...only knows how long.
by Paul James
Twenty two riders and one two-year-old passenger turned up at a sunny Nonsuch Park on Saturday. Nigel's intention, following the AGM decision on the matter, was to avoid a free-ranging discussion of where we might ride to by sticking to the published destination, which this week was Wimbledon Park. This only engendered a discussion on how we might get there, so we mulled around, Nigel and others helping out two or three newcomers who were on their second week with a bit of inflation. Meanwhile, Lynda turned up and announced a ride to Teddington Lock, gathered a few followers and off she went; Teddington Lock involves no hills to speak of, so the seven to whom this was important in their decision-making followed her.
The fourteen remaining was too big a crowd to drag through post-Covid bad-tempered South London streets, so we split into two groups. Nigel led a group of seven on an anti-clockwise loop and I led the other seven on a clockwise route. The idea was to meet up for afternoon tea in Wimbledon Park, but the best laid plans of mice and men.......
We, being Maggie and I, Rob and Ruth on the tandem, Sue B, Matthew and Thomas, and Colin, trailed Nigel's group by a few seconds until at Worcester Park they turned up Green Lane where we went straight. There Colin peeled off to chase Lynda's group to Teddington. For the rest of us, all went smoothly until we crossed Kingston Road in New Malden to go up Elm Road, where we found ourselves in a queue at the level crossing. And there we waited. And waited. And waited. Not a train in sight and still the barriers were down. Eventually, Matthew plotted a workaround, an about turn and riding to New Malden Station along South London's most dangerous cycle lane, crossing the railway under the bridge there and turning back through the cut. At the end of this manoeuvre we emerged the other side of the level crossing, the barriers still down, the motorists and cyclists still waiting. Perhaps they wait there still.
Entering Richmond Park through Ladderstile Gate
Impressive deer in Richmond Park, but by the time we were riding across Putney Heath, young Thomas was telling us all that he had had enough, so by common consent, we took our refreshments at the Windmill instead of down in the valley in the Park. And once we had done that, it was the straightest route home; not a sensible choice because of the number of narrow chicanes in the paths. Next time I will think more carefully for the benefit of tandemists and pullers of carriages.
Trailer repairs at Ladderstile; no problem, you can see Matthew even carries a spare bike
We were upset when we got home to hear of Nigel's misfortune; knocked off his bike at the roundabout on West Barnes Lane by one of his own riders trying to overtake him. Steve had started the afternoon by giving advice on leaving spaces for motorists and we have leaflets, prepared by Shirley, which give guidance on group riding, but a newcomer can hardly be expected to absorb it all just before a ride. Perhaps leaders need to consider a brief word of advice on staying behind the leader when we have newcomers riding out.
Nigel resisted the urge to spend his Saturday night in A&E, but instead opted for a DIY clean-up. We checked up on Sunday, and he was sore but well. Come back soon, Nigel.
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