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Bread pudding ride to Wraysbury

Sunday 20th September. 18 Cyclists having successfully negotiated the new booking system from LCC, in fact it worked so well, the ride was fully booked barely 4 Hours after sending the invite ! A mostly warm Sunny Day saw 16 Cyclists, with 1 late cancellation & 1 no show, the 3 seperate groups left via Kingston Bridge, Bushy Park, Hampton Hill, Hampton, Hanworth, Feltham, Bedfont

St Mary the virgin & its Topiary with group 1
who’d have thought, Group 2 at the same spot Credit:Bai Kamara

(Photo, group 1 & group 2, more on the Topiary can be found here https://londongardenstrust.org/conservation/inventory/site-record/?ID=HOU046 ), Stanwell -including a new Cycle track, not very far but might get extended sometime, Stanwell Moor, Poyle, to Wraysbury for lunch at the ‘Perseverance’, with service slightly peddestrian, but worth it when the Food & Drinks did arrive, then Hythe End, Staines, Laleham, Shepperton (with group one missing a turn, soon back tracked, whatever distracted our leader, we’ll never know), Walton Bridge, to ‘Wilde Bunch’

Group 3 enjoying Tea & Bread pudding, if the other two groups haven’t eaten it all 😉

for Tea & Bread pudding, Walton, Molesey, -all three groups struggled crossing a very busy A309, Hampton Court Way-, Thames Ditton, Portsmouth Rd & track to Kingston. Total 31 Miles special thanks to Bai & Carl for sterling work leading group’s 2 & 3, thanks to Amy, Ellie & Andrea for back marking there group, thanks to John D for the Bread pudding

Map:- http://www.plotaroute.com/route/1287729

Midweek ride to Merstham

Wednesday 16th September, with a cloudy start, a total of 9 Cyclists, split into two groups, from New Malden, Motspur park, Joseph Hood Park, Pyl Brook path, Sutton, Carshalton, Carshalton Park, Wallington, Woodmansterne, Chipstead, – with 1 extra Cyclist joining group 2-, Coulsdon, Farthing Down, -with a minor Chain slippage causing group 1 leader to take a tumble, no harm done, swiftly remounted-, Chaldon, to Merstham for lunch at a very hospitable ‘Feathers’ (Stonegate), with a glorious Sunny afternoon, Reigate Hill, Colley Hill for the superb views of the South Downs & the Folly (Photo)

Folly near Colley Hill, with group 1

Walton Heath, – with group 1 having a visit from the ‘P Fairy’, whilst a bit later group 2 took a minor detour-, Walton on the Hill, Tadworth, Tattenham Corner, East Ewell, to Nionsuch Park for Tea & refreshments, Worcester park, Malden Manor to New Malden. Total 35 Miles, special thanks to Mike F for leading group 2, thanks to Steve F and John E for Back marking their groups.

Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/1275520

Midweek ride to Thorpe Green

Wednesday 19th August, a mostly cloudy day, with light Rain to start, saw 6 brave (or maybe foolhardy souls), down from the booked 11, set off via Portsmouth Rd, Giggshill green, Thames Ditton, West Molesey, Walton-on Thames, Weybridge, including a new Cycletrack on Heath Rd, Addlestone, Chertsey Meads, Chertsey, to Thorpe Green for lunch at the ‘Rose & Crown’, (an ‘Eat out to help out’ venue :–)), with the Rain now more persistent, but all still happy to continue, Virginia Water village, Windsor great Park, (Photo)

with special guest, Australian Shepherd Dog, having gathered the stray Cyclists

Egham Wick, Egham, Staines Bridge, Riverside, Knowle Green, Ashford, Feltham, Hanworth, Hampton, Bushy Park (with no enthusiasm for an al-fresco Tea stop), Hampton Wick, Kingston Bridge. Total 35 Miles

Special thanks to Steve F for back marking & being ready to lead group 2.

Map:-http://www.plotaroute.com/route/1242596

Evening ride to Molesey

Wednesday 15th July, a very overcast evening saw 11 Cyclists gather, split into two groups, as per the current Covid rules, group 1 left via Lower Marsh, Berrylands, Surbiton, Long Ditton, Hinchley wood, Littleworth Common, Esher to Molesey for refreshments at the Bell, with mixed results for the ‘Greene King ordering App’, joined soon after by group 2 & 1 special guest, after ‘refuelling, a few going directly home, it was safe enough to consolidate into 1 group for the return, via Thames Ditton, safely negotiating the Roadworks on Portsmouth Rd,  & the Cycle track to Kingston. Total 13 Miles, thanks to Steve F for back marking group 1 & Ralph group 2.

Map:-www.plotaroute.com/route/1207451

Support New Cycle Hangars in Kingston

***October 2021 UPDATE – 16 Cycle Hangars are being installed – find out the latest news here: https://kingstoncyclecampaign.wordpress.com/2021/10/18/16-new-secure-cycle-hangars-being-installed-across-kingston-and-surbiton/***

We regularly campaign for additional cycle parking in the Borough as we know many people struggle to find space to park their bike when they are out and about or choose not to purchase a bike as they have nowhere to keep one securely at home.

We were therefore really pleased to hear that Kingston Council were successful in a bid to Transport for London (TfL) for funding of 20 new Cycle Hangars for the Borough’s residential streets.

Each of these Cycle Hangars allow 6 bikes to be securely stored on the street. Each person who hires one of these spaces receives a key to access the Hangar and can store their bike there for as long as they keep hiring the space. Many Cycle Hangars have already been installed on Kingston’s housing estates and have been successfully used for a number of years.

A Bike Hangar already installed on one of Kingston’s housing estates

This funding from TfL will allow them to be placed on the Borough’s residential streets for the first time. Many people do not have space in their home (including lots of those who live in flat conversions) and this will give them the opportunity to keep a bike securely for the first time.

This consultation is now closed. There is currently a traffic order out for consultation on the introduction of these Cycle Hangars. You can support their introduction by emailing TMO@kingston.gov.uk quoting reference ‘KingMap0041’ and stating your support (as well as any comments you have) by Thursday 18th June 2020.

We will be responding to the consultation strongly supporting their introduction with the following comments:

  • They will allow many residents the opportunity to store a bike securely for the first time supporting an increase in bike ownership in the Borough and therefore helping more people to cycle.
  • Encouraging more cycle use is essential to help the Borough’s air quality problems, reduce congestion and assist the Borough’s residents with becoming more active.
  • The Cycle Hangars are very efficient use of street space as 6 bikes can fit in less than the space needed for a single car.
  • This limited introduction should just be the start and Kingston should be aiming to catch up with other London Boroughs such as Hackney which now have several hundred Cycle Hangars installed.

The provisional list of roads where Cycle Hangars may be installed are:

  • Adelaide Road, Surbiton
  • Anglesea Road, Kingston
  • Berrylands, Surbiton
  • Bond Road, Surbiton
  • Cadogan Road, Surbiton
  • Claremont Road, Surbiton
  • Elm Road, Kingston
  • Grayham Road, New Malden
  • Hampden Road, Kingston
  • Howard Road, Surbiton
  • King Charles Road, Surbiton
  • Lovelace Road, Surbiton
  • Maple Road, Surbiton
  • Oakhill Crescent, Surbiton
  • Princes Road, Kingston
  • St Andrew’s Square, Surbiton
  • St Mark’s HIll, Surbiton
  • Surbiton Hill Park, Surbiton
  • The Avenue, Surbiton
  • Warwick Road, New Malden
  • Windmill Rise, Kingston 

From information published by the Council it seems that there will be an annual charge of £70 for the hire of a space in a Cycle Hanger. This will cover the maintenance and administration of the Hangars and is likely to be payable to Cyclehoop who install and maintain Cycle Hangars across London.

It is yet to be confirmed how applying for a place in the Cycle Hangars will work but keep an eye on our Twitter page and we will publish any information we get as soon as we know more.

