B Group - 28th November

As we left the Bradbury Centre the weather was dry and very pleasant, seventeen headed through Kingston towards the river. We passed through the Canbury Gardens and along to Teddington Lock, then Ham House, Richmond Bridge, Kew Gardens and the old brewery building at Mortlake. Then it’s Barnes and up the ramp onto Hammersmith Bridge.

The weather remained kind to us, still dry, warmish and no wind yet.

Crossing over the old beautiful Hammersmith Bridge, this was a special moment for me, being able to cycle over it. Outside the pub there were secure railings for us to attach our cycles to, so it was into the William Morris.

Just before the bridge we had lost our back marker as he had a flat tyre, but he arrived before we were to depart. The pub was brilliant, everyone was served quickly, absolutely amazing value!

By the time we left the pub, the winds had arrived, causing us to battle against it all the way to Barnes, where we were caught twice at the level crossings, so taking a little time for everyone to get through and reassemble.

Onto Richmond Park, the climb up to Richmond gate was hard with the winds, unfortunately we had lost the back marker again, a repeat of the puncture problem.

At Kingston Gate, with the weather getting worse, we decided to alter the ride, and in place of going to The Pheasantry in Bushy Park we would have afternoon tea in the Local Hero café in Thames Street, Kingston, five of us stopping for tea.

Thanks to all for your good company, such an enjoyable day out! Sorry we all went home with dirty cycles!

Thanks for the ‘corner marking’ and to David for back marking, when he was with us.

Jennie