Healthy Ride Reports, Oct-Dec 2015
Boxing Day Healthy Ride
Report by Werner who led the ride: Dark clouds hanging over Canada Water when I got there. Fortunately the clouds lightened up and with 3 other riders headed off on the by now almost traditional post-santaic ride. Looking at the car-park, Surrey Quays must have been full of happy shoppers but roads were extremely quiet and we set off through Southwark Park and Druid Street to cross an almost traffic-free Tower Bridge. Hardly anybody in the City so we could tunnel under Fenchurch Street station (honest, it's not a dungeon and there's a way out at the other end) and ride along some small roads for a return visit to Ai Wei Wei's “Forever” outside the Gherkin.
Continued past more building sites to visit the base of the Monument and tell those riders who haven't climbed it yet that they should do it soon before it gets completely crowded in by tall buildings. It took a moment to find the plaque which gives Robert Hooke some of the credit he deservers. Then back to Leadenhall Market where I finally managed to locate and point out another sculpture installed recently in the City, Adam Chodzko's
"Ghost": http://hyperallergic.com/240353/bells-bicycles-and-other-monumental-sculptures-land-in-londons-financial-district/ . Then through a maze of twisty, little passages past Jamaica Winehouse and around St Michael's Cornhill back to some wider but still deserted streets for maybe the narrowest bit of one of England's oldest roads, Watling Street, https://h2g2.com/edited_entry/A24369951, to reach St Paul's. Around it and back into a mediaeval maze of lanes. Queen Victoria Street was utterly free of cars when we crossed it, we then fought our way up Southwark Bridge into a strong wind to return to Southwark and follow the canonical route along the river to Canada Water.
Route at: http://taffimai.w2.org.uk/healthy-rides/HR-CW-StPls-20151226.html
Report by Werner who led the ride: Dark clouds hanging over Canada Water when I got there. Fortunately the clouds lightened up and with 3 other riders headed off on the by now almost traditional post-santaic ride. Looking at the car-park, Surrey Quays must have been full of happy shoppers but roads were extremely quiet and we set off through Southwark Park and Druid Street to cross an almost traffic-free Tower Bridge. Hardly anybody in the City so we could tunnel under Fenchurch Street station (honest, it's not a dungeon and there's a way out at the other end) and ride along some small roads for a return visit to Ai Wei Wei's “Forever” outside the Gherkin.
Continued past more building sites to visit the base of the Monument and tell those riders who haven't climbed it yet that they should do it soon before it gets completely crowded in by tall buildings. It took a moment to find the plaque which gives Robert Hooke some of the credit he deservers. Then back to Leadenhall Market where I finally managed to locate and point out another sculpture installed recently in the City, Adam Chodzko's
"Ghost": http://hyperallergic.com/240353/bells-bicycles-and-other-monumental-sculptures-land-in-londons-financial-district/ . Then through a maze of twisty, little passages past Jamaica Winehouse and around St Michael's Cornhill back to some wider but still deserted streets for maybe the narrowest bit of one of England's oldest roads, Watling Street, https://h2g2.com/edited_entry/A24369951, to reach St Paul's. Around it and back into a mediaeval maze of lanes. Queen Victoria Street was utterly free of cars when we crossed it, we then fought our way up Southwark Bridge into a strong wind to return to Southwark and follow the canonical route along the river to Canada Water.
Route at: http://taffimai.w2.org.uk/healthy-rides/HR-CW-StPls-20151226.html
Is this December? Healthy Ride Report – 19 Dec 2015
Lovely day (14 degrees, occasional sunshine) for our final scheduled Heathy Ride for 2015. What a great early winter we are having, weatherwise. Perfect for our last scheduled ride following a great route devised by ride leader Werner Wiethege.
8 riders headed off from Burgess Park on a "+" ride towards Vauxhall where we rode the new segregated cycle lanes on Cycle Superhighway 5 from the Oval to Pimlico. Two-way track changes sides just before the rail bridge with a signalised crossing phase. This worked, but could do with an extra repeater signal on the north side. Turning right from Vauxhall Bridge on to Millbank was not very intuitive. Overall, new tracks judged a big improvement.
