bread pudding ride

Bread pudding ride to Harrow

Sunday 16th April, Spring has finally arrived, a dry warm day, sadly nott much Sun, (let’s not be greedy), after 1 late cancellation & 1 un-announced guest, 16 Cyclists left via the Station Bridge, Kingston gate Richmond Park, Sheen gate, Mortlake, Chiswick Bridge, Grove park, Chiswick, Acton, Park Royal, Stonebridge, Wembley, Kenton, Kenton Rec, Belmont, to Harrow for lunch at ‘Duck in the Pond’ (Ember Inns), Harrow Weald, Headstone Manor Rec (Photo), South Harrow, Northolt, -alas a dropped chain led to the tail briefly losing touch with the main party, at probably the most complex part of the ride to cross Target Roundabout-, Northala fields, Southall -with a touch of wheels causing a fall, no injuries, but another slipped Chain-, Norwood green, to Osterley Park for Tea & Bread Pudding, Osterley, Hounslow, Whitton, Strawberry hill, Teddington, Hampton Wick & finally, the reopened Cycle path on Kingston Bridge. Total 40 Miles, thanks to Amy for back marking, thanks to John D for the BP.

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

Headstone Manor Rec & Tulips: Lindsay

2 Part ride to Twickenham & Epsom

Sunday 26th March. Part 1, With very grey skies & mostly light drizzle, with 3 cancellations, 11 Cyclists left the Market place via the Station Bridge, North Kingston, Ham Common (including the closed Road for ‘Toad Crossing’, no Toads squashed), Ham, Thames Path, Richmond Bridge, St Margarets, Isleworth, Worton,Whitton, Kneller Gardens (Photo), to Twickenham, for lunch at the ‘Prince Blucher’ (Fullers), then Strawberry hill, Teddington, a very congested Hampton Wick, Kingston Bridge to finish back in the Market. Total 13 Miles, thanks to Chris F for back marking. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/2195037

With the Wise Owl, Kneller Gardens, Twickenham: Lindsay

Part 2. Saying farewell to 4, & welcome to 7 fresh faces, with 1 no show (it turns out, someone forgot to advance the clocks 1 Hour!), with steady Rain for a while, 14 Cyclists left via Fairfield, Norbiton, New Malden, Malden Manor, Worcester park, Auriol Park, Stoneleigh, Ewell, to Epsom for Tea & Bread pudding at the Old Moat Garden centre Cafe, then Horton lane track, West Ewell, Tolworth (now with a cold Headwind), Surbiton, Cranes park to finish back in Kingston. 16 Miles, thanks to John E for back marking. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/1684604

Bread pudding ride to West Wickham

Sunday 12th March. A bright start, but soon clouding over, after 1 cancellation, -with 1 person waiting at the wrong place in New Malden, then having an issue with her Bike, our ‘regular leader’ passed the leaders baton to a very reliable deputy-, 16 Cyclists left via the Beeline, Raynes park, Wimbledon Chase, South Wimbledon, -2 more caught up with the main party, and decided to leave the Deputy in charge for the remainder of the day-, Colliers wood, Tooting, -joined by 1 more, now 19 in total-, Streatham common, Norbury, Thornton heath, Heavers Meadow, Woodside, Ashburton field, Monks orchard, Elmers end, to West Wickham for lunch at ‘the Railway (Ember Inns), Shirley, Addiscombe, Lloyd Park, South Croydon, -with 1 person suffering a visit from the ‘P fairy’, & a little confusion on who the victim was-, Waddon, Beddington, Beddington Park (Photo), to Carshalton for Tea & Bread Pudding at ‘Sassis in the Grove’, the Wrythe, Rosehill, St Hellier, Morden Park, Lower Morden, Motspur park, to finish back in New Malden. 31 Miles, 1 almost new face, -approx 10 years since last visit-, very special thanks to Bai for leading, thanks to Toni & Mike for back marking, thanks to many corner markers.

Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/1579827

With Beddington Pasrish Church: Lindsay

Bread pudding ride to Maida Vale

Sunday 26th February a rather chilly Northerly headwind, but a mostly bright day, after 4 cancellations, & 1 unexpected guest, 14 Cyclists left via Skerne Rd, Latchmere, Ham gate Richmond Park, to Roehampton gate, -with 1 more joining-, Barnes Common, Putney, Putney Bridge-, with 2 more joining, now 17 Cyclists-, Eel brook Common, Brompton Cemetery, Kensington, Kensington Gdns, Hyde Park, Marylebone, to Maida Vale for lunch at the very hospitable Carlton Tavern, -despite the Pre ordered food e mail getting lost-, very good service, then Paddington Rec to see 2 Plaque’s for Sir Roger Bannister ( From 1951 to 1954, Bannister trained at the track at Paddington Recreation Ground in Maida Vale while he was a medical student at the nearby St Mary’s Hospital. There are two Bannister plaques at the pavilion, both unveiled by him on 10 September 2000; a circular blue plaque and a rectangular historic plaque containing additional information. According to the latter, Bannister was able to train for just an hour each day due to his medical studies. From Wikipedia) a second Plaque for Sir Bradley Wiggins, who went to School nearby (Photo), – Thanks to Steve J for the pointer-, Kilburn, North Kensington, Hammersmith, Ravenscourt Park, C9 to Chiswick Green, Grove park, Chiswick Bridge, Mortlake, East Sheen- with 1 person, not paying attention, almost crashing into Roadworks-, to Palewell common Cafe for Tea & Bread pudding,- with 1 extra person just finding the group-, Sheen gate, Richmond Park, Kingston gate, Kingston to finish. 30 Miles, 3 new faces, thanks to Amy for back marking & others for marking corners, thanks to John D for the BP.

Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/2162317

Paddington Rec wih the Wiggins Plaque: Lindsay

Challenge ride to Downe

Sunday 12th February. A mostly overcast day, with some ‘Misty drizzle at times, with1 cancellation & 1 no show, 14 Cyclists left via Motspur park, North Cheam, Pyl Brook path, Sutton, the Wrythe, Hackbridge, Beddington Park, Croydon, Selhurst -with 1 more joining the group-, Heavers Meadow, (with a visit from the ‘P Fairy’, soon repaired), Woodside, Ashburton Field, Shirley, West Wickham, Coney Hall, Keston, to Downe for lunch at the ever reliable ‘Queens Head’, although a little confusion with 1 food order, then a brief detour to see Down House (& Photo), home where Charles Darwin lived & wrote many works, including ‘Origin of the Species’, -as a complete coincidence, today is the anniversary of Darwins birth-, retracing our steps, then Farnborough, Orpington, Southborough, – with our leader suffering a small tumble due to a ‘sticky Toe strap’-, Norman Park -with one car park full with Film caravans-, Bromley, to Kelsey Park for Tea & Bread pudding, – with 1 person having departed to get a Train, then rejoining the group, as Engineering work had cancelled services, impressive-, alas a fruitless search for 1 BP tub, proved unnecessary, as our leader had forgotten, he was carrying 2 pots, not just the 1 he put on the table, also mistakenly almost leaving 1 person behind, oops, Elmers End, South Norwood Park, Heavers Meadow, Thornton heath, Pollards hill, Mitcham, the brand new resurfaced Dean city Farm path & new Bridge to Morden Hall Park, Morden, Raynes park, to finish back in New Malden. 45 Miles, Thanks to John E for back marking, thanks to John D for the BP.

Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/2152617

Down House, Downe, home of Birthday boy Charles Darwin

Bread pudding ride to Addlestone

Sunday 22nd January, A mostly freezing, fog bound day, with promising glimpses of Sun at times, after 8 cancellations, 17 Cyclists left via Portsmouth Rd, Thames Ditton, Molesey, Walton on Thames, Weybridge, Brooklands Park- with 1 member having gear issues, soon sorted-, Byfleet, New Haw, Row town, to Addlestone for lunch at the delightful Pelican,

Can’t think what the Pub means ?

then, Chertsey Meads, Chertsey Bridge, Shepperton, Haliford, Sunbury, Hampton, to Bushy Park for Tea & Bread Pudding at the Pheasantry, Hampton Wick, Kingston Bridge to finish back in Kingston. Total 29 Miles, special thanks to Steve F as back marker at short notice, thanks to Bai for standing ready to lead group 2, thanks to John D for the BP.

Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/2133378

Chertsey Bridge

Bread pudding ride to Greenford

Sunday 8th January, the first ride of 2023, started in the dry, alas intermittent Drizzle, soon developed into steady Rain, but with 1 cancellation, 1 group of 20 Cyclists left via Skerne Rd, Latchmere, Ham gate, Richmond Park, Sheen gate, Mortlake, Chiswick Bridge, Chiswick green, Acton, Ealing, Pitshanger Park, Perivale, Greenford to Northolt for lunch at the Greenwood Hotel (Wetherspoons) -with a lovely Art deco interior-, Northolt Village, Southall, Norwood Green, Osterley Park, -with the first vote to miss the Tea stop-, Osterley, Hounslow, Whitton, to Kneller Gardens,- still no votes in favour of Tea, hence no Bread pudding 😦-, Strawberry hill, Teddington, Hampton Wick, Kingston Bridge to finish. Total 29 Miles, 1 new face, thanks to Chris F for back marking, thanks to Steve D & Ellie for marking some corners. Sorry no Pictures this time.

