Here's this week's reports & news....

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RIDE REPORT
Osterley Park 03/08/08

13 riders turned up at the library for a trip north of the river to
the National Trust property at Osterley Park. We took the Wandle Trail
to Earlsfield although it's really in need of a trim with the nettles
closing in on both sides at some places. An early morning stop at
Wimbledon Park cafe gave us a breather before the little steep climb
up to Tibbetts Corner and on to Richmond Park.

Sunday morning seems to be the most popular time for serious looking
cyclists on racing bikes to speed around Richmond Park. For some
reason, they all go anti-clockwise but we chose to travel in the
opposite direction and then cut through the middle of the park on
National Cycle Network Route 4. We crossed the Thames at Teddington
Lock and then embarked on an explore of the traffic-free cycle paths.
Crane Park had a lovely tarmac riverside path that led onto the
Mereway Nature Reserve. Then we crossed the busy A316 on a footbridge
with a clear view of the ugly Rugby Union stadium at Twickenham.

It's easy to miss tiny Spray Lane as it's nothing more than a narrow
alleyway. The only trike on our ride received its first of 3 punctures
but the overhanging foliage offered a bit of shelter from the first
shower of the day. Mogden sewage works didn't smell too good but
they've thoughtfully provided a riverside path for cyclists and
walkers. The locals are obviously very fond of it as a family were
picnicking under a tree, in the rain, engulfed by the smell of sewage.
Nice.

It was slightly after 1pm when we finally arrived at Osterley Park.
I'd added too many cycle paths and pushed the morning mileage higher
than I would have normally liked. Fortunately, the showers had driven
away virtually all of the customers from the cafe so we had the walled
garden to ourselves. They only offer light lunches but like all
National Trust properties, have a good selection of cakes. We probably
overdid the cake part of lunch!

I wanted the most direct route back to keep the mileage down so we sat
out a brief shower and headed into Isleworth and along Mill Plat, past
Thomas Ingram's tiny almshouses and onto the riverside path to
Richmond. During the trike's 2nd puncture, a cranky bee stung one of
our riders on the neck. We rode over the bridge and parked up on the
green to seek out an antihistamine cream for the sting. Some grabbed a
swift half at the pub whilst others checked out the excellent ice
cream at the gelato shop.

The racing cyclists had mostly left Richmond Park as we retraced our
steps towards the Kingston gate and picked up the A3 parallel route to
Raynes Park. After the 3rd trike puncture, we managed to arrive at
Merton Abbey Mills after the cafe had closed so we pushed on back to
Mitcham where the ride split.

Out for 8hrs. 38 miles (8 more than advertised - whoops!) See the pix
on Flickr at:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pollardshillcyclists/sets/72157606528159999
or
http://tinyurl.com/phc003

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"SMART" ELECTRIC BIKE

Has anyone seen this curio?

http://tinyurl.com/electricbike

A bike that thinks as well as propelling you forwards.....

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MORE PUNCTURE WOES

I had my 2nd puncture in 4 years on my current bike the other day.
Whilst I'm actually out of spare tubes (I've given them away on our
rides), I had my puncture kit with me and set to work. The cause was
easily located and removed - a nail. But when I came to attach the
patch, I noticed that my glue had gone off. Very fortunately, there
was a cycle shop 10 minutes walk away where I bought a new tube.

I'd never considered that the glue might dry up. The moral of the
story - if you've been carrying an old puncture kit around with you
for several years, consider buying a new one to make sure you've
always got some glue that works.

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FAME IN AMERICA

This was forwarded to local LCC lists. Feel free to give them a call
if you fit the bill:

The Washington Post is looking at the rise of cycling around the world
and I'm looking for someone in London who is new to biking -- taken up
because of petrol prices or the congestion charge or climate change,
etc. -- who could spare a few minutes on the phone.

Thanks so much, Karla

Karla Adam
Special Correspondent
Washington Post
London bureau
adamk@...
020 7433 8094 (office)
0784 111 7538 (mobile)

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NEXT WEEK

An easy going explore around local routes, starting by heading out to
the cafe at the old Purley Way lido garden centre (email if you want
to meet us there at 10:30) and then inching slowly through open
countryside to the Mint at Banstead for lunch. Generally, they're
pleased to see us and although you can't book a table, I'll see if
they'll hold an area for us. Then (and this bit is genius), there's at
least 5 miles of downhill as we sweep through Tattenham Corner,
revealing the best view for miles around and onto Whitehall at Cheam
for their cream teas weekend. Normally we'd support the cafe at
Nonsuch Park but this is a special event for Whitehall, a 500 year old
heritage property in the village. Only one really noticeable hill and
most people normally manage to ride up although there's never a
problem if anyone is walking. 30 miles. 9:30 depart from the library.

Mark
PHC Co-ordinator
07711 688189

http://www.pollardshillcyclists.org.uk