2026 London Ride runners and riders

All riders should have received an e-mail

But just in case........

Tomorrow we depart from Pembroke Lodge in Richmond Park.  It is about 150 minutes to lunch, so there is a loo stop in Holland Park (roughly half way).  Lunch is at the Ledger Building at West India Dock (don't get too excited, it's a Wetherspoons, but an amazing building).  Tea at the kiosk in Battersea Park.  

There are one or two places where we have to dismount for a short push; Holland Park and the approach to Kensington Palace being the ones that come immediately to mind.

Because of the Silvertown crossing (where the bus, running every thirteen minutes, only accommodates 8 bikes), I have set us up in groups of 8.  The idea is to mix up members so once a year we get to ride with people from other groups, but this is only partially realised.  With the exception of Madeleine's group, all of whom said they wanted to finish at Vauxhall and therefore presumably to get home early, the groups are aligned in order of my perception of the likely speed of the leaders, to minimize the risk of catch-up, but this is a (very) urban ride and there are few places where anyone will be able to zing along.  Nevertheless, if anyone wants to change group feel free to arrange a bilateral swap (to keep to 8 per group) and tell both leaders.

I could not accommodate all the Vauxhalleers in Madeleine's group but the ride passes under the arches beneath Vauxhall Station and it will be easy for them (and anyone else who has got tired) to peel off at that point.  I have picked three Vauxhalleers who are experienced enough not to fret about doing this and put them together in John's group.

The Silvertown crossing comes two easy miles after lunch and presents a challenge because unless we are lucky (the bus was empty for the first recce but only nearly so for the subsequent ones) not all of your group will be able to board at once.  So please be patient at the shuttle service if you do not get on the first bus; we will operate a first-there-first-on-the-bus policy and you will join some of the follow-up group and continue the ride with them.  Think of it as one of those dinner parties where you have to change places for dessert to meet new people!  I have taken the precaution, in case it is needed, of asking several members used to leading off a GPS device to be ready to take a group onward from Greenwich to the finish.

I have been in touch with the Met Office, slipped them a back-hander and fixed some decent weather, so please enjoy the day.  And stay safe.

Paul.

Runners and riders.  

Group One departs 10.05

Leader Clive Janes

Steve D

Patrick W

Richard B

Gill H

Dave F

Jennie & Dave J

Dave W (to lunch only)

Group Two departs 10.15

Leader Simon Lambourn

Peter B

Sue Ch

Stephen H

Anne W

Steph W

Andy C

Mike R

Group three departs 10.25

Leader Paul James

Chris H

Simon W

Jane F

Bob P

Stuart A

Geoff G

Mick A

Group four departs 10.35, goes as far as Vauxhall

Leader Madeleine Shearer

Julie B 

Mary L

James & Jane G

Ian W

Dawn

Ray Y

Group five departs 10.45

Leader John Austin

Karl M to Vauxhall

Helen T to Vauxhall

Carolyn B to Vauxhall

Frank C

John & Sandra B

Chris McC

Group six departs 10.55

Leader Tim Gibbons

Sabina W & Bernard

Tim C

Gareth W 

Anne & John C

Lilian Ch

Route here

Why you shouldn't jet-wash your bike

It's quick and easy, but it's bad for your bike.   So says GCN (Global Cycling Network) in their new video, which reverses their earlier advice issued eight years ago.   

Does it matter to regular cyclists like us?   In a word - yes.  A couple of people I know have had mysterious failures of their new-ish bike.   The freewheel mechanism stopped working, so they could either freewheel in both directions (awkward) or not freewheel at all (challenging).    A long walk to a bike shop followed.

Here's the video: 

Invitation to the joint A & B Groups 2026 London Ride to Silvertown, Wednesday 18 March

You are invited to join the London Ride on Wednesday.

This year's ride will start at Pembroke Lodge in Richmond Park and take us over Hammersmith Bridge, through Holland Park and Kensington Gardens, through Marylebone and Covent Garden and then out along the river and through the East End for lunch at West India Dock Wetherspoons.

After lunch we take the cycle shuttle bus through the Silvertown Tunnel, and we return westwards through Greenwich Naval College, Millwall, Kennington and Vauxhall to finish at Battersea Park.

The route is 31 miles with lunch half way.  The final recce group left the start at 10.25, was at lunch just before 13.00 and at Battersea Park by 16.15.  We can offer a loo stop half way through the morning.  Once you have climbed to Pembroke Lodge for elevenses the ride is flat.  There are a couple of short stretches of cobbles but the rest is tarmac or hard gravel.

The shuttle bus is free; you do not need a travelcard.  It also takes electric bikes.

Dave Ward has a commitment in the evening and if there are any takers will be happy to take a group from lunch back to Waterloo via the Greenwich Foot Tunnel.  He will not be riding the Silvertown Shuttle.  