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

Christmas special ride to New Malden

Sunday 11th December. A slightly Foggy but freezing start, with 7 cancellations, split into 2 groups, rather than the planned 3, left via Fairfield, Norbiton, New Malden (a bit too early for lunch 😉), Raynes park, Wimbledon Chase, Merton park, Morden Hall Park (Photo group 2)- with 1 member of group 2 feeling unwell, with partner diverting to a nearby Cafe to warm up, I’m pleased to say, that did the trick, but they were unable to rejoin the ride-, Ravensbury Park (Photo group 1), Morden, Morden Park, Lower Morden, Motspur park, to New Malden for an excellent lunch at Woodies, slightly spoilt by a discrepancy with the Bill, after speeches from John, with the prize for most rides in the year to John E, thanks from Bai to Roger for all the Rides organising, in return thanks to Bai for group leading on many rides, also thanks to Pete for group leading many Midweek rides, it seemeed to be a record year for Evening rides,-just- , with 1 more attendee than the previous best, & Midweek rides, achieving the best ever single ride for a Wednesday, with 29, largely thanks to Eunice for bringing many friends, then yet more New Malden, A3 Cycle path, Richmond Park, only to find the Roehampton Gate Cafe had just closed for the day, so the Bread pudding had to be consumed without any Tea to wash it down, return to Robin Hood Cross, Ham Cross, Ham gate, Latchmere, to finish back in Kingston. Total 23 Miles, special thanks to Bai for leading group 2, thanks to Nigel ready to lead group 3, thanks to Jon W & Amy for back marking, in the Morning, thanks to Lindsay for Back marking after lunch.

Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/2076415

Group 2 Morden Hall Park

Exif_JPEG_420 Group 1, Ravensbury Park

2 part ride to Chessington & Sunbury

Sunday 20th November Part 1 after overnight Rain, a Bright Sunny morning, with 4 cancellations, 1 group of Fifteen, left via Kingston Bridge -Cycle lane closed for repairs to the Balustrade-, Thames Towpath, Hampton Court, Molesey- with Police, Fire brigade & Ambulance dealing with a traffic accident, entailing a dismount & short walk-, Esher, Claygate, Chessington- a little too early, so a lap of part of the Woodgate estate (Red dotted line on Map), only to find the main part of the group had lost track of the leader, soon back together, phew!- For lunch at the ‘North Star’ (Ember Inns), -with 1 meal taking an inordinatly long time to arrive, 1 person left behind to finish there meal, luckily knowing a quick route, hence joining the main party ready for part 2-, Surbiton, to finish back in the Market place. Sub total 15 Miles, thanks to Chris F for back marking.

Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/2087536

Part 2. A largely Sunny Afternoon. with 3 cancellations, -saw a very congested Market place, mean that 1 new face was sadly unable to find the group-, with 1 fresh face, 12 Cyclists leave via Portsmouth Rd, Giggshill Green, Weston Green, Esher, Walton, Walton Bridge, Shepperton, Haliford, to Sunbury, for Tea & Bread pudding at the Walled Garden, Hampton, Bushy Park, Hampton Wick & Kingston Bridge to finish back in Kingston. Sub total 16 Miles, Total 31 Miles, Thanks to John E for back marking, thanks to John D for the BP. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/924654

Bread pudding ride to Pimlico

Sunday 6th November. Once again the Forecast had led to a few cancellations, starting with some very large Puddles, after overnight Rain, the Rain had almost ceased by the start, 9 Cyclists left New Malden via the Beeline, Raynes park, Wimbledon chase, -with a small slip, needing a minor adjustment-, Wandle Trail, to meet 1 more so now 10 in total, Earlsfield, Wandsworth Common, Clapham Common, Stockwell, Vauxhall Bridge (C5), to Pimlico for lunch at the always special White Swan (McMullens), just about to restart & the Rain returned, -some with a vengeance, Waterproofs back on-, Westminster,- losing 1 of the party to get the Train-, Victoria Embankment (C3), -taking a pragmatic decision to cut some of the Route-, Blackfriars Bridge (C6), Southwark, Kennington, Camberwell, Loughborough, Brockwell Park- with a unanamous vote for an indoor Tea & Bread pudding stop at the Mansion Cafe-,- now bright almost blinding Sunshine-, Tulse Hill, Streatham Hill, Tooting Bec Common, Mitcham, Morden Hall Park, Morden, Morden Park, Lower Morden, Motspur park, to finish back in New Malden. Total 31 Miles, thanks to Ellie & John E for back marking, thanks to Bai for standing ready to lead a second group, thanks to John D for the BP.

Sorry no Photos this time. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/747539