Report by Stuart
Hammersmith Bridge
Steve is on holiday and asked if I'd lead this ride. More than happy. It was down as 'TBA' on the rota and I decided to go to Putney. At Nonsuch Park, 14 riders turned up. Five went on the short ride to Teddington and I led a group of nine to Putney. A lovely sunny day, not too cold.
The Putney ride involves going through The Painters Estate (all the roads are named after artists) in Old Malden, under the A3 on South Lane, across the A2043, up a cycle path alongside the railway to New Malden station, across the B283 and continue on the cycle path towards Raynes Park. Well, guess who we met on this path coming the other way, the Teddington riders! Good choice, Alan (who was leading them). We carried on along the slip road of the A3, into Richmond Park at Robin Hood gate and out through Sheen gate. Then across the South Circular Road, past Pearsons bike shop and down South Worple Way, left on to White Hart Lane (not that one!) then through Barnes, on to Lower Richmond Road and to The Clubhouse, a cafe on the Thames embankment at Putney that sells Raptor bikes.
We've been there before, their coffee is great but unfortunately, on previous visits, they've not had any goodies! Also, there is only one toilet. On a recce ride, I'd tried another cafe on the other side of the river. They had lots of goodies so on today's ride, I decided to stop at The Clubhouse to see if they had any goodies and if not, to carry on to the other cafe. When we got to The Clubhouse, as expected, they didn't have any goodies but Peter asked if he could pop in and have a look at the lovely bikes (Rob's swooned over them previously).
Then we carried on over Putney Bridge and on to the new cafe. They had lots of goodies and public toilets right next door! I think everyone enjoyed this stop. We set off past Craven Cottage (Fulham's ground, I'd checked and they were playing away at Aston Villa) towards Hammersmith Bridge. Helen was delighted we were going over it and asked if we could stop for a photo opportunity. I duly obliged. Then down Castelnau which used to be very busy but has been quiet since H/smith bridge closed. We passed Marc Bolan's shrine (for the youngsters, he was the lead singer of T Rex who were big in the early 1970s - still baffled, Google it!), then along Priory Lane and into Richmond Park at Roehampton Gate where we had a brief toilet stop. Out through Ham Gate and along some quiet roads to Kingston. Then to Berrylands, South Lane and on to Worcester Park. By now, it was starting to get dark (there was a beautiful sunset) and, by the time we got back to NP it was properly dark. This ride is about 30 miles to and from NP - I wonder if, maybe that is a little too ambitious for this time of year ...
With thanks to my fellow riders and great company as always, Helen, Jacqui, Justine, Karl, Nigel (who backmarked), Paul, Peter and Rob. Also thanks to Helen and Justine for the photos.