bread pudding ride

Bread pudding ride to Pimlico

Sunday 7th January, after 1 late booking & 1 cancellation, with a bright Sunny morning, mostly cloud after lunch, the first ride of 2024 set off from New Malden with 20 Cyclists, via Raynes park, South Wimbledon, the Wandle trail – collecting 1 more-, Earlsfield, Wandsworth Common, Clapham Common- suddenly with an icy headwind-, Stockwell, the Oval, Vauxhall, Vauxhall Bridge, to Pimlico for lunch at ‘the White Swan’ (McMullens), then Wesdtminster (Photo), CS3, Southwark Bridge, Bermondsey, CS14, CS10, Burgess Park, Camberwell, Loughborough, Brockwell Park, -where the hoped for indoor Cafe, was closed for a refit, so Al-fresco Tea stop & No Bread pudding-, Tulse Hill, Streatham Hill, Tooting Bec Common, Tooting, Myrna Gardens, Colliers wood, a bit more Wandle trail, Morden Hall Park, Merton park, Cannon hill Common, Motspur park to finish back in New Malden. Total 31 Miles, thanks to Chris & John E for back marking & others for marking corners. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/933539.

With a recently refurbished Elizabeth Tower (Big Ben): Lindsay

Christmas special ride to Thames Ditton

Sunday 10th December, with several lightweight or Fairweather Cyclists (albeit some with very good health reasons), with a dry start, but only 2 minutes down the Road, the drizzle started 👎, a total of 22 Cyclists split into 2 groups, leave via Lower Marsh, Berrylands, New Malden, Malden Manor, Cuddington, Stoneleigh, West Ewell, Chessington, Claygate, Hinchley wood, to Thames Ditton, -for lunch at a new venue forr us-, also finding another 13 guests, the Limping Fox, very welcoming, friendly staff & great Food & Drink, after thank-you speecch’s from myself, with a thankyou Book for Mags, (supplied by Amy), a special prize for ‘Lifetime achievement’ for John Dunn, together with a collection to thank him for all his efforts from the last 24 Years & his fantastic company (we do still hope to persuade him to join us once in a while), with Bai saying a few words of thanks to me on behalf of everyone, for my leadership over the year, with many then heading for home or Train, 15 were still happy for an afternoon Ride, a slightly shorter route than planned via Ember court, Molesey, to Molesey Cricket club for Tea & Bread pudding at Miss Polly’s, -almost losing 4 people because of a Lights problem-, return to Thames Ditton, Portsmouth Rd, to finish back in the Market place. Total 21 Miles, special thanks to Bai for leading group 2, thanks to John E & Jon W for back marking each group, & an extra big thank-you to John D for all the BP’s over the past 24 years.

Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/527788

Group 1 near Hogsmill River: Lindsay

Group 2 almost exactly the same spot, how did they know ? : Bai

2 Part ride to Chessington & Kingston

Sunday 26th November. Part 1. After 2 late cancellations, a mostly cloudy morning saw 16 Cyclists leave the Market via Kingston Bridge, Thames Towpath, Hampton Court, Molesey, Molesey Common (Photo), Esher, Littleworth Common, Claygate, to Chessington for lunch at the North Star (Ember Inns),- joined by 1 more-, more Chessington, Tolworth, Surbiton, to finish back in Kingston. Total 15 Miles, thanks to Chris F for back marking & others for marking corners.

Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/2086965

Molesey Common: Lindsay

Part 2 With some very light Drizzle (or Mizzle), saying farewell to 8, hello to 5, 14 Cyclists left via Fairfield, Norbiton, New Malden, Raynes park, Wimbledon Chase, Cannon Hill Common, Motspur park, New Malden, Berrylands, Cranes park, to the Guildhall, -also with 2 special guests John’s Girlfriend Anita & his Brother Peter-, to share Tea & Bread Pudding with the Mayor of Kingston (Councillor White), in the Mayors parlour, also the Mayor said a few words in Tribute to our wonderful Bread Pudding maker, John Dunn, who has decided he needs a rest from Cycling & ‘slaving over a hot stove’, after almost 24 wonderful years, – I know l speak for all who joined today’s rides, & all those who have ever enjoyed Johns company and/ or the delicious Bread pudding, we are going to miss you!! Total 12 Miles, thanks to Toni for back marking, very special thanks to John for the BP, thanks to Jon White, the Mayor & Brian the Mace bearer, for inviting us for Tea. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/2451305

The group with Kingston Mayor, & 2 special guests: Brian, Mace bearer

Mayors Consort Jon, John Dunn, & Mayor, Diane White (L to R)

