Sunday 3rd January 10.00am Ace Café New Year Ride

With a starting temperature of 2 degrees and some pleasant sunshine, the joint Ealing Cyclists/Harrow & Wembley outdoor group (HAWOG) and Spokes New Year ride started outside Ealing Town Hall. Arriving 10 minutes early there was a small handful of riders looking ready for a 10am start. Then cyclists appeared to come from all directions with an eventual set-off at 10:20 with a massive group of 33 riders. With just one from Spokes, there were 5 from HAWOG, 23 from the Ealing group, many first timers, and the rest were a group from Twickenham attracted by the web-site.

The programme was to visit a number of famous buildings in the area over some 18 miles and to stop at a pub in Greenford. Within 200 yards, the first problem was encountered as the road was blocked with a low-loader carrying a large crane. No problem on the pavements though. First stop was the site of the old Guinness brewery in Park Royal approached from a very cycle friendly Hanger Lane. Shortly after this we passed Twyford Abbey, a building from the middle ages most recently a nursing home and sadly now closed and surrounded by security fences. Next part of the route was along the Grand Union Canal which was approached via an industrial estate requiring some bicycle limbo work to get past the 1 metre high gate. A puncture followed this provided another delay but the famous Ace Cafe was reached outside which was already a large variety of bikes (motorised version). A welcome cuppa was enjoyed by most before proceeding to the famous Hindu Mandir in Neasden, the largest Mandir in the western hemisphere. Some enjoyed a quick tour whilst others grabbed a samosa or similar food from the attached servery. Alongside the River Brent is a very pleasant cycle path which leads into the approach to Wembley Stadium and was a little frosty in places. Here we all had a look at another magnificent structure only finished in 2006. No chance for a football game but some had a go on the sheet of ice outside the stadium fortunately without any casualties.

The stream of cyclists then wended their way down the famous Stadium Way and through the backstreets of Sudbury and Greenford. They finished at the Black Horse Pub on the Canal for a bite to eat and drink though slightly later than anticipated at 2pm but with bright sunshine being enjoyed by all.