Ride to Osterley Park on 21st June. Led by Dawn Moriarty

Nonsuch 10am at café   - leaving promptly -  to the river at Kingston - Teddington Lock - over the bridge - to Twickenham
where we cycle along the river to Richmond - stopping at a café -  then Isleworth, Syon Park, Brentford,
Grand Union Canal to Osterley Park.  There is a nice café and also bring own lunch if required.
Then back to Isleworth via a different route - to Richmond - through Richmond and up the hill into Richmond Park
turning right to Kingston Gate and then left to the Ladderslide - and down through the opulent Coombs - Maldon and back to 
Richmond Park.  probably 30 miles although I haven't measured it.  Going at a happy sociable pace to suit who turns up.
 

Dawn

Message from Barbara Johnston

My family would like to thank Midweek Wayfarers  and Beginners Club for all the things they have done for and looking after my Les the last few years.  Les never gets enthusiastic about anything. After our 2 week guided tour of Sicily the leader said to me I have had no feed back from Les for 2 weeks. I said what are talking  about I have had none for 50 years. Les retired when he was 62. I said to him there are these old codgers meet at North Cheam on Wednesday morning are you going to go with them. No comment back!  On the first Wednesday of his retirement I mentioned it again before I went to work. When I got home that night this non committal man was full of it. They had 11ses at Cobham and some one who was eighty paid for drinks so I was told all about that. He was saying how much he enjoyed it and how lovely the scenery  was.  Full of it.  He said to me they are not called Old Codgers they are Midweek Wayfarers.  That Thursday night he took me to Leatherhead and walked me along the river to show me the scenery. So maybe you impressed him. He is nearly 86 now and has had all this years of pleasure. 

Thank you.  The Johnstons.

Ride this Saturday is cancelled.

  I am sorry to leave it so late, but due to an illness that is refusing to clear up, I won't be able to lead this ride.

  I will pencil it in for another occasion.

Harry Cole

All day Intermediate ride on Saturday the 16th April.

  This ride to London's Parks will leave Nonsuch Mansion at 10am. We
will stop for a break in Vauxhall Park and then cross the river to
ride through the main Parks to Holland Park for a longer break.
  Return will be decided dependent on the weather, either Putney or Barnes.
This will be easy paced with no significant hills, around 35 miles,
and we should be back by 4pm.

Launch 2016 Summer season

  With good publicity and a near perfect spring afternoon, I counted 40 at Nonsuch for the send off by the Mayor and Mayoress of Epsom and Ewell.

Launch of the 2016 summer riding season. Saturday April 2nd.

  The Mayor and Mayoress of Epsom and Ewell will attend at Nonsuch Mansion at 1.45pm to kick off this season, so please make an effort to attend and be included in the group photo as well as go on the rides afterwards.

  A good turnout will reinforce the message about cycling as a leisure activity of choice for a large minority.

Ride to Downe Village on Saturday the 19th March.

  Nine riders turned up at Nonsuch on an overcast, cold, but thankfully almost windless day. Having been dry for several days it also meant that the lanes around Downe were largely free of gravel deposits.

  We set off via South Croydon and up to the top of Croham Valley Road, the first real climb of the day, down through Selsdon to Featherbed Lane, a long, steady climb up to the top and the Bear Inn. Along the top to the steep descent to the pretty valley at the bottom of Hesiers Hill where dozens of crows were turning over the chalky ploughed soil for their dinner, not that the next climb up Beddlestead Lane to the summit of the Downs left much energy for contemplating the scenery. A short stretch along Clarkes Lane with views over Kent before the short, but brutal, climb up Church Lane and a stop for a photo in the Churchyard.

Having promised no more climbs before lunch, I had omitted to mention a deep valley along Rag Hill and a left turn in another deep valley to Jail Lane where, in testimony to bike handling skills, no one shed a chain.

  By now a short level stretch to the Queens Head pub in Downe and a log fire was all that remained, and we arrived there after a ride of just over two hours. Service was prompt in a crowded pub and we were on our way within the hour down Jackass Lane with views over to the City and Crystal Palace.

After a longish stretch alongside Addington Road we encountered the final climb of the day up Gravel Hill where we lost David to cramp, thence a long downhill to South Croydon where several peeled off, before the scenic stretch along the Wandle by Waddon Ponds and the end of the ride in Beddington Park.

  Thanks to Tony for back marking throughout. The total distance was about 33 miles, but the climbing made it feel like a lot more. Some said they would like to do this ride again in the summer!