Click on the link above to contact the convenor

The decision has been made to close the Group to new members.
There is the opportunity for the formation of a second group under a Group Convenor.
Please contact the D & D Group Coordinators to register an interest in leading, or in joining a new group.

“If you want to go fast, go alone, if you want to go far, go together”

WHAT DO WE DO? Enjoy rides varying between 15 and 25 miles / from 3 to 5 hours, on bikes and e-bikes
DETAILS? Members on the mailing list will receive regular e-mail updates on future rides. Please contact the Convenor if you wish to leave the list.
All members receive a Ride notice about 10 days in advance and this includes registration instructions.

THE RIDES are mostly flat, on minor roads, Cycleways, along canal paths, in parks, sometimes bus lanes, to local and more distant destinations. Rides includes refreshment/comfort stops, and time to just chat! Some trips may use train travel, usually within the Freedom Pass network at off-peak times.
For new, or lapsed, cyclists short introductory rides can be arranged as "tasters", so it's a good way to get back into cycling and gain confidence on two wheels again.
Have you read Section 66 of the Highway Code recently (see below)?

THE GROUP has increased in numbers over the year with over 50 members, with typically twelve to sixteen on each ride. We ride in groups of 8 or fewer. We have had many great times with friendships formed.
Members of the Bike Team continue to search out new routes for the Group members to enjoy. Recce rides ensure that routes are optimised for safety and interest, and members of the Team are familiar with the route.
Tab down to read about our rides.

DATES FOR YOUR 2026 DIARY
Tuesday 21 April:  ISABELLA PLANTATION 
Friday 8 May  LONDON PARKS AND PALACES
Tuesday 19 May TBA
PREPARING FOR A RIDE, please see below

IMPORTANT TRAVEL NOTICES:
* TfL has announced that as of Monday 31 March 2025 non-folding e-bikes are not allowed on most TfL services, including the Tube, Overground, Elizabeth line and DLR.
* The western end of the Greenway is now closed until 2028 due to work being carried out by Thames Water.
* As of 9th April 2026 the Albert Bridge was completely closed to all traffic but has now been re-opened to pedestrians and cyclists
* There is now a list of London Cycleways available: London Cycleways

Here are some photos taken as we set out for a ride from Brockwell Park, off to Fulham Palace in September 2025......

RIDES COMPLETED IN 2026

7. BOAT RACE ROUTE - Friday 10 April Ride to Putney where the Boat Race starts, follow towpath to Chiswick Bridge. Back on opposite riverside. Quiet roads or small sections on busy rides with designated cycle lanes, towpath. About 23 miles, largely flat. 
For a report of the trip click on this link: Boat race

6. PASSMORE EDWARDS ROUTE -  Tuesday 24 March
John Passmore Edwards was a late 19^th century philanthropist who financed the building of nine distinctive public buildings in London. Five are south of the river and this outing takes us to them.
For a report of the trip click on this link: Passmore Edwards

5. SURREY DOCKS AND BERMONDSEY -  Friday 13 March
To Greenwich via Peckham, Burgess Park, Folkestone Gardens and Deptford. Follow the Thames Path around the Rotherhithe Peninsula, Salt Quay, Brunel Museum, the Mayflower Pub, King Edward III Manor House (ruins), Salter statues.
For a report of the trip click on this link: Surrey Commercial Docks

4. WATERLINK WAY AND GREENWICH -  Tuesday 24 February
From Dulwich Park to Camberwell New Cemetery to join the Waterlink Way through Ladywell, Lewisham and on to Greenwich. The return is along the Thames path passing by Greenland Dock to Canada Water, then to Southwark Park and to Burgess Park, then via the Surrey Canal Path to Peckham Rye and back to Dulwich Park. 
For a report of the trip click on this link: Waterlink Way

3. THE LONDON LIGHTHOUSE  / TRINITY BUOY- Tuesday 17 February
Quiet roads via Tower Bridge to St Katharine Docks for coffee and then through Wapping and on to the Bow River and London Lighthouse / Trinity Buoy for lunch. Route back via East India Dock basin, Canary Wharf (West India Quay) and Super Cycle Highway to return via Blackfriars.
For a report of the trip click on this link: Trinity Light / London Lighthouse

2. MORDEN HALL PARK - Friday 13 February   
Ride to Wimbledon, Morden Hall Park, back along River Wandle. Quiet roads, short sections on busier roads, paths through parks, a stretch of walking in a park. About 18 miles. Largely flat, a few steady inclines. 
For a report of the trip click on this link: Morden Hall Park

1. BURGESS PARK EXPLORED - Friday 16 January:
A short ride open to all, but which will suit those who are less experienced, or who are just returning to cycling. A much-loved park frequently visited by us on route to further destinations but not often explored. We will look for some interesting features of the park, evidence of its industrial and cultural past  ---   including three houses that are to be found beside the lake
For a report of the trip click on this link: Burgess Park

