Norwesters Ride to the Rocket at Putney, 9th August 2023

 We were greeted with some first-class cycling weather on Wednesday, blue skies, and no wind. We met at the Pheasantry in Bushy Park and after a coffee we set off to Richmond Park via Kingston. This was a detour from our planned route, having been advised by a local cyclist to avoid Ham Gate where repairs were in progress following a traffic accident. On exiting from Sheen Gate, we took an immediate left and made our way across the A316 Lower Richmond Road at Mortlake and on to Kew Bridge. Here we cycled across on the left-hand side using a shared footpath and turned down Thames Road which runs parallel with the Thames. This was delightful with very little traffic about. On to the traffic lights at Great Chertsey Road where we crossed into Dan Mason Road and stopped for a group photo with a sculpture of a heron’s nest. Then followed some gentle cycling, along the river where possible, to Putney Bridge, that we crossed and then took a quick left into The Rocket pub.

Cobbler's Walk Memorial (Bushy Park)

The group at Promenade complete with herons

The staff were very friendly and helpful with a quick service and good food.

After lunch we set off travelling east along the river going through Wandsworth Park. At the end of the park, we turned right, making our way back to Richmond Park following roads that run parallel to Upper Richmond Road, and then turned left to find an off-road track behind Granard Primary School and onto Putney Heath. We crossed Kingston Road and entered Wimbledon Common. At the end of the common we followed the road down towards the A3 and joined Combe Lane.  The road then led us across the A3 and after a climb up the top of the hill, we turned right into a private housing estate that took to Richmond Park. On entering the park, I discovered that I had left my rucksack back at the pub so after a quick debate it was decided that I would return to the pub, Pam and Gill would ride home and Paula, Jane, Julie, Arwyn and Carolyn rode with me as far as the café at Roehampton Gate, where the Easy Riders were spotted leaving. 

Thank you Arwyn for back making and being official photographer for the day.