Sunday 23rd January. An overcast grey but otherwise dry day, after 2 Canncellations & 1 late addition, 18 Cyclists, in 2 groups, left via Skerne Rd, Latchmere, Ham gate Richmond Park, White lodge, -with group 2 suffering a visit from the ‘P Fairy’-, Roehampton gate, Barnes Common, Putney- with a ‘Sat nav misdirection for group 2, Putney bridge- with 1 more joining group 1-, Fulham, Parsons Green, Brompton Cemetery, South Kensington, Kensington Gardens, Hyde Park, Marylebone, -with a minor navigational hiccup for group 1-, to Maida Vale for lunch at the recently rebuilt Carlton Tavern ( link to Wikipedia), Kilburn, North Kensington, Shepherds bush, Hammersmith, Hammersmith Bridge, Barnes, to East Sheen for Tea & Bread pudding- Alas the Cafe had run out of Milk before the arrival of group 2-, Palewell Park Cafe, Sheen gate Richmond Park, to Kingston Gate, to finish back in Kingston.Total 29 Miles, 1 new face, Special thanks to Bai for leading group 2, thanks to Ellie & Andrea for Back marking each group, thanks to John D for the BP. Apologies, no Photo for group 1this time.
Wednesday 19th January. A rather cloudy Morning, & a blustery Headwind, with a Sunnier Afternoon, after 2 late cancellations, saw 18 Cyclists split into 2 groups, via Skerne Rd, Kingston Gate Richmond Park, White lodge, Sheen Gate, Sheen, Mortlake, Chiswick Bridge, Strand on the green, Brentford, South & West Ealing, Hanwell, Greenford, with a first visit to the Grand Union Canal Towpath in over 2 Years, to Northolt for lunch at the always reliable Crown (Sizzling Pubs), then Northala Fields, Southall, Norwood Green, Osterley Park, Isleworth, St Margarets, to Marble Hill Park Cafe for Tea & Refreshments (Photo Group 1), Twickenham, Strawberry Hill, Teddington, Hampton Wick & Kingston Bridge to Finish. Total 31 Miles, Special thanks to Pete M for leading Group 2, thanks to Toni Z & John E for back marking.
Sunday 9th January. A very Sunny morning, with some clouds in the Afternoon, after 1 cancellation & 2 no show’s (1 would make there own way to lunch), saw 18 Cyclists, split into 2 groups, leave via the Beeline, Raynes park, Wimbledon Chase, Colliers wood, Tooting -with 1 more joining group 1-, Streatham, Norbury, Thornton heath, Heavers Meadow, Woodside, Ashburton field, Elmers end, to West Wickham for lunch at the Railway (Ember Inns), Shirley, Addiscombe -with a minor navigational hickup for group 1 allowing Group 2 to join the photo stop in Lloyd Park -, South Croydon, Duppas hill, Beddington, to Beddington Park, for a very S…..l….o….w Tea stop & Bread pudding, (group 2 wisely electing not to stop for Tea), Hackbridge, Wandle trail, Morden, Morden Park, Lower Morden, Motspur park, to finish back in New Malden. Total 31 Miles, special thanks to Bai for leading group 2, thanks to Mike F & John E for back marking each group, thanks to John D for the BP.
The Year started with another long break, due to the Covid Pandemic, with many Pubs not offering Food yet, a few Picnic rides seemed in order, either in a Pub Garden, or a Park. A Sunday ride in early May, had an unfortunate mishap, Tom having a fall, with a heavily bruised Shoulder & a damaged Bike, needing a Taxi home, happily he is back on the Bike, & joined us for at least 1 ride, before the Year end despite his busy schedule, later in May a Fallen Tree caused some inconvenience between Weybridge & Walton. Evening rides also had an unusual start, most Pubs looked to close by 9pm on a Wednesday, so for April, we moved to a Thursday, thankfully for 1 month only, in June after much debate, we decided to have the Evening ride, as near to the ‘Summer Solstice’ as poss, rather than stick to ‘Bike Week’, worth it for the Pic.
