SWL CAMRA CYCLING SECTION: SUNDAY 22 AUGUST
Within five minutes of leaving on our bikes from Christ Church, Colliers Wood, we were picking cherry plums, damsons and blackberries on tree-lined cycle paths, fuelling for the ride ahead. We wended our way through more cycle paths and the wide open, flower-filled (with the occasional pampas grass), post-war suburban backstreets as we made our way to the first stop of the day, the Dodo Micropub in Hanwell. A lovely welcome with some lovely beers from a lovely landlady proved to be the perfect refreshment pit-stop.
A map check, a pork pie and couple of pints later, we were back on the road in the early afternoon sun when, before we knew it, we were at the next stop, the Hop & Vine in Ruislip. Again, a warm welcome and excellent choice of refreshing, well kept beers. Micropubs! Everything good you’ve ever heard and read about them is true! I’m a convert and highly recommend these two to you.
Fully refreshed, we got back on the road, heading to our final destination of the day – some way up a hill, of course! – the Land of Liberty, Peace and Plenty in Heronsgate. Friendly, warm welcomes seemed to be a theme of the day and this award-winning pub was exemplary in that respect. A range of mainly local ales, served with care and attention, meant that we had to stay for a good sampling of their selection, none of which disappointed. A few tasty beers and an excellent pasty all enjoyed in their spacious garden really is what these rides are about.
I always forget just how easy it is to get on a bike and ride somewhere that could be considered ‘long distance’. I’m reasonably unfit and don’t get on my bicycle too often but none of us are racing, just gently wending our way between fine (usually award-winning) beer establishments.
If you ride a bicycle and like a good beer, I cannot recommend these rides enough. Please get in touch with Geoff Strawbridge, 07813 358863, geoff@swl.camra.org.uk for further details.
Navindh Baburam