Sorry this week's mail is a bit late - too much work!!

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RIDE REPORT
North Of The City to The West End 07/12/08

14 riders met at the library on a very cold,frosty but beautifully
sunny winter's morning. We set off through Streatham, negotiated a new
and very frustrating set of road works at Tulse Hill and arrived at
Dulwich Park where two riders dropped off complaining of the cold

We stopped for elevenses at the cafe on Peckham Rye which turned out
to be very good and very popular with the mum, dad and child brigade
and we agreed that it would be very good for another stop when it fits
the ride.

From there we climbed to the top of Telegraph Hill Park where the view
over the City and West End was stunning - not like our ride of two
weeks ago when all you could see was mist. We then dropped down to
Deptford High Street and Greenwich Foot Tunnel. Once on the Isle of
Dogs we negotiated Mudchute Park, skirted Millwall Inner Dock and
arrived on the river bank by the underground roundabout. We then
followed the Grand Union Canal (most people, myself included, call it
the Regents Canal) all the way to Islington with two small diversions,
one over the Green Bridge over the Mile End Road and the other through
Victoria Park.

Lunch was at The York in Islington where we thought the food and the
price was very reasonable but the service left a lot to be desired

After lunch we dropped down through Barnsbury to the towpath again
where all went well until we reached Camden Lock where the combination
of a fine sunny day and the proximity of Christmas made the crowds
tube train dense. First four of us popped out the other side and after
a long delay and a mobile phone call we all eventually met up again
and proceeded through Little Venice to Paddington

We then turned towards home through Hyde Park and down Queen's Gate to
the Albert Bridge, Battersaea Park and Clapham Common. It had got dark
by now and although the cafe was still open we all opted to go
straight home. From here we all started branching off in different
directions with three arriving back at the library.

37 miles, out for 8hrs, no punctures. See the pix on Flickr at:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pollardshillcyclists/sets/72157610973663506
or
http://tinyurl.com/phc022

Report by David

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ALTERNATIVE DEC 14th RIDE

We're not participating this year after a few grumbles last year but
this Sunday is also the annual South West Cyclists Christmas lunch at
the White Cross in Richmond. Be outside Wimbledon train station for a
10:30 depart if you want to ride with the Merton Cycling Campaign
group.

See below for details of our own Sunday ride.

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CHRISTMAS SPECIAL

Those coming on our Christmas ride on the 21st may wish to visit
http://www.vintageinn.co.uk/themintbanstead and enter the Promotional
Code VE1 into the box. You'll then get a voucher entitling you to a
free glass of Penfolds Private Release or a pint of Pepsi or lemonade
with your Sunday Roast. It works for 2 people so long as you are both
having the Roast. It doesn't work with other meals. Remember to print
out and bring with you.

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THE FORUM

It's working but the style sheets are sometimes failing to load. We're
trying to fix it. If you know what's wrong, feel free to say!

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NEXT WEEK

We're going to return to the Wattenden Arms at Kenley. There'll be
plenty of countryside, a few climbs but nothing impossible and a nice
descent after lunch. Be ready for a 9:30am depart from the library car
park.

Mark
PHC Co-ordinator
07711 688189

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