In July, it was nice to see an improved Cycle path, together with a new stretch in Stanwell- not just Kingston finding Money for improved Cycle facilities-. A highlight for me this year was a new ride to Godstone, with lunch at a Farm (it does sort of double as a Pub as Godstone Brewery is on the same site),
followed by the delightful Woldingham Valley, an area I’ve tried to include in a ride for many years, sadly the Weather didn’t play ball this year, so me thinks we’ll have to do that ride again 🙂, another good ride was the ‘Train assisted ride’, somehow Bai was allowed to lead 😉, from Hurst Green to Horley to another new venue, the Farmhouse Pub, I’m sure we’ll be back. For 1 of the Midweek rides, another new venue, was a ‘Knocked down Pub’, happily rebuilt on the orders of the Council, so rare praise for Westminster this time,
again, I’m sure we’ll be back to the Carlton Tavern, before too long. In September we were asked by Kingston Council to organise a ‘Car free day ride’, which was quite successful, at very short notice, I’m sure we will happily do the same again in the future. The Year finished very strongly, especially for the Midweek rides, with a record attendance of 23 Cyclists in November ! The final Sunday ride visited Woodies, for a fantastic ‘Christmas lunch’, as the Pub is very welcoming, I hope it is now a firm fixture in the ride schedule.
Very special thanks to all the group leaders, that have helped this year, Especially Carl & Bai, also Mags, Mike, Steve F Pete M, thanks as well to all the Back markers, particularly John E & Ellie, but many others who all make the running of the rides go much smoother. Special thanks to John D for all the Bread Puddings, also to Christine for deputising when John has been away, also thanks to Janet, Chris & Tilani who have brought treats for some of the Midweek rides.
Wednesday 15th December. With a Cloudy but otherwise pleasant day, and after a few late cancellations, 15 Cyclists, in 1 group left via Kingston Bridge, Bushy Park, Teddington, Teddington Lock, Ham gate Richmond Park, Roehampton gate, Barnes Common, Putney- with a slipped Chain causing a minor delay-,, Putney Bridge, Bishops Park, Fulham, Thames Towpath to Hammersmith for lunch at the ‘Plough & Harrow’ (Wetherspoons), then Ravenscourt Park, Acton, Gunnersbury Park (Photo), Brentford, to Syon Park for refreshments, Isleworth, Whitton, Twickenham, Strawberry hill, Teddington, a very congested Hampton Wick, Kingston Bridge, to finish back in the Market place. Total 28 Miles, thanks to Mike & John for sharing the Back marking, thanks to Pete for being on standby to lead a group, thanks to Tilani for the Shortbread, thanks to Chris for the Ginger Cake, both treats were delicious !!
Sunday 12th December, a bright start, with some light drizzle during & just after lunch, saw 29 Cyclists, split into 3 groups, leave via Lower Marsh, Berrylands, Tolworth & Greenway, West Ewell, Stoneleigh, Worcester park, Old Malden, to New Malden, joined by 2 non Cyclists & 2 more who had missed the Train to Kingston for the start, for a superb lunch at Woodies, after thankyou speech for the Pub & others our leader announced, that he couldn’t split the final Two for Support rider of the year, So Carl & Bai both got some treats, thanks also to John & Christine for all the Bread puddings this year, Bai replied with thanks to me as ride leader & organiser, with 1 of group 2 having a visit from the ‘P fairy’, then back on the Bikes with some very ‘full bellies’, Motspur park, Lower Morden, Morden Park (Photo group 1), Morden, Ravensbury Park- group 1 suffering a visit from the ‘P fairy’-, soon overtaken by group 2 plus, to Morden Hall Park, just in time for Tea & Bread pudding, another presentation from John, for the best attendance this yeaar, to John Ede, just about daylight as we departed via, Merton park, Wimbledon Chase, Raynes park, New Malden, Norbiton, to finish back in Kingston. Total 25 Miles, Special thanks to Bai & Carl for leading groups 2 & 3, thanks to Toni, Mike F, Jon W & Chris F for back marking duties, thanks to John D for the BP.
A depleted group 1, Morden Park: LindsayGroup 2 enjoying lunch: Bai Kamara
Sunday 28th November. a not quite frozen, sunny day, after 6 late cancellations, saw 16 Cyclists in 2 groups, leave via Berrylands, New Malden, Motspur park, -collecting 1 more for group 2-, Cannon Hill, Morden, Morden Hall Park, Mitcham, -collecting 1 more for group 1-, Tooting, Tooting Bec Common, to Streatham Hill for lunch at the very reasonable ‘Crown & Sceptre’, Tulse Hill, Brockwell Park, Brixton, Clapham Common, Wandsworth Common (Photo group 1), a novel detour to Wandsworth, King Georges Park, Earlsfield, to Wimbledon Park for Tea & Bread pudding, Wimbledon village, Raynes park, New Maldeen, Norbiton, to finish back in Kingsto. Total 27 Miles, Special thanks to Carl for leading group 2, thanks to Chris F for taking on the Back marking at short notice, also thanks to Mike for back marking group 2, thanks to John D for the BP.
