RCC Ride Sunday 4th April

A half day ride for Easter Sunday enjoying our own territory.

Five locals and two guests enjoyed a brisk trip taking in Richmond Park, Hampton Court, Bushy Park, Crane Park and Marble Hill. Sunshine and cloud gave dramatic lighting and we were impressed by a spectacular show of daffodils in The Wilderness at Hampton Court.

Does anyone know where the name "marble hill" comes from? It seems to predate the house but as there is neither marble nor hill.....

Richmond Rides for Everyone Saturday 17th April

The Wandle trail for Everyone

Meet at Earlsfield Station at 10.40 but get ticket allowing return from Wimbledon.
(eg 9.59 from Richmond)
Description: Eight of us met up outside the station - including one cyclist from East London, and a group from Surrey but, I think, no-one else from Richmond. We cycled alongside the River Wandle in bright sunshine that made even the nettles along the path look attractive. After bustling Merton Abbey Mills and the rural delights of Morden Hall Park we then cut across to Wimbledon to catch the train home, tracking down a doorway from the Abbey en route.

Contact: Paul Luton
Telephone: 020 8977 4016
Email Rides@richmondlcc.co.uk

RCC Rides for Explorers : Sunday 9th May

Along the hog's back

Meet: Richmond , Little Green - by the library before 10.15am

Description: We meet at Richmond but cycle to Surbiton to catch the 11.05 to Guildford. Amongst the spectacular (hilly) scenery we find an art-nouveau chapel and a ruined abbey that gave its name to Scott's first novel. Cafe/pub lunch. Total about 40 miles.

Contact: Paul Luton
Telephone: 020 8977 4016
Email: rides@richmondlcc.co.uk

RCC Rides for Explorers : Sunday 7th March

Grand Union Canal

Meet :Richmond, Little Green, by library 10.30am

Description: We cut through Syon Park to Brentford and follow the canal tow-path northwards .... A preliminary ride found the tow-path west of Hanwell dangerously muddy (Yes I did fall in) so plan B is being devised. Lunch in canal-side or other pub.

Four of us met up and headed up the canal. We avoided the muddy parts by cutting off along the Brent valley with the help of Andy's local knowledge. We passd the isolated 12c Perivale Church and after a warming Lunch at Starvin Marvin's at Perivale rejoined the canal at Horsendon Hill. From here on in the surface is good and led us to a footbridge through Paddington Station. From here we returned via Kensington Gardens, Hammersmith and Richmond Park. Enjoyable day with brilliant blue sky but icy wind.

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Contact: Paul Luton
Telephone: 020 8977 4016
Email Rides@richmondlcc.co.uk

Richmond Rides for Everyone Saturday 20th March

Bedfont Lakes Country Park

Meet : 10.40am Strawberry Hill Station - west side

Description: After passing through Crane Park and Hanworth Park some back lanes in Feltham take us to a scenic nature reserve created from gravel workings. 11 miles but flat so back about 1pm.

Contact: Paul Luton
rides@richmondlcc.co.uk
Telephone: 020 8977 4016

RCC Rides for Everyone : Saturday February 20th

Chiswick House

Meet Mortlake Green by station at 10.30am

Description: A short, easy ride taking in the Thames banks and visiting the grounds of Chiswick House where the ground-breaking eighteenth century gardens are being restored. Coffee in the renovated cafe.
We had seven riders - respectable for February - and enjoyed bright sunshine for the ride. Worth repeating when the restoration is complete and the works on the towpath are completed.



Contact: Paul Luton
Telephone: 020 8977 4016
Email: paul@pluton.eclipse.co.uk

Rides for Explorers - Sunday 7th February

Hawksmoor with a side helping of Wren and Archer.

Meet 10.45am at Waterloo Station - by vehicular exit arch ( eg take 10.09 from Richmond)
Description: We take the NCR 4 down the Thames to Greenwich in time for cafe lunch then follow the 'Hawksmoor Ride' from London Cyclist visiting the churches designed by the idiosyncratic 18th century architect returning to Waterloo.
Despite a cool and cloudy day we had a respectable seven riders and managed a quick peek into St Paul's Deptford where a very "bells and smells" service was in progress in the Archer church. We managed a look at the interior of St Alphege and Christ Church Spittalfields was very much open for tourists. Verdict - Hawksmoor's architecture is impressive but you couldn't call it pretty.