Madeleine will take a group home on train assist (we pass Vauxhall Station).

Please let me know by E-mail Paulandrewjames1949@yahoo.co.uk by Monday evening if you want to join in and please be clear if you want to go with Dave Ward or Madeleine.

 Click here for the route.

Ride Report – A Group March 11th

First, respect to all those who rode all the way to the New Haw Centre yesterday, into that strong cold wind.

Second many thanks to Frances and Steve for volunteering to sublead. This meant that we could split the 16 of us into easily manageable groups.

It’s that time of year again when we are tempted to stretch our rides, but we cannot be sure of the weather, so for me this meant a longish ride to somewhere not so far away. With the prospect of a quick dash home if conditions turn dire.

After a very changeable forecast, the worst we had to face was a morning’s headwind, which at least meant we rode on completely dry roads. I rather lost count of the number of times I called out “hole” but along the way there were plenty of daffodils to admire, and the first (for me) Easter bunny hopping along the verge.

Steve's account of his group’s experiences.

I set off with Hans, Janice, Patrick, Guy and Richard after sampling the excellent coffee and cake at the Woodham & New Haw Centre at 10.50. There had been a relentless headwind coming directly from the West and this now proved tiring at some open stretches of road. The sun was shining however and so we were in good spirits. It was interesting to note some of the features we passed almost without knowing on the way to Ottershaw. 'Soggy Bottom Pond', 'Ether Hill' and 'Flutters Hill' being some, although I felt the climbing. Then through Sunningdale, Beggars Bush and Cheapside (?) to Ascot, where we found Frances' group crossing the Ascot race track. After this north to Winkfield and then from Winkfield Street the wind helped us along at a fast pace. The next lovely sight was the wooden footbridge at Dorney which we walked carefully over in case it was slippery with the rain the night before. Then left at the Bray Millennium Milepost. Finally we got to the Palmer Arms and enjoyed very quick service at a reasonable price. 5 minutes after we ordered the ciabatta rolls and wraps appeared and impressively quickly considering they had been toasted.         

    

 

After lunch we set out dreading the climb up Crimp Hill, but were surprised at how quickly the wind was helping to propel us along to Eton. From here the route took us through Old Windsor up the hill and down Tite Hill to Egham. Clouds started to appear, but the wind was with us as we negotiated the never-ending potholes, over Chertsey Bridge and along the cycle track to The Ferry cafe at Shepperton. After tea I decided to try the ferry, but after ringing the bell and sounding the buzzer, I didn't raise anybody to try it out. So I saved £5 and rode over Walton Bridge, but now back into the teeth of the wind to Weybridge, Byfleet and home. 

Everyone in my group seemed to enjoy themselves and get some much needed exercise into the bargain. An added bonus was no punctures which after last week was welcome. I very much appreciated the company of my fellow riders and particularly Janice who back marked perfectly the whole way, which was comforting as all I could view from my little bike mirror were Patrick's knees. Look forward to the next ride! 

Frances reports that my group was a total of four including Gill, Ged, with Simon offering to backmark left New Haw in the sunshine promptly.

Needless to say we experienced a continuing head wind with some break in this when we reached Drift Road.

It was fun crossing Ascot and were directed through the gate and under the fence by the workmen.  We stopped for a photo when Steve's band caught us up.    

 

We enjoyed crossing the bridge near Monkey Island in hot pursuit of Steve again!

We came into Dorney so enthusiastically that I passed by the pub, looked at the mile counter and decided it had to be the right Palmer Arms, and we were all ready for lunch.

Service was great, food lovely and it readied us for a tail wind back to Shepperton. Ged left us at Windsor and we headed to Crimp Hill where Gill led the charge.

Gill waved goodbye just as we turned into Eddy Dockett - last 2 standing! Simon and I came upon Steve’s group again sitting in the sunshine at Nauticalia where a strong expresso was needed for me and Simon tucked into a large piece of cake.  

Thanks to all in my group and feedback was the route, pub and weather was perfect.   

Last to arrive at tea was my group of Andy, Sue C, Sue F, David, and Jennie assiduously back-marking – thanks Jennie. We had a delightfully relaxed ride, pausing only at Dorney footbridge for a photo.     

    
 

After an excellent lunch, we made good progress, most memorably wind-assisted across Dorney Common, arriving at Shepperton Ferry Café just as the last of Steve and Frances' groups were leaving.

Thanks everyone for coming out – it’s the company which makes the ride.

Report for B Group - 11th March

Apart from the competing appeal of the Nor'Westers ride, and numerous riders having other commitments, importantly as subleaders for Paul's final(?) recce for the big London ride next week, we nonetheless set off with eight eager people to enjoy an interesting day out.

