Challenge ride to Dorney

Sunday 10th May, A mostly cloudy day, with very blustery winds, which added to the Challenge, after 1 late cancellation, with 1 unexpected guest, 13 Cyclists left via Kingston Bridge- with several fun runners coming off of the Hampton Court Towpath-, Bushy Park- joined by 1 more-, Hampton, Hanworth, Feltham, Sunbury, Ashford- joined by 2 more (16)-, Stanwell, Stanwell moor, Poyle, Horton, Datchet, Jubilee River path- alas 1 person had a visit from the ‘P fairy’ soon fixed-, to Dorney for lunch at the splendid Pineapple, with very swift service (some orders had been sent in advance), Summerleaze Footbridge- with a minor wheel adjustment needed for 1-, Monkey Island, Fifield, Winkfield, to Cranborne Gate for Windsor great Park has been closed to Cyclists? so a bit further to Rangers gate, the Village (Photo), Bishops gate, Englefield Green, to Egham for refreshments at a new stop, ‘Liberto lounge’,- a missed turn led to Pooley Green, Staines Bridge, Staines, Laleham, Shepperton, Walton Bridge, Walton, Esher, Weston Green, Giggshill Green, Portsmouth Rd, too finish back in Kingston. Total 49 Miles, 1 new face, special thanks to Amy & Andrea for sharing back marking duties. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/141834

Windsor Great Park, with a statue of the late Queen Elizabeth II in the distance: Lindsay

Evening ride to Hampton

Wednesday 29th April, A lovely Sunny evening, but with a strong chilly headwind at times, after 1 late cancellation & 1 no show, 9 Cyclists left via Fairfield, London Rd, Norbiton, North Kingston, Tudor estate, Ham, Teddington Footbridge- joined by 1 more (10), Teddington, Fulwell, Hampton hill, to Hampton for refreshments at the Jolly Coopers, Bushy Park- with full Moonlight helping to show the way-, Hampton Wick, Kingston Bridge, to finish back in Kingston. Total 12 Miles, 1 new face, special thanks to Andrea E for back marking. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/1872658

Bread pudding ride to Maida Vale

After 2 late cancellations, a mostly bright Sunny day saw 19 Cyclists, split into 2 groups, leave via Skerne Rd, Latchmere, Ham gate Richmond Park (Photo group 1), Roehampton gate, Barnes Common, Putney, Putney Bridge- to find the ‘quiet route’ under the Bridge, blocked by building work for the second time in a year-, Fulham, Eelbrook Common, Brompton Cemetery, South Kensington, Hyde Park, Albion gate, Marylebone, St Johns wood, to Maida Vale for lunch at the Carlton Tavern, Kilburn, North Kensington, Shepherds Bush, Hammersmith, to Ravenscvourt Park (Photo group 2), for refreshments at the Paddenswick Cafe,- alas Gents loo’s closed, only 2 loo’s for ladies useable-, now just 1 group, joining Cycleway 9, Chiswick, Grove park, Chiswick Bridge, Mortlake, East Sheen, Sheen gate Richmond Park, Kingston gate, to finish back in Kingston. Total 30 Miles, special thanks to Mags for leading group 2, thanks to Andrea C & Will for back marking each group. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/817985

Group 1, Richmond Park, near Pen Ponds: Lindsay

Group 2 Ravenscourt Park, near Tea stop: Mags

Midweek ride to Pyrford Lock

Wednesday 15th April, a mostly overcast day, with light drizzle for the Morning, occasional glimpses of Sun later, after 2 late cancellations, 15 Cyclists left via Portsmouth Rd, Surbiton, Long Ditton- joined by 1 more (16)-, Hinchley wood, Esher, Fairmile, Cobham, Hatchford, Ockham, the ‘new Wisley lane Cyclepath’, only to find a temporary detour for the Road has swallowed part of the path 😒, Wisley, to Pyrford Lock for lunch at the Anchor (Hall & Woodhouse), return to Wisley, Byfleet village, Brookllands Park, Weybridge, to the delightfully quaint, Whiteley village for refreshments at the new Community Cafe, also pausing near the Lake (Photo), Hersham, Walton, Esher, Weston Green, Giggshill Green, Portsmouth Rd to finish back in Kingston. Total 30 Miles, 1 new face, thanks to Steve D for back marking, thanks to Toni & others for corner marking. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/2006267.

