Sunday 21st April. A mostly cloudy day, with patches of Sun, with a chilly Head wind, after 2 late cancellations, saw 19 Cyclists split into 2 groups, leave via Skerne Rd, Latchmere, Ham gate Richmond Park, White Lodge, Roehampton gate, Barnes Common, Putney, Putney Bridge- joined by 1 more (20)-,Fulham, Brompton Cemetery, South Kensington, Kensington Gardens, Hyde Park (Photo group 1), Marylebone, to Maida Vale for lunch at the charming Carlton Tavern rebuilt , Kilburn, Westbourne Park, North Kensington, Shepherds Bush, Hammersmith, Hammersmith Bridge (Photo group 2), Barnes, East Sheen, to Palewell Common, only to find the Cafe had shut early, so waiting briefly for group 2, then Sheen Gate, to the Pen Ponds Cafe for refreshments, Ham Cross, Kingston Gate, to finish back in Kingston. Total 29 Miles, special thanks to Bai for leading group 2, thanks to Ellie & Chris F for back marking each group. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/2162317
Group 1 Hyde ParkGroup 2 Hammersmith Bridge- will they get nabbed by security ?…..
Wednesday 17th April A mnostly cloudy day with some Sun & a blustery Wind, saw 18 Cyclists leave the Market place via Lower Marsh, Berrylands, Tolworth & the Greenway- extension to Tolworth Station almost ready by the look of things-, West Ewell- joined by 1 more (19)-, Horton, Ashtead Common, Leatherhead, Fetcham, Bookham, to Effingham for lunch at ‘the Queen Stage’, (a Cycling term for the toughest stage in a long multi day Cycle race), Effingham Junction, Martyr’s green, Hatchford, Cobham, Fairmile estate (Photo), Portsmouth Rd, to Claremont Lakes Cafe (National trust) for refreshments, Esher, Hinchley wood, Long Ditton, Surbiton to finish back in Kingston. Total 28 Miles, thanks to Toni for back marking & several others for marking corners. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/523447
Fairmile Estate, with my ahem Country Cottage in the background, & our new LCC flag: Lindsay
A bright largely Sunny day, with a strong blustery wind, after 2 no shows, & 1 very late booking saw 24 Cyclists split into 2 groups, leave via Kingston Bridge, Bushy Park, Hampton, Lower Sunbury, Haliford, Shepperton, Laleham, Staines, Staines Bridge, Egham, Englefield Green, Bishops gate of Windsor Great Park, the Village (Photo group 1), Rangers Gate, Spital Meadow, Windsor, to Eton for lunch at the Watermans Arms, -alas group 1 losing touch with with One of the party-, the Brocas, a brief visit to the Jubilee River path, Datchet, Wraysbury, Hythe end, to Lammas Park for Tea & refreshments, Staines, Ashford, Feltham, Hanworth, Hampton, Bushy Park, Hampton Wick, Kingston Bridge to finish back in Kingston. Total 41 Miles, 2 new faces, Special thanks to Steve F for leading group 2, thanks to Celia & John E for back marking each group. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/530830
Update: The ‘lost sheep’ successfully found his way home, albeit via a less scenic route.
Group 1 at The Village Pond Windsor Great Park, with a mystery foreign object ! I blame the Photographers assistant.
Group 2 with a very faint Windsor Castle in the background: Steve F.
Sunday 24th March A mostly bright day, with a slightly chilly wind, after 4 late cancellations, saw 18 Cyclists leave via Portsmouth Rd, Long Ditton, Hinchley wood, Littleworth Common, Esher, Walton, Walton Bridge, Shepperton, Haliford, to Sunbury for a superb lunch at the ‘Flower Pot (Brakspear), more Sunbury, Hampton, Bushy Park (Photo), Kingston Bridge to finish back in Kingston. Sub-total 17 Miles, Thanks to Steve F for back marking, thanks to Bai for leading a couple of sections.