Contact: Paul Luton
Telephone: 020 8977 4016
Email: paul@pluton.eclipse.co.uk

Rides for Explorers - Sunday 10th January 2010

Switzerland in Surrey - Box Hill.

Sorry this ride cancelled - too much ice around.

Meet at 10.30 on Twickenham Riverside (by eel pie bridge)

Richmond's traditional post-Xmas ride. Back roads / off-road to Mickleham then up the 'Alpine' ziz-zag (not really that steep). Pub lunch at the top, then mostly downhill ride home. Bring lights.



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Contact: Paul Luton
Telephone: 020 8977 4016
Email: paul@pluton.eclipse.co.uk

RCC Rides for Everyone : Saturday January 16th

Bushy Park and the Thames

Meet 10.30 at the New "pheasantry" Visitors Centre Bushy Park.

After a glance at the newly restored Water Gardens, we join the Thames at Hampton Court, cycle along the tow-path to Teddington Lock and back via Cobblers Walk. Probable coffee stop. Nine miles and flat.

The rainy start to the day put most people off but two of us set out. The Water Gardens were locked because of dangerous ice (surely melted !) but we had a dry ride past Hampton Court and investigated the cycle facilities on the Hampton Wick side of the bridge. ( poor signage , intrusive kerb and gate.) Topic of conversation - 12th century Sicily , as you do.

Contact: Paul Luton
Telephone: 020 8977 4016
Email: paul@pluton.eclipse.co.uk

Cancelled - Rides for Explorers - Sunday 1st November

This Ride has been cancelled and will take place next year

Burnham Beeches

Meet Richmond Station before 10.45 am

Description: We buy return tickets to Windsor, but get off at Staines to circle past Pinewood Studios and quiet Fulmer, enjoying the autumnal display of Burnham Beeches from traffic-free roads. We avoid the worst of Slough to pick up return train at Windsor.

Contact: Paul Luton
Telephone: 020 8977 4016
Email: paul@pluton.eclipse.co.uk

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Rides for Everyone - Saturday, October 17, 2009

Coffee at the Palace

Meet : Mortlake Green (lower end) at 10.45am
Description: We ride up the Thames to Putney Bridge, then cross to visit Fulham Palace, former home of Bishops of London, with its romantic gardens. Here we stop for coffee. Back through Barnes passing the Wildfowl Trust site. About 8 miles, flat.
A respectable contingent of seven took part and all had an enjoyable ride despite the grey skies.
Sorry no photos - forgot camera.


Contact: Paul Luton
Telephone: 020 8977 4016
Email: paul@pluton.eclipse.co.uk

Sunday, October 04, 2009

Wandle Wander

Meet : Richmond, Little Green (by library) by 10.45am.

We head down the Thames to Wandsworth then follow the River Wandle upstream using the Sustrans Wandle Trail with extensive off road (but smooth) sections. The riverside has echoes of constitutional and artistic history that we can contemplate over lunch before cutting back home via Wimbledon Common and Richmond Park. (passing a snuff mill and a gateway from Merton Priory relocated to the old centre of Merton - which is nowhere near Merton High Street !)

Wow record showing - 11 heads on 10 bikes. A bright and not-breezy day made for pleasant cycling and Merton Abbey Mills afforded a range of lunch opportunities.

Contact: Paul Luton
Telephone: 020 8977 4016
Email: paul@pluton.eclipse.co.uk

Rides for Everybody Saturday, September 19th : Richmond to Bush Park

Meet: Richmond, Little Green, by Library at 10.30am

Description: From Richmond to Teddington and back avoiding most of the traffic. A new visitors centre should be open for coffee but we may have to view the restored 18th century water gardens over the fence as the opening is delayed. 11 miles but flattish.

In the event four of us did the ride of whom 3 had come from/through Teddington. We did need to view the Water Gardens over the fence (Opening 1st October) but Susan had a fund of information on the Upper Lodge complex. The visitors centre had excellent coffee (eventually) and a clear demonstration of where NOT to site cycle stands (hidden behind a wall!)

