At North Cheam the pavements teemed with riders; well over thirty I counted. Some were for Leatherhead so Bob's mystery ride started in confusion.Eventually we gathered and headed off through Worcester Park, Malden Manor and Tolworth, down a less than fragrant Lower Marsh Lane and into Kingston where elevenses were taken in the upmarket (for us) Riverside Cafe.
A late arriving Mike swelled our ranks to 21. That's too many names to recall but, believe me, the usual A & B suspects all were present. Speculation about our destination was rife as next we crossed the Thames. Bushy Park was entered at Hampton Wick Gate and left at Hampton Hill Gate. A partial lap of Fulwell Golf Course was followed by a westerly run along the Crane River where we paused at the Shot Tower.
After a soupcon of suburbia, Bob's route now took us across Hounslow Heath (pathless and bumpy) and past the Cavalry Barracks and beyond. A hair-raising crossing of Henlys Roundabout (A4/A30 junction) was the prelude to more suburbia but soon we were on the Grand Union Canal just below Southall. Two to three miles later, we turned off into Stockley Park (according to Bob, an old gasworks, TQ080804) and The White House (naturally Wetherspoons) where lunch was taken on the terrace overlooking a lake. Our return was back along the canal and through its five tiresome "anti-biker" gates. Toni's first puncture was just before Southall.
Turning off at Norwood Green we entered Osterley Park to admire Adam's Osterley House of 1761 (in truth, an early loo stop). Continuing down the main drive and across the A4 took us into Isleworth. The Thames was reached for the second time at Old Isleworth; we switched to the Surrey shore in Richmond and continued along the river bank. Near Teddington Lock (under reconstruction - diversion in place) we lost Toni for the day to a second puncture. The Kingston YMCA on the old Hawker's site was the spot for leisurely refreshment before we dispersed our various ways. Warm and sunny, and under 40 miles (for me) - many thanks to Bob for a very enjoyable day.
Graham Hill
0208 549 0366
if you want to include all those names, please do! well there was you, me, Ed....
A late arriving Mike swelled our ranks to 21. That's too many names to recall but, believe me, the usual A & B suspects all were present. Speculation about our destination was rife as next we crossed the Thames. Bushy Park was entered at Hampton Wick Gate and left at Hampton Hill Gate. A partial lap of Fulwell Golf Course was followed by a westerly run along the Crane River where we paused at the Shot Tower.
After a soupcon of suburbia, Bob's route now took us across Hounslow Heath (pathless and bumpy) and past the Cavalry Barracks and beyond. A hair-raising crossing of Henlys Roundabout (A4/A30 junction) was the prelude to more suburbia but soon we were on the Grand Union Canal just below Southall. Two to three miles later, we turned off into Stockley Park (according to Bob, an old gasworks, TQ080804) and The White House (naturally Wetherspoons) where lunch was taken on the terrace overlooking a lake. Our return was back along the canal and through its five tiresome "anti-biker" gates. Toni's first puncture was just before Southall.
Turning off at Norwood Green we entered Osterley Park to admire Adam's Osterley House of 1761 (in truth, an early loo stop). Continuing down the main drive and across the A4 took us into Isleworth. The Thames was reached for the second time at Old Isleworth; we switched to the Surrey shore in Richmond and continued along the river bank. Near Teddington Lock (under reconstruction - diversion in place) we lost Toni for the day to a second puncture. The Kingston YMCA on the old Hawker's site was the spot for leisurely refreshment before we dispersed our various ways. Warm and sunny, and under 40 miles (for me) - many thanks to Bob for a very enjoyable day.
Graham Hill
0208 549 0366
if you want to include all those names, please do! well there was you, me, Ed....
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