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

Sunset after Cyclism evening ride 20 June

Six of us enjoyed a lovely midsummer evening tour of local parks and green spaces yesterday. Meeting at Sutton Green at 7, we set off via Collingwood Rec., Perretts Field, Cheam Park and Cheam Rec through to Nonsuch Park, where we walked our bikes round the Mansion House Gardens.
Next, Cuddington Park provided a short downhill run and we headed through Worcester Park for a saunter along Green Lane and between the quietly grazing ponies in open fields to Joseph Hood in Motspur Park. Through quiet suburban roads skirting Raynes Park and following two sides of Cannon Hill Common, we found our way through to Morden Park, passing the disused tennis courts just off Hillcross Ave and enjoying the views of the mosque and Sutton not too far away from the top before heading down to Lower Morden  Lane.
Our green route continued through Daisy Field, across the quiet A217 and through Rose Hill Rec. past the Tennis Centre, where we were cheered on by a jolly group of young men who were just heading for home after a game. Lastly through Cranleigh and Ashley Gardens and Coombe Walk back to Sutton Green, arriving shortly after 8.45. We had clocked just over 10 miles.
Thanks to all for a really pleasurable tour; it was lovely to be out in your company enjoying the summer evening.
Next evening ride is on Thursday 29 June, meeting at 7 pm Mellows Park, Stafford Road, Wallington. See www.cyclismsutton.org. uk for more dates in July.

A fair wind home: Maureen's all day ride in Surrey 10 June

After lunch at the Three Horseshoes

Meeting up: John and Sandie arriving at Nonsuch

Two Sues, Alice, Tracie and Lynda

Lilian, Tony and our leader Maureen: nearly ready to go

Backmarker John arrives...

Ready for lunch...Sue,Sue, Helen and Tracie

Old friends deep in conversation: Maureen and Angie, Godfrey and Tony

Lillian, Maureen and Sue

After lunch, nearly ready to go...Sue, Tony, Sandie,Godfrey, Tracie, John, Alice, Angie, Lynda and Susie

Thirteen of us left Nonsuch Park to cycle up over Epsom Downs to Walton on the Hill, where we enjoyed a welcome coffee. Turning left out of the cafe we made our perilous descent of Pebblecombe Hill, where there were no takers of my offer for anyone who wanted to to overtake me!

 Over the Dorking Road and onto Brockham, where Susie joined us. The ride continued via Wheelers Lane through Leigh, left at Deanoak Lane, left at T junction to the Three Horseshoes Pub. Angie who used to lead this ride every Year, joined us for lunch which was served quite quickly despite being a bit slow taking the orders, lunch was good and enjoyed outside in the sun.

   The return ride was continued along Irons Bottom and Horse Hill, crossing the A217, left at Green Meath Road, right into Sandcross Lane, left into Slipshatch Road and right into Brockham, via the Old Coach Road over the golf course for a welcome tea at Leatherhead.

Thanks for all who came and your company and a big thank you for our back marker John Bellamy who must have been eager to overtake us on his new bike. I clocked 47 miles average speed 10.8mph.
Maureen

 

Invitation for a ride with Tony Hooker

I am leading an unofficial ride from Ware railway station to Limehouse on Saturday 17th of June, meeting at Liverpool St Station, platform 2 at 10.00am.
Officially 6 bikes on each train ! Please let me know if anybody is interested.
Regards,
Tony