HOME
CURRENT RIDES LIST
RIDE REPORTS
ABOUT OUR RIDES
ABOUT PHC
GALLERY
RESOURCES
THINGS TO BUY
ROUTES
CONTACT US
THE O2 DOME Our rides along the Waterlink Way are always popular and that's no
surprise. Although the route stretches all the way from Greenwich to
Eastbourne (hence Waterlink name - the Thames to the Channel), the
part heading north from from South Norwood Country Park cleverly links
a series of parks and riverside paths, making for a very pleasant,
flat ride. 19 turned up to enjoy today's outing.
There's nowhere sensible for a morning stop on the actual route as the
Ladywell Fields cafe is unreliable so we rode slightly uphill to the
cafe at Beckenham Place Park. It's cheap and cheerful and overlooks a
golf course. Plus the advantage of riding uphill is the fast descent
back onto the route.
Greenwich was overrun with cyclists. It was the Greenwich and Bexley
hospice charity ride to Erith and back. Lots of inexperienced riders
out and about meant we had to take additional care on the narrow parts
of the Thames Path. But on the plus side, the naval college had
allowed the charity cyclists to pass through their grounds. Maybe now
they've seen how harmless it is, perhaps they'll open the grounds up
on a permanent basis.
The pub already had another 10 bookings for lunch so we decided to go
straight there. The Pilot, an 1801 Fullers pub and the adjacent
cottages are in a very isolated spot south of the Dome, saved from
demolition when the rest of the area was flattened. Food was a touch
expensive for what you get but they coped fairly well with such a
large influx.
After lunch we rode up to the Dome and despite there being no obvious
signs, we were asked to dismount on the approach by a security guard.
We then walked our bikes right up the entrance and leant them against
a barrier so we could have a look around inside. The security guard
caught up with us and said we couldn't leave them there. I'd had
endless discussion on email with the O2's Customer Services dept about
the lack of provision for cycle parking and had been told we could
park by the front door. It took the arrival of the Operations Manager
for the matter to be resolved.
Once allowed inside, everyone took a good look around, some taking
advantage of the chill-out areas and the ice cream shop. When we
re-assembled outside, the Operations Manager came over and canvassed
opinion about the place, which was mostly positive. He then ran
through the plans for the future. It all sounded very good although
obviously we all felt the some sensible cycle parking wouldn't go
amiss.
On the way back, as we passed Catford Bridge station, it transpired
that some hadn't seen the incredible footage from earlier in the week
of a cyclist riding off the platform onto the tracks, narrowly missing
treading on the live rail as he avoids a speeding train which runs
over his bike and then he stupidly walks back over the tracks.
Needless to say, police are keen to talk to him. Have a look here.
To vary the cafe stops, we rode up to Crystal Palace Park before those
returning to Pollards Hill completed the climb to the top of Anerley
Hill for the downhill run all the way back. Out for 7.5hrs, 32 miles.
Sunday 14th October TWICKENHAM'S FINE ALES This turned out to be a very topical ride to the home of English
rugby, coming hot on the heels of the England World Cup victory over
France. The award winning brewery whose ales we had travelled to
sample also have a beer called Scrumdown.
The warm autumn day attracted 17 riders. We set out along the tried
and tested Wandle Trail route to Wimbledon Park for a morning break at
the cafe. Then it's a short sharp climb to get to Wimbledon Common and
along the cycle tracks to the subway under the A3. From here is a
short ride into Richmond Park, keeping the ride about 75% traffic free
at this point.
An error made in Richmond's hopeless one way system meant a 2nd
attempt to get to Richmond Bridge and onto the riverside footpath. The
Kingston Fun Run appeared to be coming this way as there were
marshalls on the path. We paused for a puncture but it was just a slow
one that required nothing more than some extra air. Whilst we waited
for word of the puncture, an elderly (female) fun runner trundled
slowly past, closely followed by a London Ambulance paramedic on a
bike and another cyclist, possibly a doctor.
As we passed by the White Swan riverside pub, just after midday, the
garden was already full with fun runners and supporters so we pushed
on to the Prince of Wales on Hampton Rd and took over their beer
garden. They had Sundancer, the beer which had won the award for the
Twickenham Fine Ales brewery as well as Scrumdown. Most people had the
Sunday roast which was fortunate as there was no other choice on
offer. Heathrow isn't far away and the garden turned out to be on the
flightpath!
After lunch, we crossed the Thames at Teddington Lock, the point at
which The Thames stops being tidal. It's busy at weekends so you have
to walk over. From here we passed scenic Ham Common on the way back
into Richmond Park. National Cycle Network's Route 4 goes straight
through the middle of the park on a traffic-free path before you
descend down to the Robin Hood gate.
Instead of risking life and limb to cross the busy road, we used the
shared-use footpath up to the subway that took us back into Wimbledon
Common and down to the windmill's tearoom for an ice cream break.
There were pretty big queues which goes to show that a cafe is one of
the best ways to get people to use green spaces. Listen up Mitcham
Common!!
We picked up some of the Merton Cycle Quest route as we headed back
towards Merton Abbey Mills and on towards Mitcham. Riders started
dispersing at this point. 32 miles, out for 8 hours.
Sunday 21st October CAFE CHOCOLAT 17 at the library on this cold crisp Autumn morning. Having a new
leader is a great way to find different ways to get to places, even if
it's just cutting a corner or making a turn one road earlier. We used
some great backstreets around Carshalton to get to Mulgrave Road in
Cheam on the way to Nonsuch Park for a hot soup stop. The cafe was
pretty much deserted.
The steady climb on private Cuddington Way and Higher Drive leads to
Banstead and on towards Tattenham Corner, all on quiet residential
roads. We cut through the houses heading due south towards Tadworth,
climbing all the way up to Walton-On-The Hill, a picturesque village
with a large duck pond.
Cafe Chocolat wouldn't have been able to contain all of us so some
went to the Blue Ball which overlooks Banstead Heath. Food was served
a bit quicker at the pub but both parties seemed happy with their
meals. It's a shame the sun cast a shadow outside the cafe making it
slightly too cold today for sitting outside but half of us braved it
anyway. The wise ones picnic'ed by the pond in the sun.
The return has the payback for all the morning climbing, starting with
a swift descent down Hurst Lane and then straight onto the Headley Rd
for more freewheeling right down to the junction with Chalk Lane in
Epsom. Some more new twists and turns got us to the usual bridleway
that leads to Ewell East station and over the A232 into Warren Farm
for a return to Nonsuch Park.
Instead of needing hot soup, the afternoon had turned out warm enough
for the ice cream queue to be stretching out of the door. It's a
really popular destination for cyclists, whether it be club riders or
families out with the children. It's great to see so many people out
on bikes.
We rode a familiar route back towards Sutton and then some new twist
and turns into Carshalton. People started drifting off home as the
rest returned to the library. Out for 7.5hrs, 31 miles.
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