Thames Bridges Bike Ride 2011

London, England - Sunday 22-May-2011

Our fourth participation in the Thames Bridges Bike Ride in aid of The Stroke Association - 14 bridges and 33 miles.

We don't ask for sponsorship for every event to prevent donor-fatigue amongst our friends. Instead we sponsor each other for the suggested fund-raising target, that way we can support the charity and the charity can claim the tax relief. We save the begging emails for the big events.


Start at Southwark Park

Mary signed us up for the 8 o'clock start (!). Public transport is not really fully operational at that time on a Sunday so we set the alarm for 6 and cycled the 7.5 miles to the start point.


Start at Southwark Park

We were in the first batch across the start line and consequently amongst the early arrivals at the end point just beyond Hampton Court. We did the route in a riding time of 2:53 consequently we were all done by 11. Then it was a well deserved cup of tea with Jamaican jerk chicken with red beans and rice.


Finish at Hurst Park

Previously: Thames Bridges

Thames Bridges Bike Ride 2008

Fourteen bridges, 33 miles in aid of The Stroke Association along with 2000+ other riders.

As I wrote earlier ("Cash Rich, Time Poor") for Mum's 83rd birthday "We took our bikes with us on the train and on the way back we cycled 30 miles but that is another story..." So here is the story:

Instead of catching the train back we donned our cycling gear and pedalled off. The first part of the journey was along the new national cycle route 22. This took us along a delightful valley running parallel with the Hog's Back as far as Guildford.

There we picked up the River Wey Navigation. It started off with a proper tow path but as we got into open country it degenerated into meadow. Cycling over tussocks is hard work and our average speed plummeted. By the time we reached Weybridge we had covered 30 miles and it was starting to get dusk. So we hopped on a train for the rest of the homeward journey. That had always been the plan we just weren't sure which station.

Then Friday just gone Mary said "Let's not cycle home for gym and yoga followed by a fish supper. Let's cycle past Wandsworth and keep going to Kingston!" So that is what we did.

A very pleasant 20 mile commute along the Thames Path arriving knackered at KOT about 8 o'clock. We dined at Frere Jacques, looking a little put of place in our cycling gear, then caught the train home.

Sunday was what all this training was for. Up at our normal weekday time along with our friend Lynn to cycle up to Clapham Junction, train to Waterloo and cycle to the start line. We were on the very first batch over the line unfortunately we only got as far as the first bridge, Tower, when Mary's bike took a puncture :-( that lost us some time but we were soon on our way.

After that is was the same routine as previous years: cycle, pit stop, cycle, pit stop, finish and go to the Bell for lunch and a well deserved pint (or two), then train home. All in all we did over 40 miles.

Clapham Junction at 07:15

At the start

Puncture at Tower Bridge

Richmond Park

Rest stop

Over the finish line

Helmet hair style

See http://www.flickr.com/photos/8179454@N02/sets/72157605025427055/ for a fuller set of larger images.

Thames Bridges 2007
Thames Bridges 2006

Charity Double Header

Sunday was all a bit hectic as we had signed up for the Stroke Association's Thames Bridges Bike Ride* and then Oddbins announced their annual wine fair** (all proceeds to charity) for the same weekend! What to do? Forget the bike ride? Start and wimp out halfway through? In the end Mary had a stroke of logistical genius: activate the Emergency Drinking Trousers (pat pending). So this it how it went:

Thames Bridges Bike Ride: Sunday morning we got up early so we could cycle to Clapham, got the train to Waterloo and cycled to the start line at Tower Bridge in order to be first away over the line at 8 o'clock. We were in the very first batch. We then cycled 32 miles over 16 bridges in 3 hours dead arriving at Hampton Court at 11:00.

Intermission: We then caught the 11:35 to Waterloo where we chained up our bikes on platform 16 and changed into our day clothes in the public loos. Lunch was a sandwich on the train. Hopped into a taxi and off to the Design Centre, Islington.

Oddbin's Wine Fair: As usual we started with champagnes; tasted about 17 and the Billecart-Salmon was this year's NV winner with an honourable mention for the Charles Lafitte. I cannot find my notes so cannot recall which was the vintage winner - ah found them - the Veuve Clicquot.

We then attended a master class on New Zealand Pinot Noir. Very educational and the best of the bunch was the Murdoch James "Fraser" Martinborough 2004. The rest of the afternoon tasting at will until it was time to stagger home with out friend John. Though, truth to tell, he was staggering more then we were!

