Challenge ride to Downe

Sunday 4th August, a largely Sunny warm day, after 1 late cancellation, 1 person unable to unlock their Bike, with 1 unexpected guest, 22 Cyclists split into 2 groups, from the Fountain, New Malden, via Motspur park, North Cheam, Pyl Brook path, Sutton, the Wrythe, Hackbridge, Beddington Park, Beddington, Croydon- with 1 of group 1 mis-timing crossing the Tram track, suffering a tumble, a quick check all was OK & a minor adjustment to straighten the handlebars-, Selhurst, Heavers Meadow, Woodside, Ashburton Field, Shirley, West Wickham, Coney hall, Keston, to Downe for a very enjoyable lunch at the delightful Queens Head- with a rendiition of ‘When that I was’, then a short detour to Down House, home of Charles Darwin-, (Photo), a long gentle descent to High Elms, Farnborough, Orpington, Crofton, Southborough, Norman Park, Bromley, to Beckenham for Tea & refreshments at Kelsey Park Cafe, a short walk through the Park to enjoy the Scenery, Elmers end, South Norwood Country Park, South Norwood, Heavers Meadow, Thornton heath, Pollards Hill, Mitcham, Morden Hall Park, Merton park, Wimbledon Chase, Raynes park, to finish back in New Malden. 45 Miles, 1 new face, special thanks to Bai for leading group 2, thanks to Chris F & Amy for back marking each group, thanks to Nigel & Will for the musical interlude. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/2152617

Bread pudding ride to Harmondsworth

Sunday 28th July, a gorgeous Sunny day, with 1 late cancellation & 1 unannounced guest, 16 Cyclists left via Kingston Bridge, Bushy Park, Hampton, Hanworth, Sunbury- with a touch of wheels, 1 cyclist suffered a fall, after a quick check, swiftly remounted-, Ashford, Stanwell, Stanwell moor, Poyle, Harmondsworth Moor, to Harmondsworth for a split lunch, some at the Five Bells, the majority at the Crown, then a visit to the Great Barn, back on the Bikes, Sipson, Harlington, Hayes, to join the Grand Union Canal towpath, Southall, Norwood Green, to Osterley Park for refreshments, at the Stables Cafe, also a Photo before leaving the Park, Osterley, Hounslow, Whitton, Twickenham, Strawberry hill, Teddington, Hampton Wick, Kingston Bridge to finish back in Kingston. Total 30 Miles, 1 new face, thanks to John E for back marking & others for watching corners. Map :- www.plotaroute.com/route/840250

Midweek ride to West Horsley

Wednesday 24th July, a largely bright, somewhat humid day saw 16 Cyclists, split into 2 groups, no wait, 1 extra unannounced guest wants to join group 2, leave via Portsmouth Rd, Long Ditton, joined by 1 more for group 1, Hinchley wood, Esher, 1 more for group 2- total 19-, Fairmile, Cobham, Hatchford, Ockham, to West Horsley, to find the Pub not yet open, we’re ‘Twirlies’🤣- a term some here when trying to use a Bus Pass, ‘too early‘- , soon we found the landlord, so lunch at the Barley Mow, even though a couple of food orders did need chasing, East Horsley, Horsley Common, Effingham, Bookham, Fetcham & Pond (Photo group 1), Leatherhead, Ashtead,- almost losing group 1 back marker-, Ashtead Park, Woodcote, Rosebury Park, Epsom, to Alexandra Park, only to find the intended Tea stop had gone on holiday this very day, a quick discussion, group 2 settled on a Tea stop in Ewell village, group 1 continued, West Ewell, Hogsmill Park, to Court Farm Garden centre Cafe, for there Tea stop, Tolworth, Surbiton, to finish back in Kingston. Total 33 Miles, special thanks to Nigel for leading group 2, thanks to Dave P & Toni for back marking each group. Map:-www.plotaroute.com/route/1508730

