archived rides posts

Tag for ride posts from previous year, or earlier

Rogers review of 2024

We started 2024 with some very impressive Numbers, supporting the regular rides, frequently over 20 on each ride, needing to split into two groups, on many occasions, (thanks to Bai for showing willing to lead a 2nd group when required, also Nigel & Mags, who led groups for Midweek rides). In March we had a feeder ride to the ‘LCC Womens freedom ride’ (no it wasn’t restricted to just the fairer Sex), a rather chaotic finish, led to a late return. Towards the end of the year the Weather was not so good, persuading many to cancel, or not join up. We finished the year with an average of 19.2 on Sundays, 15.7 Midweek, & 10.2 Evenings.

Sadly I took a few tumbles this year, thankfully aside from a few bruises, no problems, 1 slippery surface the cause in February, an inattentive 8 year old in September. The Family Fun rides, were well supported, but some of the Weather wasn’t so helpful, on 2 occasions, hoping the Gods will be more helpful in 2025! We were delighted to be awarded a a shield at the Borough sports awards, ‘Community actiivist of the year’, thanks to all the Marshal’s who were willing to help with the Family rides.

I look forward to seein g you on a ride soon.

Roger Mace

Christmas Ride to Richmond

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Richmond Hill

Sunday 11th December. A mostly bright day saw 17, no 1 more has snuck in, 18 Cyclists left via Kingston Bridge, Bushy Park, Hampton, Hanworth, River Crane path, Twickenham, -having to negotiate the delightful Street fair/ Market in St Margerets- Richmond Bridge to Richmond for lunch at the White Cross, (with some confusion with a chaotic ordering system) then Richmond Hill, Richmond Park to Roehampton gate, Roehampton, Putney Heath, Wimbledon Common to the ‘Windmill tea room’ for Tea & BP, then Wimbledon Village, Copse Hill, Malden Golf course, Norbiton to Kingston. Total 22 Miles, 1 visit from the ‘P fairy’. Thanks to Bob for Back marking, & to John for the very special Bread Pudding.

Map:- www.bikemap.net/en/route/3843659

2 part ride to New Malden & Molesey

Sunday 20th November. Part 1, a very overcast day, with strong Winds, but otherwise dry day, saw 8 Cyclists leave via Kingston Bridge, Thames towpath to Hampton Court,  Molesey, Esher, Claygate, Chessington, Tolworth, Old Malden, to New Malden for lunch at Woodies- where due to delayed taking of orders, the Leader took the opportunity to repair his Puncture-, continuing via Berrylands to Kingston. Total 16 Miles, 1 new face. Thanks to Ellie….and John for Back marking. 1 Puncture.

Map :-www.bikemap.net/en/route/3834319

Part 2, with the wind now a stiff Breeze, we said goodbye to 3 & hello to 2, so 7 Cyclists left via Portsmouth Rd & the new Cycle path, (still partly shared with Pedestrians, because of ongoing Path & Landscaping work), Giggshill Green, Weston Green, Esher, Walton on Thames, Thames towpath to Molesey, for Tea & BP at Molesey Cricket club, then Hampton Court Bridge, Bushy park, Hampton Wick & Kingston bridge. Total 13 Miles, 1 new face. Thanks to Ralph for Back marking and to John for the Bread pudding .

Map :-www.bikemap.net/en/route/3834329

Bread Pudding ride to Ashtead

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Leaving the Woodman, Ashtead

Sunday 6th November, A bright Sunny start, with increasing Cloud as the day progressed, with a late Shower to Dampen the mood, saw 18 Cyclists, leave via Lower Marsh, Berrylands, New Malden, Motspur park, the Joseph Hood Park, West Sutton,- where the first visit from the ‘P fairy’ and a failed repair, led to 1 person saying farewell & heading for the Train,- Cheam Village, Nonsuch Park, East Ewell, Epsom, Ashtead Park to Ashtead for lunch at ‘the Woodman’, after some confusion with 1 order, a slightly delayed restart via Leatherhead, Fetcham, where a ‘strategic decision’,led to a shorter, but slightly hillier route, Stoke D’Abernon, Cobham to Claremont Lakes for Tea & BP, then Esher, Hinchley wood- where the 2nd visit from the ‘P Fairy’, and a very gallant John E willing to help the victim, the remainder of group continued in the by now steady Rain-, Long Ditton, Surbiton to Kingston. Total 29 Miles, 2 Punctures.

Thanks to Will & Jon for acting as Back markers and others for marking corners, also thanks to John for the BP.

Map :-www.bikemap.net/en/route/3827154

Bread pudding ride to Brockley

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Cator park, on the ‘Waterlink way’

Sunday 23rd October, a mostly bright Morning with more cloud later, saw 18 Cyclists Remember the alternative start from the Fountain, New Malden, (see if you can track how many Parks & Commons we traverse), via Motspur park, – where a severely snagged Chain, caused Andrea to abandon the ride, 😦,- West Barnes, Morden, Merton park, South Wimbledon,- where we were joined by 1 extra Cyclist-, Graveney River Park, Tooting, Tooting Bec Common, Streatham hill, Tulse hill, Brockwell Park, Dulwich, Dulwich Park, East Dulwich, Peckham Rye Park, Nunhead to Brockley for lunch at the ‘Brockley Jack’, then Ladywell Fields to join the ‘Waterlink way’, via Catford, the Pool River Park, Lower Sydenham, Cator Park, Clock house, Maberley Park, South Norwood Park, Norwood, Heavers Meadow, Selhurst, West Croydon to Wandle Park for Tea & BP, then Waddon, Beddington, Beddington Park, Hackbridge, the Wrythe, Benhilton, Pyl Brook path, Sir Joseph Hood Memorial Park, Motspur park to New Malden. Total 33 Miles, 1 new face, I make it 14 Parks & Commons !

