Hi folks,

Those looking for a ride still managed to get out on their bikes. Today's Pollards Hill Ride relocated today to start at Clapham Junction Station to meet up with Martin who led another one of his 'urban mystery' rides. 

This time 8 riders participated on this quirky ride up through Leafy Putney & Barn Elms riverside paths. We tehn continued up through Hammersmith, Ravenscourt Park, East Acton, across Uxbridge Rd & into the asian heartland of Neasden where we made a first stop at the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir Hindu Temple, the largest Hindu Temple outside India (when it was completed in 1995 by volunteers). It's a vary serene place that welcome everyone, including visitors. Unfortunately, there wasn't any consideration for cycle parking and it took a while for the 8 of us to lock our bikes together and unlock them afterwards. 

After this we headed northwards further into Neasden which is horribly cut up by Urban dual carriage ways and very little compensation is given to cyclists trying to cross them.  We also stumbled across a 'sterilized zone' following a fatal shooting earlier that day which disorientated me and we lost our way trying to refind the slip road into the Welsh Harp reservoir and park. We ended up having lunch in a very affordable indian restaurant in West Hendon which we had all to ourselves. There was a beauty parlor next door, complete with a made up massage bed, chairs etc and curiously connecting doors. 

Following that we headed down the A5, over the North Circular and as it was starting to rain, I decided to drop detour towards Dollis Hill and into Gladstone Park where the Stables Arts Centre is located, a converted stables for horses heading northwards up the old Great North Rd (now the A5). There was a private view of a curious mini sculpture show called 'Whispers of Old Town' based on old historical locations now long forgotten. on with plenty of wine flowing. 

It was still raining when we left so we headed on the most direct route southwards through north west London suburbs and the neighbourhoods gradually got more prosperous as we headed southwards. We cycled through some unfamiliar regions of north LOndon including: Wilesden Green, Brondesbury Park, Kensal Rise, Kensal Town, where we picked up a stretch of the Paddington Canal to Trellick Tower, designed by Erno Goldfinger, Portobello Rd (which is annoyingly one way for almost all its length), Notting Hill, Kensington,  Chelsea, over Battersea Bridge and into Clapham Junction Station car park. 

Distance  travelled (from Clapham Junction) 28 miles.   

Next week's ride starts at Pollards Hill, in the car park by thelibrary. John will lead on a new route to Claygate, the isolated village annexed by the A3. The pub there has always welcomed us and it's an interesting mix of urban and rural riding. Be ready for a 9:30am departure.

Martin todays ride coordinator.

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