Wandering down the Wandle; Nonsuch short ride 3 August

Wandering down the Wandle

By Roger 

It was just the weather for a ride – warm with a breeze, when Anna reminded me that I was leading the short ride (10-12 miles) from Nonsuch at 2pm.

The fine weather had brought out more than the usual number of riders and much to my surprise an awful lot of them of them wanted to come wandering down the Wandle with me!

It was a mixed ability group, with one or two having not ridden for a long time, who set off in a loose gaggle through the park with Maggie as back marker, At the first opportunity Paul took the initiative to create space and split into two loose groups of eight for easier and safer riding in traffic.

The route was the usual one, crossing Cheam High Street by the chippie and into Love Lane, across the A217 and down the alley alongside Seears Park then out onto Quarry Park Road and down into Sutton, turning left at James Road and heading for Bushey Road and the bus garage.

 Despite a short unintended tour of the back alleys of South Sutton we did in the end find Bushey Road and the bus garage and turned off alongside The Green, crossing Stayton Road and onto Hallmead  Road and  turning right up a footpath leading to Vernon Road and eventually crossing  on the lights by All Saints church and continuing on All Saints Road heading for Aultone Way,  Grennell Road and Rosehill Common.

Crossing the common on the refurbished bike lane and using the bike crossing next to the hospital, we continued on Robertsbridge and Revesby roads until eventually we picked up the path by the skate park leading down to the Wandle trail. Turning right along the trail we headed towards Carshalton.

Riding the trail was a pleasure; the anglers looked like they were having a good day and the Wandle flowed smooth and powerful, and without the clouds of flies so often encountered, it allowed  one to breathe deep and enjoy the scenery.

We left the trail at Watermead Lane to cross the road at Hackbridge and through the community garden to pick up the trail once more to emerge not far from Wilderness Island. Then up Mill Lane to divert left back onto the trail and taking it into Carshalton Park past the back of the Cryer Arts Centre and via an alley to emerge on Carshalton High Street and coffee at Spilt Milk.

Spilt Milk is a friendly establishment where the proprietor is happy to be invaded by thirsty bikers! It is not renowned for its fast service but we eventually all did get a drink and to sample the lovely cakes available!

One advantage of this café is that one can secure the bikes in full view from your table.

Four of the group left us there, deciding to make their own way home, and the rest of us crossed the high street and eventually made our way to Wales Avenue and the “toast rack” - the short steep hills of Harrow Road and Fairview,

The short steep hills and frequent blind turnings made keeping the group together challenging and illustrated the need for corner marking.

The drift down Cavendish Road to eventually pick up Mulgrave Road was a relief to a few tired legs and then under the bridge by Cheam Station and back to Nonsuch via Ann Bolyn’s walk.

A nice ride on a lovely day.