Healthy Ride Reports, July and August 2014
Healthy Ride Report, Aug 30th 2014
See http://southwarkcyclists.org.uk/healthy-ride-report-aug-30th-2014/
See http://southwarkcyclists.org.uk/healthy-ride-report-aug-30th-2014/
Healthy Ride Report Aug 23rd 2014
Well, that was a surprise. Normally on Bank Holiday Saturdays numbers are low. But 21 riders – a record for recent years – joined the ride last Saturday. Fortunately David was there and looked after the back of the group, in particular encouraging people to “Go, go, go” when crossing lights went green. The beautiful sunny morning probably helped, and we certainly enjoyed that. In remarkably light traffic, we followed the route of the projected Quietway 2 (currently out to public consultation) from Swan Mead to The Cut. Then through to the South Bank at Gabriel’s Wharf. From there followed the river using Nat Route 4 as far as Southwark Park, squeezing past the crowds at Borough Market. Running late, so skipped the South Bermondsey loop and headed back to Peckham from Southwark Park. Route, including short cut, at: http://goo.gl/pFcXTo .
Well, that was a surprise. Normally on Bank Holiday Saturdays numbers are low. But 21 riders – a record for recent years – joined the ride last Saturday. Fortunately David was there and looked after the back of the group, in particular encouraging people to “Go, go, go” when crossing lights went green. The beautiful sunny morning probably helped, and we certainly enjoyed that. In remarkably light traffic, we followed the route of the projected Quietway 2 (currently out to public consultation) from Swan Mead to The Cut. Then through to the South Bank at Gabriel’s Wharf. From there followed the river using Nat Route 4 as far as Southwark Park, squeezing past the crowds at Borough Market. Running late, so skipped the South Bermondsey loop and headed back to Peckham from Southwark Park. Route, including short cut, at: http://goo.gl/pFcXTo .
Healthy Ride Report Aug 16th 2014
17 riders set out at 9.30 from Canada Water for another “+” ride with Bruce leading and David assisting. Headed for the river at South Dock, then NR4 following the Thames to Greenwich. Collected a further rider at the Cutty Sark and continued along the river all the way to the Thames Barrier. Amazed to see one of the Thames Clipper boats beached on the sandy mud (it was low tide) by the O2. Thought this might be a navigational error, but subsequently found that Thames Clippers deliberately do this to allow the removal of debris from the impellers in the jet system. After a longish coffee stop at the Barrier, returned by the same route pretty much. Back at Canada Water bang on 1pm having covered about 17 miles.
17 riders set out at 9.30 from Canada Water for another “+” ride with Bruce leading and David assisting. Headed for the river at South Dock, then NR4 following the Thames to Greenwich. Collected a further rider at the Cutty Sark and continued along the river all the way to the Thames Barrier. Amazed to see one of the Thames Clipper boats beached on the sandy mud (it was low tide) by the O2. Thought this might be a navigational error, but subsequently found that Thames Clippers deliberately do this to allow the removal of debris from the impellers in the jet system. After a longish coffee stop at the Barrier, returned by the same route pretty much. Back at Canada Water bang on 1pm having covered about 17 miles.
Healthy Ride, 2nd August 2014.
Report from Philippa who led the ride.
“We had a good turn out (7) despite an earlier downpour and gloomy skies. Started from Dulwich Park Cafe on a 'Park Run'. On to Brockwell Park then picked up cycle route 25 and headed off to Clapham Common. From there we went to Wandsworth Common and then Tooting Bec Common. The latter didn't allow cycling so we walked across the park to pick up our route on the other side of the railway. I gather from David that Tooting Bec has the largest lido in the country. From there we headed home. Extra hills taken in on the way back as I missed my turning on 2 occasions - oops! But managed to get back just 15 mins over schedule. Skies had brightened and sun came through to make those hills a bit hot and sweaty!”
Next Sunday Philippa is doing the Ride London 100 raising funds for the charity Whizz-Kidz - a great charity that supports disabled children by providing them with specially adapted wheelchairs, doing wheelchair skills training and providing youth clubs. She would be grateful for any support! Philippa has a text giving service set up through Just Giving so you can text a donation. Just text 70070 with the message KOSA66 £x where x is the amount you are donating. Or go to the Just Giving web site, link here.
Report from Philippa who led the ride.
