Midweek ride to Staines

Wednesday 17th Deccember. After 1 late cancellation & 2 no shows, 19 Cyclists split into 2 groups, with group 1 led by the new ‘Joyful Cycling’ winner, (see separate post), making sure everyone had a smile before the start, into a rather chillly Headwind, via Portsmouth Rd Giggshill Green, -joined by 1 more for group 1 (20)-, Weston Green, Esher, Walton, Walton Bridge, Shepperton, Chertsey Bridge- where an impatient Van driver, in a queue of slow moving traffic, decided he needed to squeeze past, even though there was no room, causing 1 of group 1 to take a tumble, thankfully no serious harm or injury, but a displaced Mudguard needed some adjustment, and the Handlebar slightly askew-, so group 2 managed to sneak in front, after taking a Photo-, Free Prae Meadow, Thorpe village, Pooley green, Egham Hythe, Staines Bridge, for lunch at the George (Wetherspoons), Staines- with group 2 taking a turn slightly early, Group 1 almost snatching the lead back, but not quite, so time for a Photo instead-, Knowle Greeen, Ashford, Sunbury, Hanworth, Hampton, to Bushy Park for Tea & refreshments at the Pheasantry, now just 1 group, Hampton Wick, Kingston Bridge, to finish back in Kingston. Total 28 Miles, special thanks to Mags for leading group 2, thanks to Celia & Steve D for back marking each group.

Map www.plotaroute.com/route/2348333

Group 1, Staines Leisure Centre, Knowle Green: Lindsay

Midweek ride to Ashtead

Wednesday 19th November. A cold damp start, not too surprising that 6 late cancellations, including 1 who got the wrong train! Just 12 Cyclists in 1 group, left via Portsmouth Rd, -alas a coming together of 2 Bikes, with 1 having a jammed front Brake, about to abandon the ride when Ta-da somehow Magician John managed to free it-, Long Ditton, Hinchley wood, Esher, Fairmille, Cobham, Downside, Bookham Common, Fetcham, Leatherhead,- now with a cold Headwind, Brrr-, to Ashtead for lunch at the Woodman (Ember Inns), more Ashtead, Woodcote, Rosebery Park (Photo), Epsom, – with the prospect of an Al-fresco Tea stop, not too inviting, a small splinter group still wanting to use the original route, via Nonsuch Park-, the main party continued via Ewell village, West Ewell, to Tolworth Court Garden centre Cafe, Tolworth, Surbiton, to finish back in Kingston. Total 28 Miles, special thanks to Mags for leading the Splinter group, thanks to Toni & John E for sharing the back marking duties. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/1306141

Midweek ride to Hanwell

Wednesday 15th October. After 2 late cancellations, 14 Cyclists left via London Rd- alas the tail end got detached, another person almost got lost looking for the tail, soon all back together-, Norbiton, Kingston gate Richmond Park, Sheen gate, Mortlake, Chiswick Bridge, Strand on the Green, Brentford- a navigational mix up, hence a detour via Carville Hall Park-, Gunnersbury Park, to make up a bit of time another detour, South Ealing, past Ealing Studios, West Ealing, Churchfields Park (Photo), to Hanwell for lunch at the always splendid Fox, -more woe, the ‘P fairy’ had paid a visit during lunch, but soon repaired-, Grand Union Canal Towpath, -pausing briefly to see IK Brunel’s last project, the Three Bridges, (Railway at the bottom, Canal, with a Road Bridge on top)-, Norwood Green, Osterley Park, Osterley, Isleworth, Cole park, Twickenham, the Railway roughs path, to Kneller Gardens for Tea & refreshments, Fulwell, Bushy Park, Kingston Bridge, to finish back in Kingston. Total 28 Miles, thanks to Toni for back marking, thanks to Mags for being ready to lead a 2nd group. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/2240956

Churchfield Park, with the Wharncliffe viaduct (Brunels Great Western)

Midweek ride to Pimlico

Wednesday 17th September. With just a few drops of drizzle, after 1 late cancellation, & 1 unexpected guest, – including 1 person who forgot the starting point,- 16 Cyclists leave on the Beeline, Raynes park, Wimbledon Chase, South Wimbledon, Wandle Trail- with a minor Gear change issue, soon fixed-, Earlsfield, Wandsworth Common, Clapham Common, Stockwell, Vauxhall, to Pimlico for lunch at the White Swan (McMullens), Westminster- thankfully before the ‘anti Trump protest march’-, Victoria Embankment (C3), Southwark Bridge (C7), also C14 & C10, Burgess Park (Photo), Loughborough, Brixton, Brockwell Park, Tulse Hill, Streatham Hill, to Tooting Bec Common for Tea & refreshments, Tooting, Colliers wood, Morden Hall Park, Merton park, Wimbledon Chase, Raynes park, to finish back in New Malden. Total 30 Miles, 2 new faces, special thanks to Ellie for back marking at short notice. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/3104112

Midweek ride to West Horsley

Wednesday 20th August. A rather cloudy Morning, gradually brighter in the afternoon, with a late surge in bookings & finding that the Co-leader had decided to do a Recce ride without support, alas 3 late cancellations, & 1 late booking, 17 cyclists split into 2 groups, leave via Portsmouth Rd, Long Ditton,- 1 more for group 1, (18)-, Hinchley wood, Esher, Fairmile, Cobham, Hatchford, Ockham (Photo group 1), to West Horsley for lunch at the Barley Mow, East Horsley, Orestan Common, Effingham, Bookham, Fetcham, (Photo group 2), Leatherhead, Ashtead, Ashtead Park, Woodcote, Epsom, to Alexandra park for Tea & refreshments at Park view Cafe,- now just 1 group-, Ewell village, West Ewell, Tolworth, Surbiton, to finish back in Kingston. Special thanks to Celia for superb leading of group 2, without a ‘shadow leader’, as had been planned, thanks to Steve D & Toni for back marking each group. 2 new faces. Total 33 Miles. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/1508730