Next target was Torrington Place. Route took us via Westminster back streets, Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park (past the huge Winter Wonderland) and the Post Office Tower. Torrington Place and Tavistock Place have had a 2-way, north side, segregated cycle track for some years. This has had its problems with motor traffic not spotting cyclists coming from the wrong direction at junctions, and the track itself being so narrow that overtaking was difficult. Recently Camden Council has switched to a one-way track on both sides of the road, using mostly light segregation for the new south-side track. The 800 metres of new track was installed in just 2 weeks as a trial. There will at some point be a review about whether to make the scheme permanent. There is huge support from cyclists and people who live a work locally. But there is also a very strong ‘anti’ lobby. Camden Council need to receive as many commendations as possible. If you think the scheme is a positive change to Bloomsbury please email your appreciation to: [email protected] and/or a tweet to @camdentalking including the hashtag #taviplace. See more info at http://camdencyclists.org.uk/2015/11/tavistock-torrington-trial-is-under-way/
Next target was the Barbican Centre. Hard to access by bike but a friendly security person allowed us to wheel our bikes through the Centre from Silk St and we settled down by the fountains for a well-deserved cup of coffee (plus sandwiches for a couple of hungry riders). We were spoken to by another security person who told us bicycles were not allowed where we were, but it was agreed as long as we were spending money, could stay for a bit…
Refreshed we headed though backstreets and alley ways to the Gherkin (30 St Mary Axe) where we admired the remarkable sculpture “Forever” by Ai Wei Wei comprising 1,254 chrome-plated bicycles bolted together (see photo). It is scheduled to remain until May 2016 – do not miss it! From the City headed across Southwark Bridge and back to Burgess Park and the end of a really enjoyable ride. Route at http://taffimai.w2.org.uk/healthy-rides/HR-BP-VB-SB-20151219.html
Lovely day (14 degrees, occasional sunshine) for our final scheduled Heathy Ride for 2015. What a great early winter we are having, weatherwise. Perfect for our last scheduled ride following a great route devised by ride leader Werner Wiethege.
8 riders headed off from Burgess Park on a "+" ride towards Vauxhall where we rode the new segregated cycle lanes on Cycle Superhighway 5 from the Oval to Pimlico. Two-way track changes sides just before the rail bridge with a signalised crossing phase. This worked, but could do with an extra repeater signal on the north side. Turning right from Vauxhall Bridge on to Millbank was not very intuitive. Overall, new tracks judged a big improvement.
Next target was Torrington Place. Route took us via Westminster back streets, Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park (past the huge Winter Wonderland) and the Post Office Tower. Torrington Place and Tavistock Place have had a 2-way, north side, segregated cycle track for some years. This has had its problems with motor traffic not spotting cyclists coming from the wrong direction at junctions, and the track itself being so narrow that overtaking was difficult. Recently Camden Council has switched to a one-way track on both sides of the road, using mostly light segregation for the new south-side track. The 800 metres of new track was installed in just 2 weeks as a trial. There will at some point be a review about whether to make the scheme permanent. There is huge support from cyclists and people who live a work locally. But there is also a very strong ‘anti’ lobby. Camden Council need to receive as many commendations as possible. If you think the scheme is a positive change to Bloomsbury please email your appreciation to: [email protected] and/or a tweet to @camdentalking including the hashtag #taviplace. See more info at http://camdencyclists.org.uk/2015/11/tavistock-torrington-trial-is-under-way/
Next target was the Barbican Centre. Hard to access by bike but a friendly security person allowed us to wheel our bikes through the Centre from Silk St and we settled down by the fountains for a well-deserved cup of coffee (plus sandwiches for a couple of hungry riders). We were spoken to by another security person who told us bicycles were not allowed where we were, but it was agreed as long as we were spending money, could stay for a bit…
