Although 16 places were booked on the ride were were but six on the day. The weather was damp and cold but the ride covered some beautiful and interesting spots in the borough For those that wish to investigate themselves here is the link to download the GPX file:
www.newhamcyclists.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/gpx/Newhamride121123.gpx
We were only five on this beautiful ride in the September sunshine. The ride was medium difficulty with some steep but not long hills on mostly quiet country lanes
Thanks to Robin for the photos
The weather forecast was rainy although the morning started bright as we met at Leytonstone station to catch a train to Epping to start the ride
We were six setting off from Epping station finding the quiet ways through the spring green countryside. The route tracked north east to Toot Hill taking in a few hills to warm up. After crossing the A414 at Bobbingworth the roads grew quieter with fewer hills. We went through Moreton, (1st stop on the DunRun), towards Matching Green.
Given the weather I took a detour, via Little Laver, to avoid the Ford which can become impassable in the wet. Ironically Robin and Jonathan took a chance on the Ford and it turned out to be drier than the detour….So we rendezvoused at Matching Green, some of us with wet feet. Turning left off Downhall Road led us past the pretty church of St Mary’s where we stopped for a photo
We continued on the bridleway past Matching Hall and to our lunch stop at the Fox in Matching Tye. Refreshed we took the lovely Faggoters lane south towards High Laver and back across the A414 at Tyler’s Green, avoiding the busy roundabout
Taking the back route into North Weald we detoured to the old railway station to see how public transport used to look
The route back to Epping was a reminder of how many B roads are less pleasant for cycling, we we even close passed by a police car.
Below is the route and statistics for this ride. The next ride is the Newham Nature Reserve Ride on 14 May, put it in your diary
Newham Cyclists’ rides 2023 click on the link below
https://docs.google.com/document/d/14gftfYp1EfFQP8eHzV8-HeIRndGf__n497F4almq-NQ/edit
| Ride name | Date | Ride leader | Difficulty (distance & terrain) |
|---|---|---|---|
| International women’s day feeder ride | 05/03 | Steve | Easy |
| Newham Ride | 12/03 | Arnold | Easy |
| Essex Lanes ride | 23/04 | Steve | Medium |
| Newham Nature Reserve ride | 14/05 | Arnold | Easy |
| River Ride | 04/06 | Bill | Easy |
| Newham Ride | 25/06 | Arnold | Easy |
| Brewery Ride | 01/07 | Bill | Easy |
| Newham Ride | 16/07 | Arnold | Easy |
| Greensted Church Ride | 10/09 | Steve | Medium |
| Rainham Marsh Ride | 24/09 | Arnold | Easy |
| Newham Ride | 12/11 | Steve | Easy |
| Christmas Lights Ride | 10/12 | Steve | Easy |
It was a beautiful, if cold, spring day for this ride. We took the central line to Epping and rode north east in and anticlockwise loop as far as the village of Matching. The historic church of St Mary the Virgin between Matching green and Matching Tye provided and interesting stop. We had a refreshment break at the Fox at Matching Tye before following the quiet lanes back to North Weald and reentering the flow of traffic into Epping.
We had beautiful weather for riding through the countryside on Newham Cyclists’ first venture into deepest Essex since lockdown. We visited North Weald station and saw the heritage trains . We also saw a couple of WW2 aircraft in the sky overhead. Despite a navigational error by the ride leader, including a few extra miles, we found our destination after an unplanned but welcome lunch stop in Ongar. Greensted church was as picturesque as ever and the team felt that we had rolled over quite a few hills and byways by the time we got back to Epping Station
Click on the link to see all planned rides , these may be subject to change
https://docs.google.com/document/d/14gftfYp1EfFQP8eHzV8-HeIRndGf__n497F4almq-NQ/edit?usp=sharing
For our next ride we are taking the tube from Leytonstone to Epping and, as part of a 20 mile circuit, riding to Greensted church. The plan is to meet at 9.30am on 13th June at the cafe on the south side of Leytonstone station. The route, while relatively short will include some hills, therefore you are likely to need your gears. You will also need to book
The second of the new socially distanced rides saw four of us set off from the Viewtube on a sunny morning. We followed the Lea canal to the point it joins the river at Three Mills. A short visit to the peaceful, green enclave of Coal Gas memorial site and then down to Cody Dock where Nadia’s cafe was open. Along to Canning Town, through the ecology park, the station and down the expressway to the Emirates cable car. This provides spectacular views across this part of London and appears to be operating almost without passengers
At North Greenwich we took the Thames cycle route towards the Thames Barrier and, after an enforced detour, to the Woolwich ferry. Unfortunately on this occasion the ferry was not running so we had to use the foot tunnel and missed the river views. Having crossed back we stayed as close to the river as possible, through Royal Victoria Gardens, and crossing the access to King George V dock and then Royal Albert dock at the locks. We kept on the Thames path as far as possible and then turned away from the river at Gallions Reach towards Gallions Reach Retail Park. From there it was easy to pick up the cycle route that joins the Greenway and follow this back to our starting point. Only stopping to admire the views we were back in time for lunch
A blustery day saw us take our first organised socially distanced ride. Although we planned for six, we were only three leaving the Viewtube and a fourth joined us at Thames Barrier Park. It was noticeable that several cafes were open including the Viewtube, and Fat Boys at Trinity Buoy Wharf, and toilet facilities at the Expressway.
We had to cross the 6 sets of lights at the A13 junction, this is the most tricky section of the ride. Otherwise cycle infrastructure facilities on this route are not bad and just miss minor assists such as a dropped kerb and better light phasing on the Barking road
In all this was a pleasant ride within the current restrictions and I am looking forward to the river ride on 12th July