Evening ride to Ewell

Wednesday 17th July, a mostly Sunny evening, after 2 late cancellations, just 7 Cyclists left via Lower Marsh, Berrylands, New Malden, Malden Manor, Cuddington, Auriol Park, Stoneleigh- with a small Road rage incident, thanks to Christine for standing up to the driver-, Nonsuch Park, East Ewell, to Ewell Village for refreshments at the Wheatsheaf,- although we arrived just after the Clarencourt off Road group, we managed to beat most of them to the Bar🍺👍-, West Ewell, Tolworth, Surbiton, to finish back in Kingston. Total 13 Miles, thanks to John E for back marking.. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/2318838

Train assisted ride to Tottenham

Sunday 14th July, a largely bright day, with splashes of Sun, saw 23 Cyclists gather at Blackfriars Station, having mostly travelled on Thameslink from Wimbledon, split into 2 groups, follow Cycleway 6 (C6), to Farringdon, Islington, then C27, De Beauvoir town, London Fields (Photo group 2), ‘Well Street Common’, Victoria Park, Hackney Wick, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, River Lea navigation Towpath, Leyton Marsh, (Group 2 with a small sat-nav hiccup), Walthamstow Wetllands, to the edge of Tottenham for lunch at the Ferry Boat Inn (Stonnegate pubs), Tottenham Hale, Haringey, Downhills Park, Wood green (Group 1 navigation hiccup), Alexandra Park (Photo group 1), Parkland Walk (North), Muswell Hill, East Finchley, Hampstead Garden Suburb, Golders green, West Hampstead, Brondesbury, to Queens Park for Tea & refreshments, Kensal town, Ladbroke grove, Shepherds bush, Hammersmith, a dismount to walk across Hammersmith Bridge, Barnes, Richmond Park, Ham gate, Latchmere, to finish back in Kingston (much to 1 persons surprise). Total 35 Miles, 1 new face, special thanks to Bai for leading group 2, thanks to Steph & Ellie for back marking each group. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/2684884

Group 1, a little *mistified*, with ‘Tree sculptures’, Alexandra Park (Ally Pally Park).

A clearer shot of group 1, at the same spot: Casspar

2 part ride to Twickenham & Wimbledon Common

Sunday 23rd June. Part 1. A bright Sunny Morning with 1 late booking, 1 late cancellation & 1 unannounced guest, 18 Cyclists- no wait, 1 person tried following a different group, Kingston Wheelers? Despite the valiant efforts of the back marker, he couldn’t be caught-, so 17 left via Kingston Bridge, Bushy Park, Hampton- pausing to visit the Memorial to General Roy, ‘Grandfather of the Ordenance Survey’-, (Photo), Hanworth, Hanworth Park, Leitrim Park, River Crane path, Kneller Gdns to Twickenham for lunch at the Prince Blucher (Fullers), also joined by the ‘lost Sheep’ (18), Strawberry hill, Teddington, Hampton Wick, Kingston Bridge to finish back in Kingston. Sub-total 14 Miles, special thanks to Andrea for back marking & attempting to recover the lost sheep. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/528789

With the Cannon planted to mark 1 end of the line first measured across ‘Hounslow Heath’ by General Roy, some 230+ years ago.

Part 2, still warm, but mostly cloudy afternoon, saying farewell to 6 Cyclists, welcome to 3 more, plus 1 more unannounced guest, 16 Cyclists left a rather busy Market place, via Skerne Rd, Latchmere, Ham gate Richmond Park, Pen Ponds (Photo), Roehampton gate, Roehampton, Putney Heath, Wimbledon Common, for refreshments at the Windmill Tea rooms, Crooked Billet, Raynes park, New Malden, Norbiton, to finish back in Kingston. Sub-total 14 Miles, thanks to John E for back marking, Total mileage 28 Miles Map:-www.plotaroute.com/route/632080