“We had a good turn out (7) despite an earlier downpour and gloomy skies. Started from Dulwich Park Cafe on a 'Park Run'. On to Brockwell Park then picked up cycle route 25 and headed off to Clapham Common. From there we went to Wandsworth Common and then Tooting Bec Common. The latter didn't allow cycling so we walked across the park to pick up our route on the other side of the railway. I gather from David that Tooting Bec has the largest lido in the country. From there we headed home. Extra hills taken in on the way back as I missed my turning on 2 occasions - oops! But managed to get back just 15 mins over schedule. Skies had brightened and sun came through to make those hills a bit hot and sweaty!”
Next Sunday Philippa is doing the Ride London 100 raising funds for the charity Whizz-Kidz - a great charity that supports disabled children by providing them with specially adapted wheelchairs, doing wheelchair skills training and providing youth clubs. She would be grateful for any support! Philippa has a text giving service set up through Just Giving so you can text a donation. Just text 70070 with the message KOSA66 £x where x is the amount you are donating. Or go to the Just Giving web site, link here.
Healthy Ride Report, 26 July 2014, Butterflies Galore
15 riders started from Peckham Square on a gorgeous sunny morning. With 2 more joining at Peckham Rye Park, there were 17 for most of the ride. Theme of the ride was butterflies in honour if the Big Butterfly Count (running 19 July to 10 August). First stop Peckham Rye Park at one of the patches of wild flowers. Some brown butterflies and a few blue ones. Across via the East Dulwich Greenway to Ruskin Park. Here the eco area had lots of brown and blue butterflies. Next to Elam Street Open space, a small park, much overgrown and with a pond. Plenty of butterflies, mostly brown. On to Myatts Field for a refreshment break. Running out of time, so on directly to Burgess Park. Lots of activity at the BMX track with a drone overhead, presumably filming. Past the giant Camberwell Beauty on the side of the old Baths building, then a last stop at the wild flower bank just before the start of the Canal Path. Again lots of brown butterflies, and also some blue and some white ones. So can conclude that there are plenty of butterflies in Southwark and Lambeth. Species noted were Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Speckled Wood, Small White, Common Blue. Route at http://goo.gl/v14knG
15 riders started from Peckham Square on a gorgeous sunny morning. With 2 more joining at Peckham Rye Park, there were 17 for most of the ride. Theme of the ride was butterflies in honour if the Big Butterfly Count (running 19 July to 10 August). First stop Peckham Rye Park at one of the patches of wild flowers. Some brown butterflies and a few blue ones. Across via the East Dulwich Greenway to Ruskin Park. Here the eco area had lots of brown and blue butterflies. Next to Elam Street Open space, a small park, much overgrown and with a pond. Plenty of butterflies, mostly brown. On to Myatts Field for a refreshment break. Running out of time, so on directly to Burgess Park. Lots of activity at the BMX track with a drone overhead, presumably filming. Past the giant Camberwell Beauty on the side of the old Baths building, then a last stop at the wild flower bank just before the start of the Canal Path. Again lots of brown butterflies, and also some blue and some white ones. So can conclude that there are plenty of butterflies in Southwark and Lambeth. Species noted were Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Speckled Wood, Small White, Common Blue. Route at http://goo.gl/v14knG
Healthy Ride + Report, 19 July 2014
Despite a heavy downpour one hour before the start, there were 12 riders at Canada Water at 9.30 for the second Healthy Ride +. Werner leading took us over Southwark Bridge to the British Museum via the Guildhall, Smithfields and Lincoln’s Inn Fields. After a coffee stop, on to the Inner and Middle Temples via the statue of Hodge, Dr Johnson’s cat in Gough Square. Very pleasant in the quiet of legal London, although some interesting activity on view. A group of actors rehearsing outside Middle Temple Hall and 4 ladies in period dress with lovely old bikes doing a photo shoot. Home via a very congested Victoria Embankment, Westminster Bridge and Nat Route NR4 along the south side of the river. Weather became warmer and sunnier as the ride progressed.
Planned route: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/5323577
Actual GPS track: http://taffimai.w2.org.uk/healthy-rides/BritishMuseum-20140719.html
Despite a heavy downpour one hour before the start, there were 12 riders at Canada Water at 9.30 for the second Healthy Ride +. Werner leading took us over Southwark Bridge to the British Museum via the Guildhall, Smithfields and Lincoln’s Inn Fields. After a coffee stop, on to the Inner and Middle Temples via the statue of Hodge, Dr Johnson’s cat in Gough Square. Very pleasant in the quiet of legal London, although some interesting activity on view. A group of actors rehearsing outside Middle Temple Hall and 4 ladies in period dress with lovely old bikes doing a photo shoot. Home via a very congested Victoria Embankment, Westminster Bridge and Nat Route NR4 along the south side of the river. Weather became warmer and sunnier as the ride progressed.