So, as Terry had planned to meet us at The Drummond for lunch seven of us departed roughly on time, crossed the Scotland Bridge and turned on to the Basingstoke Canal path for two and a half miles of blissful riding. One advantage of riding with just one group is that the sub-leader can often be persuaded to lead, allowing the 'leader' to be back-marker. And this arrangement worked well yesterday; Mick delivered us reliably to The Drummond in just over two hours, as planned.

We left the canal near Maybury, meandered through the leafy residential roads and took our usual route through Woking Park where, as we had seen during our recce, the toilets are now permanently closed. After Elm Bridge we took our usual cunning little turnoff in order to follow the cycle and pedestrian path alongside the Hoe Stream, always a delight.

By the Hoe Stream

We turned off the path to cross the bridge over to Hawthorn Road to pick up the 'Earth' trail and its Egley Road Cycle path.

Towards Sutton Green we detoured down Robin Hood Lane and after Jacob's Well we turned into the Riverside Park Nature Reserve which nowadays has a good surface apart from the last bit. We noticed that for walkers there is a path along the bank of the Wey which leads into the heart of Guildford.

By the big pond in the nature reserve

We passed through Stoke Park, again with no toilets where they used to be, and at London Road Station the 12 miles of flat riding came to an end. We soared up into the hills and along White Lane, noting for another day the possibility of riding along the tracks to Newlands Corner. But we plummeted down Guildford Lane to claim our reward for all the climbing and parked in the garden behind The Drummond.

As beautiful as the day had been the air remained chilly so we opted to eat indoors and we had a perfect area set aside for us with a commanding view of the garden. Terry had arrived before us so we were eight now. Although some items on the menu gave rise to a discussion all sense of injustice was addressed when a large plate of freshly grated parmesan was delivered to us, primarily to garnish the Orzo risotto.

 

Mick had completed the more complicated navigation of the morning route so I was happy to lead in the afternoon. After the beautiful architecture of Albury's Village Hall and Old Post Office and The Drummond itself, and notably the extraordinary chimneys on the Farriers Cottage and Weston House, we set off up the ramp of New Road and cross country to Hoe. Down at Sutton Abinger we turned up Raikes Lane for another serious climb followed by an easy descent to the A25.

Steph cracks a smile for the camera

Chris was having a mechanical issue which deprived him of access to his low gears so he took the easier route down Felday Road and headed for Dorking Station. We turned off into Balchins Lane to pick up Route 22 into Dorking where Terry left us for home. As the rest of us arrived in Leatherhead Steph realised that she had punctured. But being so close to the station she walked there and caught a train home. So just four of us took Tea at Lucio's.

So, it was the sort of ride that many of us enjoy with its broad variety of terrain and scenery. Well done to the team, Steph, Stephen, Arwyn, Terry, Chris and Julie and a big 'thank you' to Mick for joining me on the recce and leading the morning ride.

~Tim

Ride Invitation A’s - Wed Mar 11th

Next Wednesday’s A ride from the New Haw Centre (Amis Ave KT15 3ET) will be to Dorney.

24 undulating miles, all on-road or surfaced.

Lunch at The Palmer Arms, last visited in March 2020, our final ride before lockdown.

17 miles, one hill, to tea at Shepperton Ferry.

If you would like to come, please email me d.vine207@btinternet.com before 6pm Monday.

Invitation to ride with B group on 11th March

We will meet at the Woodham and New Haw Day Centre for Elevenses. Anyone coming by train should hop off at West Byfleet Station for the short ride to the day centre.

Lunch will be at The Drummond in Albury, over 2 hours but not quite 16 miles from Elevenses. We'll set out westward along the Basingstoke canal and the first 11 miles will be fairly flat and quite scenic, perhaps squishy in places, some off road. Then after Stoke Park, zig-zagging up into the hills before an exhilarating descent all the way to the pub. The road surface quality is variable during the ride. Namby-pamby slick tyres won't be ideal on some short muddy stretches but most of the ride is on very decent tarmac or canal path.

This is our route:

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/53853439 

The Drummond manager has asked for us to pre-order our lunches. It is a gastro-pub so it is somewhat pricey especially for main dishes but I hope that everyone will be able to find something tasty.

This is their menu:

 

Please reply to this invitation by Monday lunchtime. This is essential for two reasons; Clive needs to advise numbers attending Elevenses to the Day Centre in New Haw and I need to give as much notice as possible to the pub regarding our lunch menu choices.

Afternoon tea will be either at Leatherhead, Lucio's or perhaps for a change, The Old Clunker in Dorking. The afternoon routes may vary at the whim of your leader.

We'll be running with just two teams with Team Mick probably setting out at 10:45 and Team Tim at 10:50 or 11:00.

It's a pretty nice route and we're looking forward to seeing you.

Tim and Mick