RIDES COMPLETED IN 2025:

25. SOUTH LONDON PARKS – A CHRISTMAS RIDE -  Tuesday 2 December
South London is well served by its beautiful parks. On this ride we will visit several of them, and some other well-known landmarks. Starting at Dulwich Park to Peckham Rye Park, the Old Nun’s Head pub, Bermondsey Spa Gardens, Southwark Park, the Ada Salter Garden, Burgess Park, and back to Brockwell Park. At the end of the ride there is a Christmas social.
For a report of the trip click on this link: South London Parks

24. BROMPTON CEMETERY AND CHELSEA SIGHTS. - Friday 21 November
Via Clapham Common, Battersea, Worlds End, to West Brompton Cemetery, a Royal Park and one of the Magnificent Seven Cemeteries; time to explore the cemetery and learn about the famous people buried there. Stop at the Café North Lodge at the Cemetery, where there is a good selection of sandwiches and cakes to buy.  Return is via Chelsea, visiting The Bolton's, Crosby Moran Hall, Ropers Gardens, Chelsea Old Church, Chelsea Physic Garden, Henry VIII' s Manor House and the new Chelsea Quay.
For a report of the trip click on this link: Brompton Cemetery and Chelsea

23. FOOTSTEPS OF VAN GOGH - Tuesday 4 November
Vincent van Gogh lived at 87 Hackford Road, Stockwell between 1873-74. He was transferred from The Hague branch of the Goupil and Company (art dealers) to the London Branch in Covent Garden, Southampton Street at the age of 20.  We will follow in Vincent's footsteps, he walked daily to Covent Garden from Hackford Road to Kennington Park and on to Covent Garden (not visited).
For a report of the trip click on this link: Van Gogh

22. ROTHERHITHE AND BERMONDSEY - Friday 24 October.
To Greenwich via Burgess Park, Folkestone Gardens and Deptford, Thames Path around the Rotherhithe Peninsula, Peter the Great, Salt Quay, Brunel Museum, the Mayflower Pub, King Edward III Manor House (ruins), Salter statues. Lunch in Southwark Park.
For a report of the trip click on this link: Rotherhithe and Bermondsey

21. CHISWICK HOUSE AND HOGARTH HOUSE -Tuesday 7 October.
Cycle and train. Via Thames Path to  Wandsworth, Putney and Hammersmith Bridge; visit to Hogarth’s House and Chiswick Gardens & House. Return by train to Clapham Junction.
For a report of the trip click on this link Chiswick and Hogarth House

20. SCULPTURES IN THE CITY -Friday 26 September
Gentle cycling through to Hyde Park, on to Regent's Park where we will make our way to the English Garden to see the Sculptures on show for Frieze 2025. This is a fun outdoor display held annually.
For a report of the trip click on this link .Frieze Ride

19. FULHAM PALACE -  Tuesday 9 September
A medium ride on quiet roads, parks, a few stretches on urban roads largely with cycle lanes, Thames path, crossing Putney Bridge. A stop for coffee and lunch at Fulham Palace where there is a lovely garden with seats and a cafe.  A tour around the Palace, home to the Bishops of London for over 1,400 years.
For a report of the trip click on this link: Fulham Palace

18. BEDDINGTON PARK AND THE RIVER WANDLE - Friday 29 August
A long ride starting at Brockwell Park, heading through the outskirts of Streatham to Mitcham Common where we cut across on a track that is bumpy and off-road to Beddington Park and Carew Manor (18c rebuild, original dating from Tudor times). We will then join Wandle to Morden Hall and continue on the Wandle to Earlsfield, Wandsworth Common, Clapham Common and Brockwell Park. 

17. WIMBLEDON TO WEYBRIDGE - Tuesday 12 August
A ride from Wimbledon Station, Wimbledon  Common, Richmond Park, Ham, then via Thames Path, Teddington, Kingston, Hampton Court , Sunbury and Walton on Thames to Weybridge.
For a report of the trip click on this link: Wimbledon to Weybridge

16.  WATERLOO CHURCHES - Friday 1 August
A tour round three of the four Waterloo churches in the borough of Lambeth, and a visit to the Crossbones Graveyard and Garden of Remembrance.
For a report of the trip click this link: Waterloo churches

15. BRIGHTON SEAFRONT - Tuesday 15 July
Meet at Brighton Station. Seafront ride to Rottingdean and visit the Kipling Garden. Return to Hove station for return train ride.