Planned route: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/5323577
Actual GPS track: http://taffimai.w2.org.uk/healthy-rides/BritishMuseum-20140719.html
Healthy Ride Report - 12th July 2014
Report by Werner (Ride Leader)
After the dynamic forecasts of the last few days it was difficult to predict how many would show up for today's healthy ride. However, there was a good turnout and 15 set off from Canada Water and the sun decided to join us.
Via an already busy Southwark Park and after two cautious crossings of Hawkstone and Rotherhithe New Road all riders managed the first mountain stage, the zigzag from Oldsfield Grove over the London Overground line. Then a string of quietly connected parks (Folkestone Gardens, Fordham Park and Margaret McMillan Park) to a serious but overlooked obstacle: Deptford Market's spread into Douglas Way. Thanks to Lewisham for the contra-flow from Comet Street to Reginald Street, that let us join route 21 at the Birdsnest roundabout. Then the shared pavement/segregated lanes got us over the A2 and into a lovely and still very empty Brookmill Park. Some more zig-zagging to get above the DLR at Elverson Road and some more complex geometric activity to get down on the other side. I assume the planner had decided the length first and then had to fold it up to fit into the space. But both railway crossings were a pleasure to ride, there are barriers but they aren't chicanes.
We then (more or less) followed route 17 into Greenwich Park and "because it's there" some of us decided to race to the top. Bromptons did very well in both categories, they should offer a polka-dot version. After negotiating half the blight on Greenwich's town-centre we were welcomed by Community Liaison Officers who told us that we were expected to do the whole gyratory, strictly verboten to ride the 50m past the Cutty Sark before joining NCR 4. Continued along the river, noticed that the bridge over Deptford Creek isn't yet there and took a very long but nice detour over the Ha'penny Hatch bridge just to avoid the nasty right turn off the main road (and to take a long rest while waiting for the least helpful crossing-light on the route to favour us). The canonical riverside route with a bit of extra through Russia Dock Woodlands and around Stave Hill got us back to Canada Water bang on time.
If anybody wants to know where they were this morning and which direction they were going around the Laban Centre:
http://taffimai.w2.org.uk/healthy-rides/Brookmill-20140712.html
Report by Werner (Ride Leader)
After the dynamic forecasts of the last few days it was difficult to predict how many would show up for today's healthy ride. However, there was a good turnout and 15 set off from Canada Water and the sun decided to join us.
Via an already busy Southwark Park and after two cautious crossings of Hawkstone and Rotherhithe New Road all riders managed the first mountain stage, the zigzag from Oldsfield Grove over the London Overground line. Then a string of quietly connected parks (Folkestone Gardens, Fordham Park and Margaret McMillan Park) to a serious but overlooked obstacle: Deptford Market's spread into Douglas Way. Thanks to Lewisham for the contra-flow from Comet Street to Reginald Street, that let us join route 21 at the Birdsnest roundabout. Then the shared pavement/segregated lanes got us over the A2 and into a lovely and still very empty Brookmill Park. Some more zig-zagging to get above the DLR at Elverson Road and some more complex geometric activity to get down on the other side. I assume the planner had decided the length first and then had to fold it up to fit into the space. But both railway crossings were a pleasure to ride, there are barriers but they aren't chicanes.
We then (more or less) followed route 17 into Greenwich Park and "because it's there" some of us decided to race to the top. Bromptons did very well in both categories, they should offer a polka-dot version. After negotiating half the blight on Greenwich's town-centre we were welcomed by Community Liaison Officers who told us that we were expected to do the whole gyratory, strictly verboten to ride the 50m past the Cutty Sark before joining NCR 4. Continued along the river, noticed that the bridge over Deptford Creek isn't yet there and took a very long but nice detour over the Ha'penny Hatch bridge just to avoid the nasty right turn off the main road (and to take a long rest while waiting for the least helpful crossing-light on the route to favour us). The canonical riverside route with a bit of extra through Russia Dock Woodlands and around Stave Hill got us back to Canada Water bang on time.
If anybody wants to know where they were this morning and which direction they were going around the Laban Centre:
http://taffimai.w2.org.uk/healthy-rides/Brookmill-20140712.html