Central London CTC blog

1* Ride on 6 July

The Met Office said it would rain and they were right. It was raining when the train arrived but the party voted to carry on as planned. We followed the Thames Path to Eton, had lunch at the Waterman’s Arms and then followed the Jubilee River back towards Maidenhead. We had tea as planned a Taplow Court, a former minor stately home now owned by a lay Buddhist organisation, followed by a tour of the house. In view of the rain we decided to return back to the station from there and abandon the last part of the ride to the Stanley Spencer Gallery at Cookham.

Another time perhaps?

It stayed dry for our one-star picnic ride last Sunday, but the temperature varied throughout the day, we always seemed to be taking long sleeve tops off and then putting them on again.  Quis? Four adults plus one seven year old on Islabike trailer.  Quo vadis? We set off on the Alban Way, heading west to Sopwell and through St Julians to Watling Street (Roman Road).  Through Park Street (village) and on a bit, we reached the cool green depths of Bricket Wood Common.  Bridleway through the Munden estate, across the Colne and up into the grounds of Wall Hall to Aldenham, where we admired the old church and the village green.  Through Letchmore Heath, with its duck pond and red rumble strips (altogether now ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah) and up the hill to Aldenham Country Park, where we had our picnic. more »

Some mothers get pampered by their families on Mothering Sunday and taken out to lunch. Your leader today dragged her family and six other hardy souls out on a brisk ride in the Hertfordshire lanes!

more »

On Dave Newman’s Thamesside ride on New Year’s Day, photo by Dave himself (with apologies for the delay in publication).

“He should have been carrying a pole and a rubber ring”, I thought about 12.10 on Sunday when I saw what had happened soon after I hit a speed ramp after coming down a hill on Stephen Street’s one star ride. “After all there are many lakes in southern England and you never know when you may end up in one!”.

more »

Six of us (Alex, Pauline, Jonathan, Maria, Lisa and Elizabeth) met with Charles at St Albans (City) to join his Mill Green ride on Sunday.The threatening weather held off and a history themed ride followed, with talks on 15th Century battlefields, Iron Age forts and 17th century ruins. And of course part of our route was along a roman road. more »

Due to train troubles Jo’s ride started from Horsham rather than Amberley and she had to rethink the route she had planned. However faultless research on her part led the intrepid 6 riders to a delectable tea spot at Southwater Country Park. Then it was on through lovely untrafficked country lanes to a superb pub at Warninglid where we lunched in the sunny garden under a tree.

more »

27 people met up at Mitcham Junction for the Bank Holiday Monday joint ride with Central London CTC. This bought back memories of our first Bank Holiday ride where 23 of us descended on a country pub and flipped the manager into Basil Fawlty mode, refusing to serve meals to half the group. I hadn’t told the Harrow at Caterham we were coming - best to get there early then!!We set off along the Wandle Trail to Carshalton Ponds and then meandered through various parks to the Telegraph Track and the Little Woodcote market gardens on our way to the Woodcote Green garden centre for morning coffees. more »

Expecting another lovely day like Saturday, St Alban’s based leader Rona wrapped up her six year old daughter and hitched up the trailer bike and dusted the cobwebs off her husband’s bike, and headed down to the station. Three local riders there already - I always let the local CTC and the St Albans Cycle Campaign know when I am leading a ride, and I also promote the ride to the Bicycle User Group at work. Plus John from CLCTC who had driven out from North London. Trains running late, of course, but wait not too prolonged.

Set off through St Albans, intending to take advantage of the sunshine and head out north-east into open country. Targets lunch at Codicote and purchase of vegetables at Whitwell. However….

more »