Healthy Ride Reports, May and June 2014
Healthy Ride Report – 28 June 2014
11 riders at Peckham Square, despite the iffy weather forecast. Bruce leading on a Dulwich loop. Unfortunately the forecast proved accurate and by the time we were into Peckham Rye Park the rain was falling steadily. At this point one rider, who shall be nameless, cried off and headed home. The remaining 10 all made the full ride.
From Peckham Rye Park we headed to Dawsons Hill via Camberwell Old Cemetery. Next stop Dulwich Park Café for an extended break and some hot drinks. Rain eased a bit for the run back to Peckham, but given the weather we skipped the diversion to the Velodrome. So up the Greenway, down Camberwell Grove and along Lyndhurst Way. Almost sunny by the end of the ride.
Route (including diversion to Herne Hill Velodrome) at http://goo.gl/mMbQZ7
11 riders at Peckham Square, despite the iffy weather forecast. Bruce leading on a Dulwich loop. Unfortunately the forecast proved accurate and by the time we were into Peckham Rye Park the rain was falling steadily. At this point one rider, who shall be nameless, cried off and headed home. The remaining 10 all made the full ride.
From Peckham Rye Park we headed to Dawsons Hill via Camberwell Old Cemetery. Next stop Dulwich Park Café for an extended break and some hot drinks. Rain eased a bit for the run back to Peckham, but given the weather we skipped the diversion to the Velodrome. So up the Greenway, down Camberwell Grove and along Lyndhurst Way. Almost sunny by the end of the ride.
Route (including diversion to Herne Hill Velodrome) at http://goo.gl/mMbQZ7
Healthy Ride Report – 21 June 2014
14 riders left Canada Water with Werner leading for the first Healthy Ride +. The 9.30 start had obviously not put people off – and the glorious sunny weather must have helped.
Along the river to Greenwich where another rider joined us before a stroll through the foot tunnel. Around the Isle of Dogs to Limehouse and then on to the Regents Canal path. Left the path for a nice loop through Mile End Park and over the Green Bridge. Reached Victoria Park around 11am and took a longish break at the café by the boating lake. Return was back down the Regents Canal towpath, now rather crowded with cyclists and walkers, to Limehouse. Then through Wapping following the canals past Tobacco Dock. Sharp-eyed cyclist spotted a large fish in the canal. Unfortunately was so busy looking at the fish that he collided with a lamp post! Fortunately at low speed and no damage to bike or rider. Continued through St Katherines, over Tower Bridge, and back along the south side of the river to Canada Water. Back at 12.50 and 910 calories burned. Longer format much enjoyed and will be repeated on the 3rd Saturday in July (19th). Route at http://ridewithgps.com/routes/5002753
14 riders left Canada Water with Werner leading for the first Healthy Ride +. The 9.30 start had obviously not put people off – and the glorious sunny weather must have helped.
Along the river to Greenwich where another rider joined us before a stroll through the foot tunnel. Around the Isle of Dogs to Limehouse and then on to the Regents Canal path. Left the path for a nice loop through Mile End Park and over the Green Bridge. Reached Victoria Park around 11am and took a longish break at the café by the boating lake. Return was back down the Regents Canal towpath, now rather crowded with cyclists and walkers, to Limehouse. Then through Wapping following the canals past Tobacco Dock. Sharp-eyed cyclist spotted a large fish in the canal. Unfortunately was so busy looking at the fish that he collided with a lamp post! Fortunately at low speed and no damage to bike or rider. Continued through St Katherines, over Tower Bridge, and back along the south side of the river to Canada Water. Back at 12.50 and 910 calories burned. Longer format much enjoyed and will be repeated on the 3rd Saturday in July (19th). Route at http://ridewithgps.com/routes/5002753
Healthy Ride Report - 14 June 2014
17 riders left Canada Water with Philippa leading. Open Garden Squares weekend, so aimed to peep into as many gardens as we could. First stop at the Tunnel where a gentleman in a splendid hat talked to us about the Brunels, father and son. Next stop peering over the sea wall at the Downings Moorings barges in Bermondsey Wall West. Continued along the river following Nat Route 4 to the London Eye. Then turned for home via the Cut (Styles House garden) and Red Cross Garden, where we stopped for a look round. Planting here looked really splendid in the early summer sunshine. Finally via Trinity Church and Merrick Squares back to Canada Water.
Healthy Ride Report - 7 June 2014
Nine riders at Cutty Sark Gardens hoping the weather forecast would be wrong. It wasn’t. Sharp at 10am, as Stephen led the ride off, the skies opened. However, it was not cold and the ride pressed on to Well Hall Pleasaunce as planned. After a break for coffee and cake (indoors) the rain stopped and the sun even came out. Back at Greenwich for noon relatively dry.