Refreshed we headed though backstreets and alley ways to the Gherkin (30 St Mary Axe) where we admired the remarkable sculpture “Forever” by Ai Wei Wei comprising 1,254 chrome-plated bicycles bolted together (see photo). It is scheduled to remain until May 2016 – do not miss it! From the City headed across Southwark Bridge and back to Burgess Park and the end of a really enjoyable ride. Route at http://taffimai.w2.org.uk/healthy-rides/HR-BP-VB-SB-20151219.html
Healthy Ride Report, Dec 12th 2015
Seven riders at Canada Water on a gray December morning. Not too cold, but rain forecast (that never materialised as more than very light and patchy). Set off for Blackheath on an inland route. Deviated slightly from the planned route by continuing up the railway path to Surrey Canal Rd rather than crossing on the footbridge to Trundleys Rd. Still no sign of the new path from South Bermondsey that forms a key link on Quietway 1, but large hoardings block the view. Hope Sustrans are working away in there. Paths down Surrey Canal Rd have been partly resurfaced and the paths in Folkstone Gardens have been widened and resurfaced. But still no improvement in the dangerous crossing of Trundleys Rd. Without a decent crossing the work on improving paths will be wasted as few cyclists will use Q1.
Eventually reached Brookmill Park. Then crossed the DLR at Elverson Rd and dragged ourselves up Morden Hill. Next across Blackheath to Greenwich Park and a nice run down The Avenue. Across to Norman Rd with lots of new building and on to the River at the Deptford Creek Footbridge. Last part was an easy run home along the Thames route (NR4) and round South and Greenland Docks to return to Canada Water about 11.55. Route at https://goo.gl/NeIuSd
Seven riders at Canada Water on a gray December morning. Not too cold, but rain forecast (that never materialised as more than very light and patchy). Set off for Blackheath on an inland route. Deviated slightly from the planned route by continuing up the railway path to Surrey Canal Rd rather than crossing on the footbridge to Trundleys Rd. Still no sign of the new path from South Bermondsey that forms a key link on Quietway 1, but large hoardings block the view. Hope Sustrans are working away in there. Paths down Surrey Canal Rd have been partly resurfaced and the paths in Folkstone Gardens have been widened and resurfaced. But still no improvement in the dangerous crossing of Trundleys Rd. Without a decent crossing the work on improving paths will be wasted as few cyclists will use Q1.
Eventually reached Brookmill Park. Then crossed the DLR at Elverson Rd and dragged ourselves up Morden Hill. Next across Blackheath to Greenwich Park and a nice run down The Avenue. Across to Norman Rd with lots of new building and on to the River at the Deptford Creek Footbridge. Last part was an easy run home along the Thames route (NR4) and round South and Greenland Docks to return to Canada Water about 11.55. Route at https://goo.gl/NeIuSd
Healthy Ride Report, Nov 28th 2015
A bright sunny morning at Peckham Square saw 5 riders head off on a loop to the South Bank and back. Across Burgess Park to the Walworth Green Route (Bagshot St to New Kent Rd). Then Falmouth Rd (proposed for Quietway 7) and Trinity St where at the Borough High St junction a crew were busy making the raised table, part of the Quietway 1 scheme. Continued along Great Suffolk St to Union St where we picked up the Jubilee Line Quietway (now Qu 14) route from Great Suffolk St to Cornwall Rd. Noted that the work on Nicholson St is complete and it has re-opened to traffic. This is a pity, as the closure appeared to have had little affect on traffic and a filter at Blackfriars Rd therefore looks an easy and useful improvement. On to Cornwall St past the Konditor and Cook bakery. “You are being cruel”, quoth one rider, who finds the tempting wares of Messrs K & C only resistable with a massive effort of will. Arrived safely on a busy South Bank but decided not to linger as it was a touch chilly – better to keep moving. Continued along the river route, including a now closed Sumner St. Work is going on to create a new pedestrianised area