The 2023 Joint A & B Group London Ride on the Spring Equinox

 

Report by Paul J (with a lot of help from his friends)

Ged awarded me the B Group London Ride duty this year and, in the absence of volunteers, awarded himself the A Group.  We agreed that it would be a good idea to revive the tradition of a joint A and B London Ride, a tradition of which only those old enough to remember the pre-Covid world will have fond memories.

Because of the necessarily complex nature of an urban ride through South London we split it into six groups each named in honour of a South London football club (nobody has heard of any football teams North of the River).

Lunch at the Dog & Bell

Ged went first, I went last and our splendid team of volunteer leaders Dave Ward, Simon Lambourn, Alan Clark and Tim Gibbons, went in between.  Special mention must be made of  Tim Gibbons, who marshalled the B Group elements while I was in warmer climes, and Dave Vine, who not only recced the route but suggested a change, which we adopted.  And the staff at the Dog and Bell who worked like Trojans (are we allowed to say that nowadays?) to serve us lunch, and the lovely ladies at St Andrew’s, Earlsfield, who were persuaded by Ged to stay open and serve us tea and cake when they really wanted to be closing up.  

tea at St Andrew's

 Here are the ride reports.......

Ged Lawrenson, the new manager of Crystal Palace

The Palace manager with his new signing at The Angel, Rotherhithe

Our trio - we lost Jennie and Dave on Putney high St. to a puncture - arrived at the Dog and Bell soon after midday, and sat in the enclosed and sunlit pub garden. The rump of Dave Ward's group joined after lunch, and it wasn't long before we stopped for a group photo - featuring Dave Bartholemow's Millwall team's New Den as the backdrop. My navigation went awry in Brixton, Dave W.  taking-over to find the windmill. Myself and Pete Betts stayed for tea at the friendly Home Community cafe. Many thanks to Paul for a finely crafted London ride, a nice mixing of As and Bs, and a welcoming local boozer!'

Crystal Palace at Brixton Windmill with the players they poached from Millwall 

Dave Ward, captain of Millwall

Today was a day of three halves (if you see what I mean) - first a damp cool start, a tantalising taste of spring-like warmth, then sunshine late morning, and finally a breezy, cool and dull old afternoon!  Team Millwall (Mike B, Sue F, Pete B, Dave B, Paul D and me) were not deterred by the early rain and we made good progress to Putney where things started to get a bit confusing!   Here we picked up Dave and Jennie J, refugees from the earlier group, who had stopped to mend a puncture.  Thus reinforced we set off for a glorious ride along the south bank of the Thames in brilliant sunshine.   There were brilliant and unexpected views and perspectives along and across the river and we shared local knowledge - it really was a route crammed with history and interest.   It soon got too warm and rainwear had to be removed, and, on arrival at the Dog and Bell, we were easily tempted to join the first group and lunch al fresco in the balmy courtyard.

Millwall a touch off course at the South Bank

All good things must come to an end, in this case, both the lovely sunshine and the lunch stop.   Ged had requisitioned his two escapees back into the fold, and as Sue, just out to stretch her legs a bit, had already left us, and Mike, who had shown his back-marking skills have not been lost after a bit of a break, was not continuing, the remaining four of us asked if we could tag on to Ged's group just ahead.  So it was that we continued to Earlsfield with stops at the New Den and Brixton Windmill.

 Millwall at the Home of Culture (with some unlikely help from Palace)

Many thanks, Paul for a very enjoyable day out, and, to everyone in Team Millwall, for your company.

 

Simon Lambourn, motivational coach at AFC Wimbledon

Team AFC Wimbledon had a late change to the line-up with the transfer of Ian W from MiToots United but kicked off more or less on time with regular players Ann W, Mags McK, Richard B, Mark G and myself.   I suppose you would call it a ride of two halves.  Keith was unable to start due to the early kick-off time, but after we had inspected the Marc Bolan memorial and made our way to Battersea Park, by now rather warm in the sunshine, Keith sped up the left wing to join us.  No sooner than we were ready to restart, there was a loud Pssssss from Keith's direction, which he blamed on his tyre.  We were forced to abandon him, never to be seen again.  Paul's intricately designed route had plenty of interesting sights while staying for the most part on quiet roads, which made for a very enjoyable ride.  London's riverside sparkled in the warm sunshine and a decent tailwind made the going easy.

Bermondsey Beach is the only mid-season break AFC Wimbledon could afford

AFC Wimbledon at The Angel, Rotherhithe

 

The Dog and Bell seemed minimally staffed and we worried how long we might wait for our lunch, but in fact they did a good job.  The way back was equally interesting but less equally blessed by a tailwind.  We were welcomed by a volunteer at Brixton windmill who would have liked us to stay longer, but tea was calling.   After a quick stop to admire one of the murals, five of us whizzed down to Earlsfield, but we carelessly lost two just before stepping in the door of the church for tea.   Thanks to Paul for a great route, and to Mark and Richard for back marking.