If you would like a Cycle Hangar on your street but your road isn’t on the list above, why not contact your Local Councillor or the Sustainable Transport team to ask when Kingston Council will be installing more? Ask your neighbours if they would be interested as well and get them to contact the Council or Councillors too. The more demand that is shown for the Cycle Hangars on your street, the more likely that you will get one!

The Traffic Order for the Cycle Hangars can be found here which has more information on the proposed location of the Cycle Hangars on each road.

We hope that this is just the start of the installation of more Cycle Hangars in the Borough. We will continue to campaign for more Cycle Hangars to be installed as well as more of other types of cycle parking across the Borough.

Mini-Holland update – Part 3 – The World’s Changed

We planned to write about what could happen after Kingston’s Mini-Holland (or ‘Go Cycle’) programme of cycle and walking improvements came to an end. However, since our look in February at how Kingston and Cambridge Road could become safer, the world has changed. The top priority for travelling is now ensuring sufficient space for social distancing. This post looks at what this could mean for Kingston.

The problem

42% of all journeys in Kingston are made by car; 20% by public transport; 4% by bike; 33% by walking and 1% by other means (Source: 2019 Cycling in Kingston Report). However, with Covid-19, public transport capacity is currently significantly reduced. If just a small percentage of journeys switched from public transport to being taken by car, then Kingston’s roads are not going to be able to cope worsening Kingston’s air quality problem. Instead of switching to even more journeys by car, Transport for London are encouraging people to walk or cycle wherever possible. However, despite the Go Cycle (Mini-Holland programme), many of Kingston’s main roads remain unsafe for people cycling as they lack any measures separating people cycling from motor vehicles.

Away from the main roads, many of Kingston’s residential roads remain busy short cuts as they allow cars, vans (and often lorries) to save a minute or so on their journey by avoiding main roads and passing along local streets. With residential roads still clogged with this traffic, it makes it more difficult to keep to social distancing requirements as it can be unsafe to walk in the road (which is needed due to many narrow pavements) whilst these busy roads discourage walking and cycling too.

So what are the answers?

Enabling more walking and cycling would reduce the pressure on Kingston’s roads whilst encouraging healthier and more sustainable travel. There are a number of ways walking and cycling could be supported (as well as assisting with social distancing) and the rest of this post looks at some of the measures that could be used.

  • Low Traffic Neighbourhoods
  • Safe space for cycling
  • 20mph limits
  • School streets
  • Wider pavements
  • Reduced crossing times

Low Traffic Neighbourhoods

As already mentioned, many of Kingston’s residential roads remain open to through traffic allowing cars, vans and lorries to take short cuts along residential streets to their destination instead of keeping to main roads.

Low Traffic Neighbourhoods can prevent motor vehicles using residential streets as short cuts by blocking their routes. This can be done very cheaply, for example installing a couple of bollards or, like in Croydon and Lewisham, putting in some planters. Residents, deliveries and emergency services can all still access the streets but through traffic is prevented from using the short cut and has to keep to the main roads.

By keeping short cutting traffic to the main roads, it makes the residential streets quieter and safer. Where there are narrow pavements, it becomes easier for people to walk in the road to maintain a sufficient distance from each other. The ‘blocks’ used to stop short cutting cars allow people cycling to pass through which allows safer cycling routes to be quickly created too as these roads are no longer full of cars and vans cutting through. There are examples already in Kingston that were put in place many years ago like on Springfield Road or Woodbines Avenue.

Kingston Council had already proposed introducing a Low Traffic Neighbourhood near Hook Road as part of their Healthy Streets plans. In addition, Transport for London has recently published a map of areas it thinks in Kingston could be made into Low Traffic Neighbourhoods based on their size.

LTN Kingston

TfL map of possible Low Traffic Neighbourhood locations in Kingston Source

This includes the Hook Road area (already identified by the Council); Hook; parts of Surbiton and New Malden; and North Kingston.

We have asked that the Council accelerates its plans for the area near Hook Road and looks at the other areas in the Borough which would be suitable for Low Traffic Neighbourhoods.

Safe space for cycling

To encourage people to travel by bike for their journey, they need to feel safe doing do so. Kingston’s Mini Holland (or Go Cycle) programme has been upgrading many of Kingston’s main roads to provide safe space for cycling separated from motor traffic. However, this programme was due to finish next year with many Borough roads still untouched.

Transport for London did have additional funding available for London Borough’s looking to extend their cycle networks and could have provided additional funding to extend the safer cycle routes to more of Kingston’s roads. TfL were prioritising those listed in its Strategic Cycling Analysis as likely having the biggest impact. For Kingston, this included Richmond Road (Kingston to Ham); Queen’s Road (to Richmond Park); Coombe Lane (Kingston to Raynes Park); Brighton Road & Hook Road (Surbiton to Hook); and Malden Road (New Malden to Worcester Park).

SCA Kingston

Transport for London’s Strategic Cycle Analysis: Source

However, TfL has recently updated this map to include those cycle routes that it will be prioritising in the short term to provide safer space for cycling given the increased urgency there now is. In Kingston these routes include Malden Road (New Malden to Worcester Park) and Coombe Lane (Kingston to Raynes Park), dropping the other routes mentioned in the previous analysis. The map also includes prioritising Kingston Hill/Vale (though the Go Cycle route here is almost complete) and notes a safer cycle route on Kingston/Cambridge Roads is already planned.

SCA Temp Kingston

Transport for London’s Temporary Strategic Cycling Analysis: Source

We ask that the Council works with TfL to prioritise improvements to the Borough’s roads for safer cycling. In particular, TfL’s initial outline of priorities seem to exclude large parts of the Borough including Hook, Chessington and North Kingston. It is also unclear that TfL will be prioritising a safe cycle route for the Borough’s residents into the City. There is an indirect route marked via Raynes Park but this also requires use of Kingston/Cambridge roads where there isn’t (yet) a safe cycle route.

It is also currently unclear whether the current circumstances have implications for the Mini Holland (or Go Cycle) programme that was due to finish next year. Although some schemes are now finished, others still have parts to complete whilst another is awaiting the beginning of construction. Given these Mini Holland routes have been identified and agreed as providing big benefits to people cycling (and walking), it is important that these projects are funded to completion and if possible, accelerated to give quicker benefits.

It’s worth noting that other London Boroughs are moving ahead with plans to install segregated cycle lanes quickly, for example with temporary barriers or ‘wands’ on roads which are already wide enough for cycle lanes. These can be relatively inexpensive and are quick to install. They can also be upgraded to permanent measures at a later date.

Kingston Council needs to work with TfL to accelerate plans for Kingston/Cambridge road improvements and ensure the remaining Mini Holland projects are completed as soon as possible. It should also work to obtain additional funding for further segregated cycle lanes (temporary or permanent) across the rest of the Borough.

IMG_20200504_091242

Malden Road. People cycling are not adequately separated from motor vehicles but there is room to do so

20mph roads

Kingston Council launched a Borough wide 20mph consultation on 6 January 2020. This consultation proposed to introduce a 20mph limit on all roads in Kingston noting that the highest proportion of injuries on the Borough’s roads occurred on main roads and therefore it was important these were included too for the biggest potential benefit.

If it had not been for recent events, we would have been expecting the results of this consultation to have been published and for the Council to be making its first steps towards implementing any plans it had agreed (taking into account comments from the consultation). We still don’t know what the consultation results are. However, we think it is now even more important that these proposals go ahead. Reducing speeds on roads across the Borough will encourage people to walk and cycle whilst making it safer for them to do so.

We await news from the Council on the 20mph consultation though note that our neighbour Richmond has been rolling out 20mph limits to nearly all its roads whilst Merton continues to extend 20mph limits to the majority of its roads too.

