Elmbridge Cycle Group

Last Sunday the clouds lifted for a few hours, the rain held off and we had one of the best rides yet.

A record seventeen people turned up, all ages, from far and wide (and Woking) and inevitably a couple of people on a tandem. We set off on the challenge to find the best route to Kingston.

At a leisurly pace we arrived in Kingston less that an hour later having avoided most of the busy roads and all of the hills. The route was shorter than the towpath along the Thames, being more direct. We avoided the hills around Esher by passing to the north following the line of the railway. Quiet side roads until Hersham when the route goes off road through the back of Esher and on through Thames Ditton. We rejoined the main Portsmouth Road before Surbiton where it has a good cycle lane all the way into the middle of Kingston.

From there we rolled slowly through the busy waterside area and joined the towpath to the north of Kingston. Arriving at Teddington lock we crossed the river on the footbridge and arrived at the Anglers for lunch.

The hog roast was popular, and accompanied by a cold beer, it met with widespread approval.

Our return route took us along Teddington High Street, through Bushy Park and then back along the towpath all the way to Weybridge. Arriving back just in time to beat the rain.

Thank you to everyone who came along. It was a great ride and a good day out. I hope to see all of you again on the next one.