Bread pudding ride to Little Bookham

Sunday 12th November, with light Drizzle to start, & slightly heavier Drizzle after Tea, after 4 late cancellations & 1 no show, 17 Cyclists were asked to walk away from the Market place, to Portsmouth Rd, Long Ditton- joined by 1 more recruit, Hinchley wood, to pause for the 2 minute silence at 11am, followed by a reading of ‘For the Fallen’,by Laurence Binyon, ‘They shall not grow old as we that are left grow old from Andrea, then Esher- with a slipped Chain swiftly sorted-, Fairmile, Cobham, Downside, Bookham Common, to Little Bookham for lunch at Ye olde Windsor Castle (Chef & Brewer), only had capacity for the 8 booked in advance, despite the website suggesting other meals could be taken in the Bar area 👎, more Bookham, Fetcham, (Photo), Leatherhead, Ashtead, Ashtead Common, Epsom Common to Epsom for Tea & Bread pudding at Old Moat Garden centre Cafe, West Ewell, Tolworth, Surbiton to finish back in Kingston. Total 28 Miles, thanks to Celia for back marking, thanks to Toni & Bai for marking corners, thanks to John D for the BP. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/1814953

Fetcham Mill Pond: Lindsay

Bread pudding ride to Brockley

Sunday 22nd October. With the Kingston half Marathon, starting in the Market place, a New Malden start seemed best. A gorgeous Sunny day, with 2 late cancellations, 17 Cyclists left via the Beeline, Raynes park, South Wimbledon, Colliers wood, a newly resurfaced path in Myrno nature reserve, Tooting, Tooting Bec Common- joined by 1 more member-, Streatham Hill- dropping by to say hello to 1 regular currently indisposed after a recent op-, Tulse Hill, Brockwell Park, Dulwich, Dulwich Park, Peckham Rye Park, Nunhead, to Brockley for lunch at the’ Brockley Barge’ (Wetherspoons), – a quick adjustment to 1 gear shifter-, more Brockley, Ladywell fields, Catford, Pool river path (Photo), Lower Sydenham, Cator Park, Beckenham, South Norwood country Park, South Norwood, Heavers Meadow, Selhurst, Thornton heath, to Norbury for Tea & Bread pudding at Moon under Water (a 2nd Spoons of the day), Lonesome, Mitcham,, Morden Hall Park, Morden, Morden Park, Lower Morden, Motspur park, to finish back in New Malden. Total 32 Miles, thanks to John E for back marking, thanks to Chris F & Yee-liu for marking corners, thanks to John D for the BP. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/2415136

Pool River path, Lower Sydenham: Lindsay

Challenge ride to Chislehurst

Sunday 8th October, a glorious,, Sunny day- can someone just check, it is October, not August-, with 1 late booking, 1 cancellation & 1 no show, 17 Cyclists left the Fountain roundabout, Motspur park, a devious detour to avoid the Gas pipe works, the Hamptons, North Cheam, Sutton, the Wrythe, Hackbridge, Beddington Park, Waddon, West Croydon, Selhurst, Heavers Meadow, South Norwood country Park, Cator Park, New Beckenham, Beckenham Place Park, Downham, Plaistow, Elmstead, to Chislehurst for lunch at the Queens Head (Ember Inns), a bit more Chislehurst, Jubilee Country Park (Photo)- enter left a ‘Photo bomber’, sadly he wouldn’t come back for a second shot-, Petts wood, Southborough, Normon Park, Pickhurst, West Wickham, Shirley, Ashburton Field, Woodside, Heavers Meadow -again-, Thornton heath, Pollards hill, Mitcham, to Morden Hall Park, for Tea, -except most people just missed out, the Cafe closing 15 mins earlier than stated-, so a dry Bread pudding stop-, Merton park, Wimbledon Chase, Raynes park, to finish back at New Malden. Total 44 Miles, thanks to Toni & Chris for back marking, thanks to John D for the BP.

Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/2410955

Jubilee Country Park & Photo bomber: Tracey & Lindsay

Bread pudding ride to Knaphill

Sunday 17th September. After 2 late cancellations & 1 no show, with darkening Skies, 13 Cyclists left via Portsmouth Rd, Thames Ditton- collecting 1 more-, Weston Green, Esher, newly resurfaced path to Hersham, Walton on Thames, Weybridge, Brooklands Park, Byfleet, a brief visit to the Wey Navigation, Pyrford, Maybury, Woking, – with an internal Sat-nav failure and Mr Google not very helpful, a bit of ‘toing & froing’, at the third attempt-, to Knaphill for lunch at the very welcoming Royal Oak, perfectly timed as the Heavens opened shortly after arrival, much debate whilst eating, eventually a Battersea led rebellion decided to head back to Woking for a Train back to home turf, but 5 hardy souls continued in the Rain via Chobham, Stonehill, Ottershaw to Addlestone for a pause at the Crouch Oak- an 8 to 900 year old specimen-, settling on a shorter route, with no Tea stop & now with the Sun breaking through the clouds, Weybridge, to reverse the outward route via Walton, Esher, Weston Green, Thames Ditton to finish back in Kingston with full Sun. Total 40 Miles, thanks to Andrea & especially Celia for back marking duties, thanks to John D for the Bread pudding. Sorry no Photo this time. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/2391904

Bread pudding ride to Ashtead

Sunday 20th August. A bright Sunny day, after 1 late cancellation & 2 no shows, due to navigation problem but 1 late booking & 1 unannounced visitor, 20 Cyclists split into 2 groups, leave via Portsmouth Rd, Long Ditton, Hinchley wood, Esher, Fairmile, Cobham, Downside (Photo group 2), Bookham Common (a little bit of soft Mud, & a fallen Tree for group 1), Fetcham, Leatherhead, to Ashtead for lunch at the Woodman (Ember Inns), Ashtead Park (Photo group 1), Woodcote, Epsom, Nescot path, to Nonsuch Park for Tea & Bread pudding,- with group 2 taking an alternative route, due to a sat-nav malfunction-, electing to ride as 1 group for the final stretch, Worcester park, Old Malden, New Malden, Berrylands, to finish back in Kingston. Total 29 Miles, 2 new faces. Special thanks to Bai for leading group 2- & a little help from Mags-, thanks to John E & Amy for back marking each group. Special thanks to Christine for the BP. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/312617.

Ashtead Park Bridge, Group 1

Group 2 near St Michaels Chapel, Downside: Bai

Train assisted Bread pudding ride to Ascot

A mostly bright Sunny day saw 12 Cyclists gather at Surbiton station, for an unusual Train direct to Wokingham, with 3 more already on board, with 2 visits to Virginia Water station, then a long wait (the vagaries of crunching 2 different rail journey’s together), upon arrival at our destination, to find 1 of the party having suffered a visit from the ‘P Fairy’, soon fixed, followed by a couple of navigational mishaps, finally escaping the Wokingham area, via Binfield, the edge of Bracknell,- only to lose track of the tail end in ‘the Chestnuts’-, a strategic decision to take a more direct route to lunch via the A329 Cycle path, to Ascot for lunch at the Stag (Greene King),- with a limited Menu due to a broken grill, the staff were surprisingly Cheerful-, then Cheapside, Windsor Great Park (Photo), Guards Polo ground, Egham Wick, Egham, Staines Bridge, Laleham, Shepperton, -now too late for the Walled Garden,- a detour to Walton Bridge & just in time for Tea & Bread Pudding at the ‘Wilde Brunch’, then a plea for help from another customer, Lindsay put her nursing skills to good use, before an Ambulance arrived to take over, Walton, Esher, Weston Green, Giggshill Green, Potsmouth Rd to finish back in Kingston. Total 34 Miles, thanks to Chris F for back marking, thanks to John D for the BP.

Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/2329421

Windsor Great Park, now the closest Cyclists can get to Virginia Water lake, Cycling now banned on the South of the lake & near the Totem Pole- Boo!

Bread Pudding ride to Pyrford Lock

Sunday 9th July. With Grey skies to start, followed by Bright Sunshine in the late afternoon, after 2 late cancellations & 1 late booking, 22 Cyclists, split into 2 groups, leave via Portsmouth Rd, Thames Ditton, Molesey, Walton, Weybridge, Brooklands Park (Photo group 2), Byfleet, to Pyrford Lock for an early lunch at the Anchor (Hall & Woodhouse), (with a little confusion over Vegetable deliveries), -conbining as 1 group for a short stretch, Pyrford, Wanham gates, Ripley Green-, Ockham, Hatchford, Cobham, Fairmile, to Claremont lakes (NT) for Tea & Bread pudding, Esher, Hinchley wood, Long Ditton, Surbiton, to finish back in Kingston. Total 30 Miles, Special thanks to Bai for leading group 2, thanks to John E & Andrea E for back marking, thanks to Christine for the BP at very short notice.

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

Group 2 near Brooklands Museum.