Borough wide 20mph limits are an obvious way to reduce traffic speeds to support safer walking and cycling. We therefore hope the Council will announce steps to implementing its proposals shortly.

School streets

School streets are now found across London and Kingston’s first can be found on Mansfield Road (for Lovelace Primary School). These school streets prevent access for cars at drop-off and pick-up times for children (sometimes with an exception for residents for the street). This means that children cannot be dropped off outside the school gates encouraging parents to take their children to school on foot or by bike. By reducing the volume of motor vehicles, it also makes the road outside the school much safer for walking and cycling further encouraging people to use sustainable travel types.

Kingston Council had previously proposed to extend its school streets programme to four more streets including:

  • Oak Hill Terrace
  • South Bank Road
  • Alexandra Road
  • Latchmere Road

We ask that the Council rolls out the required measures to these streets in time for any return to school by children. School streets usually just require a couple of signs; notification to parents and local residents as well as a camera for enforcement. There are many other potential school streets in the Borough so we also ask the Council to look at these as soon as possible too.

Wider pavements

One option to provide more space for social distancing is to provide more pavement space. A number of other London councils have recently introduced temporary barriers to increase pavement space including in Lambeth and Greenwich. In many cases, additional pavement space can be made by taking car parking spaces or excess carriageway space. Examples could include Victoria Road (Surbiton) which is usually a busy shopping street but has narrow pavements in places alongside a number of car parking spaces or along Clarence Street near Wilkos where a narrow shared pavement reduces the ability for people walking and cycling to stay apart whilst the carriageway is 3 lanes (or around 9 metres) wide.

Wilko narrow

Shared pavement outside Wilkos, Kingston narrowed by barriers being used by the store to ‘aid’ social distancing

Kingston Council could also consider suspending any pavement parking in busy areas (particularly where it is unsafe to walk in the road) which would allow people greater space to pass each other on the pavements. One busy area of Kingston with pavement parking is King’s Road near Richmond Park which often has many people walking to and from the park.

Update (22 May 2020 at 7.30pm) – Kingston Council have announced that they will be introducing temporary barriers to provide more space for walking and cycling along certain parts of Clarence Street, Fairfield North, Wheatfield Way and Kingston Bridge in the next ten days. Our map of these roads can be found here.

Update 23 May 2020. To aid social distancing, overnight one vehicle lane in each direction on Kingston Bridge has been dedicated to people cycling

Reduced crossing times

People walking and cycling often have long waits at crossings over roads as traffic lights are usually timed to prioritise motor vehicles. This can lead to long waits as well as large gatherings of people waiting to cross. One easy change would be to reduce the wait for people walking and cycling. This will reduce waiting times, decrease the likelihood of people crossing when it’s unsafe as well as encouraging people to walk and cycle.

Traffic signals in London are the responsibility for Transport for London. However, the Council could work with TfL to prioritise traffic signals which need their timings revised. Just a few of the examples of crossings which currently have long waits include:

Summary

There are a large number of measures Kingston Council could take to assist walking and cycling in the Borough reducing the pressure on the roads and assisting with social distancing. We have passed lots of ideas to the Council and hope that these will be swiftly introduced.

In the meantime, Kingston’s Go Cycle programme to introduce safer walking and cycling routes on main roads has been continuing with the Kingston Hill/Vale route nearing completion and the Ewell Road scheme reaching the junction with Langley Road. We await news on whether the timescales for the remaining Go Cycle programme have changed.

Rides programme paused

As I’m sure everyone is aware, all social gathering is discouraged for the foreseeable future, so at the moment, the Rides programme is postponed until further notice. but as soon as restriction’s are eased, & there are suitable places to stop for refreshments, we will get back to you. We hope everyone stays fit & healthy, and we can all get back on the Bikes together ASAP. Remember, you can get out and enjoy a little bit of Cycling, just not in groups, so we hope most of you can find some enjoyable ride’s, at least the Roads should be almost traffic free. 🙂

Coronavirus alert

All, with all the concern about Coonavirus in the news, we should all be alert to the Symptoms, so if anyone is at all concerned, wakes up with a Fever, dry cough, or shortness of breath, it would be wise to ‘self isolate’ as a precaution, irrespective of other plans, but unless Government advice changes, Tomorrow’s 2 part ride will go ahead as Scheduled, however if after a ride you do start to have Symptoms, do please let me or John Dunn know.

Roger Mace

KCC ride l;eader

Ride postponed

After much debate closely watching  the Forecast for, sunday 16th February, we have decided to cancel the ride planned, but with hope for calmer weather next week, we propose to re-arrange a ride for Sunday 23rd February.

Kingston rides in 2019

IMG_1264

Hammersmith Bridge (sans Traffic)

Wednesday 11th December. A largely bright, chilly day, with a short shower of drizzle in the afternoon, saw 11 Cyclists leave via Kingston Bridge, Bushy Park, Fulwell, a short stretch of River Crane path, Whitton, Worton, Osterley, Osterley Park, Norwood green, Southall to Northolt, passing the lunch venue to see the Clocktower, (Photo), returning to ‘the Crown’, for lunch, after a slight delay for 1 person having 3, yes Three course’s, then a short stretch of brand new Tarmac on the Grand union Canal towpath, Greenford, Drayton green, West Ealing, South Ealing & Cemetery, Brentford, -a strategic vote elected for a short cut-, Kew Bridge, Richmond, Richmond Hill, Richmond Park to Pembroke lodge Cafe for Tea & Cakes, Kingston Gate, -with a small pause for the tail end, taking an alternate route-, to finish at the Market place. Total 29 Miles, thanks to John E for back marking, & others for marking corners, 1 new face. Map:-www.plotaroute.com/route/983472

Christmas ride. Sunday 8th December, a bright pleasant Morning saw 23 Cyclists have a slightly delayed start, due to the late running of Trains, leave via Skerne Rd, Kingston gate Richmond Park, White lodge, Roehampton gate, Roehampton, Wimbledon Common, (Photo), Westside, Raynes park, New Malden to Woodies, for a superb lunch, including a few others who managed to find the venue by other means, after thank-you speech’s from Bai to the ‘leadership team’, also the Back markers, from Ride leader Roger, to Mike for deputizing on occasion, reiterating thanks to all the Back markers & corner markers, for all there hard work, & especially the Pub for Catering so wonderfully, then the presentation for assistant of the Year to Ellie for Back marking & other help as needed, finally Ride organiser, John announced the Prize for the best attendance, went to Rob W, a slightly Cooler afternoon, with light Drizzle….., soon turning gradually heavier and with a Cold brisk Wind, to Freezing Rain via Motspur park, Worcester park, Stoneleigh, West Ewell, -the Rain finally ceasing, also displaying a good Rainbow-, Chessington, to Long Ditton for Tea & Bread pudding, Surbiton, to finish at Kingston. Total 23 Miles, Thanks to Ian for Back marking, & many others for marking corners, thanks to John D for the BP.   Map:-www.plotaroute.com/route/962880

Sunday 17th November, Part 1. A mostly bright morning saw 21 Cyclists leave via Fairfield, -with 1 minor navigational hiccup-, Bonner Hill, Norbiton, New Malden, (Photo), Raynes park, Lower Morden, Worcester park, Stoneleigh, Ewell village, to Epsom, for lunch at ‘the Assembly rooms’, (Wetherspoons), West Ewell, Tolworth, King Charles Bridge, to Kingston. Sub total 20 Miles, thanks to Ellie & Lars for back marking, and many others for marking corners, especially Ken, for bringing the group back together, 2 new faces.   Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/970863

Part 2, with Cloudier Skies, saying farewell to 18 & welcoming 2 fresh faces, just 5 Cyclists left via Skerne Road, Lower Ham Rd, Thames path, Aerospace estate, Ham, more Thames path, Richmond, Richmond Bridge, St Margerets, River Crane path, Twickenham to Squires Garden centre for Tea & Bread pudding, Fulwell, Bushy Park, Hampton Wick and Kingston Bridge. Sub total 11 Miles, Total 31 Miles, Thanks to Steve J for back marking, thanks to John D for the BP.  Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/971599

Wednesday 13th November. A very Sunny Morning, with a cloudy afternoon, saw 14 Cyclists leave via Cranes park, (anyone spot the ‘loose Pig’, hindering Thames Water, trying to repair a burst water main ? 🙂) King Charles Bridge, Surbiton, Long Ditton, Hinchley wood, Littleworth Common, Esher, Walton, Walton Bridge, Shepperton, Laleham, Thames Towpath to Staines for lunch at ‘the Wheatsheaf & Pigeon, then, finding the ‘P fairy’ had paid another visit, swiftly repaired, onto Ashford, Feltham, Hanworth, Hampton hill, Bushy Park, (Photo), to ‘the Pheasantry cafe for Tea & refreshments, Hampton Wick, Kingston Bridge. Total 28 Miles, thanks to Steve D for back marking, and others for marking corners, 1 visit from the ‘P fairy’.

Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/967836

Sunday 3rd November, a bright start, with increasing Clouds & 1 or 2 very light Misty showers saw 25 Cyclists leave via Kingston Bridge, Bushy Park, Hampton, Hanworth, Feltham, Bedfont, Stanwell, Stanwell moor, Poyle, to Wraysbury for lunch at ‘the Perseverence’ about to leave the Leader finds the ‘P fairy has paid a visit,- maybe because he had been a bit Jocular about the Pub name before the start-, after several minutes of fruitless grunting & heaving, still unable to remove the Tyre from the Rim, it was felt prudent for the main group to proceed with a fresh leader, meanwhile assisted by Rob, with a bit of fruity language, & more perseverence, finally the Tyre was off, to find it wasn’t a ‘Tubeless Tyre after all, although stuck to the Rim in a similar fashion, still more fun removing the thorn, refitted with a new tube, could we catch the main group before Tea ? Via Hythe end, Staines, -with a small section heading for the Train, including our Back marker-, Thames towpath, Penton Hook, Laleham, a couple of fleeting glimpse’s, that might be, no not in Laleham, had they stayed on the Towpath, following the Thames towards Chertsey Bridge, Yes, there they are, Shepperton, -with the 2nd visit from the ‘P fairy’-, Walton Bridge to Gino’s Cafe for Tea & Bread Pudding, Walton, yet another visit from you know who, Esher, Weston Green, Giggshill Green, & yet again a 4th visit from the ‘P fairy’,(all different victims), Portsmouth Rd to Kingston. Total 32 Miles, thanks to Will, Jon W &  Andrea for Back marking duties, & others for marking corners, thanks to Mike F for filling in as Leader, thanks to John D for the BP, special thanks to Jon W for assisting with repairs. Anyone with influence, please have a word with the right god’s to resume only occasional visit’s from the P fairy, 😉

Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/707341

Sunday 20th October, a largely Sunny morning, with grey clouds in the Afternoon, saw 28 Cyclists leave via, Lower Marsh, Berrylands, Tolworth & greenway, West Ewell, Hogsmill path, Long grove Park, Ashtead Common, Leatherhead, Fetcham, Bookham to Little Bookham for lunch at ‘Ye olde Windsor Castle’,- with a select few opting to visit the ‘Vineries Garden centre Cafe’-, re-gathering, Effingham, Martyr’s Green, Hatchford, Cobham, the Fairmile estate, Portsmouth Rd to Claremont Lake Cafe, (NT) for Tea & Bread pudding, Esher, Hinchley wood, Long Ditton, (belated Photo), Surbiton, a brief look at the Surbiton Rd & Penrhyn Rd works, to Kingston. Total 29 Miles, 4 new Faces, thanks to Mike for back marking, & many others for marking corners, thanks to John D for the BP.    Map:-www.plotaroute.com/route/954549

Wednesday 9th October. A mostly bright day saw 16 Cyclists leave via Lower Marsh, Berrylands, Tolworth & the greenway, West Ewell, a brief part of the Hogsmill path, Epsom, Epsom downs, (Photo), -with a small tumble leading to a slight ‘exposé’, luckily for the victim, the Camara didn’t record the event 😉,-Tattenham corner, Burgh Heath, Banstead, to Woodmansterne for lunch at ‘the Woodman’, then Wallington, Beddington Park, Hackbridge, the Wandle trail, Morden, to Morden hall Park, for Tea & refreshments, then Merton park, Wimbledon Chase, Raynes park, New Malden, Norbiton, to Kingston. Total 28 Miles, 1 new face, thanks to Pete S for back marking, & others for marking corners.  Map:-https://www.plotaroute.com/route/945357

Sunday 6th October. After a night of very heavy rain, a pleasantly dry day, with the Leader a tad late on parade, due to almost forgetting his money ! Saw 12 Cyclists manage to dodge the ‘Half Marathon’, (staying alert for any huge Puddles), leave via Kingston Bridge, Bushy Park, Hampton, -with 1 extra Cyclist, delayed due to a visit from the ‘P Fairy’, finding us-, Lower Sunbury, -with the first of Three encounters with the ‘Palace to Palace’ Cyclists, leading to 1 of our number briefly joining there group, but thanks to ‘good Shepherding’ by Chris F,- Shepperton, 2nd meeting with ‘P to P’, Chertsey Bridge, with a visit from the ‘P Fairy’ & a wrong Spare causing the victim to head for the Train, 😦 Chertsey Meads, Addlestone, Homewood Park, 3rd time with ‘P to P’, (even confusing their Marshal’s by not following the direction 😉), Dunstall green, Coxhill green to Woking, (with confusing Road works, hiding the Cycle lane, 😦), for lunch at the ‘Herbert Wells’, (Wetherspoons), pausing at the Statue for ‘HG Wells’ (Photo), -who lived locally whilst writing ‘War of the Worlds’, hence many links to the Author in & around Woking, and some of the local Cycle routes, named after various Planets, as a tribute to him-, Basingstoke Canal path, Wey Navigation path, Byfleet, Brooklands community Park, Weybridge, Burwood park, to Hersham Garden centre for Tea & Bread pudding, Hersham, Esher, Weston green, Giggshill Green, Portsmouth Rd track to Kingston. Total 38 Miles, thanks to Steve D for back marking, & others for marking corners, thanks to John D for the BP, 1 visit from the ‘P Fairy’.  Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/943475

Sunday 22nd September, a bright start, with a wet day forecast, didn’t deter 17 Cyclists remember the start from New Malden, via West Barnes, Cannon Hill, Merton park, South Wimbledon, the ‘Wandle trail’ to Earlsfield, Wandsworth Common, Clapham Common, Clapham, Vauxhall, ‘Cycle super highway 5’, (CS5), across Vauxhall Bridge to Pimlico for lunch at the very Popular ‘White Swan’, fortuitously the 1 heavy Shower occuring whilst we enjoyedd lunch, but with light drizzle & more predicted, 3 people decided to find an alternative option, the remainder continued via Westminster, to CS3 & Victoria Embankment, (Photo with Big Ben, the Elizabeth Tower, swathed in Scaffolding), to Southwark Bridge, -alas we had all forgotten our ‘Yoga mats’, so were unable to join the fun on Tower Bridge, see BBC report -, Southwark, where a navigational mishap led to Kennington, Kennington Park, instead of Burgess Park, back on track in Loughborough, Brockwell Park, with ‘threatening’ Black clouds, a ‘strategic decision was taken for an indoor Tea & Bread pudding stop at ‘Brockwell hall Cafe’, Tulse hill, Streatham Hill, Tooting Bec Common, Tooting, Colliers wood, Wimbledon Chase, Raynes park, & the still lovely new track to New Malden. Total 31 Miles, 1 new face, thanks to John E for back marking, and many others for marking corners, as always, thanks to John D for the BP.

Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/933539 with the ‘intended route’ marked with Red dashes.

Wednesday 18th September, a glorious Sunny day saw 10 Cyclists remember the alternative start in New Malden, with a slight delay as 1 member had a visit from the ‘P fairy’ before the start, via New Malden Station to meet 1 extra person at the Raynes Park link, Raynes Park, Wimbledon chase, Colliers wood, Tooting, Streatham, Norbury, Thornton heath, – to find yet another Cyclist, now 12-, Heavers Meadow, Woodside, Ashburton Field, to Shirley for lunch at ‘the Surprise Inn’- with 1 person trying an alternate approach-, with 1 meal needing some extra attention, continuing via the second ‘surprise’, the Shirley Windmill, (Photo), Addiscombe, Lloyd Park, (new Cycle path), South Croydon, Roundshaw, Beddington Park, Hackbridge, Wandle Trail, Morden, Morden Park, to Lower Morden & the ‘Wyevale Garden centre’ for refreshments, Morden Cemetery, Joseph Hood Park, Motspur park, to New Malden. Total 28 Miles, thanks to Steve D for Back marking, & many others for marking corners.  Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/872467

Wednesday 11th September, a pleasant evening, with rapidly fading light saw 15 Cyclists leave via Cranes Park, King Charles Bridge, Fishponds, Long Ditton, Hinchley wood, Esher park, to Esher for refreshments at ‘the Wheatsheaf’, (coincidentally matching last months venue, thanks to John E for the reminder), Moor lane, Weston Green, Giggshill green, Portsmouth Rd track to Kingston. Total 11 Miles, 1 new face, thanks to Ralph for Back marking & others for marking corners.  Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/927347

Sunday 8th September. Part 1. A mostly Sunny day saw 18 Cyclists leave via Lower Marsh, Berrylands, Tolworth & the greenway, the Bonesgate path, Horton Country Park, (with a freshly laid uncomfortable Gravel path), West Ewell, -with a visit from the ‘P fairy’, (a Tack the culprit),- A short bit of Hogsmill Path (Photo), Stoneleigh, Nonsuch Park, to Cheam village for lunch at ‘Ye Olde Red Lion’, North Cheam, Worcester Park, New Malden, Berrylands to Kingston. Sub-total, 16 Miles, 4 new Faces, thanks to Steve F for back marking, & others for marking corners, 1 vist from the ‘P Fairy’.

Map:-www.plotaroute.com/route/924647

Note: I’ve added a nicer alternative return route, (Red Dashed line), slightly longer, with a level Crossing, which might have hindered our journey, but much more pleasant, if time is not an issue.

Part 2 Saying farewell to 10 & welcome 7 fresh faces, still with Sunny Skies, 15 Cyclists left via Portsmouth Rd track, Giggshill Green, Weston Green, Esher, Walton on Thames, Ashley park, Walton Bridge, Shepperton, Haliford, to Sunbury for Tea & Bread pudding at the ‘Walled garden’, Hampton, Bushy Park, Hampton Wick, Kingston Bridge. Sub-total 16 Miles, Total 32 Miles, thanks to Karen for back marking, & others for marking corners, thanks to John for the BP.   Map:-www.plotaroute.com/route/924654

Sunday 25th August. A hot, (even Sultry) Sunny day saw 23 Cyclists leave via Portsmouth Rd, Long Ditton, Hinchley wood, Esher, Fairmile, Cobham, Hatchford, Ockham, to West Horsley for lunch at the Barley Mow, alas they weren’t serving food, the select few that self catered where happy to stay, but the majority who did want food continued a bit further to the ‘ King William the IV’, regrouping after lunch, via  East Horsley, Effingham, Bookham, Fetcham, Fetcham Mill Pond, Leatherhead, Prince’s Coverts, (Photo), Claygate, to Long Ditton, for Tea & Bread pudding at ‘Squires Garden centre’, Surbiton, to Kingston. Total 31 Miles, 2 new faces, thanks to John E for back marking & many others for marking corners, thanks to John D for the BP.   Map:-www.plotaroute.com/route/912831

Wednesday 21st August, a bright Sunny day saw 15 Cyclists leave via Skerne Rd, Latchmere, Ham gate Richmond Park, White Lodge, Roehampton Gate, -with the first of 4 Level Crossings, with a long wait, shortly followed by the 2nd Crossing 😦 -, Barnes, the ‘Cyclists delight’, Traffic free Hammersmith Bridge 🙂, (surface not so delightful 😦) (Photo), Hammersmith, Ravenscourt Park, Wendell, Acton Park,- 3rd Level crossing, another age before the Train appeared-, North Ealing, Pitshanger Park, Footbridge to Perivale, Gr. Union Canal Path, to Greenford for lunch at ‘the Black Horse’, afterwards, with the Towpath closed for repairs, (to Ellie’s delight), a detour via Oldfield Lane, & Ferrymead, more Greenford, Southall, Norwood Green, Osterley Park, Hounslow, Whitton, to Kneller Gdns for Tea & Refreshments, Twickenham, Strawberry Hill, fourth Crossing, -only a short wait this time-, Teddington, Hampton Wick, Kingston Bridge. Total 30 Miles, 2 new face’s, thanks to Steph for Back marking, and others for marking corners.

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

Wednesday 14th August, a mostly pleasant evening, with a heavy Shower at the finish, saw 9 Cyclists leave via Lower Marsh, Berrylands, New Malden, Malden Manor, Stoneleigh, Nonsuch Park, East Ewell to Ewell for refreshments at ‘the Wheatsheaf’, the Hogsmill Path, West Ewell, Tolworth, King Charles Bridge, Cranes park to Kingston. Total 13 Miles, thanks to Derek for Back marking.   Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/903978

Sunday 11th August, a mostly bright, Sunny day, with a gusty Breeze, saw 22, with 1 more joining us as we exited the Market place, so 23 Cyclists left via Lower Marsh, Berrylands, New Malden, Motspur park, Joseph Hood Park, Pyl Brook path, Benhilton, Wrythe Green, Hackbridge, Beddington Park, Wallington, Waddon, South Croydon, Sanderstead, Kings Wood, Warlingham, to Old Farleigh for a splendid lunch at ‘the Harrow’, then via Fickleshole, -with a minor Road rage incident, causing 1 of our party to take a tumble, 😦, – but spirits lifted with a Flypast by a fantastic Spitfire, Coney hall, Shirley, Ashburton Field (Photo), Woodside, Heavers Meadow, Thornton heath, Norbury, Lonesome, Mitcham, to Mordon Hall Park for Tea & Breadpudding, then Morden, Cannon Hill, Raynes park, the new link to New Malden,- with everyone loving the new route,- the Cut, Mount pleasant, Norbiton, Farefield to Kingston. Total 44 Miles, 2 new faces, thanks to Steve D for Back marking, and many others for marking corners, thanks to John D for the BP & thanks to Ian for the Photo, thanks also to Mike for some of this route.

Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/821611

Sunday 21st July. A largely overcast day, with some brighter spells, & some threatening clouds at lunch. With Network Rail having scuppered the original plan for today’s ride, a valient 26 Cyclists, made there way to Wokingham, leaving via the Holt, Cantley Park, the Warren, Binfield, Priestwood, Wick Hill, Chestnut path, Harvest Ride, Chavey Down, (very un chavey ?), Mill ride, North Ascot, Ascot Racecourse, with a visit from the ‘P Fairy’, swiftly repaired,  Cheapside, to Sunningdale for lunch at the very hospitable ‘Nags Head’, (finding 1 extra person, already enjoying a Beer, later joined by 1 more, but also 2 of the original group departing), with 1 meal delivered a bit late, Blacknest gate of Windsor great Park, Smith’s Lawn Polo field, (Photo), the Totem Pole, Virginia Water gate,- with a Park Ranger recognising our Leader as ‘a Legend’, 🙂 -, Virginia Water, Lyne, Bretlands, Addlestone, Victory Park, Portmore park, Weybridge, to Walton Bridge for Tea & BP at Gino’s, -with a change of back marker, due to other commitments,- Walton on Thames, Walton park, Esher, Weston green, Giggshill Green, Portsmouth Rd to Kingston. Total 34 Miles, 1 new face, thanks to Karen & John E for back marking, and many others for marking corners.   Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/243158

Wednesday 17th July. A largely bright Evening, with just 1 or 2 spots of moisture, before the start, saw 15 Cyclists leave via, Lower Marsh, Berrylands, New Malden, Motspur park, Cannon Hill, Merton park, South Wimbledon, to Wimbledon, for refreshments at the’Wibbas Down Inn’, (with 1 dissenting voice using an alternate venue), then Wimbledon Chase, Raynes park, to join the brand new Raynes Park to New Malden link,- C31, the latest Cycle route No. from the London Mayor,- Mount pleasant, Norbiton, Bonner Hill to Kingston. Total 14 Miles, 2 new faces, thanks to Jon W for Back marking.

Map:-www.plotaroute.com/route/879155

Wednesday 10th July. A largely Cloudy day saw 10 Cyclists leave via Portsmouth Rd, Giggshill green, Weston Green, Esher, Walton on Thames, Weybridge, Brooklands community Park, West Byfleet to Row town for lunch at ‘the Cricketers’, a short climb to Liberty Rise, only to find the Footbridge closed, so retrace our pedal strokes, then  Addlestone, Chertsey Meads, Chertsey Bridge, (Photo), Littleton, Shepperton, Halliford, to Sunbury for Tea & refreshments at the Walled Garden, then Hampton, Bushy Park, Hampton Wick, Kingston Bridge. Total 29 Miles, thanks to Chris & John E for sharing the Back marking duties and marking Corners.

Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/872268

unday 7th July, A mostly Cloudy morning, with very light Drizzle, followed by a Sunny afternoon, saw 15 Cyclists leave via Kings Rd, Kingston gate Richmond Park, Ham cross, White lodge, Sheen gate, Sheen, Mortlake, Chiswick Bridge, Strand on the green, Brentford, South Ealing, West Ealing, Hanwell, Greenford, Grand union Canal towpath, -with a Duck unwilling to give way, or take flight, slowing progress a little 🙂,- to Northolt for lunch at ‘the Crown’, then Northala fields, (Photo), Greenford, Southall, Norwood Green, Osterley Park, Isleworth, St Margerets, to Marble Hill Park for Tea & BP, Twickenham, Strawberry hill, Teddington, Hampton Wick & Kingston Bridge. Total 30 Miles, Thanks to Steve D for back marking, & many others for marking corners, thanks to John D for the Bread pudding.    Map:-www.plotaroute.com/route/870952

Sunday 23rd June, Part 1. A bright morning, saw 15 Cyclists leave via Lower Marsh, Berrylands, New Malden, Motspur park, Joseph Hood Park, North Cheam, Cheam Park, Nonsuch Park, (Photo), Stoneleigh, Hogsmill path, West Ewell to Chessington for lunch at ‘the William Bourne’, the Bonesgate path, Tolworth, Berrylands to Kingston. Sub-total 17 Miles, thanks to Ellie for Back marking & others for marking corners.  Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/860017

Part 2. With increasing Clouds, we said farewell to 9, & welcomed 2 fresh faces, so 8 Cyclists left via Portsmouth Rd track, Giggshill green, Weston Green, -with 1 person having an ‘unplanned dismount’, soon remounted-, Esher, Walton on Thames, Thames Towpath, to Molesey, (Photo), to Molesey Cricket club for Tea & Bread Pudding, Hampton Court Bridge, Bushy Park, Kingston Bridge. Sub-total 14 Miles, Total 31 Miles. Thanks to Chris for Back marking, thanks to John D for the BP.  Map:-www.plotaroute.com/route/860027

Tuesday 18th June, a Cloudy morning, followed by Drizzley Showers, before steady Rain set in after lunch, saw 6 Cyclists, leave via Portsmouth Rd track, Giggshill Green, Weston Green, Esher, Hersham, -where 2 more joined us, (due to the SW  Rail strike making Trains unreliable), -Burwood park, Weybridge, Brooklands community Park, (Photo), Byfleet, Wey navigation Towpath, Pyrford, (with a Bridleway, having too many Nettles for comfort), Old Woking, to Send for lunch at ‘the New Inn’, then Send Marsh, Grove heath, Ockham, Hatchford, Cobham, Portsmouth Rd to Claremont Lake for Tea & refreshments at the NT Cafe,- although 1 person misread the Signal, & carried on, perhaps to avoid getting too damp,- Esher, Hinchley wood, Long Ditton, Surbiton, to Kingston. Total 34 Miles, 1 new face, thanks to Mike for back marking, & others for marking corners.   Map:-www.plotaroute.com/route/857167

Sunday 9th June. A mostly Bright day, with an afternoon Shower, (albeit heavy shower), saw 17 Cyclists leave via Kingston Bridge, Thames Towpath to Hampton Court, Molesey, Walton on Thames, Broadwater path, Weybridge, Addlestone, Lyne, (with 1 of the tailenders having a visit from the ‘P’ fairy, then missing a turn, causing a slight delay), to Thorpe Green for lunch at the Rose & Crown, then Virginia Water and Lake, (Photo), Egham Wick, Egham, Staines, Thames Towpath, Penton Hook, Laleham, Shepperton, to Haliford Garden centre, (Squires) for Tea & Refreshments, (with the Catering dept. having left the ‘Cookies’ at home, 😦), but enjoying a lovely new ‘Water feature’, -well it was lovely from inside the Cafe, with Water pouring off the Canopy, not so lovely if you were with those who decided to forego Tea-, still raining somewhat, Sunbury, Hampton, very weirdly a dry Bushy Park, Kingston Bridge. Total 37 Miles, 1 visit from the ‘P’ fairy, thanks to Amy for Back marking & many others for marking Corners, especially Bai, waiting for the delayed tail prior to lunch.  Map:-www.plotaroute.com/route/849407

Sunday 26th May, a largly Cloudy day, with a few spots of moisture, saw 29 Cyclists leave via Kingston Bridge, Bushy Park, Hampton, Hanworth, Feltham, Bedfont, Stanwell, Stanwellmoor, Poyle, Harmondsworth Moor to Harmondsworth for lunch split between ‘the Crown’, & ‘Five Bells’, afterwards, a visit to the fantastic ‘Great Barn, with 1 or 2 people missing out on the ‘Culture’, due to a misunderstanding, and repairing a ‘P’, then West Drayton, the Grand union Canal Towpath, -with the surface improved in place’s, but other parts still in need of some ‘TLC’-, Norwood Green, Osterley Park for Tea & Bread pudding, and Photo, Osterley, ‘the tail’, -briefly taking a wrong turn-, Hounslow, Whitton, Twickenham, Teddington, with the 2nd visit from the ‘P fairy’, Hampton Wick, Kingston Bridge. Total 30 Miles, thanks to John E for Back marking, & many others for marking corners, thanks to John D for the BP. 2 visit from the ‘p fairy’. Map:- plotaroute.com/route/840250

Wednesday 22nd May, a bright Evening saw 9 Cyclists leave via Skerne Rd, Latchmere, Ham gate Richmond Park, Petersham gate, Petersham Rd, Richmond Bridge, Thames Towpath to find option 1- White Swan-, packed to the Rafters, more back streets to Twickenham green for refreshments at the Sussex Arms, with a very green ‘Astroturfed’ garden, Strawberry hill, Teddington, Hampton wick & Kingston Bridge. Total 10 Miles, thanks to Ken for back marking.   Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/837624

Wednesday 15th May, Another warm Sunny day saw 15, -no, get the Number of Steve’s right-, 16 Cyclists leave via Kingston Bridge, Bushy Park, Hampton, Hanworth, Lower Feltham, Ashford, Stanwell, Stanwell Moor, Poyle, a little early, so a pause at the one time home of  John Milton (Photo), near Horton, to Wraysbury for lunch at ‘the Perseverance’, then Hythe End, Staines, Thames Towpath, Laleham, Shepperton, Haliford, to Sunbury, for Tea & refreshments at ‘the Walled Garden’, Hampton, Dukes Head passage, Bushy Park, Kings field, Kingston Bridge. Total 31 Miles, 1 new face, thanks to Ellie for back marking, many others for marking corners & holding gates.

Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/832134

Sunday 12th May, a largely warm, Sunny day saw 18 Cyclists remember the early start from Tolworth via Kingston Rd, West Ewell, Epsom, -with 1 extra joining the crew-, Langley Vale, Headley, Pebblecombe, Betchworth, Strood green, Shellwood Cross, Parkgate, to Newdigate for a ‘sedate lunch’ at the ‘Six Bells’, then Henfold, North Holmwood, (ignoring the Road closed signs), (Photo), Dorking, Dorking Rec, the A24 track, Norbury park Farm, more A24,-with 1 person wanting to ‘explore Leatherhead’ before Tea, causing some confusion Young St, to Bocketts Farm for Tea & Bread pudding, Leatherhead, Ashtead Common, Horton Country Park, the Bonesgate path to Tolworth. Total 39 Miles, 2 new faces, thanks to John E for back marking & many others for marking corners, thanks to John D for the BP.  Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/440364

Sunday 28th April. A largely Cloudy day, with some brighter spots, saw 21 Cyclists leave via Skerne Rd, Latchmere, Ham gate Richmond Park, White lodge, Roehampton gate, Barnes Common, Putney, Putney Bridge, Parsons green, Eel Brook Common, Fulham, Brompton Cemetery, South Kensington, the ‘Albert Memorial, (Photo), Hyde Park, Paddington Basin to Little Venice, for lunch at the ‘Warwick Castle’, then the Grand union Canal towpath, to North Kensington, East Acton, Acton Park, South Acton, Chiswick Green, Grove park, with just a few drops of Rain as we approached Chiswick Bridge, East Sheen to Palewell Common for Tea & Bread pudding at Pistachio’s, Sheen gate Richmond Park, White lodge, Kingston gate, to the Market place. Total 29 Miles, 3 new faces, thanks to Amy for back marking & many others for marking corners, and special thanks to John D for the BP, only just back from Australia the day before

Map :-www.plotaroute.com/route/817985

Wednesday 24th April, a warm Evening for the first ride of the year, saw 14 Cyclists, (with another 2 regulars stopping to say hello), leave via Skerne Rd, Latchmere, Ham gate of Richmond Park, to Petersham gate, Thames Towpath, (photo), including the newly improved path to Teddington footbridge, Teddington, to Fulwell for refreshments at ‘the Roebuck’, return via Bushy Park, Hampton Wick & Kingston Bridge. 10 Miles, 2 new faces, thanks to Ken for back marking.  Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/816186

Sunday 7th April. A Cloudy day with some light Drizzle, leading to lunch, & a slightly heavier  afternoon Shower, saw 25 Cyclists remember the early start from New Malden leave via, Raynes park, Cannon Hill, South Merton, Morden Hall Park, Mitcham, Eastfields, where 1 extra Cyclist was ready to join us, Lonesome, Norbury, Thornton heath, Selhurst, Heavers Meadow, South Norwood, & Country Park, to join the ‘Waterlink way’, Sustrans route, via Beckenham, Lower Sydenham, Catford, Ladywell – with 1 person taking a tumble, suffering a couple of Bruises-, Lewisham, Greenwich Park, (Photo with William the IV), to Greenwich to find that the planned Pub stop had no Food, so now past 1 o’clock, a strategic decision that Wetherspoons would cope, so passing the Cutty Sark, with a missed turn, but soon finding ‘the Gate Clock’, a successful lunch, then finding the distressing sight that 1 of our Bikes had been Stolen, 😦 (this coming on top of my own recent loss), & with a few others also needing to curtail the ride, the remaining 19 Cyclists continued via the Thames Path, Deptford, ‘Quietway 1’, via Folkestone Gardens & South Bermondsey, Burgess Park, Camberwell, Loughborough, Brockwell Park, – with the ‘now steady Rain-, it was decided to have an earlier than planned Tea & Bread pudding stop at ‘the Mansion Cafe’, with Rain soon stopped, 🙂,Tulse Hill, Streatham Hill, Tooting Bec Common, Tooting, Mitcham, Phipps bridge, the Rose Garden, Morden, Morden Park, Lower Morden, Morden Cemetery, Joseph Hood Park, Motspur park, -with 1 person deciding to leave the ride for Home, without realising, they had 4 others following-, to finish at New Malden. Total 39 Miles, 1 new face, 1 Cycle theft, thanks to Andrea for back marking such a large group, many others for marking corners & Special thanks to Derek for the BP.  Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/799175

Wednesday 20th March, a mostly Cloudy day saw 15 Cyclists leave via Kingston Bridge, Bushy Park, Fulwell, Twickenham, Crane River Path, Whitton, Hounslow, Isleworth, Osterley, Osterley Park, Norwood Green, Top lock Bridge, Grand union Canal Towpath, (Photo 1), to Hanwell for lunch at the delightful ‘Fox’, Churchfield Rec to see the Hanwell Viaduct, (Photo 2), West Ealing, North Ealing, West Acton, Acton Park, Chiswick Green, Grove park, Chiswick Bridge,- with the incoming tide, causing a few people to get there Cozzies ready, before our Leader found the footpath detour, to save the need for a swim, just-, Mortlake, Sheen to Palewell Common for Tea & refreshments, Sheen gate Richmond Park via White lodge, Ham Cross, to Kingston gate, also a brief visit to part of ‘the Wheatfield way’ Track. Total 27 Miles, 1 new face, thanks to Ellie for back marking, & others for marking corners.   Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/786525

Sunday 17th March, (St Patricks day), Part 1, a largely Sunny Morning saw 18, no wait 1 more has joined so 19 Cyclists left via Lower Marsh, Berrylands, Surbiton, Long Ditton, Hinchley Wood, Esher Park, Esher, to Molesey, -some people must have had Skates on as we were to early-, but the ‘Bell’ did soon open the doors for a very enjoyable lunch, then Thames Ditton, Portsmouth Rd & track to Kingston. Sub total 14 Miles, thanks to Steve F for back marking duties, & others for marking corners.Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/785609

Part 2, with heavier Clouds, and a brief flurry of Hailstones, -was this a portent of things to come-, 3 Fresh faces & Farewell to 7, so 15 Cyclists left via Skerne Rd, Aerospace Estate, Ham, Ham gate of Richmond Park, to Petersham gate, Richmond, Richmond Bridge, Ducks Walk, St Margerets, Islesworth, Whitton, to Kneller Gardens, Twickenham for Tea & Bread pudding, suddenly we were hit with a very intense was it Hailstones, or was it very small ‘Snowballs’, perhaps a mix of Hail & Snow, -luckily there was just enough room to shelter from the worst of it-, continuing via Fulwell, with another very heavy Hailstorm, this time with nowhere to Shelter until it was too late, 😦 Teddington, Hampton Wick & Kingston Bridge. Sub total 12 Miles, Total for the day 27 Miles, 1 new face, thanks to Chris for Back marking, & others for marking corners, thanks to Derek, for the BP.   Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/786020

