This week's report and forthcoming events....

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RIDE REPORT
Christmas Ride 21/12/08

16 riders, none of whom were sporting Santa hats or tinsel, met up for
the first proper PHC Christmas ride. In previous years, we've tagged
along on the SW London ride to Richmond but after a few grumbles last
year, we decided to do one just for us.

A slow steady route out picked its way along the Wandle, over
Carshalton Ponds, through parks and past allotments up to the market
garden estate on the Telegraph Track with its black weatherboarded
houses. At this point, you've climbed too high but barely notice it
because of the gradual incline. There are great views of London fron
here as we swept down into Oaks Park for a morning stop.

You can't book at the Mint but I'd rung ahead anyway and they agreed
to reserve us some space. Oaks Park isn't very far away but there's a
big hill to ride up first, leading to the carved village sign at
Woodmanstere. With no punctures, we were locking our bikes up in the
car park at 11:40am, before the pub had even opened!

We'd been reserved our usual tables and everybody enjoyed a leisurely
2hr lunch, with puddings and coffees. The food is very reasonably
priced, arrives swift, you get good service and it's properly cooked,
decent food. I think it must rate as the best lunch stop that we use.

The return was easy. The wind was behind us and it's virtually all
downhill! People peeled off at various points but everybody was home
well before dark.

20 miles, out for 5hrs. See the pix on Flickr at:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pollardshillcyclists/sets/72157611408832111
or
http://tinyurl.com/phc023

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RIDE REPORT
Beddington Park Monthly Ride 20/12/08

10 riders, including one all the way from Adelaide(!), rode a short
but interesting route to Sainsburys Cafe on Purley Way. Leaving the
park via the Thames Water path, we followed the tram tracks all the
way to Purley - a route which will soon be extended as part of the
Sustrans Connect2 project. We returned via a maze of cycle paths
through the industrial estates and back into the park via a route we
don't use often enough, alongside the river.

It reminded me that we used to use all sorts of local cut-throughs
ourselves and that we should start putting some of these back into our
rides.

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SOUTH LONDON CYCLISTS FORUM

It's broken. Again. Maybe that's what happens when you use free
software. Fortunately, there's a genius amongst us who knows how these
things work so stay tuned and it'll be back soon.

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NEXT RIDE

Sunday 28th December will be a nice easy ride up the Wandle and onto
the northern bank of the Thames. Lunch is at the Magpie & Crown in
Brentford which is an unknown entity but receives rave reviews for its
real ales. Food is Thai so bear that in mind if you don't really like
that style of cuisine. Then we'll cross back at Richmond and return
via Wimbledon Common. 9:30am depart from the library at Pollards Hill
or be at Wimbledon Park cafe by 10:30am.

There is also a ride on Monday 29th December with Bromley Cyclists
although you will need to get yourself to Orpington for the start.
Full details on the PHC website.

Various individuals are doing their own rides over Christmas so keep
an eye on your inbox and there could be some short-notice invites to
join.

Merry Christmas!

Mark
PHC Co-ordinator
07711 688189

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