Group 1, Long Reach, West Horsley: Lindsay

Midweek ride to Fairoaks Airport Cafe

Wednesday 16th July. A mostly Sunny day, after 1 late cancellation, 14 Cyclists start from a new venue, Hampton Court Station, via Thames Towpath- a small slip for the back marker, swiftly checked & back on the Bike-, Walton, Engine River path, Weybridge, Addlestone, Ottershaw, to Fairoaks Airport Cafe for lunch & Photo, McLaren Park, a brief bit of Horsell Common, Basingstoke Canal path, Wey Navigation, Weybridge, Walton Bridge, Lower Sunbury, Hampton, Bushy Park, Hampton Court Bridge, to finish back at the Station. Total 29 Miles, 1 new face, Special thanks to Steph for organising & leading this ride, thanks to John E for back marking. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/2998509

Midweek ride to Deptford

Wednesday 11th June, A rather chilly overcast Morning, with a sunnier & warmer afternoon. After 2 late cancellations & 1 late booking, 13 Cyclists left New Malden via the Beeline, Raynes park, Wimbledon Chase, South Wimblledon, Colliers wood, Tooting- joined by 1 more (14), Tooting Bec Common, Streatham Hill, Tulse Hill, Brockwell Park, Loughborough, Burgess Park, Bermondsey, Folkstone Gardens, to Deptford- with a slight navigational hiccup, (see Red dotted line on Map)-, for lunch at the Dog & Bell, a delightful bit of route through the old Surrey Docks area, Rotherhithe, Thames path (Photo), more Bermondsey- suddenly a cry of Oh no, a broken Saddle rail, after some debate the victim, bravely decided to continue riding-,, Walworth, Kennington, Stockwell, Clapham Common, to Wandsworth Common for Tea & refreshments at the Skylark Cafe, Earlsfield, Wandle trail, Wimbledon, Raynes park, to finish back in New Malden. Total 32 Miles, thanks to Ellie for back marking & others for marking corners. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/2532828

Midweek ride to Effingham

Wednesday 21st May, A somewhat cloudy morning, brief glimpse of Sun later, but also a couple of heavy showers afternoon, with 1 no show, 11 Cyclists left via Portsmouth Rd, Surbiton, Long Ditton, Hinchley wood, Esher, Fairmile, Cobham, Hatchford, Effinghham Junction to Effingham for lunch at the Queen stage (a term used by commentators for multi stage Cycle races, to pin point the hardest stage), Bookham, Fetcham, Leatherhead, Ashtead Park (Photo), Woodcote- 1 heavy shower-, Epsom to Alexandra Park for refreshments at the Park view Cafe, Ewell village- 2nd heavy shower-, West Ewell, Tolworth, Berrylands tio finish back in Kingston. Total 30 Miles, thanks to Dave P for back marking. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/2983182

Ashtead Park with City of London School in the background.

Midweek ride to Hammersmith

Wednesday 16th April, A mostly bright Sunny day saw 22 Cyclists split into 2 groups, leave towards Skerne Rd, unfortunately faulty Traffic Lights meant they soon joined up again, after splitting a second time via Canbury Gardens, Ham, Ham gate Richmond Park- a Wardrobe adjustment for group 1 meant group 2 almost caught up a second time-, Roehampton gate, Barnes Common, Putney (new improved approach to Putney Bridge 👍), Bishops Park, a very twisty route through part of Fulham & Hammersmith, to lunch at the Plough & Harrow (Wetherspoons), Cycleway 9 to Chiswick, Acton Green (Photo group 1), the delightful architecture of Bedford park, Acton, – now with a slight Headwind-, Gunnersbury Park, Carville Hall Park South, Brentford, to Syon Park for refreshments at the Clocktower Cafe, -after group 2 Photo, we elected to go as 1 group as a few had departed for home-, Isleworth, Whitton, Twickenham, Fulwell, Bushy Park, Kingston Bridge, to finish back in Kingston. Total 28 Miles, 1 new face, special thanks to Mags for leading group 2, thanks to Ellie & Toni for back marking each group. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/1033328

Midweek ride to Addlestone

Wednesday 12th March. Yet another day not to pay too much attention to the Forecast, although the Temperature had returned to more wintery settings, aside from a few drops of Rain as we reached lunch, the rest of the day was dry & quite Sunny🌞. After 3 cancellations, 12 Cyclists left via Portsmouth Rd, Giggshill Green, Weston Green, Esher, Walton, Weybridge, Brooklands Park ( now without the Fun fair), Byfleet, New Haw, Row town, to Addlestone for lunch at the very friendly & delightful Pelican, -with a very quick service, we were soon on the Road again-, Chertsey Mead, Chertsey Bridge (Photo), Shepperton, Haliford, to Sunbury for Tea & refreshments at the Walled Garden (the Tapestry is also well worth a visit), more Sunbury, Hampton, Bushy Park, Hampton Wick, Kingston Bridge, to finish back in Kingston, -possibly a record for an early finish, by 3.40pm. Total 28 Miles, thanks to Ellie for back marking.

Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/1868983

Kingston Cycling Campaign

Promoting safer and more enjoyable cycling in South West London and beyond

Midweek ride