Beddington Park to the Rookery

This month's ride led as usual by Colin, started from The Pavilion cafe, Beddington Park with 7 cyclists who met up with an additional 3 in Wandle Park en route to The Rookery at the top of Streatham Common.  So 10 of us wound our way through the back streets of West Croydon and  Thornton Heath, to tackle the steep bit of Gibson's Hill.  While 3 cyclists cycled this incline (if you count the electric bike!) the rest dismounted and entered the grounds of Norwood Grove to regroup at the top to admire the view through the trees of Croydon and Sutton. Remounting we made our way through a wedding party to the tea shop at the Rookery, newly refurbished.  The cakes were especially splendid.

Then, home again through Norbury and Mitcham Common where we divided to return to Croydon or Sutton.

(mostly written by Maggie; hopefully, photo by Colin to follow)

Next all day ride Saturday 19th August

Meet at Kingston Bridge at 10 am for the next all day ride, lead by Stephanie Wyatt, to Pyrford Lock.
An easy paced ride of 35-40 miles with refreshment stops.  Should be a lovely day out.

Saturday 5 August

Donning our jackets as the rain starts in Bushy Park

Skies clear after tea at Hampton Bridge

A large crowd turned up - perhaps two dozen?- at the Mansion House this afternoon, with most taking the beginners ride to Nork for tea.  The rest of us followed Lynda to Kingston Market, where most of the group stopped for tea at Patisserie Valerie as the sky was looking quite threatening.
Four of us - John, Steve, Alice and Helen - carried on over Kingston Bridge and into Bushy Park.  Halfway across, the darkening clouds released the rain and we stopped to don our jackets.  Cycling through the heavy rain to Hampton Court and across the bridge we had tea and cake at Five at the Bridge café.  Our second photo is after tea; the rain cleared, gthe sun shone bright and warm, and our group divided, with Alice and John heading back across the bridge towards home and Steve and Helen through Thames Ditton, Chessington and along the greenways beside the Bonesgate and Hogsmill rivers back to Nonsuch Park.  Steve clocked about eighteen miles round trip; a little shorter than the usual long ride but still quite respectable in view of the heavy showers!