Rides for Everyone – Sunday 26th June
June 26, 2011 by Paul Luton, under All Posts.
Beating the Bounds of Richmond borough – circumnavigate the whole borough by bicycle in one day
where the local community would walk all around the parish, to witness and reinforce its boundaries in days before maps, and to pray for blessings on the land contained within them.
This is a ride in two parts: like the borough itself it will be split by the river. The morning ride takes in the western part of the borough from Twickenham via Crane Park to Hampton Court and back along the Thames. The afternoon ride takes in Ham, Richmond Park, Barnes and Kew and is mostly off-road, so is ideally suited to beginners, families and those less confident on the road. Shorter routes back to Richmond will be available during the afternoon if anyone wants to join us for a smaller loop.
Six of us set off at the unheard of time of 9.00 on a warm Sunday Morning. Bryony led us up the Crane where if forms our northern boundary and down it where it is the southern one. We saw a swan’s nest as we crossed the Longford River in Hampton and then ventured across the Thames by ferry. After coffee in Hampton Court tiltyard we followed the Thames back to Richmond.
In the afternoon four of us cycled south past Petersham Meadow and Ham Lands before following the Kingston boundary into Richmond Park. A short excursion outside Kingston Gate found an ice-cream van with a wondrous selection of flavours. Thus refreshed we tacked the steep climb and exciting descent to Beverly Brook which we followed to the Thames. The Thames Path back to Richmond was pleasantly shaded. Pity about the bone-shaking surface past Kew.
The ride was part of Bryony Evens challenge to ride all the London Borough boundaries:
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Rides for Everyone – 18th June – Bedfont lakes
June 18, 2011 by Paul Luton, under All Posts.
Meet Strawberry Hill Station 10.10.
We cycle through Crane Park and search out green spaces through Feltham on the way to the Nature Park created from old gravel workings.
About 8 miles. Back about 12.00
Six of us enjoyed a welcome glimpse of sun and got home before the rain came. Congratulations to two young girls for managing the ride ( even if they did push mountain bikes up not-that-big hills ) and not being daunted by unpleasant traffic in Bedfont Road.
Good display of cornfield weeds in Crane Park and more muted wild flowers in the Bedfont lakes park.
Pity that no-one has installed a coffee stall at the Park.
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Rides for Explorers – 5th June – Along the Grand Union.
June 5, 2011 by Paul Luton, under All Posts.
Meet Richmond Little Green - by Theatre – 10.10am.
We head through Isleworth to Osterley Park to get onto the towpath of the Grand Union Canal. Near Southall we turn into the Paddington Branch which we follow into town. Lunch in a canalside pub. Home from Paddington via Kensington Gardens and Hammersmith Bridge. Lots of traffic-free riding – a bit bumpy around Southall but generally a reasonably smooth surface.
Well just 3 of us met up. All went smoothly apart from getting to the intended lunch stop too early so we ended up having lunch in a pub opposite Kensington Gardens. A scenic ride with lots of swans, cygnets, ducklings, coots and a grey wagtail. Light rain started as we came through Barnes.
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Rides for Everyone – 21st May – An Explorer and a Ride in the Park
May 22, 2011 by Paul Luton, under All Posts.
Meeting at Mortlake, we dropped in on – his tomb having been recently restored – before heading up to Richmond Park.
In brilliant sunshine we watched deer bathing in a pond and enjoyed a refreshing coffee. A quick look at Isabella Plantation showed some spectacular rhododendrons and and Kalmia and diminutive ducklings. ‘
After a short climb to WhiteLodge we enjoyed the downhill freewheel back to Mortlake.
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Rides for Explorers Sunday 1st May
May 1, 2011 by Paul Luton, under All Posts.
Burnham Beeches
Meet Richmond Station 10.20 to catch the 10.29 to Staines. (get return)
Seven of us headed off from Staines station across Staines Moor in a cloud of cow parsley and may blossom. Colnbrook is unexpectedly picturesque but we endured some traffic past Pinewood Studios before escaping into remote lanes around Fulmer and finally to the City Of London Woodlands of Burnham Beeches. Lunch in cafe in the woods. Return to Staines via the banks of Windsor Jubilee River against a strong headwind.
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Rides for Everyone 16th April – Palaces of West London
April 10, 2011 by Paul Luton, under All Posts.
Meet Richmond Little Green, by library at 10.15am.
Description: Five of us crossed the Thames and cycled through the park of Syon House to Brentford. The canal towpath takes us to Osterley for coffee in the stables of the Adam mansion. Short route home via Isleworth. 11 miles with one hill alongside canal locks
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Rides for Explorers Sunday 3rd April
April 3, 2011 by Paul Luton, under All Posts.
Olympic Route in Surrey
We have a look at the Olympic Road Cycling route through Surrey. – but only do Box Hill once so only (!) 50 miles.
Six of us met at Bushy Park Fountain Car Park 10.00 am.
After passing through Weybridge we stopped for coffee at Broadlands to get us over the North Downs. Quite a climb then hairy descent in Coombe Bottom. Lunch in The Compasses at Gomshall on a table by the Tillingbourne.
That, and the break, helped with the undulating busy road into Dorking and on up Box Hill. The view at the top got a Wow but there were no objections to the suggestion of an easier way back via Headley and Epsom Common. Back into Kingston about 5.15.
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Rides for Explorers : Sunday 6th March
March 6, 2011 by Paul Luton, under All Posts.
Windsor Great Park
Seven of us left Staines station and braved their cycle-unfriendly roads followed by a National Cycle Route that would be a joke in the Netherlands. A steep climb up Coopers Hill got us away from the traffic and we recovered our breath with a visit to the RAF memorial with a stunning view of the Thames valley (after another climb up spiral staircases).
Continuing into Windsor Great Park we descended between the rhododendrons to Saville Gardens cafe for lunch in the sun.
We then rode along the banks of Virginia Water then back up via Valley Gardens to Windsor and on to Staines getting in 4 minutes before the train.
(but modified a bit)
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Rides for Explorers – Sunday 6th February
February 6, 2011 by Paul Luton, under All Posts.
Meet : Twickenham Riverside – by Eel Pie Bridge at 10.30am
Description: Five of us set off into a headwind that somehow accommodated us going south then west. Shortly after losing one rider to a puncture we reached Chertsey Bridge and finally had wind assistance for a scenic ride up the river to Staines. On to Ankerwyke where a short walk took us to woodlands filled with snowdrops and an ancient . ( Sorry I said 1000 years old – actually about 2500 years !) . Returned to Staines for lunch at the North Star (friendly if a bit noisy ) then quiet roads back to Twickenham . Back by 3.15 pm.
Snowdrops!
