Challenge ride

Challenge ride to Dorney

Sunday 14th May. A rather grey morning, with the Sun appearing in time for lunch & Afternoon, after 1 late cancellation, 14 Cyclists left via Kingston Bridge, Bushy Park, Hampton, Hanworth, Sunbury, Ashford, Stanwell, Stanwell Moor, Poyle, Horton, Datchet, Jubilee River path, to Dorney for lunch at the fantastic Pineapple, -famous for their Doorstep Sandwiches, some did I believe take some home as it was too much in one go-, Summerleaze Footbridge, Fifield, Cranbourn Chase, Cranbourne gate Windsor Great Park, Bishopsgate, Englefield Green- including an unintended tour of the Cricket Green-, Egham, Staines Bridge, Staines, a short stretch of Thames path, Laleham, Shepperton, to Walton Bridge for Tea & Bread pudding at Wilde brunch Cafe, -a slight delay getting all moving, led to 1 of the group leading us ‘off Piste’, which makes a change from the leader going astray 😉-, Walton, Esher, Thames Ditton, Portsmouth Rd, to finish back in Kingston. Total 49 Miles, thanks to John E for excellent back marking, thanks to John D for the BP. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/141834

You can also watch Tracey’s brilliant video https://www.relive.cc/view/vxOQQB7Qw2O

Jubilee River path, Datchet. Credit Tracey & 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

Challenge ride to Godstone

Sunday 8th August. A Drizzly Morning, with 1 or 2 heavier showers & A drier Afternoon, until just before Tea, with 2 cancellations & 2 no shows, saw 17 Cyclists, gather at the Fountain Roundabout, split into 3 groups, -alas, group 3 had navigational issues, so group 2 agreed to wait, then continue as a ‘Super group’-, leave via Motspur park, North Cheam, West Sutton, Carshalton Beeches, Oaks Park, with 2 more Cyclists joining group 2, Woodmansterne, Coulsdon, Farthing Down, Chaldon, Brewer Street, Bletchingley, to Godstone, – but what’s this, no Pub, a Farm ? But wait, ahh, now I see, we have a Brewery attached, with possibly the biggest Pub Garden anywhere, the Flower Farm also has a superb Farm shop, if only I’d brought the Trailer 😉, then the delightful Woldingham Valley (Photo group 1)

Group 2 & 3 Super group, after lunch, Flower Farm: Bai
Group 1 with somewhat boisterous cattle, Woldingham: Lindsay

Manor Park, Whyteleafe, Kenley, South Croydon, Duppas Hill, Beddington, – with a sudden heavy Shower -, to Beddington Park for Tea & Bread pudding, Hackbridge, the Wrythe, Benhill, Sutton, North Cheam, Motspur park, to finish back in New Malden. Total 40 Miles, 1 new face, special thanks to Bai & Carl for group leading, thanks to Mike F, John E & Amy for back marking duties, thanks to John D for the BP.

Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/1484198