Near Pen Ponds, Richmond Park: Lindsay

Evening ride to Richmond Hill

Wednesday 19th June. With 1 late cancellation, 1 late booking, & 1 no show, a bright Sunny evening, 17 Cyclists left via Kingston Bridge, Bushy Park, Fulwell, Twickenham, Twickenham Railway path, Cole park, St Margarets, Richmond Bridge, to Richmond Hill for refreshments at the delightful, if rather busy Roebuck, also meeting several other LCC groups, (Photo), to see the dying of the Sun (the nearest Weds to the Summer solstice), also joined by 1 more (18), Richmond Park, to Kingston gate, to finish back in Kingston. Total 11 Miles, thanks to Chris F for back marking. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/1588396

With the Sunset on Richmond Hill: Pete M

Midweek ride to Lyne

Wednesday

Wednesday 12th June, Flaming June, I don’t think so, a rather chilly overcast day, with 1 cancellation, & 1 unexpected Guest, left via Portsmouth Rd

Long Ditton- joined by 1 more (15), Giggshill Green, Weston Green, Esher- with work in progress on the Weir gate, a short dismount to walk past the obstruction, Walton, Weybridge, Addlestone, to visit the ‘Crouch Oak’ (Photo), a splendid ancient tree, circa 800 years old, reputedly Queen Elizabeth I enjoyed a picnic under the tree, now supported by some Ironwork, closing 1 of the traffic lanes, a novel ‘Low traffic neighbourhood’ me thinks, Bretlands, to Lyne for lunch at the ‘Royal Marine’, then Thorpe Green, Stroude, Egham, Staines Bridge, Staines, Ashford, Sunbury, Feltham, Hanworth, Hampton, Bushy Park, for refreshments at the Pheasantry- with new much more Cyclist friendly gates-, Hampton Wick, Kingston Bridge, to finish back in Kingston. Total 31 Miles, thanks to Chris F for back marking, & others for marking corners. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/1049116

Bread pudding ride to Woodmansterne

Sunday 9th June. A Bright sunny morning, with more cloud in the afternoon, after 1 late cancellation, 23 Cyclists, split into 2 groups, leaving via Fairfield, Norbiton, New Malden, Raynes park, Wimbledon chase, Merton park, Morden Hall Park (Photo 1 & 2), the simply splendid Wandle trail including Ravensbury Park, Mitcham & Hackbridge to Carshalton, continuing on NCN 20, Little Woodcote, to Woodmansterne, for lunch at the Woodman (Stonegate Pubs),- then with One of group 1 needing a little more Air in a Tyre, group 2 took the lead-, Banstead, -Group 1 almost snatching the lead back 😉-. Burgh heath, Tattenham corner, Epsom, Epsom Common, to the Old Moat Garden centre Cafe for refreshments, Manor park, Long Grove Park, St Ebba’s path, a brief bit of Hogsmill path, West Ewell, Tolworth- with a touch of Wheels, causing a fall, thankfully no lasting damage-, Berrylands, to finish back in Kingston. Total 29 Miles, Special thanks to Bai for leading group 2, thanks to Amy & Ellie for back marking each group.

Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/623630

Group 2, is that the same Tree in the background, from a differentv angle ?

Evening ride to Hampton

Wednesday 22nd May, A rather damp drizzly evening, not a surprise that 5 of the 9 who had booked, decided to cancel, so just 4 hardy souls left via the Fairfield, London Rd track, North Kingston, Tudor Estate, Ham, Teddington Footbridge, Teddington, Hampton Hill, Hampton- with a lost screw on 1 rack, causing a short pause-, to find the intended stop, the Railway Bell has ‘closed until further notice’ 👎, so onward to the Jolly Coopers for refreshment, then Bushy Park- with a full Moon for company-, but alas a visit from the ‘P fairy’ for our leader, despite insisting the others should all continue, 2 rightly did, but the Back marker, insisting he would stay to give some illumination- Thank-you John, with a stubborn shard of glass, a not so speedy repair, eventually back on the road, Hampton Wick, Kingston Bridge, to finish back in Kingston. Total 12 Miles, very special thanks to John E for back marking.

Map www.plotaroute.com/route/1872658

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Author: rogerdodge59