Tales from the Riverbank; Nonsuch short ride 2 August

 

By Steve H.

 

With the long ride going to Stoke D’Abernon on Saturday afternoon, the Famous Five of Phillip, John, Sue, Karen and myself leading set off for a riparian adventure along the Wandle Trail. We left Nonsuch under rather gloomy skies and made our way through Cheam past the Red Lion pub (no stopping!) to cross the A217 dual carriageway, mercifully clear in both directions for once. Thence along the bottom of Sutton to view the scenic bus garage, across Angel Hill at the traffic lights and up past All Saints Church, Benhilton. A campanologist friend tells me that this church contains one of the few rings of bells in the neighbourhood, a peal of eight at which he has done the honours on occasions.

From there along All Saints Road with me trying to remember which of the four left hand turnings was the right one, Wood something or other. Ah yes, with Woodend duly selected we carried on up to Grenell Road and onto the path across Rosehill Park East. I understand that this was one of the first bike paths created in the borough and the open space gives a good view to the south-west. This leads to St Helier Hospital where we crossed over to Robertsbridge Road which represents ‘top of climb’. The odd thing is that the route then leads you slightly downhill to Poulter Park and the River Wandle, it always feels to me as though the river is too high up at this point and that we haven’t descended enough.

The River Wandle used to be an industrial sewer with all the factories and dye works along its banks but with the demise of such activities and a general clean-up it now resembles a clear chalk stream in places. People fish along it these days, we passed one chap trying his luck although we didn’t enquire whether he had caught anything.

The ride took us along the river heading towards Hackbridge where the path runs through the beautiful Community Garden; a kind lady took a group photograph of us there among the flowers and ornaments.

In Claudio Funari's Community Garden

Following the river upstream brought us to Carshalton Grove and the outdoor Sassis café where we ran into Paul and Maggie, metaphorically speaking. They were with their grandchildren, the lure of ice cream and mini golf had obviously proved irresistible, to the kids of course.

Another ride leader photobombs

Suitably refreshed, we left Paul and his grandson competing for the Augusta Green Jacket while we crossed Carshalton High Street to make our way back towards Cheam, taking on the climb up Wales Avenue with myself leading gallantly from the back (way back…).

Sue and I were the last survivors when we reached the Mansion, ironically in warm sunshine, but a good time was had by all with lashings of tea and cake into the bargain.