The last organised ride of 2014 saw 12 turn up at a cold Nonsuch Mansion. Two were complete newcomers without proper lights, who were taken under Shirley and Colin's wing while the remainder set off for the Telegraph Track. This is a mixture of urban, through Sutton Town Centre, suburban , by Carshalton Beeches, and rural, up onto the Downs to Woodcote Garden Centre. With a good pace and no mechanical breakdowns we made it to the Garden Centre and tea in the relocated cafe at the far end of the Centre.
Over the years this garden Centre has expanded massively and in places is becoming more like a supermarket, but the service in the crowded cafe was good and we were soon on our way in the gathering gloom. The cold North wind had dropped by now just leaving the temperature hovering around zero and ther was even a glimpse of the setting sun as we headed east back to Cheam. As usual people peeled off to get home and five finally dispersed in Cheam Village.
I did 21 miles from home that afternoon when I probably would not have gone out in such cold weather unless I was leading the ride, but given the time of year it was not bad with great company.
Thanks to Brian for back marking. Incidentally, he rides for an hour just to get to Nonsuch and the start. That is commitment.
Wednesday, 31 December 2014
Tuesday, 23 December 2014
Saturday the 20th December
Yours truly has been rather inactive blogwise for the last couple of weeks, due to seasonal inertia and clearing up after builders. I did, however, manage a visit with a friend to Roberts Cycles in Croydon and was sorely tempted to consider parting with £3k for a custom made lightweight tourer. This has been filed away for future reference but I recommend a visit for anyone as the staff are so knowledgeable and considerate. There is also a good cafe nearby in Gloucester Road which is also worth a visit if travelling in the direction of Crystal Palace.
Returning to last weekend and, almost, the shortest day, a few souls took time out from shopping etc to ride with Lynda to Ashstead on a mild if blustery afternoon. I decided to get in some proper exercise and joined Nigel and Godfrey up to Box Hill. We took the "easy" route up through Headley and along the false flats into the wind to the NT centre, which was almost deserted, and after a freezing descent of the zigzag returned via Leatherhead in the gathering darkness.
Despite feeling rather tired, I was glad I got out and did this ride of around 33 miles from home in total. At this time of year it is always better to use the available daylight to get exercise rather than slumping in front of the TV.
Returning to last weekend and, almost, the shortest day, a few souls took time out from shopping etc to ride with Lynda to Ashstead on a mild if blustery afternoon. I decided to get in some proper exercise and joined Nigel and Godfrey up to Box Hill. We took the "easy" route up through Headley and along the false flats into the wind to the NT centre, which was almost deserted, and after a freezing descent of the zigzag returned via Leatherhead in the gathering darkness.
Despite feeling rather tired, I was glad I got out and did this ride of around 33 miles from home in total. At this time of year it is always better to use the available daylight to get exercise rather than slumping in front of the TV.
Monday, 1 December 2014
Ride to Richmond Park on Saturday the 29th November
Not many days recently have been as fine as it was on Saturday. Relentless gloom and rain have been our lot for most of the month, so to get a day like this with continuous sunshine and little wind was a treat not to be missed. 9 riders set off, minus Pat who, after posing for a photo with his new Roberts fast tourer discovered he had a flat rear tyre. Christine was more fortunate.
We sped down Stoneleigh Avenue, through the bridge and Worcester Park to the A3 underpass and around the back of New Malden to the short hill up to Coombe Golf course. This has an annoying kick up where it crosses the busy road from Raynes Park to Kingston and is poorly surfaced, so counts as a minor challenge.
The Coombe Hill estate is full of massive detached houses which are always being demolished and rebuilt even larger. Great for builders and for cyclists as the roads are virtually traffic free. We entered Richmond Park via the Ladderstile Gate, went down Broomhill and up to the Pen Ponds for the view from the Royal Ballet School. Then on down to the Roehampton Gate cafe which seemed to have a staff shortage, hence long queues and also high prices for cakes. Pat rejoined us here having fixed his flat. Nevertheless we were able to sit outside and watch the sun set.
Lights become a necessity after 3.30pm at this time of year, so a line of twinkling stars set off for the return along the lower road to Robin Hood Gate. Mist was starting to form and the temperature plummet as it grew darker and after a short spin on the road parallel to the A3 we crossed the Golf Course and returned through New Malden to the A3 underpass and retrace our route to the start.
I took some photos of Pat, Christine, the tea stop and the sunset. Let's hope we get some more days like this.
We sped down Stoneleigh Avenue, through the bridge and Worcester Park to the A3 underpass and around the back of New Malden to the short hill up to Coombe Golf course. This has an annoying kick up where it crosses the busy road from Raynes Park to Kingston and is poorly surfaced, so counts as a minor challenge.
The Coombe Hill estate is full of massive detached houses which are always being demolished and rebuilt even larger. Great for builders and for cyclists as the roads are virtually traffic free. We entered Richmond Park via the Ladderstile Gate, went down Broomhill and up to the Pen Ponds for the view from the Royal Ballet School. Then on down to the Roehampton Gate cafe which seemed to have a staff shortage, hence long queues and also high prices for cakes. Pat rejoined us here having fixed his flat. Nevertheless we were able to sit outside and watch the sun set.
