Bread pudding ride to Brockley

Sunday 27th October, with the clocks having returned to GMT, a bright Sunny day saw 20 Cyclists split into 2 groups, -alas about to depart, 1 of group 1 found a flat, thus a change of groups, 2 became 1 & vice versa-, leave via Raynes park, Wimbledon Chase- sadly 1 of group 1 had a tumble, a couple of bruises, but quite shaken, decided to head for home-, South Wimbledon, Colliers wood, Tooting- joined by 1 more for group 1-, Tooting Bec Common, Streatham Hill, Brockwell Park, (Photo group 2), Dulwich, Dulwich Park (Photo group 1), Peckham Rye Park, Nunhead, to Brockley for lunch at the Brockley Barge (Wetherspoons), a bit more Brockley, then Ladywell fields to join Waterlink way, via Catford, Sydenham, & Cator Park, then Beckenham- Group 1 decided to ignore the ‘path closed sign’s, for South Norwood country Park, whilst group 2 took a new detour via Beckenham Cemetery, (Red dotted line on Map)-, Norwood, Heavers Meadow, Selhurst, West Croydon, Wandle Park, Beddington, Beddington Park, to Carshalton for Tea & refreshments at ‘Sassis in the Grove’- joined by 1 more unexpected guest-, the Wrythe, Benhilton, Pylbrook path, North Cheam, Motspur park, to finish back in New Malden. Total 32 Miles, 1 new face, special thanks to Bai for leading group 1, thanks to Ellie & fresh back marker Andrea C for back marking each group. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/2415136

Group 1 Dulwich Park; embracing a modern art piece.

Group 2 Brrockwell Park, with colourful Trees in the background: Lindsay

2 part ride to Molesey & Twickenham

Sunday 22nd September, sadly a gloomy Forecast led to 3 cancellations for Part 1. An overcast dry morning, saw 12 Cyclists, use a novel route via the Bittoms, Lower Marsh, Berrylands, Tolworth, Chessington, Claygate, Esher, -still too early, a lap of Molesey, a Pic at St Mary’s Church, as some wag remarked, ‘the Bell in Cycling, means 1 more lap’-, soon parked in the Garden of the Bell, for a delightful lunch, then Thames Ditton, Portsmouth Rd, to finish back in Kingston. Sub-total 15 Miles, thanks to Toni for back marking. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/1684206

Part 2. With 1 more cancellation, farewell to 4, welcome 1 more, 9 Cyclists left via Kingston Bridge, Bushy Park (Photo), Hampton, Hanworth, Hanworth Park, Leitrim Park- now with steady drizzle-, River Crane path, Kneller Gardens, Twickenham, St Margarets, to Marble Hill Park Cafe for refreshments, Twickenham riverside- where a young child suddenly rushed out from behind a parked Car, in front of our leader, a swerve to the Left, to avoid hitting the youngster, meant a tumble, luckily as it was relatively low speed, the only injury is a grazed knee & minor adjustment to 1 brake lever-, Strawberry hill, Teddington, Hampton wick, Kingston Bridge, to finish back in Kingston. Sub-total 15 Miles, Total 30 Miles, thanks to Andrea E for back marking. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/2760114

Casualty update; Knee is a little stiff this morning, but not as much as expected the wound does look messy, thanfully only skin deep.

Bread pudding ride to Harrow

Sunday 8th September, definitely a day not to pay too much attention to the Forecast (Wet virtually all day), a bright day with a Sunny afternoon 👍, alas a few had cancelled, so just 12 Cyclists left the Market via Kings Rd, Kingston gate Richmond Park, White lodge, Sheen gate, Mortlake, Chiswick Bridge, Grove park, Chiswick, Acton, West Acton, Park Royal, Stonebridge park, Wembley, Preston, Kenton, Belmont, to Harrow for lunch at ‘Duck in the Pond’ (Ember Inns), Harrow Weald, Headstone Manor Rec, West Harrow Rec, South Harrow, Northolt, Northala Fields (Photo), the newly complete Kensington Rd path & Roundabout, Southall, Norwood Green, Osterley Park, Osterley, Isleworth, Mogden, Twickenham- The leader must remember the Subway near Kneller Gardens, is liable to flooding after heavy rain as there was the previous Evening-, to Kneller Gardens for Tea & refreshments, Strawberry hill, Teddington, Hampton Wick, Kingston Bridge, to finish back in Kingston. Total 40 Miles, Thanks to John E for back marking.

Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/755785

Bread Pudding ride to Pyrford Lock

A slightly cloudy Morning, with more Sun after lunch, after 1 late booking, 20 Cyclists, split into 2 groups, leave via Portsmouth Rd, Giggshill Green- adding 1 more for group 2-, Weston Green, Esher- 1 more for group 1-, Walton, Weybridge, Brooklands Park (Photo’s), Byfleet village, Wisley, to Pyrford Lock for lunch at the Anchor (Hall & Woodhouse)- joined by 1 more for group 2 (23)-, Wanham gates, Ripley Green, Ockham, Hatchford, Cobham, Fairmile, to Claremont Lake Cafe (National Trust), for refreshments, Esher, Hinchley wood, Long Ditton, Surbiton to finish back in Kingston. Total 29 Miles, 3 new faces, special thanks to Bai for leading group 2, thanks to Steve D & Andrea E for back marking each group.

Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/2313436

Group 2, Brooklands Museum gate: Bai

Group 1, near Brooklands Museum, with Concorde just poking its tail & nose through the trees: Lindsay

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

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

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 ?

Bread Pudding ride to Maida Vale

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 2 Hammersmith Bridge- will they get nabbed by security ?…..

Bread pudding ride to Eton

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.

Kingston Cycling Campaign

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bread pudding ride