Alan Clark, ex-Fulham and Leeds, now fitness coach at Charlton Athletic 

On a clear and bright day, the A & B Wayfarers 2023 London Ride took place between Richmond Park and Earlsfield, following a varied route via Barnes, Putney, and Battersea; before crossing the River Thames at Chelsea and Lambeth Bridge(s); then riding on through Southwark, Bermondsey, Rotherhithe, Deptford before returning via Peckham, Camberwell, Stockwell, Brixton, Balham and Tooting.

The Charlton Athletic Team were the fourth group (of six riders) to start the ride out of a combined group of around 40 riders taking part. The group became five after Mike punctured and unfortunately had to cut short his ride at Battersea.  

Riding in beautiful sunny weather, the route included a combination of quiet riverside paths, London parks, iconic London landmarks, familiar tourist attractions, views of London’s unique river skyline, historical features of old London, plus virtually traffic-free routes around residential roads and communities in South London.     

Charlton Athletic admiring the Brixton Street Murals

The landmarks and points of interest along the way included: a memorial to Marc Bolan in Barnes, The Peace Pagoda in Battersea Park, views across the river of Battersea Power Station, St. Thomas’ Hospital, Big Ben, County Hall, the London Eye, Tate Modern, Borough Market, Dr. Salters Daydream sculptures and views of Tower Bridge; the Angel and Mayflower Pubs plus the Brunel Museum.

Lunch was at the Dog and Bell Pub, a welcoming old London Pub in Deptford, with good food and an extensive choice of drinks.

After lunch, the group completed a quiet ride through parks and streets of South London via Millwall Football Club, Brixton Prison and Brixton Windmill, stopping for photos at the two murals on the way back. A short ride through Balham and Springfield Hospital completed the ride.

Tea was at the Community Café in St. Andrew’s Church, a large and impressive Grade II Listed Church in Earlsfield, where all the groups met for tea after the ride.

Thanks to Dave, Clive, Mick, Julie and Mike for an enjoyable ride - and to Mick for back marking and Paul for planning the route. A great day out riding on roads and paths beside the Thames and through quiet roads in south London. A welcome chance to appreciate and understand the events, people, culture and architecture that shape London’s history. 

Tim Gibbons, educational psychologist at Sutton United

A damp and overcast morning soon cleared into a bright and breezy day as we left on time from the cafe at Roehampton Gate. We weaved our way to Battersea Park and the well planned route kept us away from main roads and heavy traffic.

All went well as we headed north alongside the Thames passing familiar landmarks around Waterloo, Southwark and London Bridge. Pausing by the river at Rotherhithe we noted local points of interest and their history.

Sutton United at The Angel

True professional; a teacher at work

We made good progress towards Deptford and arrived on time for a welcome lunch at the ‘Dog and Bell’, a tried and tested venue used on a couple of previous rides. Good food and prompt service.

Our afternoon ride via South Bermondsey, Burgess Park, Camberwell to Brixton gave us the opportunity to admire two murals. One of which, The Splash, painted in 1985 depicts Brixton’s hidden river Effra.

Moving on to Brixton Windmill we were interrupted by a local ‘hobo’ who questioned my account of the history of its construction ! It was in fact built in 1816 and remained in the care of the same family until 1934.

On via Balham and Springfield Hospital we arrived at Earlsfield to take tea at St Andrew’s church cafe.

Thanks to all involved in planning and participating in what proved to be a most successful and enjoyable day out. A great opportunity for A and B riders to spend time together.

 

Paul James, third reserve goalkeeper for Tooting and Mitcham United

I took the group consisting of those who wanted to go slowly or who requested a late start but Patrick W called in sick (hope you are better soon, Patrick), Tony Hopkins looked out of the window at the drizzle and Ian W moved to Simon's group.  But Helen came along from the Hardy Riders and I also had Maggie, Brian and Dave V.

Tooting & Mitcham at The Angel

A Glam Rock icon, Antonioni’s filming location, South London’s zoo, the HQs of both major political parties, the site of an horrendous night in the Blitz, a Plantagenet hunting lodge, The Fighting Temeraire, Naval gallows, Judge Jeffreys, the world’s first tunnel under a river, the Pilgrim Fathers, the Surrey Canal, a proper pub, The New Den, the first Duke of Edinburgh, a two hundred year old windmill which few have seen, a seminal moment in Ireland’s battle for independence, the scene of another dreadful wartime disaster and an old mental hospital; so much history it was a good job we recruited a teacher as leader.  “No trouble, everybody did as they were told” was his summing up.

For us the hot air escaping from the Palace of Westminster was so fierce as to cause a huge gust as we crossed Westminster Bridge Road, so dramatic that I had to turn round and check that everybody was still upright.  And, sure, the weather got drab but it had offered us a glorious ride down the river.

 

The Escape Committee; Tooting and Mitcham at Brixton Nick

Once upon an Empire

                                   Now the thinking must start on how we can top it next year!