Healthy Ride Report
31 May 2014
Eleven riders at Canada Water including David leading and Bruce assisting. Several new riders on a beautiful sunny morning. Down to Greenwich along the river. No sign of the new bridge at Deptford Creek, but big hoardings up and preparatory work obviously under way. HMS Bulwark moored on the river at Greenwich as part of the D-Day celebrations. Royal Marines doing stuff by the Visitor Centre.
31 May 2014
Eleven riders at Canada Water including David leading and Bruce assisting. Several new riders on a beautiful sunny morning. Down to Greenwich along the river. No sign of the new bridge at Deptford Creek, but big hoardings up and preparatory work obviously under way. HMS Bulwark moored on the river at Greenwich as part of the D-Day celebrations. Royal Marines doing stuff by the Visitor Centre.
Healthy Ride Report - 24 May 2014
Only 2 riders for this – Bank holiday weekend and poor forecast. In fact as we set off from Peckham Square the sun was shining and there was no rain at all during the ride. Route to Battersea Park was direct rather than scenic (see http://goo.gl/maps/zwcKZ), but meant we had time for a gentle perambulation of the park. Then returned along the river. The area adjacent to the tall round building at Vauxhall (the one the helicopter hit) is now open and landscaped with plenty of room to cycle past.
Only 2 riders for this – Bank holiday weekend and poor forecast. In fact as we set off from Peckham Square the sun was shining and there was no rain at all during the ride. Route to Battersea Park was direct rather than scenic (see http://goo.gl/maps/zwcKZ), but meant we had time for a gentle perambulation of the park. Then returned along the river. The area adjacent to the tall round building at Vauxhall (the one the helicopter hit) is now open and landscaped with plenty of room to cycle past.
Healthy Ride Report – May 17th 2014
Seventeen riders at Canada Water at 9.30 for the first Healthy Ride + extended ride. This was to be a feeder for the LCC Big Ride. Weather was sunny as we made our way from Canada Water to Elephant and Castle with Werner leading. At the Elephant met up with Andy’s feeder ride from Peckham Rye Common.
The reason we were at the Elephant was to mark the fatal collision the previous Tuesday (13th May). Alistair had suggested we do this and thanks to his initiative we were joined by members of the family of the cyclist who had died in the collision. The widow of the cyclist said a few words, followed by Cynthia Barlow from Road Peace. The family appeared pleased to be able to mark the event in this way, and were keen to support plans to make the junction safer. ITV sent a reporter and put a 2 min piece on their local news (http://www.itv.com/news/london/update/2014-05-17/cyclist-widow-calls-elephant-and-castle-roundabout-deathtrap/).
From E+C we headed to Lambeth Bridge and Hyde Park. Great turn out for the Big Ride. At the finish on the Embankment many of the healthy riders opted to head off and make their own way back. For those who stayed for the Rally, Werner, Andy and myself accompanied small numbers back.
The reason we were at the Elephant was to mark the fatal collision the previous Tuesday (13th May). Alistair had suggested we do this and thanks to his initiative we were joined by members of the family of the cyclist who had died in the collision. The widow of the cyclist said a few words, followed by Cynthia Barlow from Road Peace. The family appeared pleased to be able to mark the event in this way, and were keen to support plans to make the junction safer. ITV sent a reporter and put a 2 min piece on their local news (http://www.itv.com/news/london/update/2014-05-17/cyclist-widow-calls-elephant-and-castle-roundabout-deathtrap/).
From E+C we headed to Lambeth Bridge and Hyde Park. Great turn out for the Big Ride. At the finish on the Embankment many of the healthy riders opted to head off and make their own way back. For those who stayed for the Rally, Werner, Andy and myself accompanied small numbers back.
Healthy Ride Report – 10th May 2014
8 riders (including 2 new healthy riders) at Canada Water on a grey day with “iffy” weather forecast. Phillipa leading along Nat Route 4 to London Eye. Short delay at start as rider with a borrowed Brompton could not unfold it. Neither could the assembled non-Brompton riders. So, off round the corner to Decathlon where the repair boys kindly demonstrated how you unfold a Brompton (even though they do not sell them!). At London Eye sun was out and stayed mostly out for the ride – so much for the forecast! On return looped up through Waterloo Station and along The Cut/Union St. Met up with Denny and others for photo-op on CS7 along Southwark Bridge Rd. Then back to NR4 at Dockhead and retraced outward route to Canada Water.
8 riders (including 2 new healthy riders) at Canada Water on a grey day with “iffy” weather forecast. Phillipa leading along Nat Route 4 to London Eye. Short delay at start as rider with a borrowed Brompton could not unfold it. Neither could the assembled non-Brompton riders. So, off round the corner to Decathlon where the repair boys kindly demonstrated how you unfold a Brompton (even though they do not sell them!). At London Eye sun was out and stayed mostly out for the ride – so much for the forecast! On return looped up through Waterloo Station and along The Cut/Union St. Met up with Denny and others for photo-op on CS7 along Southwark Bridge Rd. Then back to NR4 at Dockhead and retraced outward route to Canada Water.