Bread pudding ride to West End/ Donkey Town

Sunday 12th April, with a blustery Headwind, 1 person lost somewhere in the town, 16 Cyclists left via Portsmouth Rd,- joined by 1 more, alas that person had a visit from the ‘P fairy’, decided to head for home-, Giggshill green, alas a small tumble for 1 of the group, seemed to be OK at first, but a little later, deciding the swelling needed attenttion, another abandon 😒-, Weston Green, Esher, Walton- joined by 1 more (17)-, Weybridge, Addlestone, Bretlands, Homewood Park- a brief but heavy Hailstorm, more or less over by the time everyone had donned Waterproofs-, Foxhills, Gracious Pond, Burrowhill, to West End, (also known as Donkey town?) for lunch at the Hare & Hounds, (Hall & Woodhouse),very speedy service thanks to our pre-orders 👍, Pennypot, Chobham, Foxhills- from the other direction-, Ottershaw, Addlestone, Weybridge, Cowey Sale (Photo), to Walton Bridge, – to find the planned Tea stop had a few power problems, but fortunately the nearby Boathouse Cafe was fine, Walton, Molesey, Thames Ditton, Portsmouth Rd, to finish back in Kingston. Total 42 Miles, thanks to Lindsay for back marking, thanks to Steve, Amy & others for marking corners. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/3038427

Cowey Sale, near Walton Bridge with Swans: Lindsay

2 part ride to Teddington & Epsom

Part 1. A fairly bright Morning, with occasional glimpses of the Sun, with 2 late bookings, 22 Cyclists split into 2 groups, leave via the Station Bridge, North Kingston, Kingston gate Richmond Park, Tamsin trail, Petersham gate, Richmond, Richmond Bridge, St Margarets, Cole park, Twickenham junction Rough path- it’s actually quite nice- (Photo group 1), Fulwell, Teddington for lunch at the recently reopened Lion, -very helpful, friendly staff-, Hampton Wick, Kingston Bridge, to finish back in Kingston, Sub total 13 Miles, 4 new faces, special thanks to Steve F for leading group 2, thanks to Yee-liu & Toni for back marking each group. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/3254716

Group 1 Twickenham Junction Rough- actually quite nice: Lindsay

Part 2 Now quite Chilly & overcast, Saying farewell to 15, welcome 2 fresh faces, 1 group of 9 left via Fairfield, Norbiton- the leader unwisely deciding to show some of the Highlights & drawbacks of the new Cambridge Rd track, alas I hadn’t spotted that Chelsea ladies had been playing at home, thus somewhat congested with pedestrian Traffic-, New Malden, Malden manor, Cuddington, Auriol Park, Stoneleigh, Nonsuch Park, East Ewell, Nescot path, to Alexandra Park for refrershments at the Park view Cafe,-now with light but cold drizzle-, Epsom, Ewell Village, West Ewell, Tolworth, Surbiton, to finish back in Kingston. Sub total 15 Miles, Total 28 Miles, thanks to John E for back marking, No photo for part 2. Map http://www.plotaroute.com/route/2559381

Breadpudding ride to Battersea

Sunday 22nd March. A Cloudy day with occasional glimpses of Sun, after 2 late cancellations, 24 Cyclists split into 2 groups, leave via Lower Marsh, Berrylands- group 2 joined by 1 more-, New Malden, Motspur park, Lower Morden, Morden Park, Morden, Morden Hall Park, Mitcham, Tooting, Tooting Bec Common- busy with pedestrian & Dog traffic-(Photo group 1), Clapham, Clapham Common- with a huge Queue seemingly for free Easter Eggs-, Old Town, Battersea for lunch at the recently refurbiished & renamed Falconbrook (Portobello pubs), a bit more Battersea, Thames path, Wandsworth, Wandsworth Park, Putney, Barnes, East Sheen, to Palewell Common Cafe for refreshments- now just 1 group as some have headed home-, Sheen gate Richmond Park, Ham gate, Ham, Aerospace estate, to finish back in Kingston. Total 28 Miles, Special thanks to Andrea C for leading group 2, thanks to Andrea E & Ellie for back marking each group. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/3259616

