A Westwards Pootle along the River to Richmond! Woopy Doo Spring is Here Again! 17 02
13. 26.38 miles in 2hrs 43, average speed 9.6, max speed 21.1.
Still on light duties
whilst my knee recovers, a friend -
someone who is sometimes known as Bob - arrived at 11.30 for a pootle along the
river. Yesterday it was an eastwards ride and today it was westwards.
As we
cycled over the Albert Bridge and joined
the embankment the number of people out
in the sunshine was fantastic - although it does keep your bike skills in order
as they roam around the place blissfully unaware of you!
With similar moments of rubbish signage and having to join
the main road in places we managed to stay riverside pretty much all the way to
Putney. The rowers were out - we had a
sneak preview of the Oxford Eight preparing for their Annual boat race. On we went to what was apparently the London
Sewage Works which is now a Bird Sanctuary.
At a level crossing we found two people on their Bromptons
(2 speed I think they said) and one of them gave me cause for concern as he was
clearly having an identity crisis!
He was wearing jeans and trainers -- and a
London Dynamo top! What a combination! I
said I have never seen that before. Normally the wearers of those tops are lean
and mean as they whoosh past you on their bikes that weigh less than a pocket
hankerchief. It turned out that the guy
had in fact already cycled 55 miles today (not on a Brompton) and that included
Box Hill. Bob startled them a bit when
he said he had cycled Box Hill on a Brommie.
Into Richmond Park which was full. Cars, pedestrians, speedy
cyclists, pootly cyclists, stabilisers, scooters you name it they were
there.
What was particularly fabulous to
see was the way that there is something for nearly everyone. The variety of
bicycle and accessory designs allows us
all to choose our look and our style, maintaining individuality even when on
two wheels. Amongst all of it, in the
middle or Richmond Park, the deer just did their thing completely oblivious to
their human audience.
The sky was blue, the air warm (comparatively to recent
times) and the whole atmosphere was relaxed.
Two roadies took their eye off the ball and looked a bit startled as we
overtook them - AKA Bob on a Brompton and me on the work bike with luggage,
locks and a rack!
Out at Kingston Gate and along the River to Teddington Lock
then back to Kingston. The careful pace continued to avoid harrasing or
spooking those on foot and it was a lovely gentle pootle. The expression
"Conversational Pace" sums up the day perfectly - much chatting and
cycling. Perfect!
Meanwhile, a rather large hole had been spotted in the
Brompton rear tyre so we headed to Evans for a replacement Kojak. Evans need to crackle up a little. No Kojaks in stock followed by (in answer to
the question "Are there any other bike shops nearby" came the
"No". All the while there was
The Concept Store 50 yards down the road.
Shabby, Evans - you can do better. The Concept Store didn't have Kojaks but their
attitude was how it should be - helpful and focussed.
We retraced our steps back to Richmond Park where the deer were still living up to their carefree attitude.
Out into Barnes
for coffee and cakes. Not just cakes but Doughnuts and Chocolate Eclairs!!
Back into London - via Putney Bridge - for another cup of tea.
A great day and I even cycled a hill (short but a hill all the same)! I love riding my bike
What we wore: AKA Bob wore cycling shorts under combats with a jacket and a jumper. I wore Gore lycra leggings, a black mini skirt, Assos baselayer and Gore Oxygen jacket. On my feet I wore my cycling shoes - Sidis as they have cleats. AKA Bob wore mountain bike cycling shoes with cleats.
Only my shoes made me look like a cyclist - and the fact that I was riding my bicycle!