Part 2 Saying farewell to 11 welcome to just 1 fresh face, 8 Cyclists leave via Lower Marsh, Berrylands, New Malden, Malden Manor, Cuddington, Nonsuch Park, East Ewell, Nescot path, to Alexandra Park for refreshments at Park view Cafe, Ewell village, West Ewell, Tolworth, Surbiton to finish back in Kingston. Sub-total 15 Miles, Total 32 Miles. Thanks to John E for back marking. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/2559381
Wednesday 13th March. A dry & cloudy day, with a mostly useful tailwind on the outward journey, saw 13 Cyclists leave New Malden on the Beeline, Raynes park, Wimbledon chase, South Wimbledon, Colliers wood, Tooting- joined by 1 more (14)-, Streatham, Norbury, Thornton heath, -with 1 motorist upset that we were using the ‘contra flow cycle lane’-, Heavers Meadow (with the entrance from Selhurst Rd a mudbath), Woodside, Ashburton Field, Shirley, Elmers end, Eden park, to West Wickham for lunch at the Railway (Ember Inns), more Shirley, Addiscombe, Lloyd Park (Photo), South Croydon- with a jammed chain needing some delicate adjustment-, Waddon, Richmond Green, Beddington Park, to Carshalton for Tea & refreshments at ‘Sassis in the Grove, – with 1 member suffering a visit from the ‘P Fairy’-, the Wrythe, Benhill, Pyl Brook path, North Cheam, Motspur park, to finish back in New Malden. Total 31 Miles, thanks to Chris F for back marking. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/1579827
Update: I’ve added a link for ‘Edward Lloyd’, an innovative publisher who’s Son gave the land for Lloyd park to Croydon.
Sunday 3rd March. With London Cycling Campaign’s second Women’s Freedom Ride coinciding with our planned leisurely ride, we decided to run a feeder ride to lend our borough’s support in the run up to International Women’s Day. In addition to pick-up points from Kingston (market place) and New Malden (station), we arranged a third meet-up point in Wimbledon (Garfield Recreation Ground) to help our counterparts from Merton Cycling Campaign join the main ride too.
Merton & Kingston CC groups gathered in Clapham Common: Jon White
This unusual departure from our normal weekend rides was supported by the weather Gods, with sunshine warming up the chilly day. Our first group – with over 20 cyclists – was led by Bai as it left the market place via Fairfield and Norbiton to join our second group (led by Roger) in New Malden. Here we picked up a further 11 cyclists and stayed as one group down the Beeline Way to Raynes park, wending our way via the back streets of Wimbledon Chase and South Wimbledon to meet our Merton counterparts of 10 cyclists. From here we took the Wandle trail via Earlsfield and Wandsworth Common where we split into 2 groups again for the final journey to the main ride in Lincoln’s Inn Field, riding via Clapham Common, Stockwell, the Oval, Lambeth, Waterloo and Blackfriars Bridge.
Photos from here by Suzanne Seyghal Buckingham
The Women’s Freedom protest event itself attracted over 800 people, with women and allies from all across London gathering to call on the Mayor to remove barriers to women cycling in London. After a few short speeches, and the presentation of a 5000+ signature petition to Will Norman (London’s Walking & Cycling Commissioner) demanding action to make the capital’s streets safer for women and girls, we set off.
Despite a slow start leaving London’s largest public square, due to the incredible turn-out of supporters, the high-energy ride soon took in some of London’s best-known landmarks, with music bikes dotted throughout to keep the good vibes flowing. From Oxford Street and Regent Street through Piccadilly Circus, down Pall Mall, around St James’s Park, along Whitehall to Trafalgar Square and back to the starting point via The Strand and Covent Garden, riders waved their flags and placards as they passed Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament and 10 Downing Street.
Despite our best intentions, the unpredictable nature of protest rides made the departure time of the return ride a little tricky to pin down. With some of the marshals who had opted out of the freedom ride to refuel at the nearby Penderel’s Oak (Wetherspoons) anxious to return to Kingston, the group left the agreed meeting point in Lincoln’s Inn Field and headed for the Strand in the hope of intercepting some of our group. Whilst some of the pub party continued home on their own return journey, a stalwart few waited for the rest of the Kingston crew, including one marshal kindly returning to the original meeting point to round-up the final riders.
Once reunited, a group of 15 set off from the Strand via St James, Green Park, Hyde Park, South Kensington, Brompton Cemetery, Fulham, Parsons Green, Putney Bridge, Putney, Barnes Common, Roehampton Gate, Richmond Park, White lodge and Kingston Gate before finishing back in Kingston Market Place – 38 miles, including the Women’s Freedom Ride. And just one slipped chain to report between everyone.
It was also great to see a few unfamiliar faces join the day’s ride, including a couple who were inspired to support the Women’s Freedom Ride having joined in some of our recent family-friendly events. You can get a sense of how fun the event was from start to finish in this video montage, pulled together by Suzanne.
Thanks to everyone who helped make the day such a great success – Bai for leading group 1, Steph for leading the forward group on the return, Toni & John E for back marking each group, all the other Marshals for keeping the group(s) together, and Jon W & Mike L for acting as ‘Sweeper’/ Mechanic for each group.