adjacent to the Tate Modern Extension (due to open June next year). For more see Yahoo post https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/SOUTHWARKCYCLISTS/conversations/messages/18164 . A small cycle path has been constructed on the wide south pavement – a nice bit of consideration for National Cycle Route 4. Continued through a busy Borough Market to Dockhead where we turned south and headed back to Peckham. Route took us along Dunton Road where we were pleased to see work well under way on the new light controlled crossing for Quietway 1 (see Photo). This will get cyclists safely across busy Dunton Rd between Lynton Rd and Willow Walk. So during this short ride 2 crews seen working on Qu 1. Seems like there is a strong desire to get this first Quietway finished. Perhaps the looming Mayoral election may be a factor here. Back at Peckham Square at 12 noon. Route at https://goo.gl/JQhlfL
A bright sunny morning at Peckham Square saw 5 riders head off on a loop to the South Bank and back. Across Burgess Park to the Walworth Green Route (Bagshot St to New Kent Rd). Then Falmouth Rd (proposed for Quietway 7) and Trinity St where at the Borough High St junction a crew were busy making the raised table, part of the Quietway 1 scheme. Continued along Great Suffolk St to Union St where we picked up the Jubilee Line Quietway (now Qu 14) route from Great Suffolk St to Cornwall Rd. Noted that the work on Nicholson St is complete and it has re-opened to traffic. This is a pity, as the closure appeared to have had little affect on traffic and a filter at Blackfriars Rd therefore looks an easy and useful improvement. On to Cornwall St past the Konditor and Cook bakery. “You are being cruel”, quoth one rider, who finds the tempting wares of Messrs K & C only resistable with a massive effort of will. Arrived safely on a busy South Bank but decided not to linger as it was a touch chilly – better to keep moving. Continued along the river route, including a now closed Sumner St. Work is going on to create a new pedestrianised area adjacent to the Tate Modern Extension (due to open June next year). For more see Yahoo post https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/SOUTHWARKCYCLISTS/conversations/messages/18164 . A small cycle path has been constructed on the wide south pavement – a nice bit of consideration for National Cycle Route 4. Continued through a busy Borough Market to Dockhead where we turned south and headed back to Peckham. Route took us along Dunton Road where we were pleased to see work well under way on the new light controlled crossing for Quietway 1 (see Photo). This will get cyclists safely across busy Dunton Rd between Lynton Rd and Willow Walk. So during this short ride 2 crews seen working on Qu 1. Seems like there is a strong desire to get this first Quietway finished. Perhaps the looming Mayoral election may be a factor here. Back at Peckham Square at 12 noon. Route at https://goo.gl/JQhlfL
Healthy Ride + report. Nov 21st 2015
Great train assisted ride planned. Canada Water to New Cross Gate, train to Crystal Palace, then ride back to Canada Water. Route at https://goo.gl/flGEKU
But for the first time ever, none turned up. No-one at Canada Water, or New Cross Gate or Crystal Palace. Problem I suspect was the quite impressive snow shower over Southwark at about 8.30 am. Enough to put most people off - and Healthy Riders are only human....
Great train assisted ride planned. Canada Water to New Cross Gate, train to Crystal Palace, then ride back to Canada Water. Route at https://goo.gl/flGEKU
But for the first time ever, none turned up. No-one at Canada Water, or New Cross Gate or Crystal Palace. Problem I suspect was the quite impressive snow shower over Southwark at about 8.30 am. Enough to put most people off - and Healthy Riders are only human....
Healthy Ride, Nov 14th 2015
Idea was to take advantage of the Lord Mayor's Show to find some traffic free streets in the City. Here are some notes from ride leader Werner, who attempted this with just 2 regular riders (was raining with a terrible forecast).
Riding down Queen Victoria Street without seeing any other traffic I
decided against Blackfriars Bridge, turned round and rode it up again.
Actually, we saw a few police bicycles outside one coffee-shop and
said hello when the riders came out.
