The Bike Group Report for 2024
About ten new members have joined, new friendships have formed, and new routes explored
The year saw a further increase in the number of members, from 45 to 54, the largest group in the organisation.  The “Chattering Cyclists” were out and about with 25 rides competed, a mix of old favourites, visiting Orleans House, Chiswick Park, a May outing to the Isabella Plantation with glorious displays of azaleas; a ride along Brighton seafront  to the Kipling Gardens at Rottingdean; and two outdoor art displays - “Sculptures in the City”, and “The Frieze” in Regents Park. New destinations, fully researched by members,  were Weybridge, Nonsuch Park and Millwall Docks.
The year finished with a local ride around the Blue plaques before the Group social at the home of Group members.
In reviewing the year, the Bike Team have developed advice to members on staying safe, and an application has been made to D&D u3a for modest funding to equip all ride leaders with a First Aid kit, to be available on all rides.
This continues to be a team effort and I want to thank those who have researched and led rides during the year. In no particular order: Niesje; Joe & Jane Denise & John; Andrew & Mary;. Thank you to all.
A list of all rides is now available to see, with links to the individual reports. Just click on the link in the links below.

Rides in 2024

1. WIMBLEDON, MORDEN HALL AND THE WANDLE TRAIL - Friday 19 January
Wimbledon, Raynes Park, Morden Hall and the River Wandle
For a report of the trip click this link: Wandle Trail

2. BERMONDSEY AND ROTHERHITHE - Tuesday 30 January
A ride down river from the Salter statues to Surrey Water and Salt Quay
For a report of the trip click this link: Bermondsey

WINDMILLS. - Friday 16 February
A visit to two or three of the surviving windmills in the local area, and a visit to the home of a WW2 spy-catcher
The ride is across Clapham and Wandsworth Commons, a coffee stop at the Skylark, and then via the back street of Battersea to Battersea Park.
For a report of the trip click this link: Windmills

4. CATHEDRALS OF LONDON - Tuesday 27 February
Ride around six of the Cathedrals of London on quiet roads or small sections of busy rides with designated cycle lanes. 19 miles and very flat .
For a report of the trip click this link: Cathedrals

5. CHUMLEIGH GARDENS; SHORT RIDE – Tuesday 5 March
Dulwich Park to Peckham and Burgess Park, Chumleigh Gardens

6. BOAT RACE ROUTE -Friday 15 March
Thames Path Wandsworth Putney, Mortlake, across Chiswick Bridge, return north side To Bishop’s Park for lunch, then return via Albert Bridge
For a report of the trip click this link: Boat Race

7. WATERLINK WAY TO GREENWICH - Tuesday 26 March
Dulwich Park to Camberwell cemeteries and joining Waterline Way route to Ladywell and Greenwich. Return on Cycleway 4 to Canada Water and Southwark Park
For a report of the trip click this link: Waterlink Way 2024

8 - RIVER WANDLE AND BEDDINGTON PARK - Friday 12 April
Clapham and Wandsworth Commons to the River Wandle and Beddington Park and Carey Manor with links to the Tudors
For a report of the trip click this link:  Wandle & Morden Hall

9. ISABELLA PLANTATION - Tuesday 23 April
Clapham and Wandsworth Common to Roehampton and Richmond Park to Isabella Plantation, then to Teddington.
For a report of the trip click this link: Richmond Park

10. GRAND UNION CANAL AND BOSTON MANOR - Friday 10 May
Via Hyde Park to Paddington, on the Elizabeth Line to Southall, the on the. Grand Union Canal to Brentford and on to Boston Manor Park
For a report of the trip click this link: Boston Manor

11. WOOLWICH FERRY AND THE GREENWAY - Tuesday 21 May
Denmark Hill and train to Canada Water, across the Greenwich Peninsula to Woolwich and the ferry; across Becton Park to the Greenway, to Cody Dock, Limehouse Cut and return.

12. SURREY CANAL AND COMMERCIAL DOCKS- Friday 7 June
Trace the route of the Grand Surrey Canal and explore the Surrey Commercial Docks. Follow the canal route along Surrey Canal Road; Deptford Park, through Platinum Jubilee Gardens and Greenland Dock; Russia Dock Woodland and Stave Hill, Globe Pond, Salt Quay, Surrey Water to Canada Water. To Southwark Park (lunch stop). Return to Burgess or Brockwell Park
For a report of the trip click this link: Surrey Canal

13. ORLEANS HOUSE -Tuesday 18 June
Meet at Clapham Junction Station for train to Mortlake (coffee).Thames Path (South) to Hammerton’s Ferry at Ham House Ferry Terminal Orleans House Gallery (lunch); Marble Hill Park; Thames Path (North); Silverhall Park; Syon Lane Station and return to Clapham Junction.
For a report of the trip click this link: Orleans House

14 LOCAL PARKS – Friday 28 June
Visiting Dulwich Park, Peckham Rye, Burgess Park, Chumleigh Gardens, Myatts Field, Elam Street Open Space and Ruskin Park

15. CITY GARDENS - Friday 5 July
Garden Museum, Dean's Yard, Hyde Park, Regents Canal, Regent's Park (lunch), Brunswick Square, Phoenix Garden, return via Waterloo Bridge.
For a report of the trip click this link: City Garden

16. BRIGHTON Tuesday 16 July
Seafront ride from Brighton Station to Rottingdean and Shoreham
For a report of the trip click this link: Brighton

17 OLYMPIC. PARK – Friday 2 August
Train assisted ride to Victoria and Olympic Parks and return via Limehouse
For a report of the trip click this link: Olympic Park

18 BLUE PLAQUES Tuesday 13 August
A local ride to discover some of the blue plaques to well-known residents
For a report of the trip click this link: Blue Plaques

19. NONSUCH PARK - Friday 30 August
Nonsuch Park for coffee. Then on to Morden Hall for lunch. Follow Wandle trail to Colliers Wood and then back through Furzedown, Streatham and across to Tulse Hill and Herne Hill via Valley Road.

20 SCULPTURE IN THE CITY - Tuesday 8 October
A tour of 17 sites of pieces of street sculptures around the City of London and a chance to see some of the landmarks (the Gherkin, Cheesegrater (Leadenhall building), the Scalpel, Lloyds, St Helens medieval church, St Andrew Undershaft Church.
For a report of the trip click this link: Sculpture

21. FRIEZE SCULPTURES, REGENTS PARK - Friday 11 October,
A ride to Regents Park to view the art installations in this temporary exhibition
For a report of the trip click this link:  Frieze in the Park

22 WIMBLEDON STATION TO WEYBRIDGE, - Friday 25 October 
A ride from Wimbledon along the Thames Path to Weybridge; 20 miles.
For a report of the trip click this link: Weybridge

23 MILLWALL DOCKS VIA GREENWICH TUNNEL  - Tuesday 5 November.
A new destination, Via Greenwich and the Foot Tunnel to the Isle of Dogs, the launch site of Brunel’s “Great Eastern”, Millwall Docks, and return via Limehouse.
For a report of the trip click this link: Millwall docks

24 MILLWALL DOCKS VIA GREENWICH TUNNEL  - Friday 22 November Repeat
Via Greenwich and the Foot Tunnel to the Isle of Dogs, the launch site of Brunel’s “Great Eastern”, Millwall Docks, and return via Limehouse
 
25. CHRISTMAS RIDE - Tuesday 3 December 
A ride around the Blue plaques in our area
fFor a report of the trip click this link: Christmas ride