River and canal: All day ride Saturday 19 August

Outside Wisley Church

At Pyrford Lock after lunch.

Wisley airfield
 

Stephanie's summer ride took us on a beautiful route, with many sights of interest.  We mainly followed her along cool waterways, and passed by a huge Victorian mill (with linked enormous millpond), through a community farm, past a leading national garden, and through a disused WWII airfield along the way.  Our route was shared with walkers, rowers, a few other cyclists, canal boats, rowing boats and canoes, but very few cars over the entire day, which was a real pleasure enjoyed by all of us. We passed a boat race on the Thames, taking care through yelling supporters outside their clubhouse on the Thames towpath; and a couple of us were nearly knocked off the Wey towpath by an enthusiastic coach running alongside racing canoeists!

Twelve of us met at Kingston Bridge on a glorious warm and sunny August morning, starting along the Thames towpath to Hampton Court. Here we crossed the bridge to follow the towpath from East Molesey.  The river was lovely this morning, with not as many people as is usual on a Saturday afternoon, but still quite a few enjoying watery activities.  There were a few puddles after rain earlier in the week, and this route can be a little rough in places, but generally conditions were good. Toni had unfortunately brought the wrong bike, so left us after a few miles.  The rest of us carried on through to Walton on Thames, a couple taking some of the route in parallel by road, then Stephanie lead us along the cycle route through Weybridge to the River Wey Navigation.
Much of this route is lightly shaded by trees, so it was a pleasant ride all the way to Pyrford Lock, where we arrived early for lunch at the Anchor.

Back on the road, we followed the quiet lane through Wisley to the pedestrian bridge over the A3 just past the RHS Wisley entrance. Having crossed it, we found quiet fields (including the airfield)of maize and grazing cows, with our route taking us through a farmyard and onto a quiet lane. This had recently been resurfaced with large pebbles so we had a very bumpy ride for a mile or so!

We spent the afternoon on quiet lanes making our way back to Molesey and the Thames, having enjoyed a wonderful day's ride.  Many thanks Stephanie for a great ride and to all for your pleasant company on a lovely day out.

New orders for Sou'Wester club kit

If you would like to order some new Sou'Wester club kit please get in touch with Pam. Get yourself a new outfit and ride out proudly with our elite squads of riders, smug in the knowlege that no other cyclists out there look quite like we do.

For a guide on prices have a look at the Gear Club website and remember to add VAT to the prices quoted, and allow a bit more for postage. Pam will need at least 7 orders to cover the postage at a reasonable rate, and remember that the cost of postage for returns will need to be met by the customer.

The Gear Club site is at:
http://www.gearclub.co.uk/en/content/16-price-list

It is easiest for Pam if we stick to the selection of designs currently worn by us but do ask her about other options if you see something you fancy on the website.

Once Pam has placed the order, delivery time is around 6 weeks.

Open House weekend/ Wandle Fortnight OR How many cyclists does it take to pump up a tyre?

The ride from Beddington Park featured in the Wandle Fortnight programme. We hoped it would be well attended but it wasn't to be. At 2pm Colin was on his own at the Pavilion cafe. Torrential rain just after 13.30 kept all but a faithful few at home. Shortly after 2pm six bedraggled cyclists appeared from various directions, some in cycling shorts and some in appropriate rainproof gear.

We consulted and agreed to visit Baitful Futuh Mosque in Morden which was open today as part of the Open House weekend. We cycled straight out of Beddington Park at the Hackbridge gate,  over the railway bridge and left down Hackbridge Road to join the route along the River Wandle which we followed past the Imperial Sports Ground and through Ravensbury Park. We left the river to cycle along the Drive, across St Helier Ave and Central Road taking back streets to Morden where we crossed the railway sidings on the cycle unfriendly footbridge, remounted and  turned left up London Road to enter the Mosque by which time Roger had had a disagreement with a blackthorn and had a flat tyre.

We were treated to hot samosas, drinks and cakes and then a tour of the mosque. 'The building is a blend of Islamic and modern British architecture and incorporates much of the structure of the old dairy site' says the book quite accurately.  Our guide was welcoming and interesting and we left to watch Roger sort out his flat tyre as Anna, Ken and Brian took it in turns to man the pump.

We returned by a quicker route on the cycle lane up the A24, turning to cycle through Reigate Avenue Recreation Ground and across Rose Hill and make our way home. 

                                         Roger, Ken and Anna at the Baitful Futuh Mosque

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!

Saturday 8th July - Ride to Brighton

Six riders left Nonsuch park for Brighton. The weather was perfect for cycling. The first tea stop was at Tanhouse Farm, then onto lunch in Horsham. The route took us down to Shoreham and along the cycle route to Hove where we met up with Angie for Tea. Thanks to all for a great day out and Southern Rail for a trouble free journey home!

Regards,

Tony