Bushy Park and Riverside

PLEASE READ THROUGH BEFORE SIGNING UP.

This is a steady ride and a long day out. A third of the route is along the Riverside, on gravelly and sometimes slightly rough terrain so it is not suitable for road bikes. We also have to navigate a few busy roads so you must be confident to ride in traffic. We will cycle through Richmond Park, Hampton Court Park, Bushy Park and Teddington Lock, and then all along the Riverside from Petersham to Kew.

We start with Richmond Park riding through Mortlake and Sheen, and we cut the park in the middle through the White Lodge where we go over a mild hill. We stop at Pen Ponds Café for a short break before we carry on to Ham Common and join the Riverside for the first time in Teddington. We continue along the river path until Kingston where we cross the bridge taking us straight into Hampton Court Park and join the Thames Path around Hampton Court.

We will briefly join the busy Hampton Court Road until it takes us into Bushy Park where we will stop for our lunch break at the Pheasantry. Bringing a lock and your own food is optional if the weather is nice and we can sit outside in one of the benches or just have a picnic on the grass.

After our break we go for a round of the park and then cross the river at Teddington Lock, joining the Riverside for one last and long time from Ham House to Kew Gardens, passing through Petersham and Richmond. Richmond Riverside is very busy with pedestrians so we need to take our time to navigate. Towards the end of the path the terrain gets a bit rough with lots of gravel where skinny tyres would struggle.

We get off at Kew Bridge and start making our way to Roundwood Park via Chiswick and North Acton. We aim to be back at around 4.45pm.

If you find this ride fully booked, get in the waiting list as spaces always become available nearer the date. However, please do not sign up if you’re not sure you can join.

IMPORTANT POINTS: *Helmets aren't compulsory but advisable. *Check that your tyres are pumped and bring a spare inner tube and all necessary tools in case of a puncture. *If you have Covid-19 or have been told to self-isolate, or can't make it for any other reason, please cancel your space so someone else can join. *Only riders who booked themselves on the ride will be allowed to join. *Unless the weather takes a nasty turn making it unsafe or unpleasant to cycle, this ride will go ahead even if it rains. Dress for the weather and bring a rain coat just in case.

We never leave anyone behind