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THE GEORGE INN Even though there was only 3 days notice of this ride taking place, we
still had a healthy 13 at the start. Lack of planning time for a new
variation meant starting off by following exactly the same route as
last year's outing, along the backstreets to Crystal Palace. It's 2
short sharp hills to get up and then you're there. We rode beside the
park and TV tower and along to the Horniman museum for a morning break
at their cafe. The bike parking facilities are poor but the decent
cafe makes up for it.
A little deviation from the route to cross Peckham Rye Common took us
past a new cafe that looked like it was worth a visit. We'll try to
add that into a ride one day. There was no avoiding the High St in
Peckham but that brings you to the old Surrey Canal route, a tarmac
path that is nicely signposted as a "Quiet Route".
From here, London Cycle Network route 22 meanders around the houses
all the way to London Bridge. It's easy to follow from the signposts
so the group progressed without really needing a leader. We were too
early for the pub so we opted to detour into St Katharine's dock which
involved an unpleasant crossing of busy Tower Bridge, a sharp contrast
after so many miles of quiet backstreets. The main reason for visiting
St Katharine's was to see the Matthew, a
replica of John Cabot's ship that sailed to Canada in 1497. Time Out
described it as a Tall Ship but it's not that big in real life.
After passing the Tower of London with it's huge queues of tourists
and spying the Monument down a side street, we crossed London Bridge
and into the cobbled yard where the George is hidden away. It's owned
by the National Trust and is the only remaining galleried coaching
inn. Food was swift and good quality, most mains from the new menu
being around the £8 mark.
After lunch, we cut through the foodie paradise of Borough Market and
onto Sustran's National Route 4 which winds around quiet streets near
the river. Going onto the Thames Path at Blackfriars wasn't so clever
as it's full of pedestrians so we cut back onto the roads, all the way
past the Eye to Westminster Bridge where we switched to London Cycle
Network route 3. Having these routes well signed really makes getting
around so much easier. It's a shame this idea has been canned in
favour of painted cycle lanes along busy roads.
I'd heard good things from other riders about the "hippy" cafe on
Clapham Common but it was closed for Christmas. As was the Italian one
by the bandstand and the Bowling Green cafe at the South end. We tried
for a cafe on the High St but that too was closed so we headed for the
nice cafe on Tooting Common before dispersing. 26 miles, out for 5.5 hours.
Sunday 16th December WINTER WONDERLAND 15 people turned up for the Winter Wonderland ride on a cold but crisp
and sunny winter day. We were joined by Korean TV who wanted to do a
feature on us although their camera person was late so it was agreed
that we should meet up at Clapham Common, the morning stop, to do the
filming.
The route to Clapham is worth knowing as it crosses Tooting Common on
the relatively new and hard-won cycle path. We stopped at the Italian
cafe by the bandstand. Filming went well and a weblink will be
available soon.
After coffees, the route weaves around quiet backstreets, all the way
to the Thames at Lambeth bridge where we stopped by the cycling hedge
sculptures. From here it's Sightseers London with the Palace of
Westminster, Big Ben, Horseguards Parade, the back garden of No 10,
the Mall and Buckingham Palace before riding through Wellington Arch
into Hyde Park.
We camped up at the Lido cafe, right by the Diana fountain. Those that
ventured down to the busy Winter Wonderland event were not impressed.
Overpriced and fairly small. A section of riders disappeared to do
their own thing whilst the rest ate lunch. The "lido" is simply a
sectioned off piece of the Serpentine and the cafe is busy in summer.
In winter, it's a quiet place to get a meal at reasonable prices for
Central London.
The route back took in Battersea Park before going down the Wandle
Trail where more riders disappeared home. 4 completed to entire ride
back to base. Out for 6hrs, 30 miles.
Sunday 9th December CHRISTMAS RIDE It's not been a good month for cycling weather. 8 set off from the
library on Sunday's ride to Richmond but after a morning break at
Merton Abbey Mills, the skies opened up once more. 3 riders fancied a
longer ride and broke off at Richmond Park whilst the remainder headed
to the White Cross for the annual SW Cyclists Christmas lunch.
It wasn't as busy this year. Perhaps the weather was a factor but
maybe it's also time for a change. We might do our own event next
year.
The leader sustained 3 punctures on the way home. Most riders peeled
off because of the weather with no one needing to return to Pollards
Hill.
Sunday 2nd December EAST SHEEN Eight riders and a new leader set off along backstreets and alleyways
to Merton Abbey Mills for an early morning stop. But once we were up
on Putney Heath, it started to pour down and 2 riders left for home
whilst the remainder sheltered underneath the A3.
Lunch was at a new venue, the Pig & Whistle at East Sheen. Food went
down ok and the rain thundered down outside but stopped by the time we
left. On the way back to Wimbledon Common, one rider got a puncture.
Tyres are far more vulnerable in the wet so you need to be extra
careful on days like this.
Another rider peeled off at the Common whilst the remainder ambled
back to Pollards Hill just before it got dark. 35 miles, out for 6.5hrs.
Click here for ride reports from 2008
Click here for ride reports from 2007
Click here for ride reports from 2006
Click here for ride reports from 2005