Report for Easy Riders - 25th October

Easy autumn ride along the Thames towpath at high tide

Heavens, nearly everybody must have been out this morning! Our two Franks, Sandra, Gillian, Anne and Maureen, Ed and Ken headed out from North Cheam for coffee at Teddington this week, trailed (at some distance) by belated me along the 75 route to Kingston.

Across beautiful Bushy Park it was lovely to greet two of the early bird B groups of riders, already on their cheery way, and to spot a pale roe stag with splendid antlers among the autumnal brown ferns. I then encountered a third group between the Park and our coffee venue, by this time I was feeling very late indeed! So very grateful to find there was still some coconut cake when I finally got to coffee, and the volunteers still cheerful and welcoming behind the counter, despite their busy mornings serving all our club.

At Elleray Hall it was good to see the Norwesters and hear their plans for the day. Brian B, Don, Ray, Bill, Bernard, and Peter T also arrived from different directions.

The Norwesters were readying themselves for departure, while our group was still deciding where we'd like to go for lunch.

We settled on the Green Man at Putney Heath, always a favourite, and I called  ahead to book for 14 while we all readied ourselves for departure.

Bill and Bernard took a direct route via Teddington Lock and Ham.  The rest of us, a dozen cyclists, were lead out by Frank C. 

We headed through Strawberry Hill to Twickenham, where we joined the Thames towpath. Here we realised that it was high tide!  There was a very narrow gap between river and wall by Eel Pie Island, we were lucky to get through without getting wet.

On past Richmond Bridge, we continued  through Isleworth and Syon Park, then along Brentford High Street to cross the river at Kew Bridge. The Thames was very beautiful in the gentle autumn sunlight and we followed it through to Chiswick Bridge. Then via Mortlake and Sheen, up Park Road into Sheen Gate and through Richmond Park and Roehampton up to Putney Heath and lunch.

We occupied a cosy corner of the Green Man, and were warmly welcomed and served by the staff, who were otherwise having a rather quiet lunchtime. Food was excellent as was our most enjoyable company.

After lunch we headed home in different directions. Sandra went down to Wimbledon Station with Ed and Bill, who wanted to catch the train home. Ray, Don, Bernard and Peter headed back to Richmond Park. Frank lead the rest of us over Wimbledon Common and to Raynes Park, where we thought we might stop for tea; but in the end opted not to do so, making our ways home for tea instead.

Thanks all for a great day out cycling, especially Frank C for leading us. It was wonderful to make the most of the lovely autumn weather and enjoy the quiet and beautiful places away from the noisy traffic.

~ Helen