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

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CYCLISTS SPECIAL

Last week I mentioned that I was investigating the option of
chartering a "Cyclists Special" train from London to Bristol for a day
trip. I'm hoping to recreate this:

http://www.brianarner.com/weblog/archives/002228.html

Chartering trains isn't my area of expertise and I'm currently getting
ridiculous quotes (£30k for a steam train!). If I can't get the price
right, I may need to look at alternatives including transporting the
bikes by road and even transporting ourselves by coach (there are some
nice luxury ones!). What would really help me is if everyone, whether
they are interested or not, could click the link below and complete
the short survey. Those who emailed me in the week don't need to do
this again.

http://www.surveyconsole.com/console/TakeSurvey?id=524332

What's the general consensus on a summer coach trip if I can't charter
a train? Email your thoughts to me.

===

RIDE REPORT

The Waterlink Way 16/11/08

Regular readers will know that we always mention how many riders came.
Today was variable. We started with 17 but it rose to 24 at the ride's
peak with people joining us halfway or dropping out early. I like the
idea that people use the ride around their own schedules, even if it
means they miss some good bits. We also had a nice variety with two
trikes, a two wheel recumbent, a couple of kids on bikes and another
on a child seat.

We headed out for South Norwood Country Park but as we climbed the
hill alongside Crystal Palace football ground, a rider informed me of
a better route that skips the hill. We will try Heavers Meadow next
time. There's no substitute for local knowledge!

You can't trust the cafe in Ladywell fields to be open so we headed to
Beckenham Place Park's basic golf club cafe. That takes you up a small
incline on an otherwise flat route but you lose the height all in one
go as you descend at speed back to the Waterlink Way. As we struggled
through the stupid kissing gate at Bell Green park, a couple of riders
quietly demonstrated the alternative barrier-free access. This ride
will be so much easier next time we do it!

Drizzle had set in by Greenwich so we tried to lunch early at the
cycle-friendly Dog and Duck in Depford. Unfortunately, they couldn't
cope with a large group so we pushed on to Greenland Dock where most
fancied the Wibbley Wobbley floating pub, formerly owned by the late
comedian Malcolm Hardee. They only do Sunday roast (veggie option -
remove the meat) and don't serve until 1:30 but they said they'd try
to get food out earlier and everyone wanted to give it a go. It was a
good choice and all enjoyed it, even if the boat does worryingly list
starboard.

The drizzle had dried up after lunch and I'd drafted a brand new route
home via Dulwich Park whilst we were in the pub. Unfortunately, I
didn't know the area so I was glad of the help from a couple of riders
with better local knowledge. We picked up a cycle path alongside
Millwall's ground, fixed a snapped chain on Telegraph Hill and passed
the imposing Victorian Nunhead Cemetary.

More London Cycle Network roads took us to Dulwich Park for a swift
afternoon stop at the cafe as the light started to fade. We lit up for
the final few miles, skirting the hills of Crystal Palace and
Streatham on the way back to Pollards Hill.

27 miles, out for 7.5hrs. See the pix on Flickr at:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pollardshillcyclists/sets/72157609220460931
or
http://tinyurl.com/phc020

===

NEW MEETING POINT

The library at Pollards Hill is currently being rebuilt, right over
our meeting point. For all future rides, please meet in the actual car
park near the steps to the library. That keeps us out of the way of
pedestrians.

Failure to comply will result in your tyres being let down when you're
not looking! (Now we'll see who pays attention to these emails!)

===

SOUTH LONDON CYCLISTS FORUM

Following last week's plea for the forum to get more use, there was a
flurry of activity. If we can sustain this, the forum will eventually
develop a life of its own. You can post about whatever you like. I'm
dying to hear about people's cycling holidays - post your story up!

http://www.southlondoncyclists.org.uk

===

NEXT WEEK

We're undertaking a true adventure as we attempt to follow Sustran's
brand new NCN 22 route. It goes from London to Portsmouth but we'll
pick it up just south of Pollards Hill and try to get to Guildford,
where we'll catch a train back (to Wimbledon or Clapham Jct). It
wouldn't be a proper Sustrans route if it didn't meander pointlessly
off-road so expect some bumpy bits and some manageable hills. Nearly
all the tracks have been upgraded so it shouldn't be muddy. There are
other stations along the way for opting out so if you need to cut the
day short, feel free. If we don't progress as planned, we will also
cut our day short as you can't ride the last bit in the dark. Meet at
the library (new spot!) ready for 9:30am sharp depart.

Mark
PHC Co-ordinator
07711 688189

http://www.pollardshillcyclists.org.uk
http://www.southlondoncyclists.org.uk