The Kingston start at the end of November is often an occasion to head north to sample the delights of suburban London, and today was no exception.
The Wednesday forecast was not good, and my heart sank as I awoke to the sound of heavy rain. But the A’s reputation was at stake, especially after the challenges braved by the Beginners and C&M riders over the Storm Bert weekend.
In the event nobody cancelled and 18 of us arrived at Kingston YMCA in good time. The rain eased off as we prepared to depart, which left only oceans of muddy water underwheel, and overhead thick cloud to block out the sun.
We had three groups led by Peter S (on, I believe his first urban lead) and Neil C, and me. Both Peter and Neil had given up a day to ride a full reccie, which was necessary for an intricate ride keeping as much as possible to quieter roads, parks and towpaths. There were a few unavoidably busy sections, and the groups of 6 riders were about as big as I consider comfortable for urban riding.
The core of the route was devised by the late Frank Cubis, who used his knowledge of these parts to keep us away from, and largely unaware of, the N & S Circular roads which we were broadly following. This led us down some “interesting” paths which you would not normally consider for a cycle ride, but in fact almost all were on LCN recommended routes.
The morning’s objective was a tour round the perimeter of Wembley stadium followed by lunch at the Ace Café, a historic motorcyclists’ haunt, at Stonebridge Park. I had incorporated a break point where we could have shortened the ride by avoiding Wembley and riding direct to the Ace, but in the event everyone elected for the full value ride, to their great credit.
In Frank Cubis’ day the raised perimeter of the stadium offered 360° views round west London, but now the whole area has been developed with high-rise apartment blocks, so it’s only to the south that there’s much to see, and today even that was obscured by the general gloom. The subsequent loop round the romantically named River Brent Trail gave us the opportunity to view the River Brent as a raging torrent, very different from its normal aspect as a muddy brook.
I think we were all relieved to get to the Ace for a chance to warm up, where we were treated to friendly service and good food. Neil’s group were the last to arrive, having suffered a puncture, but at least everyone had arrived safely.
I had set an objective to get everyone back to Kingston by 3.00, to minimise riding in the dark for those who had to get further. It was now my group’s turn to suffer a puncture, easily repaired, but returning the rear wheel disc to its slot took a little longer and the combined attention of the whole group. Thereafter it was plain riding south, and with a degree of urgency to get back in time, aided by a tailwind which convinced some that the afternoon was a little warmer.
We were the last to arrive in Kingston, just after 3.00, where some decided to head for home, while others stayed for tea. So many in fact that we filled Café Fika, with an overflow group in the Boho Café just down the road.
I tried to keep the ride as free flowing as possible, given the falling temperature, which Is why we avoided the more conventional Thames crossings at Hammersmith (walking only) and similarly Barnes (foot) Bridge, and headed for Chiswick. Speed also meant we didn’t stop for any sightseeing, and missed the Thames-side blue-plaqued former home of A P Herbert the humourist and MP, which should have interested our Ashtead riders.
Nor did we stop for the Leaning lady statue by the A4 underpass, donated to the local community in compensation for their loss of amenity when the Great West Road was widened in the 1950’s (there is no record of whether they appreciated the gesture).
Thirty miles elevenses to tea is ambitious for a winter urban ride, plus quite a few more for others getting home. Thanks everyone for coming, and for your good humour throughout. Special thanks to Peter S and Neil C for or leading, and to Richard, Jennie and Janice for back marking their respective groups.
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