Here's this week's reports and news. It contains important news
regarding an incident on today's ride so please make sure you read all
of it. Thanks...

===

RIDE REPORT
Shepperton Riverside 09/08/09

23 riders assembled outside Wimbledon train station on a warm sunny
morning and set-off along an LCN route through Raynes Park and New
Malden to Kingston. Following the cycleway around the north side of
Kingston, we arrived at Kingston Bridge and turned onto the north
Thames towpath to Hampton Court. The sun was fully up by now with
activity by the riverside and on the river beginning to liven up.

After a pleasant peaceful ride in the sunshine we arrived at Hampton
Court and went to the Tiltyard cafe for coffee and cakes, where
another two riders joined us bringing our number to 25. With coffee
and cakes finished and sun-tan lotion applied, we turned onto the
south Thames towpath via Hampton Court bridge and began a leisurely
trundle towards Shepperton. A glorious day by the river was also being
enjoyed by other cyclists, walkers, trotting dogs, picnickers and
dozing fishermen. Coming by Walton bridge, 3 riders decided to get
over the river using the roadway, whilst the rest of us carried on
towards the ferry which we found with no difficulty.

The ferryman didn't flinch when told that we were 22 in number and
quickly made the three trips necessary to get us all across. Just a
few hundred yards further on we found our chosen pub stop, the Thames
Court at Shepperton. After locking our bikes to the railings outside
we set about ordering food and drinks on what was obviously a very
busy Sunday lunchtime session. The wait for food wasn't as long as
some of us had feared, the food was good and reasonably priced, with
service by efficient, polite young staff.

Suitably fed and watered, we used the roads to Walton bridge to return
to the south Thames towpath and enjoyed again the peaceful rustic
charm of the riverside. The sun was still proudly blazing away at this
point and most riders were getting a tan, as we came to Hampton Court
a little early for tea, so we pressed on to Bushey Park. Coming out of
the park by way of Cobblers Walk, we came around the edge of Kingston
onto a quiet LCN route through Motspur Park and West Barnes. A few
occasions when 1 or 2 riders overtook the ride leader and sped off
with other riders inadvertently following caused some difficulties and
was the main reason why the afternoon tea-stop turn off was missed. We
pressed on past Raynes Park and Wimbledon Chase where three riders
turned off to take a short-cut home, with the rest of us returning to
Wimbledon station before going our separate ways.

32 miles, out for 7hrs. See the pix on Flickr at

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pollardshillcyclists/sets/72157621993323994
or
http://tinyurl.com/phc068

Report by Mike. Pix by Jim

NOTE: The Shepperton ferry has existed for 500 years and is a request
service, summoned by ringing a bell attached to a wooden post. Those
familiar with HG Wells' War Of The Worlds will know it as the scene of
an attack by the Martians:
http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_War_of_the_Worlds/Book_1/Chapter_12

===

RIDE CONDUCT

It was tremendously disappointing to hear from a couple of riders and
from Mike's report that this afternoon was spoilt by riders trying to
force the pace, riding off ahead of the leader and causing the
carefully planned afternoon stop to be missed. I don't know who it was
but I will be very clear here - if you don't like the pace of our
rides, go and find one that suits your ability. We list plenty of
clubs on our Resources pages and almost all of them ride quicker than
we do.

We work very hard to plan the rides and as we don't publish the route
in advance, I don't know how anyone can think they know where we are
going to the extent that they ride ahead of the leader. In future,
this will not be tolerated and perpetrators will be advised of more
suitable clubs.

The only exception is riding uphill where leaders may drop back to
help pace any slower riders. In this instance, you must wait in a safe
place at the brow of the hill and you must not agitate for the ride to
move on. The leader will decide when to move off. Photographers can
also take vantage points ahead of the leader if we are on straight
stretches of road.

---

I need to remind the slower riders that you should not ride at the
rear of the group. You need to be first to move off after a stop and
you need to be behind the leader so we can pace the ride properly.
Riding at the back causes the ride to split. Do not think you are
holding people up as we always go at the speed of the slowest rider,
regardless. If you drop back as the ride progresses, don't worry. When
we stop, make your way back to the front. I need people to get used to
doing this themselves as we do not want to be directing riders like we
are a school group.

---

If everybody can adhere to the two points above and remember to take
responsibility for the rider behind you, waiting at junctions where
necessary, the rides will progress without problems. If anybody is
unsure what they need to do, ask the leader who will be able to
explain this to you.

===

PHC PICNIC

On Bank Holiday Monday 31st August, we are hosting a stall in Morden
Park as part of the Change For Life festival. I am going to request
that we have a corner stall so that we can host a picnic. Everybody on
the list will be welcome. Just make your own way to the park (not
Morden HALL Park!) and set up camp near our stall. Pedal4Health are
hopefully running some rides from a stall adjacent to ours so you can
tootle off on your bike if you've eaten all your sandwiches. Aim for a
midday arrival and we'll keep an eye on the bikes at the stall.

===

RIDE REPORT
The 4th Plinth 02/08/09

Robert has submitted an excellent (and lengthy!) report from last
week's alternative to the Bristol ride.....

The day had finally arrived for the PHC Bristol ride. 4 adventurous
riders set off from the Pollards library for an alternative AD-HOC
jaunt. Weather look fine, better than the previous day, a joint
discussion took place and a ride into central London and to the 4th
plinth situated in Trafalgar Square was voted upon.

Headed off in the direction of Streatham Common station with Peckham
Rye cafe as the 1st port of call for the morning coffee break. Rode
through the grounds of BEAUBERRY HOUSE Dulwich, built 1785 in the
style of Robert Adams for a wealthy corn merchant of Whitechapel and
now a posh nosh eating establishment. Continued into traffic free
Dulwich Park, now restored to its former Victorian glory with lottery
funds. The park already busy with families taking advantage of a
glorious Sunday morning.