A quick check to confirm that Cannon Street near St. Paul's was
impenetrable and then some meandering through not necessarily closed
off but very deserted alleys and lanes. Bishopsgate may have been a
bit busier than normal Saturdays but no problem. A quick look at what
isn't going to be the Pinnacle and gets taken away at the moment,
inspecting the Cheesegrater's zip-ties holding up the bolts, around
the Gherkin, looking at an ugly Christmas tree in Leadenhall Market,
showing off the secret passage under Fenchurch Street and a preview of
the Monument before next year's 350-year-events. Return to Canada
Water at an embarrassingly late 12:01.
GPS doesn't always get a good signal between the towers, but here is the track:
http://taffimai.w2.org.uk/healthy-rides/CW-LM-20151114.html
Idea was to take advantage of the Lord Mayor's Show to find some traffic free streets in the City. Here are some notes from ride leader Werner, who attempted this with just 2 regular riders (was raining with a terrible forecast).
Riding down Queen Victoria Street without seeing any other traffic I
decided against Blackfriars Bridge, turned round and rode it up again.
Actually, we saw a few police bicycles outside one coffee-shop and
said hello when the riders came out.
A quick check to confirm that Cannon Street near St. Paul's was
impenetrable and then some meandering through not necessarily closed
off but very deserted alleys and lanes. Bishopsgate may have been a
bit busier than normal Saturdays but no problem. A quick look at what
isn't going to be the Pinnacle and gets taken away at the moment,
inspecting the Cheesegrater's zip-ties holding up the bolts, around
the Gherkin, looking at an ugly Christmas tree in Leadenhall Market,
showing off the secret passage under Fenchurch Street and a preview of
the Monument before next year's 350-year-events. Return to Canada
Water at an embarrassingly late 12:01.
GPS doesn't always get a good signal between the towers, but here is the track:
http://taffimai.w2.org.uk/healthy-rides/CW-LM-20151114.html
Healthy Ride Oct 24th 2015
See report and photo at http://southwarkcyclists.org.uk/healthy-ride-report-oct-25th-2015/
See report and photo at http://southwarkcyclists.org.uk/healthy-ride-report-oct-25th-2015/
Healthy Ride + Oct 17th 2015
Peckham to Waterlink Way Loop. Eight riders at 9.30 on a dull by dry October morning. As planed rode up to Nunhead and through the Cemetery and then on to Camberwell New Cemetery. Then over the railway bridge and through mostly quiet streets, past Forest Hill Station on the east side and on to Mayow Park. Trees here particularly fine, with some Turkey Oak now deep red. Down to Bell Green for a brief loo/refreshment break at Saisbury's. In very good time, so Ricky led us south to Cator Park and back. The 10,000 miles of Cycle Route sign put up by Sustrans in 2000 is now in a sorry state, but the HG Wells quote is readable. Back along the Waterlink Way off road path north to Ladywell. From there up steep rise to Hilly Fields with everyone cycling this! Proves the Healthy Rides get you fit! From Hilly Fields across to Brockley, then Nunhead. Still in good time so tested the legs of riders by cutting across to Telegraph Hill. Excellent views north to central London. Finally a nice run down to Peckham. A lot of road, but mostly quiet road and we did have one of the best off-road paths in London for the middle stretch. Two big climbs, but we still covered 15 miles according to Malcolm's cycle computer. Route at https://goo.gl/ygI7Gt
Peckham to Waterlink Way Loop. Eight riders at 9.30 on a dull by dry October morning. As planed rode up to Nunhead and through the Cemetery and then on to Camberwell New Cemetery. Then over the railway bridge and through mostly quiet streets, past Forest Hill Station on the east side and on to Mayow Park. Trees here particularly fine, with some Turkey Oak now deep red. Down to Bell Green for a brief loo/refreshment break at Saisbury's. In very good time, so Ricky led us south to Cator Park and back. The 10,000 miles of Cycle Route sign put up by Sustrans in 2000 is now in a sorry state, but the HG Wells quote is readable. Back along the Waterlink Way off road path north to Ladywell. From there up steep rise to Hilly Fields with everyone cycling this! Proves the Healthy Rides get you fit! From Hilly Fields across to Brockley, then Nunhead. Still in good time so tested the legs of riders by cutting across to Telegraph Hill. Excellent views north to central London. Finally a nice run down to Peckham. A lot of road, but mostly quiet road and we did have one of the best off-road paths in London for the middle stretch. Two big climbs, but we still covered 15 miles according to Malcolm's cycle computer. Route at https://goo.gl/ygI7Gt
Healthy Ride 10th Oct 2015
10 o’clock at Canada water on a bright Autumn morning. 15 riders assembled for a gentle meander around the Rotherhithe area, with just a small incursion into Deptford. Started round Greenland and South Docks to the Deptford riverside. Then back to Greenland Passage where we stopped to wave to the passing Waverley. The restored Clyde steamer was a fine sight, jam-packed with passengers waving back from every available deck.
