Beddington Park cyclists raise a cup of tea in memory of Brian Moore, 16 October

 

The Coach House cafe, Coombe Wood, Croydon

Brian Moore's widow, Regina, asked us to raise a cup of tea in memory of Brian next time we met. 

Last of the season. All day ride and picnic at Bedfont Lakes, 9 October

Report by Tony Hooker

11 riders left Nonsuch Park on a foggy morning, our first coffee stop was at the Pheasantry Cafe in Bushy Park where we met up with a long lost cyclist Edie Cornes

Continuing our ride to the Bedfont lakes, by now the fog had lifted

We had our picnic next to the Wardens Lodge where they served refreshments

After exploring the lakes we moved off heading for the river Thames at Laleham we then followed the river as far as Walton Bridge where we stopped for tea at the Community Cafe

After 30 miles we arrived back at Nonsuch Park

Thanks to Helen for back marking

See you all next year

Beginners Saturday ride to Wimbledon 9 October

Report by Ian Prince

Just three of us took the long ride today, the rest going on the short ride to Long Ditton. 

Anyway despite a pinch puncture near the Hamptons (my second issue of the day….I missed the all day Saturday ride due to a blown out valve earlier in the morning, on my way to Nonsuch), you come prepared and with second tube of the day inserted we made it to Wimbledon Mill cafe for a drink. 

Wimbledon Common

Strange what you come across in Richmond Park, London. 

Random cyclist in a dutch velomobile who turms out to be in one of my other racing clubs. So I asked if I could try it! Tight clearances all round. But it does have a charge point for two mobile phones as it also has a decent on board 5v output battery for front and rear lights too.  Aerodynamic and with huge luggage space at rear, quite pratical too. 

Anyway, I didnt try a drive off! 

So we returned to our own bikes for a smooth run back to Sutton as the dusk set in. 

Brian Moore

Brian Moore has died, peacefully in hospital, following pneumonia.

Brian (right) with Ken and Roger with Beginners in Morden Hall Park in 2017

Those of you who were regulars at Beddington Park Beginners a few years back may well remember Brian Moore, Mancunian returned from many years' working in the USA, where he was an accomplished mountain biker.

During his time riding with us he sadly and slowly developed dementia and Maggie and sometimes Paul, and Roger and Anna, would go and pick him up from his home in Croydon and take him home when the ride was finished, with Maggie "minding" him during the ride.

Lovely man, good fun, good company.

He stopped riding with us when his family moved home to Morden from where it was impracticable, given his deteriorating condition, to collect and deliver him.

There will be no funeral ceremony.  His wife asks us to "raise a cup of tea" to his memory.

If you go down to the Park today........Beddington Beginners, 18 September

It was Wandle Fortnight and Beddington Park Saturday was ridiculous; traffic jams as dozens of cars vied for limited car parking spaces.  When eventually we fought through the traffic and got to the Pavilion Cafe, we found Colin fit again but nobody with any firm plans about where to go.  There were eight of us, including Jackie, a newcomer, who is recovering from injury and preferred a shorter ride than some of the group wanted, so we decided to offer two rides.  The Wandle Trail was to be avoided, given the likely crowds of walkers, so Colin took Jackie and Paul B to Telegraph Track in an effort to rendezvous with the short ride from Nonsuch.  Paul J took Maggie, Ken, Anna and Roger on the (nearly) flat route to Crystal Palace.

To get to Crystal Palace we went at a leisurely pace along the start of this year's Greenwich ride as far as South Norwood Country Park.  Then, cutting north for Crystal Palace Park, we avoided the mistake we made last time and on this occasion religiously obeyed the traffic flow laws.

We had good coffee and tea and excellent cake at Brown and Greens near the "Dinosaur Playground".  The dinosaurs are stock still in the day but if you come down to the park at night, you're sure of a big surprise.  Eventually we had to remount and go home, past Selhurst Park football ground and through West Croydon.

No near-misses with vehicles, no rain, cycling legally up one way streets, the ride was a triumph and everyone enjoyed it, or at least told the leader they did, so that he would lead again.

Written by Paul J

All Day Ride on 9th October

Roll up, roll up!

Last All Day Ride of the year

A Picnic at Bedfont Lakes

30ish miles, flat as a (slightly lumpy) pancake

Saturday October 9th

Leaving Nonsuch at 10am, coffee at Bushy Park, picnic lunch at Bedfont Lakes (where there are toilet facilities but no cafe), afternoon tea at Walton-on-Thames

Tony Hooker

tonyhooker1@aol.com

artwork by Tony

All day ride to Newdigate, 11th September

Twenty cyclists in two groups left Nonsuch Mansion House, the first led by Karen, making our way up, and I mean up, over Epsom Downs to Walton on the Hill for a well deserved coffee. it was good to have a chat to Pete Beyer.  Ann & Tony left us for pre-arranged commitments and we made our way down the Pebble Coombe hill. Kasumi said she will not forget her first descent of that steep hill.

We cycled into Brockham turning left into the quiet Wheelers Lane to Leigh and eventually Parkgate for an enjoyable lunch sitting outside at the Surrey Oaks. Unfortunately a few had to wait some time for their meals to be served. We continued down Henfold and right into Red Lane, left into Roothill and the Coach Road to Leatherhead for Tea.

Just as we were leaving Colin and six cyclists arrived after the annual churches ride.  We peeled off to make our separate ways home. Approaching Epsom Helen's chain came off and got caught between the frame and sprocket, Steph and Helen tried and tried to fix it, with minutes to spare before closing Helen walked to Fudges Cycles where it was fixed quickly free of charge.

A special thanks to my sub leader Karen, and Steph and Maggie our backmarkers.  Thank you all for your good company and an enjoyable day out. 

I clocked 40 miles.

Maureen