Sunday 3rd March, a Blustery Wind, with some light Showers, saw 8 Cyclists, with 1 deciding not to continue, so 7 left via Skerne Rd, Latchmere, Ham Gate Richmond Park, via White Lodge, to Roehampton Gate, Barnes, Hammersmith Bridge, Fulham, Barons court, North Kensington, then the ‘Paddington Arm’ of the ‘Grand Union Canal’ towpath, to Harlesden for lunch at the Grand Junction Arms’- with fresh Paint still in evidence-, more Towpath to Park Royal, West Acton, Ealing Common, Gunnersbury Park, (Photo), Carville Hall Park, Brentford, to Syon Park Cafe for Tea & Bread pudding, with a slightly stronger Head wind, & some heavier Showers, (but not as dramatic as had been Forecast, 😉) Isleworth, Twickenham, Strawberry Hill, Teddington, Hampton Wick & Kingston Bridge. Total 29 Miles, 2 new Faces, thanks to Derek for Back marking, thanks to John for the BP.   Map :-www.plotaroute.com/route/342703

Wednesday 20th February, a Bright but Cloudy day saw 14 Cyclists, -with a new leader, (Steve J), leave via Portsmouth Rd & Track, Long Ditton, Giggshill Green, Weston green, Esher, Walton on Thames, Thames Towpath, the ‘Broadwater path’, Weybridge, Wey Navigation Path, Weybridge Rd track, Chertsey Meads, Chertsey, -where yours truly picked the wrong moment to look at a text, leading to an encounter with a Wooden post, thankfully no harm done to me, the Bike or indeed the Post, 😉-, the Twynersh Roundabout, Thorpe to Thorpe Green for lunch at the ‘Rose & Crown’, Virginia Water village, Windsor Great Park, & Virginia Water , & the Totem pole, (Photo), Egham Wick, Callow Hill, Trumps green, Lyne, Chertsey, Chertsey Bridge, to Shepperton for Tea & Refreshments at ‘Nauticalia’, Sunbury, Hampton, Bushy Park, Kingston Bridge. Total 37 Miles, 1 new face, thanks to Steve D for back marking, others for marking corners, very special thanks to Steve J for organising & leading this ride.

Map www.plotaroute.com/route/769128

Sunday 17th February, a bright sunny day saw 36 Cyclists, (is this a Record), but without our regular leader, who was suffering a heavy Cold, (he claimed his nose was ‘running like an Express, 😦), thanks to Mike for filling the gap at very short notice, so via Lower Marsh, Berrylands, New Malden, Worcester park, Sutton, Carshalton, Carshalton Park, Oaks Park to Woodmansterne, for lunch at ‘the Woodman’, with a small detachment continuing to Pistachio’s in Banstead, re-gathering, in Banstead, Burgh Heath, Tattenham corner, Epsom, the ‘Nescot Path, East Ewell to a very congested Nonsuch Park Cafe, for Tea & Bread pudding, then Worcester park, New Malden, Berrylands to Kingston. Total 29 Miles, thanks to Jon W for back marking & for the Photo, many others for marking corners, thanks to John D for the BP, and very special thanks to Mike F for leading at such short notice.   Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/363534

Sunday 3rd February. A cold, Sunny day saw 14 Cyclists gather for the first Challenge ride of 2019, leave via Skerne Rd, Latchmere,- with 1 person having Gear & Freewheel problems, deciding to leave us-, Ham Gate Richmond Park, to Sheen gate, Sheen, Mortlake, Chiswick Bridge, -with 1 extra Cyclist, managing to predict our route, so back to 14-, Chiswick, Acton, – with a visit from the ‘P Fairy’, the victim insisting on the rest of the party continuing, – Park Royal, Stonebridge park, Wembley, where an Icy Cycle path caused our Leader to have an unplanned dismount, (a useful lesson to others to take it easy), Preston, Kenton, Kenton Park, Belmont to Harrow Weald for lunch at ‘the Duck in the Pond’,-with the ‘P victim’ managing to join us-, followed by a ‘steady climb’, to Harrow Weald Common, (Photo), Hatch end, Headstone, Headstone Manor Park, West Harrow, South Harrow, Northolt Park (a former Race track, the reason the area is now known as ‘the Racecourse Estate’), Northolt, Northala Field,- with no enthusiasm for an ‘alfresco tea stop’, Greenford, Southall, Norwood Green, to Osterley Park for Tea & Bread pudding, Osterley, Hounslow, Whitton, Twickenham, Strawberry hill, Teddington, Hampton Wick & Kingston Bridge. Total 42 Miles, 1 visit from the P fairy, 1 other Mechanical, 1 Icy slip, thanks to Andrea for Back marking duties, & many others for marking corners, thanks to John for the BP.  Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/755785

Sunday 20th January A bright, Sunny but Chilly day saw 22 Cyclists leave via Lower Marsh, Berrylands, New Malden, Malden Manor, Worcester park, a somewhat busy Nonsuch Park, East Ewell, the ‘Nescot path’, Epsom, Woodcote, Ashtead Park- meeting a small detachment of the ‘Sou’westers’ in the opposite direction-, to Ashtead for lunch at ‘the Woodman’, Leatherhead, Fetcham, Bookham Common, Downside, Cobham, Fairmile Estate, Portsmouth Rd to Claremont Lake, (National Trust) for Tea & Bread pudding, (with a victim of the ‘P fairy’ swiftly repaired) Esher, Hinchley wood, Long Ditton, Surbiton, to Kingston. Total 30 Miles, 3 new faces, 1 visit from the ‘P fairy, thanks to Mike for Back marking, & many others for marking corners, thanks to John for the BP.

Map: www.plotaroute.com/route/749756

Thursday 17th January, a bright, Chilly day saw 7 Cyclists remember the different day, & alternative start, from New Malden, via Shannons corner, Raynes park, Cannon hill, Merton park, South Wimbledon, Wandle trail, Earlsfield, Wandsworth Common, Clapham Common, Vauxhall, to join ‘Cycle Superhighway 5, (CS5) across Vauxhall Bridge to Pimlico for an early lunch at the ‘White Swan’, Parliament Sq, to join CS3, (Victoria Embankment), to Southwark Bridge & CS7, (still mostly Blue paint), Borough, Walworth, Burgess Park, Camberwell, Loughborough Junction, Brockwell Park, Tulse Hill, Streatham Hill, Tooting Bec Common, (too cold for an ‘Alfresco Tea stop’), Tooting, Mitcham, Phipps Bridge, to Morden Hall Park Cafe for Tea & Cake, then South Morden, Morden Park, Morden Cemetery, Motspur Park, to New Malden. Total 32 Miles, thanks to Ellie for Back marking, & others for marking corners, thanks to Derek for the Dundee cake.  Map:-www.plotaroute.com/route/747539

Sunday 6th January. A largely overcast day, with a couple of brighter spells saw 19 Cyclists ready for the first ride of 2019, leave via Kingston Bridge, Bushy Park, Clapperstile gate, ( with 1 extra catching the tail at the 2nd attempt), Teddington, Teddington Footbridge, Thames Towpath, Petersham, Petersham gate, Richmond Park, Sheen gate, Palewell, Barnes, Towpath again, to Putney, – where the chosen lunch stop was already stuffed with Football supporters prior to the Fulham/ Oldham game-, with a small group electing to have lunch at a Cafe, the main party continued to Wandsworth, with option 2, not having food, -alas 1 person realising they had left a Pannier at the 1st stop-, option 3 ‘the Garrett Tavern’, more than satisfying our needs, with all the lost sheep back with the group, the Wandle trail, Earlsfield, more Wandle path, South Wimbledon, Merton park, Lower Morden to the Wyevale Garden centre for Tea & Bread Pudding, Morden Cemetery, Joseph Hood Park, Motspur park, New Malden, Berrylands, to Kingston. Total 27 Miles, 1 new face, thanks to Amy for back marking & others for corner marking, thanks to John for the BP.

Map:-http://www.plotaroute.com/route/741349