Continued along the river westward to Durand’s Wharf. Stopped and discussed how fine things would be when the projected Brunel Bridge provided cycle and pedestrian access to Canary Wharf. From here a short excursion towards Russia Woodland via the Holyoake path and the bridge over Salter Rd. Unfortunately the new building at Blondin Way has closed the path for now, so we diverted via Downtown Road. Russia Woodland looked its autumnal best. After a short circuit we looped back to the river at Pageant Crescent and continued to Surrey Water. Here we made a second foray into the hinterland, arriving eventually at Stave Hill which some of us ascended (see picture). From Stave Hill back to the river via Dock Hill Avenue. There we observed in wonderment the fine fountain – all restored and making a fine sight. In 20 years had never seen this fountain fountaining. Apparently it began working again about a month ago.
Next headed round by the Thames Path to King Stairs Garden and across to Southwark Park. We noted some significant improvements being made in sports facilities. Two new tennis courts, plus the original 2 resurfaced (not reopened yet) and the work on restoring the athletics track in busy progress even on a Saturday morning. Again, in 20 years, have never seen this track in use. Will be a while before that work is finished, but will be excellent when that is the case.
Back at Canada Water just before 12 noon. A pleasant and instructive ride. 13.8km on my phone app; route at https://goo.gl/Y8KoWy
10 o’clock at Canada water on a bright Autumn morning. 15 riders assembled for a gentle meander around the Rotherhithe area, with just a small incursion into Deptford. Started round Greenland and South Docks to the Deptford riverside. Then back to Greenland Passage where we stopped to wave to the passing Waverley. The restored Clyde steamer was a fine sight, jam-packed with passengers waving back from every available deck.
Continued along the river westward to Durand’s Wharf. Stopped and discussed how fine things would be when the projected Brunel Bridge provided cycle and pedestrian access to Canary Wharf. From here a short excursion towards Russia Woodland via the Holyoake path and the bridge over Salter Rd. Unfortunately the new building at Blondin Way has closed the path for now, so we diverted via Downtown Road. Russia Woodland looked its autumnal best. After a short circuit we looped back to the river at Pageant Crescent and continued to Surrey Water. Here we made a second foray into the hinterland, arriving eventually at Stave Hill which some of us ascended (see picture). From Stave Hill back to the river via Dock Hill Avenue. There we observed in wonderment the fine fountain – all restored and making a fine sight. In 20 years had never seen this fountain fountaining. Apparently it began working again about a month ago.
Next headed round by the Thames Path to King Stairs Garden and across to Southwark Park. We noted some significant improvements being made in sports facilities. Two new tennis courts, plus the original 2 resurfaced (not reopened yet) and the work on restoring the athletics track in busy progress even on a Saturday morning. Again, in 20 years, have never seen this track in use. Will be a while before that work is finished, but will be excellent when that is the case.
Back at Canada Water just before 12 noon. A pleasant and instructive ride. 13.8km on my phone app; route at https://goo.gl/Y8KoWy