Here's this week's updates....

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RIDE REPORT
South West Classic 25/01/09

Our first Wimbledon ride.The route may well be a classic but it looks
like the weather put most people off. Here's John's report:


The weather report today was not found very welcoming by the ride
leader - however, even this did not deter him nor the other three
members who were already waiting at Wimbledon station. The rain had
stopped by the time we had woken ourselves up by going up Ridgeway
Place onto Wimbledon Common. Mud,puddles and lots of dogs seemed to be
ever - present as we wound our way across the Common and under the A3
via the little tunnel near Roehampton Lane.A speedy descent along the
A3 cycle path ( pavement!!) soon saw us into Richmond Park and across
in the direction of Ham Common and the towpath on the South side of
the Thames. Whilst we passed most scullers and runners, there was a
stretch where the path was so uneven that we were overtaken by - a
runner ( shame on him...). The Tide Tables ( our elevenses stop) is
generally warm and welcoming and today was no exception, reaching
there by 10:50hrs.

From here it was another bumpy ride until we got to Kew Bridge, where
the leader endeavoured to meet his great - granddaughter, who livesin
a house not 50m from the water's edge.This turned out to be a fool's
errand, as she was out with one of her parents....After crossing Kew
Bridge to the north side, we continued on to Upper Mall, where a straw
poll was taken in favour of ''The George'' pub just by Hogarth
Roundabout for lunch.Itr is quite a shock to cycle from the foreshore
up to the pub, as the tranquillity of what is effectively a village is
soon rent asunder when you turn a corner to the pub - and - the
roundabout looms into view !! The food was not the pub's strong point
- helpings were minute.The leader intends to email Fullers to
complain...

There was quite a bit of rain by the time we left at about 13:50hrs
and, indeed, the river had been running over the footpath in that
area, as may be seen in the pics.

We made our way back along towards Putney Bridge, thence to Wandsworth
where two riders peeled off further East, with the leader and one
other cycling due south, in part along Garratt Lane in an effort to
avoid the sandy surface which is present on part of the Wandle Trail,
south of Earlsfield.The two riders remaining got back to base (SW19)
at about 15:30hrs. Distance travelled - approx 27miles.

Report by John

See the pix on Flickr at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pollardshillcyclists/sets/72157612971631519
or
http://tinyurl.com/phc029

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THE EVANS EVENT

You'll all have seen the exciting Evans Ride-It event that we've
negotiated entry for on Feb 8th. Could someone who is planning on
going let me know as I have a small task for you!

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VIKING COASTAL TRAIL

The next one is a winter version. Join Steve on the 7th March for a
jaunt around one of the best signed cycle routes in the country. Not
yet on the website but diary now. It's on a Saturday to make sure we
don't get unlucky with the trains (bus replacement doesn't work for
cyclists!) but there's also a Sunday ride the following day for those
who don't fancy the seaside.

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NEXT WEEK

The Capital Ring was designed for walkers but you can cycle most of it
too. It takes an interesting route, most of which will not take you
very far from home but is bound to include some goodies that most
don't know. Be at the library car park at Pollards Hill ready for a
9:30am depart.

Mark
PHC Co-ordinator
07711 688189

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