Group 1 Wandsworth Common Credit: LindsayGroup 2 Wimbledon Park Credit: Bai Kamara
Wednesday 17th November. A bright but chilly day saw an impressive 23 Cyclists (a record for a Midweek ride), split into 2 groups, leave via Lower Marsh, Berrylands, Tolworth & Greenway, West Ewell, Epsom, Epsom Downs (Group 1 Photo), Tadworth, Banstead, to Woodmansterne for lunch at the Woodman, joined by 1 more guest, then Wallington, -with group 1 back marker having a technical issue, Group 2 having a visit from the ‘P Fairy’, and a Mudgaurd malfunction, all in the ‘Beddington Triangle’, might give the area a miss in future 😉-, Beddington Park (Photo group 2), Hackbridge, Wandle trail, to Morden Hall Park for refreshments, Morden, Morden Park, Lower Morden, Motspur park, New Malden to finish back in Kingston. Total 29 Miles, 2 new faces, Special thanks to Pete for leading group 2, thanks to Dave P & John E for back marking each group.
Group 1 Epsom Downs viewpointGroup 2, Beddington Park
Note: Apologies to group 2, due to a software issue, the Sat-nav took a wrong turn, not Group leaders fault.
Sunday 14th November Part 1. A mostly overcast day, with 1 small period of very light misty drizzle, after 4 late cancellations, saw 18 Cyclists, in 2 groups leave via Skerne Rd, Aerospace Estate, Ham, Ham gate, to Petersham Gate, -time to reflect on Remembrance Sunday for 2 minutes, group 2 also listened to Andrea read a verse from ‘For the Fallen’,by Laurence Binyon, ‘They shall not grow old as we that are left grow old. Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sunand in the morning. We will remember them.’-, Richmond, Richmond Bridge, St Margarets, Isleworth, Whitton, Kneller Gardens (Group 1 Photo), to Twickenham for a (too) early lunch at the ‘Prince Blucher’, -with hastily printed Menu’s that had the wrong price’s for most meals-, Strawberry hill, Teddington, Hampton Wick, Kingston Bridge, to finish. Sub total 13 Miles, special thanks to Bai for leading group 2, thanks to Chris F & Andrea for back marking each group.
Part 2, saying farewell to 6, welcoming 7 fresh faces, 19 Cyclists in 2 groups left via Kingston Bridge, Thames Towpath, Hampton Court, (Group 2 Photo), East Molesey, Esher, Claygate, to Long Ditton Garden Centre (Squires), now insisting on ‘Table service’, a long wait for orders, but quick delivery, to help digest the Bread pudding, Surbiton to finish back in Kingston. Sub total 12 Miles, Total 25 Miles, 1 new face, special thanks to Bai for leading group 2, thanks to Toni & Mike F for back marking each group.
Sunday 24th October. With 1 late cancellation, & 1 unannounced guest, a rather Cloudy Morning, & a Sunny Afternoon, saw 20 Cyclists split into 2 groups, leave New Malden, via the Beeline (C31), Raynes park, South Wimbledon, a stretch of the Wandle trail- with 1 more joining group 1-, Wandsworth Common, Clapham Common, -with 1 member of group 2 suffering a Saddle Malfunction, manage to find a Bike shop, get a new Saddler fitted & rejoin the ride before the end of lunch, quite impressive-, Vauxhall (Q5), Vauxhall Bridge CS5), to Pimlico for lunch at the ‘White Swan’ (McMullens), Westminster (Photo group 2), Victoria Embankment (CS3), to Southwark Bridge CS7), Borough, Walworth (C17), Burgess Park, Loughborough, Brockwell Park, Tulse Hill, Streatham, To Tooting Bec Common, for Tea & Bread pudding, Tooting, Mitcham, Morden Hall Park, Morden, Morden Park, Lower Morden, Motspur park, to finish back at New Malden. Special thanks to Bai for leading group 2, thanks to Steve D & Mike F for back marking each group, thanks to John D for the BP. It was good to see Tom again after the incident earlier in the Summer.
Group 1 with the London EyeGroup 2 at Westminster Abbey: Bai Kamara
Note: The various Cycle track, Quietways, Cycle super highways, etc, are gradually in the process of being renumbered by TfL, all as Cycleways, this should make route’s a bit easier to follow in the future
Kingston Cycling Campaign 