Peckham Rye cafe offered ourselves a chance to indulge in teas, cakes,
croissants and toast. Butter obligatory even if not required. Memories
of Jack Nichcolson's attempt to order food as seen in FIVE EASY
PIECES. All in all good food quick and pleasant service for our
al-fresco extended break. After all it is a Sunday leisure ride.

Next on our list of things to see the quite amazing statue of PETER
the GREAT situated in Deptford-Thames Path-to commemorate his landing
there to learn about the craft of English ship building. 1 rider
volunteered to sit on Peter's throne to be King for 15 minutes while
photographs were taken.

Continuing Westwards along Thames Path reached Surrey Docks City Farm
Rotherhithe with its array of various real animals and hand crafted
arty ones. Giving morning salutations to an elderly couple-puffing
away on ciggies-one of our group was asked 'do I know you?' Enquiring
where we had all journeyed from and saying Croydon area, the woman
went on to say that she, being Bermondsey born and bred, had family
living close to Croydon. West Wickham in fact and only about 5 mins
from were 1 of the riders themselves lived. This couples' son was
working in the farms cafe. Photographs taken, hands shaken with them
both, the husband having grown up along Tommy Steele an early English
Rock n' Roller and the entertainer of the 1950's and 60's Max Bygraves
of I'm a Pink toothbrush fame. People of a certain age shall know the
song.

Now running late we try to make up for lost time, as we stop once more
for photographs this time of an imposing river shot of Tower Bridge
another local approaches us and before long he he telling members of
the group about his childhood days playing amongst the Spitfires and
Lancaster bombers as they parked up at Croydon Airport, before flying
off for action over Germany. Asking also one member of our group about
the pubs situated along Surrey Street Croydon. Now we are running
really late, so a quick dash towards Central London and a swift ride
over Waterloo Bridge turning into The Strand and at last Trafalgar
Square and our first glimpse of the now famous 4th plinth.

Walking the bikes through and around the massed bands of tourists plus
a gathering of Steel bands, competing as to who could make the loudest
noise, we eventually arrived close by and alongside the by now world
wide famed 4th plinth. The on-the-hour changeover had just taken
place, so out came our lunchtime snacks and cameras to observe and
maybe to be observed also.

The living sculpture that we saw was in the form of a 'Queen Bee'
busily buzzing around and proclaiming to the world the very serious
issue, the demise of the bee population and the threat of lack of
pollination to various crops. 1/3 of all crops are pollinated by these
humble but very important insects.

Lunch ended just as the new artist was raised and then lowered on to
the plinth. This time it was a woman showing off her skills at
curling. Though one member of the group did wonder where the ice was!

The sculptor, Anthony Gormley creator of the Angel of the North, came
up with the idea on how best to utilise the 4th plinth which has
always remained empty of any permanent statue. His idea was to let
ordinary people become the living work of art themselves - to be
famous not just for 15 minutes of fame but for one whole hour. The
result is that over the period of 100 days until early October 2400
people shall have this opportunity to be living artworks. Every hour
on the hour day and night, wet or dry, sunny or cloudy, some brave
soul is up there doing their thing. It's not too late to apply, it's
being done on a draw basis on www.oneandother.co.uk. The strange thing
is a type of deja vu, logged on the check correct web address and
another bee is on the plinth. These bees certainly buzzing around
Trafalgar Square.

As the images from the Square are a live stream and backed up and
archived, did look to if any of the group had been captured live. But
luckly for all, no is the answer. Homeward bound now, cycling along
The Mall and towards Buckingham Palace headed towards the river
crossing of Chelsea Bridge.

Into Battersea Park then a few twists and turns found ourselves on
Clapham Common. Few short miles further on as Norbury approached
riders started to disperse and 2 made it back to Pollards Hill
library. A grand day out.

No punctures and only one quick look at the map was required. A great
team effort for the days ride.

30 miles covered. Out for 7 hours. See some pix here:

http://sports.webshots.com/album/573855727STYZAW

===

NEXT WEEK

Those interested in midweek August rides should email me to be placed
on the temporary extra list. There's a ride on Tuesday where we will
be catching a train from Wimbledon to Guildford. Meet at 9:30am but
please mail to say you are coming for this particular ride. No need to
announce your intentions for weekend rides.

There's a couple of rides next Saturday. First up is a 10:30am
departure from the library at Pollards Hill to visit the allotments at
Spa Hill. It's their annual open day and you don't need to be green
fingered to enjoy looking around their site and enjoying a drink at
their cafe.

In the afternoon, make your way down to Beddington Park for the
easy-going monthly amble. 2pm departure from the cafe and more details
on the website: http://www.pollardshillcyclists.org.uk/beddingtonpark

The Sunday ride will be a picturesque rural ride linking some
brilliant routes with parts of the Yew Tree Way, the Forest Way, lunch
near Pooh Corner and afternoon tea at pretty Chiddingstone. We're
starting from Edenbridge station at 9:55. Meet outside the CEX shop at
East Croydon station at 9am for the Group Save ticket buy. Fares could
be as low as £2.90 but latecomers will be on their own as we need to
join the queue at 9am sharp. Those wanting a fast ride should stay
away as this is likely to be a short train and I don't want to
overcrowd it with people who aren't happy with our pace. We don't do
fast rides.

What is the CEX shop? http://tinyurl.com/cexcroydon Meet behind the 2
grey noticeboards.

Mark
PHC Co-ordinator
07711 688189

http://www.pollardshillcyclists.org.uk
http://www.southlondoncyclists.org.uk (use it or lose it)