Wednesday 13th August, a warm evening, – thankful that the ‘Mini storm’ passed by in the Afternoon, so 16 Cyclists left via Lower marsh, Berrylands- joined by 1 more-, New Malden, Motspur park, Cannon hill Common, Merton park, South Wimbledon to Wimbledon for refreshments at the Sultan (Hop back), more Wimbledon, Wimbledon Chase, Raynes park, New Malden, Norbiton, to finish back in Kingston. Total 14 Miles, 2 new faces, thanks to Yee-liu for back marking. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/3075615
Author: rogerdodge59
Challenge ride to Holmbury St Mary
Sunday 10th August, a gorgeous Sunny day, after 1 late cancellation, with 1 late booking, 17 Cyclist’s split into 2 groups- with group 2 leader slightly late due to a cancelled Train-, left the Market via Portsmouth Rd, Long Ditton, Hinchley wood, Esher- joined by 1 more for group 1-, Fairmile, Cobham, Downside, Effingham, Whitedown, Abinger, to Holmbury St Mary for lunch at the delightful Royal Oak, – joined by 2 more (20)-, with a sudden change of leader for group 1 ( the back marker deciding maybe she could ‘dip her Toe in’ to see if she could lead a group), back to Abinger, Friday Street, Wotton, Westcott, Milton Court (Photo group 1), Dorking, Meadowbank Park, A24 Cycle track, Norbury Park Farm (Photo group 2), to Bocketts Farm Cafe for refreshments, – with leadership for gr 1 reverting to yours truly due to Battery running low on the Sat Nav-, Leatherhead, Ashtead, Ashtead Common, Epsom Common, Long Grove Park, West Ewell, Tolworth, Berrylands, to finish back in Kingston. Total 45 Miles, very special thanks to Nigel for leading group 2, special thanks to Chris for leading part of the ride, thanks to Chris F & Andrea E for back marking, with Celia stepping in whilst Chris was at the front. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/653318
Group 2, on the Mole Bridge, Norbury Park Farm: Nigel
Bai Kamara 1974- 2025
I think it was 2013 when Bai first joined 1 of our rides, initially quite cagey about his work, saying that he ‘worked with the Police’, only after 3 or 4 rides did he admit he was actually a detective in the fraud department, always likable & with a huge smiling face. It was during the Covid pandemic, when the Government announced, we could ‘exercise in small groups of 6’, I asked for volunteers to lead a sub-group, Bai was 1 of the first to put his hand up, as time progressed & rules were relaxed a little, we did realise that smaller groups actually helped the ride flow better & the LCC decided a maximum of 15 in a group, plus Leader & Marshals, Bai remained the most consistant, reliable group leader & sometimes if I was away on Holiday, he would lead the whole ride. When in 2023 we started the Fun Family rides, again Bai was 1 of the first to offer to help marshal the rides, even if the first ride didn’t go as smooth as we hoped, Bai ending up shepherding 1 youngster on a Balance Bike, he wasn’t deterred, he continued to lead a group or Marshal a ride until the end.
There are many more Pictures on a Google page:- https://photos.app.goo.gl/oZCgUjcP3UeWnQva6
RiP big fella.
Bread pudding ride to Harmondsworth
Sunday 27th July. A mostly overcast but dry day, a subdued mood & a Minutes silence following the sudden death of our good friend Bai, with 1 no show, 16 Cyclists left via Kingston Bridge, Bushy Park, Hampton, Hanworth, Sunbury, Ashford, Stanwell, Stanwell moor, Poyle, Harmondsworth Moor- with a pile of Garden rubbish seemingly deliberately blocking the exit from the path👎-, to Harmondsworth for lunch at the Crown (very good value grub 👍), after a quick visit to the Great Barn, Sipson, Harlington- including a special Water feature in the Subway under the M4, was it a message from our friend now in heaven, to remind us all of a similar incident when he found himself in much deeper water a few years ago?-, Hayes, Grand union Canal towpath, Southall, Norwood Green, – sadly the P fairy had payed a visit to 1, but as we were so close to our Tea stop in Osterley Park, others continued, whilst the repair was swiftly performed-, after pausing at the House for a Photo, Osterley, Hounslow, Whitton, Twickenham, Strawberry hill, Teddington, Hampton Wick, Kingstoon Bridge, to finish back in Kingston. Total 30 Miles, 1 almost new visitor (6 years or so since last visit), thanks to Chris F for back marking. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/840250
Evening ride to Ewell
Wednesday 23rd July. A bright evening saw 10 Cyclists leave via Lower Marsh, Berrylands- collecting 1 more (11)-, Tolworth, Old Malden, Auriol Park, Stoneleigh, Nonsuch Park,- a brief impasse after a dislodged chain-, East Ewell, to Ewell village for refreshments at the friendly Wheatsheaf, West Ewell, Tolworth, Surbiton, to finish back in Kingston. Total 13 Miles, thanks to Steve F for back marking.