Sunday 18th February, with a ‘Yellow weather warning for Rain’ & Network rail deciding belatedly that they needed to cancel all trains via Wimbledon, not too surprising that 8 cancelled, yet 18 Cyclists did gather for a largely sunny day, so via Surbiton, Long Ditton, Hinchley wood, Esher, Fairmile, -a newly completed Cycle path in Cobham 👍-, Downside -a few Puddles & some residual mud on Plough Lane-, Hatchford, Ockham, to Ripley for lunch at the Jovial Sailor (Baron Pubs)- joined by 1 more for lunch (a late starter), & 1 more after lunch (20), Send Marsh (almost a missed turn), Newark Priory (Photo), Pyrford Lock, Muddy lane- sadly lived up to it’s name👎 -, Byfleet, Brooklands park- having to weave through the Funfair 🙄-, a little more mud, Weybridge, Walton, Esher, Weston Green, Giggshill green, Portsmouth Rd, to Surbiton for Tea & refreshments at a new venue ‘Ex Cellar’ Cafe, to finish back in Kingston. 32 Miles, Special thanks to Bai for leading & for wisely going with Plough lane, thanks to Celia for back marking & others for marking corners. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/1557141
Wednesday 14th February, after 1 late cancellation, with some light drizzle to start & a strong Headwind for a large part of the Morning 👎, 20 Cyclists left via Portsmouth Rd, Long Ditton, Hinchley wood, Esher, Fairmile, Cobham, Downside, Bookham Common- with a minor navigation hiccup, leading to a different part of the Common-, Fetcham, Leatherhead,to Ashtead for lunch at ‘the Woodman’ (Ember Inns), Ashtead Park, Woodcote, Epsom, ‘Nescot path’. East Ewell, Nonsuch Park (Photo), to Cheam Park for Tea & refreshments, North Cheam, Motspur park, New Malden, Berrylands, to finish back in Kingston. Total 31 Miles, thanks to John E for back marking & sevaral others for marking corners.
Sunday 4th February. A mostly cloudy day, after 4 late cancellations, 19 Cyclists split into 2 groups, via Lower Marsh, Berrylands, New Malden, Motspur park, North Cheam, Pyl brook path, Benhilton, Carshalton- group 1 joined by 1 more-, Wallington, Waddon, South Croydon, Sanderstead (Photo group 2), Hamsey Green, Warlingham to Old Farleigh for lunch at ‘the Harrow’ (very hospitable), -with some very light drizzle, having fallen during lunch-, Chelsham, Fickleshole, Long shaw, where the group 1 leader sadly hit a greasy spot, tumbling to the ground, fortunately we did have a Nurse with us who made doubley sure nothing was broken, thankfully aside from a few bruises & grazes, all was fine, -although my front light was now hanging loose-, but decided to ask group 2 leader to lead the whole group home, Coney Hall (Photo group 1), West Wickham, Shirley, Ashburton field, Woodside, Heavers Meadow, Thornton heath, Pollards hill, Mitcham, Morden Hall Park- now too late for a Tea stop 👎-, Merton park, Wimbledon Chase, Raynes park, Beeline & the Cut, Mount pleasant, Norbiton, to finish back in Kingston. Total 42 Miles, very special thanks to Bai for leading group 2 & later the whole the whole party, thanks to Chris F & Steve F for back marking each group, thanks to Bai & Steve for marshalling traffic during the ‘incident’, thanks to Lindsay for nursing duties.
Casualty update; I’m pleased to say no more than the bruises & grazes mentioned earlier 👍
A rather breezy day, Dry & a lot warmer than of late. With 4 late cancellations & 2 no shows, it was not the record number for a January ride that might have been, still 22 Cyclists split into 2 groups, left via Piortsmouth Rd, Giggshill green- collecting 1 more for group 1-, Weston Green, Esher, Walton on Thames- with a visit from the ‘P Fairy’ for group 1, thus group 2 took the lead-, Walton Bridge, Shepperton, Chertsey Bridge, Chertsey, Thorpe- with a 2nd visit from the ‘P fairy’, this time for an E bike, without the know-how, to remove the rear Wheel, the victim had a long walk to Staines for a Train 👎-, Egham Hythe, Staines Bridge, to Staines for lunch at the rather busy George (Wetherspoons), -swiftly served all the same-, with a much stronger Wind, but mostly from behind, 👍Knowle Green, Ashford, Sunbury, Hanworth, Hampton, to Bushy Park- with group 2 (still in the lead), deciding to forego a Tea stop, thus a rather early finish, group 1 did stop at the Pheasantry for Tea & refreshments-, Hampton Wick, Kingston Bridge, to finish back in Kingston. Total 28 Miles, 2 new faces, special thanks to Bai for leading group 2, thanks to Toni & Steve D for back marking each group, 2 visits from the ‘P fairy’.
Kingston Cycling Campaign 