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THAMES PATH Considering the weather forecast predicted drizzle for most of the day, I was pleasantly surprised when 13 cyclists turned up at the library. With 6 of those out on their first ever organised cycle ride we set off towards the Wandle Trail, skipping Morden Hall because we were late moving off and picking it up just past the Sainsburys store at Colliers Wood. Although not as pleasant as the southern section, the northern part of the trail still provides a picturesque route to the Thames at Wandsworth, most of which is traffic-free.
We met up with our 14th rider at Putney Bridge, who had come all the way from Enfield via Australia! After a short breather we picked up the Thames Path just after the boat houses at Putney. Parts of the path are Sustrans National Cycle Network Route 4 and these are very busy. Around by Kew Gardens the surface is bumpier but there are less people walking or jogging.
Cycling on the flat along a bumpy path is potentially the most strenuous form of cycling as you never get the option to freewheel for a bit. Instead, your legs are moving the whole time. So we stopped to admire the view at Isleworth before the final mile into Richmond where we had lunch beside the river at Tide Tables, a busy veggie cafe.
Our first major problem occurred as we rode up Richmond Hill towards the park. One rider had his derailleur break off. Very fortunately a handy mechanic on the ride removed it, shortened the chain and turned it into a single speed. It's worth noting that we can't always offer help in this way - it could easily have been a train ride home with a broken bike.
Richmond Park was as beautiful as always, especially along the traffic free part of NCN 4. We saw the deer, took some pics and then left via Robin Hood gate and through Wimbledon Common to the village. From here we just followed London Cycle Network roads to Myrna Close Linear Nature Park and back via Figges Marsh. 29 miles, out for 7hrs.
See all the photos from today on Flickr
Sunday 18th September EPSOM EXPLORER Despite at least 8 people letting me know that they wouldn't be coming on this ride, I was still fairly hopeful that we'd get a reasonable number hoping to enjoy one of the last days of summer. However, it turned out to be just 2 of us on what is arguably one of the best routes we have ever done.
Just having the 2 riders meant that our pace was much quicker than riding with a large group so we arrived at Tattenham Corner for an early lunch stop at the cycle-friendly Downs Lunchbox.
The view from there is amazing and as such, it's a popular destination with plenty of people enjoying a Sunday afternoon out.
Suitably refreshed, we rode alongside the racetrack and over the actual course itself onto Chalk Lane, a delightful stretch of downhill that vehicles are discouraged from using. A swiftly corrected mistake on the myriad paths on Epsom Common soon led us to Horton Country Park where we ran into the Star Fun Bike charity ride with lots of families and kids on bikes enjoing the wide traffic-free paths in the heavily wooded park. Our last stetch of off-road was the bizarre Hogsmill river path, part of the London Loop that on two occasions just disappears to be replaced by grassed parkland. But it is worth it just to ride under the tunnel on the wooden boardwalk (see pic).
The path ends at Ewell village where we rode into the grounds of Bourne Hall which we were disappointed to discover was not a stately home but a very modern building housing a library in the grounds of a picturesque park. A short ride over the main A24 enabled us to drop into Nonsuch Park where we had a rest stop at the tea rooms. From here we rode along the busy A217 to Rose Hill and then added an extra bit over the Gun Site on Mitcham Common to the path by Beddington Lane tram stop. 28 miles, out for just over 5hrs.
See all the photos from today on Flickr
Saturday 17th September GET CYCLING MITCHAM! Suzanne and the Commonside Trust organised a day of cycling activity to encourage people to use their bikes more. A very busy mid morning Dr Bike session with three mechanics saw lots of minor problems fixed on bikes that had otherwise been laying idle in garages or had been abandoned due to punctures or missing brake blocks. A healthy breakfast of fruit, croissants and smoothies was available for those waiting their turn.
At 2pm, Dr Bike packed away and we prepared for a 7 mile circular ride of Mitcham - a slightly truncated version of our popular 13 mile loop. 6 newly fixed bikes with riders who had never been on an organised leisure ride joined some old faces and recent converts. 20 riders in total on 17 machines set off from the town centre over the shared-use path on Figges Marsh to the old railway line, now known as Myrna Close Linear Nature Reserve and onto to Colliers Wood. We rode behind the new apartments and through the busy craft market at Merton Abbey Mills to meet the Wandle Trail. We then rode south through Morden Hall Park, Ravensbury Park and the Watermeads before heading back towards Mitcham through the quiet Willow Lane Industrial Estate and then onto Mitcham Common where we rode past Seven Islands Pond to the Mill House pub.
Suzanne was waiting for us at the pub and had arranged free food and drink for all the ride participants. We sat on the tables outside and tucked into sandwiches and chips, courtesy of the Commonside Trust. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the route and as always, we managed to show people places on their doorstep that they never knew about! 7 miles, out for 2hrs.
See all the photos from today on Flickr
Sunday 11th September MIKE'S STOCKBROKER GUIDE RIDE
Looking out of the window at 7.10 am when my new compass watch (from Lidl ONLY £8.99: recommended [has digital compass, stop-watch, alarm, hourly alarm, timer and pacer]) alarm went off, it seemed to portend a miserable day, as there were dark clouds in the sky, and my neighbour's garage roof was a sheet of water! Therefore, when I arrived at Pollards Hill Library I expected zero to turn up. So it was a joy to see 3 riders waiting.