Midweek ride to Fairoaks Airport Cafe
Wednesday 16th July. A mostly Sunny day, after 1 late cancellation, 14 Cyclists start from a new venue, Hampton Court Station, via Thames Towpath- a small slip for the back marker, swiftly checked & back on the Bike-, Walton, Engine River path, Weybridge, Addlestone, Ottershaw, to Fairoaks Airport Cafe for lunch & Photo, McLaren Park, a brief bit of Horsell Common, Basingstoke Canal path, Wey Navigation, Weybridge, Walton Bridge, Lower Sunbury, Hampton, Bushy Park, Hampton Court Bridge, to finish back at the Station. Total 29 Miles, 1 new face, Special thanks to Steph for organising & leading this ride, thanks to John E for back marking. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/2998509
Train assisted ride to Windlesham
Sunday 13th July. after 5 cancellations, we settled on 1 group, not 2 as planned, 13 Cyclists left via Woking- including diisrupting a Street party preperations 🎉-,St Johns, Basingstoke Canal path, Brookwood, Bisley, West end, to Windlesham for lunch at the Brickmakers, Gracious Pond, Homewood Park (Photo), Addlestone, Weybridge to Walton Bridge for Tea & refreshments at Wilde Brunch,- alas 1 member had a rear wheel issue, so headed for the Train-, Walton- with a bit of chaos & confusion, somehow the rear of the group had overtaken the front, order soon restored-, Esher, Weston Green, Giggshill Green, Portsmouth Rd, to fiinish back in Kingston. Total 32 Miles, thanks to Andrea for back marking, thanks to Bai for being ready to lead group 2. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/608710
Bread pudding ride to Iver
Sunday 29th June. A largely Sunny day, with a hot humid afternoon, after 4 late cancellations, 11 Cyclists left via Kingston Bridge, Bushy Park, Teddington, Fulwell, River Crane path, Whitton- joined by 1 more (12)-, Hounslow Heath, West Hounslow, Cranford, Harlington, Sipson, West Drayton, Thorney, to Iver for lunch at the Red Lion (Chef & Brewer), Langley Park (Photo), Langley, Dittton Park, Colnbrook, Poyle, Stanwell Moor, Stanwell, Bedfont, Feltham, Hanworth, Hampton, Bushy Park to the Pheasantry for mostly cooling refreshments, Hampton Wick, Kingston Bridge, to finish back in Kingston. Total 36 Miles, thanks to Steve D for back marking. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/2773
Evening ride to Richmond
Wednesday 25th June. A bright sunny evening, after 1 cancellation, 11 Cyclists left via Kingston Bridge, Bushy Park, Teddington, Twickenham, Crane River path, Cole park, Isleworth, St Margarets, Ducks walk, Richmond Bridge, to Richmond Hill for refreshments at the Roebuck- not as packed as might have been the previous week, but still busy with other Cycle groups-, Richmond Park, Kingston gate, to finish back in Kingston. Total 12 Miles, thanks to John E for back marking. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/1588396
Midweek ride to Deptford
Wednesday 11th June, A rather chilly overcast Morning, with a sunnier & warmer afternoon. After 2 late cancellations & 1 late booking, 13 Cyclists left New Malden via the Beeline, Raynes park, Wimbledon Chase, South Wimblledon, Colliers wood, Tooting- joined by 1 more (14), Tooting Bec Common, Streatham Hill, Tulse Hill, Brockwell Park, Loughborough, Burgess Park, Bermondsey, Folkstone Gardens, to Deptford- with a slight navigational hiccup, (see Red dotted line on Map)-, for lunch at the Dog & Bell, a delightful bit of route through the old Surrey Docks area, Rotherhithe, Thames path (Photo), more Bermondsey- suddenly a cry of Oh no, a broken Saddle rail, after some debate the victim, bravely decided to continue riding-,, Walworth, Kennington, Stockwell, Clapham Common, to Wandsworth Common for Tea & refreshments at the Skylark Cafe, Earlsfield, Wandle trail, Wimbledon, Raynes park, to finish back in New Malden. Total 32 Miles, thanks to Ellie for back marking & others for marking corners. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/2532828
Kingston Cycling Campaign 