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Contact: Paul Luton
Telephone: 020 8977 4016
Email: paul@pluton.eclipse.co.uk

RCC Rides Sunday, September 6th

Chobham Common

Meet : Twickenham Riverside - by Eel Pie Bridge at 10.30am

Description: After practically kidnapping a couple on a tandem eight of us headed out along the Thames to Chertsey and then up through the woods to a pub lunch at Chobham. After lunch we cycled past heather and gorse covered heathland back down to Chertsey Bridge and another Thames side ride to Laleham and finally back into Twickenham down the Crane.
Contact: Paul Luton
Telephone: 020 8977 4016
Email: paul@pluton.eclipse.co.uk

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Twickenham-to-Chobham

Sunday 2nd August South of Guildford

Time: 10.45am Richmond Little Green
Description: We cycle through Ham to Surbiton to catch the 11.30 to Guildford. Cycle routes link to the Downs Link railway path which we take as far as Cranleigh (poss lunch at garden centre) before returning via the scenic Surrey Hills.
http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Guildford-Loop

Six of us turned up and just made the train. (note - allow more time for holdups). Guildford traffic is scary but we were soon on an abandoned railway through quiet woodland. Nottcuts GC provided lunch (seemed popular with cyclists) then we followed Surrey Cycle Way signs through the folds (presumably meaning hills) with an afternoon drinks break at Dunsfold overlooking cricket. More hills led to a satisfying downhill to the Guildford Rd. Weather perfect and very little traffic on most of the roads. (inclined to do some more rides from Guildford next year - any comments ?)

Rides for Everybody Saturday, August 15th River Crane Ride

Time: 10.45am Strawberry Hill Station - west side
We ride down the Thames past eighteenth century Twickenham riverfront to Richmond, then up the River Crane to Crane Park Nature Reserve, haunt of water voles and kingfishers. A flat 9 mile ride with coffee break

With a total of 11 of us this was the best attendance for some time. (so amazed that I forgot to take photos)

RCC Rides for Everyone : Saturday July 18th

Ham House, Richmond Park and Teddington Lock

Time : 10.30 am
Place : Richmond Green by Library

After riding out along the River to Ham House we cut inland to Richmond Park and then back to the river for Coffee at the Hawker/YMCA Centre before returning down river to Richmond.
About 9 miles with gentle slopes.

RCC Rides : Sunday July 5th

Surrey Countryside and Bookham Common

Time: 10.30 am

Place : Twickenham Riverside

Six of us headed out via Esher to Cobham where we switched to tracks through farmland across the Mole and wooded Bookham Common. After a pub lunch and dodging a brief shower we circled back modifying the planned ride with a "purple" track across Oxshott Heath and returned via Claygate and Kingston. ( noting a 20mph limit road with self enforcement limited to a few humped crossings )

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RCC Rides for Everyone : Saturday, June 20th

The Surrey Thames

Meet at 10.30 : Bushy Park - Fountain Car Park.

Across Hampton Court Bridge, we take the towpath up as far as Walton Leisure Centre for coffee before returning the same way. There is always lots to see on the river. 8 miles and flat.

(optional extension to view the results of recent renovation in Bushy Park)

RCC Rides : Sunday June 7th

The Chilterns and Maharajah's Well.

Meet Richmond Station by 10.15 to catch the 10.29 to Reading.

We follow NCR4 on back roads out of town and up into the hills. At Stoke Row there is a exotic wellhead marking the gift of the Maharajah of Benares. After a pub lunch we continue down into Wallingford and back along the Thames using a quiet track for most of the way.

Despite a dire weather forecast nine of us made our way to Reading. We enjoyed a sunny ride through beechwoods to the Black Horse - the pub that time forgot - and enjoyed freshly prepared baguettes with our beer in the garden. After a thrilling descent we made our way along the foot of the hills past fields of white poppies. A red kite gave an aerobatic display. After pretty Goring we slogged along a bit of main road but then turned off to prettier Whitchurch and a bridlepath which got us back to Reading just as the rain started.

About 35 miles.

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