Bread pudding ride to West Wickham

Sunday 12th March. A bright start, but soon clouding over, after 1 cancellation, -with 1 person waiting at the wrong place in New Malden, then having an issue with her Bike, our ‘regular leader’ passed the leaders baton to a very reliable deputy-, 16 Cyclists left via the Beeline, Raynes park, Wimbledon Chase, South Wimbledon, -2 more caught up with the main party, and decided to leave the Deputy in charge for the remainder of the day-, Colliers wood, Tooting, -joined by 1 more, now 19 in total-, Streatham common, Norbury, Thornton heath, Heavers Meadow, Woodside, Ashburton field, Monks orchard, Elmers end, to West Wickham for lunch at ‘the Railway (Ember Inns), Shirley, Addiscombe, Lloyd Park, South Croydon, -with 1 person suffering a visit from the ‘P fairy’, & a little confusion on who the victim was-, Waddon, Beddington, Beddington Park (Photo), to Carshalton for Tea & Bread Pudding at ‘Sassis in the Grove’, the Wrythe, Rosehill, St Hellier, Morden Park, Lower Morden, Motspur park, to finish back in New Malden. 31 Miles, 1 almost new face, -approx 10 years since last visit-, very special thanks to Bai for leading, thanks to Toni & Mike for back marking, thanks to many corner markers.

Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/1579827

Bread pudding ride to Maida Vale

Sunday 26th February a rather chilly Northerly headwind, but a mostly bright day, after 4 cancellations, & 1 unexpected guest, 14 Cyclists left via Skerne Rd, Latchmere, Ham gate Richmond Park, to Roehampton gate, -with 1 more joining-, Barnes Common, Putney, Putney Bridge-, with 2 more joining, now 17 Cyclists-, Eel brook Common, Brompton Cemetery, Kensington, Kensington Gdns, Hyde Park, Marylebone, to Maida Vale for lunch at the very hospitable Carlton Tavern, -despite the Pre ordered food e mail getting lost-, very good service, then Paddington Rec to see 2 Plaque’s for Sir Roger Bannister ( From 1951 to 1954, Bannister trained at the track at Paddington Recreation Ground in Maida Vale while he was a medical student at the nearby St Mary’s Hospital. There are two Bannister plaques at the pavilion, both unveiled by him on 10 September 2000; a circular blue plaque and a rectangular historic plaque containing additional information. According to the latter, Bannister was able to train for just an hour each day due to his medical studies. From Wikipedia) a second Plaque for Sir Bradley Wiggins, who went to School nearby (Photo), – Thanks to Steve J for the pointer-, Kilburn, North Kensington, Hammersmith, Ravenscourt Park, C9 to Chiswick Green, Grove park, Chiswick Bridge, Mortlake, East Sheen- with 1 person, not paying attention, almost crashing into Roadworks-, to Palewell common Cafe for Tea & Bread pudding,- with 1 extra person just finding the group-, Sheen gate, Richmond Park, Kingston gate, Kingston to finish. 30 Miles, 3 new faces, thanks to Amy for back marking & others for marking corners, thanks to John D for the BP.

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

Paddington Rec wih the Wiggins Plaque: Lindsay

Midweek ride to Little Bookham

Wednesday 15th February. A mostly bright Sunny day saw 16 Cyclists leave via Portsmouth Rd, Long Ditton, Hinchley wood, Littleworth, joined by 1 more, Esher, Fairmile, Cobham, Downside, -with 2 almost making a break for freedom-, Bookham Common (including Isle of Wight & Photo)-, to Little Bookham for a Picnic lunch at Ye Olde Windsor Castle (Chef & Brewer), but no Chef today, so most had come prepared -at least the Brewer part lived up to expectations-, Great Bookham, Fetcham, Leatherhead, Ashtead, Ashtead Park, Epsom, to Alexandra Park for Tea & Refreshments at the delightful ‘Park view Cafe’, Ewell village- including having to dismount & walk as West St was being resurfaced 🙂-, Ewell Court Park, West Ewell, Tolworth, Berrylands to finish back in Kingston. Total 29 Miles, thanks to Chris F for back marking & others for marking corners.

Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/1814953

Isle of Wight area, Bookham Common

Challenge ride to Downe

Sunday 12th February. A mostly overcast day, with some ‘Misty drizzle at times, with1 cancellation & 1 no show, 14 Cyclists left via Motspur park, North Cheam, Pyl Brook path, Sutton, the Wrythe, Hackbridge, Beddington Park, Croydon, Selhurst -with 1 more joining the group-, Heavers Meadow, (with a visit from the ‘P Fairy’, soon repaired), Woodside, Ashburton Field, Shirley, West Wickham, Coney Hall, Keston, to Downe for lunch at the ever reliable ‘Queens Head’, although a little confusion with 1 food order, then a brief detour to see Down House (& Photo), home where Charles Darwin lived & wrote many works, including ‘Origin of the Species’, -as a complete coincidence, today is the anniversary of Darwins birth-, retracing our steps, then Farnborough, Orpington, Southborough, – with our leader suffering a small tumble due to a ‘sticky Toe strap’-, Norman Park -with one car park full with Film caravans-, Bromley, to Kelsey Park for Tea & Bread pudding, – with 1 person having departed to get a Train, then rejoining the group, as Engineering work had cancelled services, impressive-, alas a fruitless search for 1 BP tub, proved unnecessary, as our leader had forgotten, he was carrying 2 pots, not just the 1 he put on the table, also mistakenly almost leaving 1 person behind, oops, Elmers End, South Norwood Park, Heavers Meadow, Thornton heath, Pollards hill, Mitcham, the brand new resurfaced Dean city Farm path & new Bridge to Morden Hall Park, Morden, Raynes park, to finish back in New Malden. 45 Miles, Thanks to John E for back marking, thanks to John D for the BP.

Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/2152617

Down House, Downe, home of Birthday boy Charles Darwin

Bread pudding ride to Addlestone

Sunday 22nd January, A mostly freezing, fog bound day, with promising glimpses of Sun at times, after 8 cancellations, 17 Cyclists left via Portsmouth Rd, Thames Ditton, Molesey, Walton on Thames, Weybridge, Brooklands Park- with 1 member having gear issues, soon sorted-, Byfleet, New Haw, Row town, to Addlestone for lunch at the delightful Pelican,

then, Chertsey Meads, Chertsey Bridge, Shepperton, Haliford, Sunbury, Hampton, to Bushy Park for Tea & Bread Pudding at the Pheasantry, Hampton Wick, Kingston Bridge to finish back in Kingston. Total 29 Miles, special thanks to Steve F as back marker at short notice, thanks to Bai for standing ready to lead group 2, thanks to John D for the BP.

Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/2133378

Chertsey Bridge

Midweek ride to Battersea

Wednesday 18th January. With 4 cancellations & 1 no show, a very cold Morning, with glimpses of Sun, 11 Cyclists left via Lower Marsh, Berrylands, New Malden, Motspur park, Cannon Hill common, Merton park, South Wimbledon, -with 1 more joining the pack-, Wandle trail, Wandsworth Common, Clapham Common, Battersea, Battersea Park (Photo), Battersea for lunch at ‘the Asparagus’ (Wetherspoons), (a few meals a little slow in delivery), Thames path, Wandsworth, Wandsworth Park, Putney, Barnes Common – with a vote to forego the Tea stop in Sheen -, Roehampton gate Richmond Park, Kingston gate, to finish back in Kingston. 27 Miles, thanks to John E for back marking.

Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/2105084

Bread pudding ride to Greenford

Sunday 8th January, the first ride of 2023, started in the dry, alas intermittent Drizzle, soon developed into steady Rain, but with 1 cancellation, 1 group of 20 Cyclists left via Skerne Rd, Latchmere, Ham gate, Richmond Park, Sheen gate, Mortlake, Chiswick Bridge, Chiswick green, Acton, Ealing, Pitshanger Park, Perivale, Greenford to Northolt for lunch at the Greenwood Hotel (Wetherspoons) -with a lovely Art deco interior-, Northolt Village, Southall, Norwood Green, Osterley Park, -with the first vote to miss the Tea stop-, Osterley, Hounslow, Whitton, to Kneller Gardens,- still no votes in favour of Tea, hence no Bread pudding 😦-, Strawberry hill, Teddington, Hampton Wick, Kingston Bridge to finish. Total 29 Miles, 1 new face, thanks to Chris F for back marking, thanks to Steve D & Ellie for marking some corners. Sorry no Pictures this time.

Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/909611

Rogers review of 2022

After 2 rather interupted years, we had an (almost) full year of rides, Sunday rides (Local, 2 part & Challenge) rides, had we think been heading for a very good total, but the Weather gods in the last few weeks were not helpful, with several wet days, & an extremely cold December ride, meant many cancellations, or some people going straight to the Pub.

New places this year include a first Sunday visit to the Carlton Tavern in Maida Vale, & the ‘Queen stage’, Effingham ( a revamped Sir Douglas Haig), especially for Cyclists, a delightful Pub, in the charming village of Denham -first planned for April 2020, we know what delayed our visit for 2.5 Years-. John was missing for nearly 3 months in Australia & then a couple more weeks in Scotland, so thanks to Christine for taking on the catering duties. Special thanks to Bai for filling in as ride leader, when I was away in Ireland, & many times as group leader when needed, also thanks to Mags for leading a group once or twice.

Friday Street after Holmbury St Mary.

Evening rides, had the best numbers ever (with 1 more than the previous best year), 1 new refreshment stop, the Railway Bell, Hampton, & thanks to Jon W for filling in as ride leader, when I was away.

Midweek rides had a very good year, with a record number overall, 1 ride with 29 Cyclists, thanks in part to Eunice for bringing some of her Hong Kong friends along. The Weather really didn’t help on rides into London, a wet day on a visit to an ‘Art Deco’ Pub in Clerkenwell, & a very wet lunch that had planned to be a ‘Picnic ride’, to Gasholder Park, near Kings Cross. Sadly we had to cancel the December ride, as there was a real risk of finding some black Ice. Special thanks to Pete & Steve F for group leading when needed

Staines Riverside

Midweek ride – cancelled

Wednesday 14th December. After much deliberation & checking the Thermometer wasn’t broken, I reluctently cancelled this ride, a real risk of black Ice & still a lot of frozen sludge, left from the weekend.

Christmas special ride to New Malden

Sunday 11th December. A slightly Foggy but freezing start, with 7 cancellations, split into 2 groups, rather than the planned 3, left via Fairfield, Norbiton, New Malden (a bit too early for lunch 😉), Raynes park, Wimbledon Chase, Merton park, Morden Hall Park (Photo group 2)- with 1 member of group 2 feeling unwell, with partner diverting to a nearby Cafe to warm up, I’m pleased to say, that did the trick, but they were unable to rejoin the ride-, Ravensbury Park (Photo group 1), Morden, Morden Park, Lower Morden, Motspur park, to New Malden for an excellent lunch at Woodies, slightly spoilt by a discrepancy with the Bill, after speeches from John, with the prize for most rides in the year to John E, thanks from Bai to Roger for all the Rides organising, in return thanks to Bai for group leading on many rides, also thanks to Pete for group leading many Midweek rides, it seemeed to be a record year for Evening rides,-just- , with 1 more attendee than the previous best, & Midweek rides, achieving the best ever single ride for a Wednesday, with 29, largely thanks to Eunice for bringing many friends, then yet more New Malden, A3 Cycle path, Richmond Park, only to find the Roehampton Gate Cafe had just closed for the day, so the Bread pudding had to be consumed without any Tea to wash it down, return to Robin Hood Cross, Ham Cross, Ham gate, Latchmere, to finish back in Kingston. Total 23 Miles, special thanks to Bai for leading group 2, thanks to Nigel ready to lead group 3, thanks to Jon W & Amy for back marking, in the Morning, thanks to Lindsay for Back marking after lunch.

Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/2076415

Group 2 Morden Hall Park

Kingston Cycling Campaign

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

Author: rogerdodge59