Report for Easy Riders - 11th August

Madeleine's Beddington to Teddington reverse engineered ride

Easy riders took the long route round to Teddington yesterday, as Madeleine lead us from Beddington Park to Merton Abbey Mills for coffee, with her "reverse engineered" ride designed to avoid (most) hills en route.

Ten of us set out from N Cheam, lead by Helen through the bottom of Sutton and along route 75 through Carshalton to Beddington Park. Here Madeleine took the lead, cycling us along the winding Wandle trail, a quiet and pretty route unfamiliar to most of us, since we usually head west on our mid week rides! We were at Merton Abbey Mills for coffee, where we met Bill - and Peter T, who had found his own way from N Cheam after missing the group departure. Some of us enjoyed delicious waffles with fruit and chocolate sauce at the Belgian café, a treat which was to serve us well along the next section of the ride.

We continued along the Wandle trail to Earlsfield, where we began our journey westwards to Teddington for lunch. Through lovely Wimbledon Park, then briefly and steeply up to Putney Heath, where mighty Pete peeled off (he lives nearby, and had done a long ride into Kent the previous day).

We followed sometimes muddy bridleways and cycle route over the heath, then down through the tunnel to Roehampton. Now it was marvellously down hill all the way to Roehampton gate where we bore left to follow the flat lane to RobinHood Gate. Right and gently up to Pen Ponds café, where there was a small group of stags grazing and resting under the shady horse chestnut trees; then down through Ham gate and across the common through to Teddington lock. Over the bridge and along the high street to find lunch at the Railway by Teddington station.

Here we were pleased to meet John Bellamy, out for his first lunch with us since the knee replacement. Ray had kindly picked him up - quite a surprise,as John hadn't read his email! - so he was very happy to be out again. Peter T and Bill were also there ahead of us; Bill had his own route, but it seemed Peter had emerged from the loo at Merton Abbey Mills to find we'd all left him behind...so sorry Peter, but well done for finding your way through unfamiliar parts of London (and at least you enjoyed the social stops). We all had a good lunch upstairs in the lovely pub dining room. Afterwards, some of us peeled off and Madeleine lead the rest through Bushy Park, Hampton Court and home. Many thanks Madeleine, for a wonderful route and a most enjoyable, lovely day out.