The Right Gear

Beddington Park Ride 21 September

Ray, Alison, Paul, Colin, Jim, Roger, John, Anna & Ken at Morden Hall Park cafe

Saturday's ride was a fixture on the Wandle Fortnight calendar and coincided with the Bike Fest at Beddington Park. Our regular cyclists had to be steered away from the static smoothie-making bike! However, Maggie and Ray encouraged John, who had previously cycled with the Wayfarers, to join us on our afternoon jaunt. We also welcomed Alison and Jim, who arrived separately with little or no experience of how to use gears.

We therefore decided on the Wandle Trail for the ''changing gear' beginner's ride. Roger ably supported Ali and Jim was given advice by the rest of the group. So 10 of us left Beddington Park and made our way through Mr Funari's garden at The Hack Bridge, now in use as a playground. As the confidence of our newcomers increased we noticed that Ali's saddle appeared rather low and after our tea stop at Morden Hall Park, Roger set to raising this.

We left the Park and the Wandle trail to ride on quiet roads and test our newcomers on some short hills. The benefit of changing gear was generally quickly learnt and before long Colin was leading us through Morden Park. Ali and back marker Anna were out of sight for a short time but Roger returned to find them readjusting the saddle and to lead them back to the group. We crossed Reigate Avenue and went our separate ways at the other side of the park. Ali and Jim returned to Wallington having successfully cycled 21k. We hope to welcome John, Jim and Ali on future rides.

Written by Maggie