Battersea Breeze Longer: Osterley, Syon and the Grand Union Canal

This is one of our series of longer explorer rides - we go further but the ride is still at a medium gentle pace, and we stop for coffee and a packed lunch along the way, allowing ourselves 5 hours in total. The ride is not very hilly, with substantial sections along the Grand Union Canal towpath and the Thames. The route lies along the Tamsin Trail in Richmond Park, then to Osterley Park where we stop for coffee in the stables cafe. We then head over to the Grand Union Canal and enjoy a ride past the Hanwell locks, before leaving the canal at Brentford and heading back through Syon Park, then through Kew, Barnes and along the Thames through Putney back to Wandsworth. We do NOT advise a road bike with smooth/skinny tyres for this ride, as the Tamsin Trail, canal towpath and Thames path can be rough - and muddy if wet- in places. The ride is better suited to cross or hybrid bikes, or road bikes running more rugged tyres. Please ensure you bring your spare inner tube and a pump that works with it, as well as clothes suitable for the weather, water, and snacks/sandwiches. We will start the ride promptly at 9.30am, and aim to be back in Wandsworth by 2.30pm (3pm at the latest).