Thanks to Steve for Back marking, and many others for marking corners, and as always, thanks to John for the Bread-pudding.

Map :-www.bikemap.net/en/route/3818271

Challenge ride to Stanmore

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Harrow Weald Common, with Harrow on the hill

Sunday 9th October. A bright Sunny Morning, with a Chilly breeze, saw 19 Cyclists dodge the ‘Fun runners’, via Skerne Rd, Towpath, Aerospace estate, Ham, Ham gate of Richmond park, to Sheen gate, East Sheen, Mortlake, Chiswick bridge, Grove park, Chiswick green, Acton, Acton park, West Acton, Park Royal, Stonebridge park, Wembley, Preston park, Kenton, Belmont to Stanmore for lunch at the ‘Duck in the pond’, afterwards a steady climb through Harrow Weald, to Harrow Weald Common, where John D suffered a slip, resulting in a few grazes, then Headstone lane, Headstone Manor park, West Harrow, W. Harrow Rec., South Harrow, Northolt to Northala Fields for Tea & BP at ‘San Remo’ Cafe, having dodged the Shower that had left some sizeable puddles, (could we get back to Kingston without more Rain?..), Southall, Norwood green, Osterley Park, (with Rainbow), Osterley, Worton, Whitton, Twickenham, Fulwell, Teddington, – where the Heavens finally opened-, Hampton Wick, Kingston bridge. Total 43 Miles, 2 new faces.

Thanks to Bai for Back marking & many others for watching corners.

Map :-www.bikemap.net/en/route/3808646

2 part ride to Teddington & Wimbledon park

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With the former ‘Star & Garter home and Richmond terrace

Sunday 25th September. Part 1, a mostly bright day with a Chilly breeze saw 23 Cyclists leave the finish of Kingston’s half Marathon behind via Skerne Rd, Kingston gate of Richmond park, the ‘Tamsin trail’, Ham gate, Ham, Ham house, Thames towpath to Richmond Bridge, (with a small detachment almost missing the ramp to the Bridge), Ducks walk, St Margerets, Isleworth, Whitton, Twickenham, Fulwell to Teddington lock for lunch at ‘the Anglers’, then Hampton wick & Kingston Bridge. Total 13 Miles, thanks to Jon W for back marking.

The ride was followed by saying a very fond farewell to Nick & Ruth who are moving to pastures new, we’re certainly going to miss all the Photo’s from Ruth, & I’ll also miss Nick’s sage advice.

Map:- www.bikemap.net/en/route/3794578

Part 2. With 14 people saying adieu, but hello to 6 fresh faces, 15 Cyclists left via Lower Marsh, Berrylands, New Malden, Motspur park, West Barnes, Merton park, South Wimbledon, to Wimbledon park for Tea & BP, then uphill to Wimbledon village, Copse hill, Malden Golf course, Mount Pleasant, Norbiton, to Kingston. Total 16 Miles, 2 new faces, thanks to Mike F for acting as back marker.

Map :-www.bikemap.net/en/route/3795026

 

Bread Pudding ride to Harmondsworth

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Osterley park

Sunday 11th September, a bright Sunny day saw 19 Cyclists leave via Kingston bridge, Bushy park, Hampton, Hanworth, Feltham, East Bedfont, Stanwell, Stanwell moor, Poyle, Harmondsworth moor to Harmondsworth for lunch at ‘the Five Bells’, afterwards a visit to the ‘Great Barn’ was enjoyed before re-mounting the Bikes to West Drayton, then Grand union canal towpath, North Hyde, Norwood green, to Osterley park for Tea & BP, Osterley, Isleworth, Mogden works, Twickenham, (where a lack of Trains meant those who hoped to get off early were thwarted), Strawberry hill, Teddington, Hampton wick to Kingston bridge. Total 31 Miles

Thanks to John E for back marking & many others for corner marking and to John D for the Breadpudding.

Map :-www.plotaroute.com/route/285856

Bread pudding ride to Virginia water

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Virginia water

Sunday 21st August. A mostly bright day saw 20 Cyclists leave via Portsmouth Rd, (passing the steadily growing Cycle track), Giggshill green, Weston green, Esher, Walton on Thames, Ashley park, Walton bridge, Shepperton, Chertsey bridge, Chertsey meads, Addlestone, Bretlands to Lyne for Lunch at ‘the Royal Marine’- with some electing to move on to the ‘Virginia water Cafe’ as an alternative lunch venue -, then Trumps green, Virginia water, to reconvene with the rest of the group in Windsor Great park, and a busy Pedestrian/ Dog/ Buggy & Cycle path, via the ‘Totem pole’ to the Savill Garden gate, Egham wick, Egham, Staines bridge, Staines, then Thames towpath, Penton hook, Laleham, Shepperton, Upper Haliford, Sunbury – where the intended Tea stop at the ‘Walled garden’ had already stopped serving before 4pm-, so continuing via Hampton to Bushy park & the ‘Pheasantry’ for Tea & BP, Hampton wick gate & Kingston Bridge. Total 38 Miles, 4 new faces.

Thanks to Steve for Back marking, (and assistance from John) & others for watching junctions & John for the Bread pudding.

Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/272606