Group 1 Tooting Bec Common Pond: Lindsay

Midweek ride to West Wickham

Wednesday 18th March, A very pleasant sunny day, with a slight Headwind at times, saw 20 Cyclists spliit into 2 groups, leave via the Beeline way, Raynes park, Wimbledon Chase, Merton park, Morden Hall Park, Colliers wood, Tooting- Group 1 joined by 1 more-, Graveney, Streatham vale, Norbury, Thornton heath, Heavers Meadow, Woodside, Ashburton Field, Shirley, Elmers End, Langley, to West Wickham for lunch at the Railway (Ember Inns), a different part of Shirley, Addiscombe, Lloyd Park (Photo’s x2), South Croydon, Waddon, Beddington, Beddington Park, to Carshalton for Refreshments at ‘Sassis in the Grove’, the Wrythe, Benhilton, Pyll Brook path, North Cheam, Joseph Hood Park, Motspur park, to finish back in New Malden. Total 31 Miles, special thanks to Pete Mastenko for leading group 2, thanks to Steve D & Celia for back mmarking each group. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/1579827

Group 1 Lloyd Park, with a field of Daffodils: Lindsay

Same Daffodils as Group 1, from another angle: Pete M

Bread pudding ride to Ripley

With Grey overcast skies, & just a few drips & drops of rain, after 2 cancellations, 19 Cyclists split into 2 groups, then via Surbiton, Long Ditton, Hinchley wood, Esher, Fairmile- with group 1 having a visit from the ‘P fairy, thus group 2 took the lead-, Cobham, Hatchford, Ockham, to Ripley for lunch at the Jovial Sailor (Barons pubs), now with Blue skies & some Sun, still with group 2 in front, via Send Marsh, Newark- taking advantage of the ‘closed Road’-, (Photo, group 1), Pyrford, a brief visit to the Wey navigation, Byfleet village, Brooklands Park (Photo group 2), -somehow Group 1 managed to grab the lead back 🙄-, Weybridge, Walton, Molesey, to Molesey Cricket club for Tea & refreshments at Miss Polly’s, East Molesey, Thames Ditton, Portsmouth Rd to finish back in Kingston. Total 33 Miles, 1 special guest, having last joined us over 10 years ago! Special thanks to Celia for leading group 2, thanks to Chris F & Andrea C for back marking each group. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/1557141

Group 1 with Newark Priory in the background, fortuitously with a closed Road: Lindsay

Group 2, Brooklands Park, Group 1 even tried to Photobomb the shot, but they did snatch the lead back instead: Celia

Midweek ride to Northolt

Wednesday 18th February. Just when I was beginning to think we had passed the worst of Winter, the weather gods, decided to send an Icy blast. so not too surprising, 7 cancelations, & 1 no show, thus only 1 group of 10 Cyclists left via Kingston Bridge, Bushy Park, Fulwell, a short bit of River Crane path, Whitton, Hounslow, Osterley, Osterley Park,- with our leader suffering a minor mechanical issue, time to put the ‘spare leader’ to good use-, problem sorted, Norwood Green, Southall, Greenford, Northala Fields, to Northolt for lunch at the Greenwood Hotel, ( a spctacular Art Deco interior), now with a Freezing Headwind, a bit more Greenford, Hanwell, the Boston road path, Brentford & a lovely area with Georgian houses (18th C) (Photo)- the Butts, to Syon Park for Tea & refreeshments at the Clocktower Cafe, Isleworth- to find the Thames somewhat overflowing, (Photo), not being easy to assess how deep until after, we dismounted & walked the short distance on a higher path-, Cole park, Twickenham, Strawberry hill, Teddington, Hampton Wick, Kingston Bridge, to finish back in Kingston. Total 29 Miles, special thanks to Mags for taking the lead briefly, thanks to Steve D & John E for sharing the back marking duties.

Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/714331

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