Here's this week's updates...

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RIDE REPORT
Capital Ring 01/02/09

Six valiant, well wrapped, souls turned up at Pollards Hill Library to
brave the grey sky and arctic conditions and set of in the direction
of Croydon at a steady 10 miles per hour. After a deviation from the
planned route due to an inability to read the map with gloves on in
the wind, the ride got back on course just in time to meet another
rider at the Norwood Grove Recreation Ground. We were advised by a
concerned citizen that the route through the Ground was "very icy", so
we kept to the road until the entrance to the Rookery came into view.
This is where the Recreation Ground develops into Streatham Common and
involves a steep, stepped climb through this feature. In the summer
the Rookery is resplendent in colourful blooms, but as you would
perhaps expect on a cold early February day we were greeted with a
starker sight.

An early elevenses was taken at the Rookery cafe, which is reasonably
priced but – apparently – skimped on the coffee and remarkably,
considering the conditions, two of the group elected to have their
refreshments outside, which at least allowed their drinks to cool more
rapidly! After the ride leader had adapted his map reading technique
to suit the conditions the seven descended to cross the A23 and dip
underneath the maize of railway lines just outside Streatham Common
station, following quiet roads to Tooting Bec Common. An early exit
from the Common down a narrow path neatly facilitated a route around
Balham onto the next green space: Wandsworth Common. By now the sky
had cleared and we were treated to sunshine and light snow flurries,
but no noticeable rainbow or increase in temperature! After the Common
we freewheeled (at a bit more than 10mph) into Earlsfield surviving
the road humps and the bumpy cycle path that appears for a few meters
halfway down.

The next location of note was Wimbledon Park, work is going on to
widen the path to the north west exit making it almost twice as wide
as before. Towards the end we had to make our way past the idle
machinery used in the path work, which necessitated a period off path.
On leaving the Park the ride had to contend with the ascent of Princes
Way with a regroup at the top. However, after quite a wait we only had
six breathless riders – one of the group had punctured as she exited
the Park and was awaiting assistance at the bottom of the hill.
Attempts to repair the flat were unsuccessful and she had to make her
way home via Southfields station.

By mutual consent the ride decided to go to the Telegraph for lunch, a
pub which rides have passed many times, but usually on the ride back
to Pollards Hill in the afternoon. There is a sign outside the pub
claiming that it welcomes cyclists and the consensus was that the
meals were good, delivered to the table promptly. They're a little
more expensive than the norm, and there is no satisfactory vegetarian
option, but it was thought another visit would be worthwhile. As we
eat our meal we watched the conclusion of the final of the Australian
open, the left handed Nadal beating Federer in the 5th set – arguably
the first really good left handed tennis player since John McEnroe.

After lunch the ride negotiated Tibbet's Corner underpass for the
second time, on this occasion joining the path on Putney Heath zig
zagging the many puddles and avoiding several dopey dogs. This process
continued seamlessly onto Wimbledon Common where the left fork was
missed and slight detour was taken past the Golf Clubhouse. We were
soon back en route passing Cannizaro Park and descending circuitously
towards Raynes Park Station. Here we went under the railway, across
the A298 and into Bushey Mead, where we hit the full force of the
gusting Siberian easterly wind, and as we passed the John Innes
conservation area it was decided that an early tea stop be taken at
Morden Hall Park. An almost empty cafeteria gave a demonstration of
how cold the weather was.

After tea we made our way back to Pollards Hill via Ravensbury Park,
Mitcham Cricket Green and Mitcham Eastfields station, 5 of the group
going all the way. An interesting, circular route approaching familiar
landmarks from a different direction, not going more than a few miles
away from Pollards Hill.

Out for just over 6 hours – 27.2 miles covered. (Pix coming soon!)

Report by Philip

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Ever feel you need some hard evidence when faced with grumbles about
cyclists? This is lifted straight from CTC's newsletter.....

WHICH GROUP ENDANGERS PEDESTRIANS THE MOST…

Cyclists or drivers? If you believe the tabloid press, it's often the
former. But the statistics tell a different tale. According to figures
released this week there have been 364,082 pedestrians injured by
drivers over the last ten years, compared with 2,623 injured by
cyclists. The same data shows that, as a pedestrian, you are 263 times
more likely to be killed by a driver than a cyclist – this despite the
fact that cyclists and pedestrians often share the same space and much
of motor vehicle mileage is made on motorways, where pedestrians are
prohibited.

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NEXT WEEK

Assuming it isn't still knee deep in snow, next Sunday is a very
interesting proposition. We're joining the Evans (yes, the cycle
shops) Ride It event at Sandown Park. Rather like a charity ride, you
follow the route using directional arrows, picking from a 25 mile, 50
mile or 70 mile long option. Most of us will be on the 25 mile ride.
It's not a race but if you want to, you can get your time taken to
complete the course. This won't mean much if you join most of us in
the pub halfway round for lunch!

At the same time, the Triathlon show will be taking place at Sandown
race course and you can easily make time to visit this too. There's an
entrance fee but there'll be lots of cycle stores there. Peasons
(local Sutton cycle shop who make their own bikes) will have a stand
which straight away makes this far more appealing to me than the big
corporate Cycle show at ExCeL.

On top of this, there's the options to try before you buy from a range
of Gore gear and the option to try a top of the range demo bike on the
ride for a non refundable £25 fee. Sounds steep but you'll be on a
bike worth a couple of grand! Surely that will make you go faster -
only one way to find out!

There's also a North Shore area at Sandown. If you don't know what
that is, best to stay off it! (It's a narrow wooden track for
freestyle Mountain Bikes to race around with jumps and drop-offs)

We're meeting at Wimbledon station at 9:10 for a Group Save ticket buy
to Esher (only 2 stops so very cheap). Or you can meet us at Esher at
9:39am. Everybody wanting to take part must be at Esher station. Do
not make your own way to the starting point. Jez will do a headcount
and arrange details with the organisers. Please stand to one side
until everything has been sorted. Then you will need to sign in,
collect your map and wait for the others. We'll all start together but
those who want to use this as a time trial are welcome to ride off.
The majority will stay as a group and head to the halfway pub. Note
that Jez isn't leading the ride - you follow the signage - but is just
arranging the starting details as non-PHC riders will be paying a £10
entry fee. (If this is your first ride with us, you'll need to pay the
entry fee this time - the free entry is just for those who have
previously ridden with us)

There are links to various websites on our website so do have a look.
We won't be able to repeat this offer so this is the time to try a
Ride It event.

Mark
PHC Co-ordinator
07711 688189

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