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 )

Route

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.

Route

RCC Rides for Everyone : Saturday, May 16th

Stately Houses of West London

Time: 10.25am
Place: Twickenham rail station forecourt
Description: We take a back-street route through St Margaret's to reach the Thames, then cut through the park of Syon House. The Grand Union Canal towpath takes us to Osterley Park where we have a coffee break before following the Duke of Northumberland's River back to Twickenham . About 11 miles and flat .

Nine of us braved the cloudy skies. The threatened rain did not appear and we enjoyed good spells of sunshine.

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

RCC Rides : Sunday, May 3rd

Spring Wildflowers in the Surrey Hills

Time: 10.30am
Place: Twickenham riverside by Eel Pie Bridge
Description: We cycle through Kingston and Tolworth before cutting across Horton Country Park and Ashstead Common to Leatherhead and the Mole Gap. Past Box Hill Station, a steep climb takes us to Norbury Park – run by Surrey Wildlife Trust and looking like an Alpine meadow. Lunch at Bocketts farm. 36 miles, tracks a bit rough in places.

Only six of us enjoyed this ride, one on a fixer (ouch). Temperature just right and clear views. The grasslands will be better later in the year though. Bocketts Farm good for filled baked potatoes and Mars Bar Cake.


Route

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

RCC Rides for Everyone : Saturday, April 18, 2009

Morning Coffee at the Palace.

Time: 10.45am
Place: Mortlake Green, lower end
Description:We ride down 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.
But we didn't! Susan turned up to lead and Paul to back-mark but no other riders. We cycled home through the park.

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