14. WALTHAMSTOW MARSHES - Friday 4 July  
Train and cycle mixed ride.  By train from Liverpool Street station to Enfield Lock (the Freedom Pass is valid, no need to buy a train ticket), then along Lea Navigation to (remains of) Waltham Abbey; visit to Abbey church (11^th century). Coffee stop. Return via Lea Navigation, with lunch / picnic stop, to Limehouse and cycle via CS3 to Burgess Park OR train from Shadwell to Clapham Junction / Crystal Palace / Denmark Hill

13. WOOLWICH FERRY AND GREENWAY - Tuesday 17 June
Peckham Library, to Deptford and Greenwich, past the Thames Barrier to the Woolwich ferry. Across the Steve Redgrave Bridge with a view of London City airport, past East London University; scenic route through Becton Park to the Greenway - a paved path built over a Bazalgette sewage outfall pipe. Join the River Lea to Three Mills  and Limehouse Cut, lunch stop at the Cody Dock. CS3 back to Blackfriars Bridge and finish back at Burgess and Brockwell Parks.
For a report of the trip click this link: Woolwich Ferry and Greenway

12. HYDE PARK, REGENT'S CANAL, BOSTON MANOR - Friday 6 June 
Ride to Hyde Park then Paddington Station. Elizabeth Line train to Southall (within Oyster and Freedom Pass zone), Grand Union Canal, Boston Manor, Chiswick, Chelsea, Battersea Park. Quiet roads, short sections on busier roads, paths through parks, canal path. Two lifts are needed at Paddington Station, go to Platform B for Elizabeth Line train to Southall. Grand Union Canal to Boston Manor House.
For a report of the trip click this link: Boston Manor

For earlier rides, tab down and click on 2025 Bike Group Rides.

PREPARING FOR A RIDE
Ensure your bike is road-ready with the ABC check = AIR (tyre pressure correct); BRAKES (in working order); CHAIN and gears.
Bring with you:
• Hi-vis vest and cycle helmet; for safety these are to be worn while riding
• Freedom Pass
• Mobile phone, charged, with contact number for the Ride Leader(s)
• Face mask (optional)
• Water
• Working lights on the bike
• A spare inner tube for your wheel size (optional)
• Packed lunch (optional)
Please note that by signing up for a ride, members agree to comply with the Guidance Notes issued.

SENSIBLE PRECAUTIONS. It is recommended that Riders:
(1) attach a label to their helmet with details of someone to be contacted in an emergency, and
(2) designate someone on their phone as an emergency contact; this information (only) can be accessed by the ride leader, if needed.

Please note that during the ride photographs may be taken for inclusion as “thumbnails” in a report of the event, for posting on the U3A website. If you do not wish to appear in a photograph please contact the Convenor privately.

IMPORTANT NOTICES:
* TfL has announced that as of Monday 31 March 2025 non-folding e-bikes are not allowed on most TfL services, including the Tube, Overground, Elizabeth line and DLR.
* The western end of the Greenway is now closed until 2028 due to work being carried out by Thames Water.
* There is now a list of London Cycleways available: London Cycleways

EXERCISE IN OLDER PEOPLE: How exercise in old age prevents the immune system from declining.
If you did not see this BBC article, it's worth reading! https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-43308729

USEFUL CYCLING TIPS
1. For anyone wanting a useful App to find a cycle route in London, try CycleStreets.
2. Keep your tyres fully inflated. It saves punctures, and also makes for easier riding. Make sure you know the recommended tyre pressure - it's on the tyre, or ask at any cycle shop.
3. Carry a spare inner tube for your bike. Not all bike shops carry all sizes.
4. You can now report pot-holes on the Cycling UK website: https://www.cyclinguk.org/campaign/fill-hole

HIGHWAY CODE The Highway Code was updated in 2022 with a section for cyclists. Rule 66 is particularly relevant.
You should:
- avoid any actions that could reduce your control of your cycle
- be considerate of the needs of other road users when riding in groups. You can ride two abreast and it can be safer to do so, particularly in larger groups or when accompanying children or less experienced riders. Be aware of drivers behind you and allow them to overtake (for example, by moving into single file or stopping) when you feel it is safe to let them do so.
- not ride close behind another vehicle in case it stops suddenly
- not carry anything which will affect your balance or may get tangled up with your wheels or chain
- be considerate of other road users, particularly blind and partially sighted pedestrians, and horse riders (see Rule H1). Let them know you are there when necessary, for example, by calling out or ringing your bell if you have one. It is recommended that a bell be fitted.
The Highway Code is available on-line at Highway Code

John Clements, Group Convenor. Updated: April 2026

RIDE REPORTS FROM EARLIER YEARS:

• 2021 Bike Group Rides
• 2022 Bike Group Rides
• 2023 Bike Group Rides
• 2024 Bike Group Rides
• 2025 Bike Group Rides
• 2026 Bike Group Rides

OTHER LINKS:

• Highway Code 2023
  
• History of the Telegraph on Putney Heath