Frank Cubis led us on some memorable rides but my personal
favourites are his rides to the historic Ace Café, taking in Wembley Stadium en
route. He used mainly quiet suburban roads, parks and towpaths, managing to
avoid breaking any no-cycling ordinances, and showed us an ingenious and
surprisingly easy route across West London.
My objective was to revisit this ride, but with a starting
point of Kingston, which provided a reasonably relaxed start across Richmond
Park.
As I arrived at the Bradbury Centre the sun was out, and the
temperature was rising, reaching minus 2.5deg, so conditions could only
improve, as indeed they did. During the day we averaged about 3deg in the sun,
but a lot less in the shade. There was ice on the Grand Union, though luckily
almost none on the towpath.
We were 17 departing Kingston, but Ian was out for a short
ride, parting company with us in Richmond Park. Keeping moving was important to
keep out the cold, requiring spot-on corner marking in the suburban streets.
The peloton made good progress across Kew Bridge, Gunnersbury Park and North
Ealing, passing under Western Avenue on the cycle path at Park Royal, then
under the North Circular to reach Wembley. Luckily there was only minor traffic
delays in Wembley before we reached the Bobby Moore statue on the Stadium
concourse. The view right across London was a little hazy today, so we made a
swift descent, with a hint of frost on the Stadium slope, to pick up the Brent
River Park, a sliver of green between recycling works, which delivered us
directly to the Ace Café spot on 1pm. There we were welcomed with reserved
tables, friendly and speedy service.
Leaving just after 2pm we made good progress homewards,
surviving Hammersmith Bridge which looked in real need of repair, braving the
double level crossings at Barnes to tea at Roehampton Gate. There some elected
for tea, others to continue homewards in the light, and possibly some to extend
their mileage with a turn round the park in the setting sun
.
25 ½ miles Kingston to tea, plus about 10miles for me, I
daresay quite a few more for some.
Many thanks to Mike Barrett for back marking, most helpfully
instantly recognisable in orange top, Geoff Gregory for the photos, Frank for the route, and to everyone riding for the turns and
the company.
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