Beddington Park ride to Morden Park 17/11/18

We are still used to the summer and the day felt cold enough to make you think twice about going out, but it was Beddington Park Saturday and Colin could not take charge; we had promised to take his place.

We had reconnoitred one of the original Quemby routes (#2) the previous day; paths rarely ridden in recent times.  Roy and John, Anna and Roger, Paul and Maggie; six of us turned up and after passing through the young lads doing their wheelies we cycled downstream on the Wandle Path.  This is familiar but today it raised the spirits.  Jays, the clear, racing water of the river, the wet, golden leaves (take care!), and the beauty of a cold, autumnal day in brilliant sunshine.  We shared the pavement for a short while with the men and boys walking to their football at Tooting and Mitcham.  At Ravensbury Park we began the lesser pedalled route, crossing Saint Helier Avenue, Central Road and the London Road  and entering Morden Park by Links Lane on its North Eastern corner to take the narrow, fenced track which we have not ridden before and which comes out at Lower Morden Lane, a few yards from the garden centre there.  The tarmac of the path has deteriorated, the carpet of leaves was deep pile and the low winter sun was bright in our eyes (a problem we had not experienced during the drizzly recce!), it needed a couple of gears below what you would expect.

Merely a pleasant saunter in the fresh air, perfect for Roy, who was feeling just a tad below his best, and for John, recovering from his cataract operation, yet we all really enjoyed it, rediscovering an old route.  And who should we meet at tea but Shirley, Richard and Lynda, enjoying their own afternoon.

Homewards as the sun went down and the chill wind began to set about our fingers and our faces.  We split up at Angel Bridge and Maggie and I rode home through a quintessential late South London autumn Saturday, the cheers as Carshalton Athletic scored a goal coming to us over the houses.  Home to a change of warm clothes, a mug of tea and a buttery crumpet; what more can you ask of a Saturday afternoon?

Paul

2018 Annual Report

You are cordially invited to read an unexpurgated final draft version of the 2018 Annual Report which will be discussed and, if all goes well, approved at the AGM.

From our website's home page hover over 'Information Hub' then click 'Reports and Minutes'. Double click on 'Annual Reports' and select the '2018 Annual Report (final draft)' by double clicking on it.

Numerous people have contributed and it is a good read. Your reward for coming to the AGM will be your very own printed copy.

Time to get excited, the AGM is coming!

~ Tim C

Notice of 2018 Annual General Meeting

CTC South West London will hold its AGM after Elevenses
at 11:00 am Wednesday 14th November.

Please be on time.

The venue is the same as last year, just a short walk from the Queens Road exit from the Day Centre.

All Saints Hall
All Saints Roman Catholic Church
13 Queens Road
Hersham
KT12 5LU
 
 















The hall is located at the back of the premises. There are two halls with a shared entrance. Our meeting is in the Small Hall.

There are no bike racks but there is plenty of space to park bikes against the buildings near the hall entrance. Please bring your bikes to the hall rather than leave them at the Day Centre.

There are normally plenty of spaces on the premises in front of the church for anyone arriving by motor vehicle, with access from Queens Road.

Our Treasurer, Simon has advised that due to the current low annual subscription rate (£1 p.a.) we will not be hiring a bouncy castle this year.

~ Tim

QUIZ: How are your group riding skills?

Just for fun - we are pleased to announce an ANONYMOUS quiz about how you ride in groups. You get to give a score for yourself, and also for the others in your group, We don't ask for any names and don't store any info about you personally. We will attempt to summarise the results in a future Sou'Wester. It should take about ten minutes to answer the questions, and another two hours to discuss the results with your friends, should you choose.


If you'd like to do the quiz, click here. Please don't enter any names in the comments either!

Tony's All Day Ride - 13th October

Five riders left Waterloo Station for Little Venice on a lovely October sunny day. We followed the Regents Canal on its way to the Limehouse Basin.

On the way we stopped for tea at Wetherspoons in Camden Lock, Victoria Park for lunch and the final tea stop was at the Imperial War Museum where we viewed the poppy display, very impressive.

Onto Clapham Junction for our trains home.
A short ride, not many miles, approximately 20 but very interesting.

Thanks for the company

Regards,

Tony

Wandle Fortnight 2018

Eight people signed up for Saturday's ride along the Wandle Trail from Beddington Park as part of Wandle Fortnight. Colin, Ken, Paul & Maggie duly waited outside the Pavilion cafe but no one arrived. However, an unsuspecting Mulah, sitting resting on a bench with her new bike, agreed to join us.

Mulah had been cycling around Beddington Park regularly in order to become a more confident cyclist so that she could reduce the time it took her to get to work. As yet she hadn't cycled on or across roads.

After an adjustment to her saddle we set off slowly through the park to follow the Wandle trail. As Mulah became more confident we crossed the London Road in Hackbridge and made our way through Butter Hill. By the time we got to Morden Hall park, spotting Stephanie avoiding the Nonsuch ride with small children, Mulah was happy and smiling.

Colin hides behind a sunshade!

Our return ride was uneventful and we established that Mulah had cycled twice as far as she had cycled before.  One very happy cyclist whom we hope to see next month.

Report for the ride on 8th September

Eleven riders left Kingston for Runnymede, stopped for elevenses at Walton Bridge then onto Egham. We had lunch at the National Trust café, then checked out the Jurors artwork chairs. Headed back along the Thames to The Walled Garden for tea. The weather was kind. Thanks to Maureen for back marking and to the corner markers.

Regards

Tony

See this route on Strava