We had getting on for 40 riders joining us for our fifth (?) annual trip from Croydon to the central London "Skyride".
This year we set off from the junction with George Street and Dingwall Road, rather than Queen's Gardens (which apparently was paved with broken glass).
A few running repairs and adjustments were needed, and our able team of marshals were able to oblige to get the show ready to hit the road.
There was the usual break at the La Baita Cafe-Bar on Clapham Common,
before heading down towards Lambeth Bridge and Horseguards Parade (via St. James Park due to the unforeseen one-way cycling system).
The "circuit" up to Tower Hill and St. Paul's seemed congested, with some awkward pinch points, e.g. Parliament Square. But overall, people seemed to enjoy themselves.
Unlike in previous years, we seemed to have quite a good contingent on the way back, some of whom had worn themselves out on the 14-mile journey in and the 9-mile route around the capital.
Not so with some of our crew. This lot had helped themselves to the excess tabards to good effect, and had enough energy to cut a mean pose at the end.
Hopefully we will meet again - thanks to all who took part, and a special vote of thanks to our marshals who did a great job in getting us there and back.
Pix by Austen and Jim
Croydon Council are consulting Croydon Cycling Campaign "informally" about removing the speed cushions from Castle Hill Avenue in New Addington.
This is part of the Council's policy since 2006 of removing anything that slows down cars - speed cushions, tables, humps and cameras.
Castle Hill Avenue is part of the National Cycle Route 21 - also known as the The Waterlink Way.
New Addington has been the site of a number of crashes in the last few years. In November 2008, a joyrider ploughed into a policeman and two kids in Arnhem Drive - the car was later found abandoned in the Castle Hill area. In May 2009, a teenage motorcyclist died after he crashed the stolen bike he was riding in Central Parade at speeds of around 50mph. In August 2010, a young woman died after a car - described in the local press as being driven by a speeding joy rider - crashed in Overbury Crescent.
Local councillor George Ayres has called for action, saying “we need speed cameras, traffic-calming measures like chicanes and we have done for some time. We need traffic-slowing measures because a lot of the roads in New Addington are straight, long roads and are favoured by young drivers.”
Croydon Cycling Campaign will be lobbying the Council to try and prevent their plan going ahead, which would make Castle Hill Avenue less safe and attractive for cyclists - and more dangerous for all road users.
The "circuit" up to Tower Hill and St. Paul's seemed congested, with some awkward pinch points, e.g. Parliament Square. But overall, people seemed to enjoy themselves. 
