Change to Published Programme

Sunday 3 April 2022 - Please note that this ride will now be from Morrisons, Weybridge to Richmond Park (for the AGM).

The ride from Squires GC, Halliford to The Big Smoke, Esher ('hidden corners of Elmbridge') is moved to Sunday 10 April 2022.

Ride Report - Sunday 27 March 2022

 

A chilly and overcast start did not deter Bob, Keith, Terry Graham, Ed, Tony, Pam and I for meeting at The Vineries for elevenses, with the surprise addition of Robert visiting again from Canada.

Only Graham, Keith, Robert and I were tempted by the prospect of an al fresco lunch at Guildford.   We tentatively took the off-road route from Effingham to Horsley fully expecting to turn back finding it too muddy to ride, but it was surprisingly passable!   Graham then showed us a short-cut to Horsley station, and no less than four further off-road sections towards Guildford followed, one further suggested by Graham.  For the most part they were, fortunately, mud-free.

It didn't prove too cold for lunch at Stoke Park Kiosk, after which we set off on a completely different route home via Jacobs Well, Woking Park and West Byfleet.   Unfortunately, Robert had drive train problems at Sutton Green.   Keith was able to get him back on the road and we then rode with Robert to Woking station, not far off our route as it happened.   Happily the rest of our ride home was uneventful and we parted company at Walton Bridge.   

Thanks are due to Graham for excellent route suggestions, and to Keith for technical help.   It was a pleasure to see Robert again and I hope his bike is soon fixed and he can ride with us again!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY VIC

 Vic White, 90 today and still cycling

Sunday March 20 2022

 A very fine if fresh day brought out the crowds. But away from the tourist areas it was just another quiet Sunday.

Nine at the Pheasantry became six as we headed across the lock to Richmond Park via the closed (and toadless) Church Road. We exited at Sheen Gate to glimpse a flying parrot(!), Palewell Park and Old Mortlake cemetery. Barnes became Hammersmith where we passed under the A4 to Ravenscourt Park. After workaday Acton came the green fields of Wormwood Scrubs, the Linford Christie Stadium (not forgetting the more famous prison and hospitals).

We finally reached the Grand Union Canal just after crossing Ladbrooke Grove. From here the crowds began to increase until a just passable Paddington Basin. Here two thirds lunched alfresco; two didn't.

The return is simply stated: Hyde Park to its southern edge where Dave, Ed and Lillian turned left for mainline stations and the other half turned right past the Albert Memorial and Kensington museums. Then came Stanhope Gardens, Brompton Cemetery (Emmeline Pankhurst), Chelsea FC and Eelbrook Common. After being trapped at both rail crossings, Keith departed at the start of Priory Road leaving just two to split on Kingston Bridge,

35 miles door to door. 

Omitting the mistakes all that's left of a wintertime ride along the canals of West London

  

Sunday's Ride (20/3/22)

This Sunday's ride is to Paddington Basin via the Grand Union canal. It will start from The Pheasantry in Bushy Park heading for Teddington Lock. Under 30 miles so I've pencilled in a teastop at Pen Ponds (no toilets). If you trust the Met Office - sunny all day! And if they're wrong bikes are allowed anywhere on the District Line!!

I've not selected a lunch stop as the Basin has several cafes and cover for BYO. It's also beside the station(lifts), and M&S HQ (cafe and grocery) in the opposite direction.   

Or we could visit the Zoo (extra 4 to 5 miles before lunch). Be warned: there were more time triallists on the Outer Circle than visible animals in the zoo (two zebras and a visiting brown rat). 

Ride Report - Sunday 13 March 2022

 

We had a sunny and encouraging start and Bob, Tony, Keith, Terry, Pam, Graham, Ed, Ray W, Pam and I all arrived for elevenses at Stoke d'Abernon.    While we were inside the drumming of rain on the roof told us that the weather had taken a turn for the worse.   Nevertheless, all of us except Tony and Keith continued, undeterred, to our scheduled lunch stop at Epsom Wetherspoons, meeting Helen T and partner as we left.

We took the shortest possible route to Epsom and the rain continued all the way there.   After a pleasant lunch it began to ease off.   Most went their separate ways but Pam, Ray and I rode together until Long Ditton.

Thanks to all for your company.

Sunday the 6th March

11's Wetherspoons Staines. A cold and blustery day but sunny at times. Dave was tucking into his bacon sandwich when I arrived. And gradually the throng arrived, well the hardy few. David vine ventured a visit to 11's, which was a nice surprise. Along with Graham, Pam and lovely to have Vic join us for 11's and lunch, he will be 90 on the 22nd!

 

The planned lunch stop was the Cinnamon cafe in Windsor, which is only 7 miles distant, but I had planned routes of varying distance depending on the weather. As no rain darkened the day I took the route to Eaton, Dorney, and across the river to Fifield, Oakley Green, Clewer and onto Windsor for lunch, a nice 17.5 miles. As usual, the Cinnamon cafe was ultra-busy but we soon settled down to coffee and Cinnamon buns etc.

 

 

 

Vic decided to make his own way home from lunch as did Dave. The jolly 3 headed for Colnbrook, Longford and into Heathrow on the West perimeter cycle path. Out into Stanwell high street heading for tea at Shepperton, heading into Ashford Graham took his own route home. At this point, the 2 remaining decided to forego Nauticailia and headed to one of the 2 Costas in Ashford. For coffee and cake, well I had the cake.

 

Plenty of chat and putting the world right before it was time to depart. Pam heading West and I headed for Feltham, Hanworth and home. A really pleasant day on the bike and 42.5 miles for me.

 

Tony..