We set off down Sherwood Park Road and then through Cricket Green. A little later on, I missed a turning, so we ended up in Manor Road in Wallington which I had not planned, but a quick look at the map and the Lidl compass set us back on course.
We stopped for tea at Purley Sports Club, where I have played hockey before, but that did not help persuade them to waive the £1.00 each charge for entry, because I am not a member. Nevertheless, I think we all liked the atmosphere there with its open grounds and well-designed coffee room/bar.
Pushing on, we traversed the mini-roundabout where Woodcote Road (A237) crosses Foxley Lane (A2022), then into one of the most picturesque, secluded and wide roads I have encountered (Woodcote Park Road in Woodcote). Everyone was impressed with houses in this area!
We had lunch at B and H in Whitgift Centre, had a short breather, then returned to Pollards Hill via some back roads on the eastern side of Croydon. Near the end, one person was keen on visiting Pollards Hill itself (which I for one did not know existed) so we did the extra mile and sat down for a picnic!
A satisfying, interesting, ride through 23.83 miles of Surrey residential areas on a misty but not unduly wet day; a fairly enlightening experience, and one not easily dismissed from memory. Out for 5hrs.
See all the photos from today on Flickr
Sunday 4th September MITCHAM CIRCULAR 9 people turned up for the re-run of our most successful ride, the 13 mile scenic loop around Mitcham. We nearly convinced a lad on his BMX to join us - perhaps next time!
The last time we did this, the ride seemed to be dominated by Merton Council's obsession with putting barriers on cycle routes. This time we avoided most of them so instead of riding along the new path behind the sewage farm to Beddington Park, we took a route across two parts of Mitcham Common using the old Workhouse Path down past Seven Islands Pond and came out by the Blue House bridge.
Our first port of call was Mitcham Garden Village. Built by Isaac Wilson for workers in his Wilson Hospital down the road, it is now a private estate for the elderly of Mitcham. The houses and gardens were immaculate.
Next we visited BedZed, the largest eco-village in the UK. It generates its own power and heat from solar panels and tree waste donated by a local tree surgeon. The huge colourful wind ventilation chimneys dominate the skyline. Lots of cars in the car park though and not one of them plugged into an electric socket. Not sure what to deduce from that!
Next stop was a tea & cake stop at Honeywood, Carshalton Ponds, our furthest point from Mitcham on the ride. This required a retracing of our steps to get back onto the Wandle Trail and up to Morden Hall where we rode through the wetlands and on to Merton Abbey Mills market (Deen City Farm was about to close) for a second snack stop. The noodles stall was nearing the end of the day but he still rustled up a decent meal which we ate by the river while others opted to visit the cafe or the pub.
Our last port of call was the Myrna Close Linear Nature Park, part of the old railway line from Wimbledon to Tooting. Sainsburys now stands on the site of Merton Abbey station, the only intermediate station on the line. The path is fairly new and Thames Water are doing some drainage work so the council have yet to complete the surface. It's a great cut through from Mitcham to Colliers Wood so it is highly recommended.
Just under 13 miles, out for 4 hours.
See all the photos from today on Flickr
Saturday 3rd September FOREST WAY 4 people met up for the Pollards Hill Cyclists ride down the Forest Way
today. I was fairly pleased with this as we only put the ride up a week ago
and too many people trying to put bikes on the train can be problematic. I'd
have panicked slightly if we had 23 like Monday's ride! And of course, 4 is
the optimum number for saving money on the Group Save train tickets offer (2
for 4) so it only cost us £3.50 each for a return to East Grinstead. Not
bad!
The Forest Way is a 10 mile section of old railway line that stretches from
East Grinstead to Groombridge. You need to ride through the town first but
it gives ample opportunity to enjoy the haphazard medieval buildings along
the main streets before you drop down onto the path.
The hugely pleasant journey along the traffic-free path started to eat the
miles and before we knew it we were at the old Hartfield station. The
platform is still there but the old station building now seems to be a
private residence with a nursery attached.
We opted to leave the route and try to find Pooh Bridge. We found Pooh
Corner (a gift shop) fairly easily but unwisely decided to follow their
directions to the bridge instead of listening to a couple who had previously
advised us. This meant we went a good couple of miles out of the way along a
busy, fast and hilly road but eventually found Pooh Car Park and followed
the bridle path down to the bridge.
After rejoining the Forest Way we continued into Groombridge and pulled up
at the Junction pub for lunch. Huge doorstep sandwiches on offer, village
cricket on the green opposite, steam railway a few yards away. Very English!
After setting off, the problems kicked in. A rubbing noise on a tyre ended
up in an explosion and a gaping hole in the tyre's wall. We made a temporary
repair using a plastic wrapper on the tyre, fixed the tube and as the group
was small, opted to add the miles on and go to Tunbridge Wells via High
Rocks to find a bike shop. After changing the tyre and sending the jinxed
bike and rider back on the train we rode back up to the Forest Way and back
to East Grinstead. The extra miles took their pace and the 3 of us started
to flag a bit, probably because we set too high a pace on the return and the
slightly bumpy track was shaking our bones. About 40 miles to the advertised
25. Out 11 for hours.
See all the photos from today on Flickr
See all the images of our rides on Flickr
April 2007 ride reports
We skipped the path behind the sewage farm and Carew Manor and rode on the roads to Carshalton where the steady climb to Banstead begins. We broke off for a breather at the Oaks Park cafe and then rode the final stretch up to Woodmansterne.
Report by Mike.
March 2007 ride reports
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December 2005 ride reports
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