grove park, Chiswick Bridge, Mortlake, to Palewell Common, – with perfect timing, Ranjeet had just closed, but very kindly agreed to serve some Tea, Hot Chocolate & other refreshments-. Sheen gate Richmond Park, -sadly we observed the Ambulance service attending to a fallen Cyclist, (not 1 of us)-, Ham gate, Latchmere, to finish back in Kingston. 30 Miles, special thanks to Andrea C for leading group 2, thanks to Chris F & Andrea E for back marking each group.Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/3153734

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

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

Kingston Cycling Campaign

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

Author: rogerdodge59