* Previously:
Got the T-shirt
In Training for Charity Bike Ride 2
In Training for Charity Bike Ride

** Previously:
"Oddbin's Wine Fair 2006"
"Drinking for charity - It's a dirty job but..." (2004)
"Amethystos (under the counter)" (2005).

Got the t-shirt

Yesterday we completed the Thames Bridges Bike Ride 2006 in 3 hours 12 minutes and raised GBP 1,260 for the Stroke Association. Thank you to all our sponsors for their generosity.

Not only did we cycle the 32 miles but we also cycled from Waterloo station to the start, from the finish line to the pub, from the pub back to Hampton Court station and from Earlsfield station back home. Phew!

It was a good day for it weather wise: not raining, not too hot. We were booked for a 9:30 start as the organisers offered staggered start slots. Because of the Sunday train service we were early and scanned through the start gate by 8:30 making our target of The Bell Inn by 1 o'clock easy-peasy.

We normally cycle at around 13 to 15 mph but were hoping for an average 10 allowing for pit stops and clambering over bridges where the bike has to be carried. At one point Mary reached 29.7 mph on a long downhill but had to brake for a gate or she would have been in danger of breaking the speed limit!

The ride itself was uneventful and not too crowded as we were in the with the early riders. The highlights for me were the free Mars bar at the third pit stop and the fish and chips at the pub afterwards. I cannot remember how long it is since I ate either of these "delicacies". Oh, yes and a pint and a half of Old Peculier.

Our sponsors pledged a total of GBP 630 which we matched as promised. Now all we have to do is wait for next year's date to be announced.

In training for the charity bike ride (2)

Not content with cycling to work, doing a full day's work and cycling home again Mary decided we needed to squeeze in another training session. So Wednesday evening at 7 o'clock we set off on a 10 mile round trip along the south side of the Thames.

We started off down Smugglers Way, over the Wandle, past the Ferrari workshop and down onto the promenade. Thence through Wandsworth Park, a Grade II listed historic park, and past the "des res" in Deodar Road (*average* price in the last 12 months: GBP 936,000). The Embankment took us past Putney and thence onto the Thameside Path.

This was packed with cyclists, joggers, amblers and dog walkers enjoying a warm evenings perambulation along the banks of the Thames. This tree-lined path takes a very pleasant route past the boathouses, the London Wetland Centre, more playing fields and a nature reserve until we reached Barnes Bridge.

That being five miles we did a U-turn and retraced our route, tight-lipped lest we inhale too many midges. Home for 8 o'clock and rest.

In training for the charity bike ride

Mary decided that what we needed for a relaxing Sunday afternoon was not a pub lunch with a couple of pints of Youngs Best followed by a siesta but a 20 mile bike ride. This to get in training for next Sunday's Thames Bridges Bike Ride. So off we set...

A short-cut through the centre of the Wandsworth one-way system took us to King George's Park and the River Wandle. The river-side path took us as far as Wimbledon with me singing "Remember you're a Wandle (sic)" with apologies to Mike Batt and anyone within earshot.

Up the hill to Wimbledon Common, down to Robin Hood Gate and into Richmond Park for an almost complete circumnavigation exiting at Roehampton Gate. Cutting through Barnes Common and some urban backroads brought us to the Thames embankment and thence home to Wandsworth.

According to Mary's new bicycle odometer a trip of 20.5 miles. As much of it was through green and pleasant foliage that made for a most enjoyable way to exercise. After which our legs deserved a sit-down and a nice meal at Marco Polo on the River.

Mary and Mark enter Sponsored Bike Ride

Mary and I are doing the Thames Bridges Bike ride in aid of The Stroke Association: 14 bridges and 32 miles on Sunday 14-May-06. M & M Enterprises (that is us two for those who didn't know) will match the donations from sponsors (up to a maximum of £500 each).

Sponser Mark at https://secure.justgiving.com/markmclellan

Sponsor Mary at https://secure.justgiving.com/marymgalashan

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor us: Stroke Association will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

So please sponsor us now!

Many thanks for your support.

For more on the Ride see http://www.stroke.org.uk/get_involved/fundraising_events/thames_bridges_8.html

====== Update [28-April-06] =======
For anyone who is in the area we will be having a reviving beer at the Bell inn on Bell Road, East Molesey after the event - probably around 13:00. Hope to see you there.
http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/s/13/1340/Bell/East_Molesey