Lights become a necessity after 3.30pm at this time of year, so a line of twinkling stars set off for the return along the lower road to Robin Hood Gate. Mist was starting to form and the temperature plummet as it grew darker and after a short spin on the road parallel to the A3 we crossed the Golf Course and returned through New Malden to the A3 underpass and retrace our route to the start.
I took some photos of Pat, Christine, the tea stop and the sunset. Let's hope we get some more days like this.
Wednesday, 19 November 2014
Ride to Woolwich on Saturday November 15 th.
There were 15 riders, 11 women and 4 men at the start in Waterloo Station with a forecast of fair weather for a change, though the top of the Shard was shrouded in mist. After a charge over Tower Bridge and a bone shaking ride along the cobbles of Wapping High Street we rode along the waterfront to Limehouse Basin, then turning North along the Regents Canal. This had been drained for part of its length and volunteers were raking out the piles of rubbish from its bed. Not a pretty
sight.
We then entered Victoria Park full of cyclists, runners and exercise groups where Lillian suffered the first puncture of the day. Some had a quick coffee while it was mended and we then left the Park to join the Greenway by the former Olympic Park. This area has been a building site for years with temporary road closures and we found the way to Stratford barred by road works. Detouring round the obstruction, Lynda suffered a massive blowout to her rear tyre from a 4inch nail which had somehow entered from the sidewall and protruded outwards. This repair was quickly effected and we then found a way to the Greenway where Toni had a rear tyre blowout. By now the repair team were becoming proficient at sorting these and we then proceeded down the Greenway to Beckton where we left to round the Dock Basin to the Woolwich Ferry. Harry and Helen went across via the foot tunnel and the rest took the short ferry ride. A short stretch along the river front then took us to the Firepower museum cafe for a latish lunch stop which was taken to a background of minor expolsions accompanied by shrieks as a group of schoolchildren had some sort of educational experience in the museum proper.
Setting off after lunch we paused briefly by the Thames Barrier, went through Greenwich and Rotherhithe, along some more cobbles and emerged among the crowds at Tower Bridge as the sun set. There was a brief shower as we went through Greenwich, otherwise the light was rather atmospheric and David got some good photos. After we had navigated the crowds by Borough Market and the Globe, numbers began to reduce as people peeled off to London Bridge and Blackfriars stations.
In the end I recorded 31 miles from Waterloo and everyone had lessons in how to repair punctures and ride on cobbles. Many thanks to Tony for leading the ride.
We then entered Victoria Park full of cyclists, runners and exercise groups where Lillian suffered the first puncture of the day. Some had a quick coffee while it was mended and we then left the Park to join the Greenway by the former Olympic Park. This area has been a building site for years with temporary road closures and we found the way to Stratford barred by road works. Detouring round the obstruction, Lynda suffered a massive blowout to her rear tyre from a 4inch nail which had somehow entered from the sidewall and protruded outwards. This repair was quickly effected and we then found a way to the Greenway where Toni had a rear tyre blowout. By now the repair team were becoming proficient at sorting these and we then proceeded down the Greenway to Beckton where we left to round the Dock Basin to the Woolwich Ferry. Harry and Helen went across via the foot tunnel and the rest took the short ferry ride. A short stretch along the river front then took us to the Firepower museum cafe for a latish lunch stop which was taken to a background of minor expolsions accompanied by shrieks as a group of schoolchildren had some sort of educational experience in the museum proper.
Setting off after lunch we paused briefly by the Thames Barrier, went through Greenwich and Rotherhithe, along some more cobbles and emerged among the crowds at Tower Bridge as the sun set. There was a brief shower as we went through Greenwich, otherwise the light was rather atmospheric and David got some good photos. After we had navigated the crowds by Borough Market and the Globe, numbers began to reduce as people peeled off to London Bridge and Blackfriars stations.
In the end I recorded 31 miles from Waterloo and everyone had lessons in how to repair punctures and ride on cobbles. Many thanks to Tony for leading the ride.
Monday, 17 November 2014
Next Step ride on Sunday the 23rd.
Sunday 23 November, Cliff Whitfield will lead an all day ride to Charlwood with Maureen as the backmarker. Meet Cliff at 09:50 AM just outside the Nonsuch cafeteria for departure at 10:00 AM.
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We will stop for coffee at Denbies vineyard, no major hills on this section. We continue to Leigh on the back road around Brockham, with some small undulations until we reach Norwood Hill. Although a bit harder, it’s not the end of the world, we will wait and regroup at the top. A welcome swoop down the other side will take us into Charlwood to a lovely sheltered Pub serving good food for lunch.
After lunch we’ll bear right out of Charlwood and left up Stan Hill - walk if necessary. A right turn at Parkgate takes us back via Brockham and Leatherhead with a tea stop at Annie’s or Costa. Total distance approximately 35 miles. If the weather turns on us we will lunch at Leigh.
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Tuesday, 11 November 2014
All day ride on Satrday 15 th November
On Saturday 15 November Tony Hooker will lead an all day ride from Waterloo Station to Woolwich along the Thames via Greenwich and the Thames Barrier. After crossing the river on the ferry the return will be along the Greenway to Victoria Park and thence to Waterloo around 3.30pm.
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Lunch stop TBA.
Distance approximate,y 35 miles. Bring lights if you intend to ride back from Waterloo.
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