Sir,-On a balmy morning recently, lovely and peaceful in the Park, I (in my 90s) and dear wife were strolling enjoyably on the Tamsin Trail between Sheen and Richmond.

Suddenly, without warning, I was struck on the back by a speeding cyclist who, before I could utter a word of reproof, was out of reach. The cyclist was a stout female, and I was incensed to hear her shout back , And you watch it yourself mate''.

One wonders sometimes about the 'balmy' soul who was allowed to plan and devise this diabolical narrow path that would contain old 'uns, toddlers, prams, small dogs and speeding cyclists, sometimes in close contact.

Is he still around and does he sometimes stroll on his beloved path? Next time he does I hope with all my heart and soul that Fat Lizzie and her Bike ain't far away.-John Davies, Richmond Park Road, East Sheen.

July 9, 2002 11:30