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
The latest in our leisurely and easy “Discover Newham” Rides will take place this Sunday 11 October. Pre-booking is essential and places are limited to 5 for social distancing reasons. For further details see the Events page.
A Discover Newham Ride will be run this Sunday 27 September . It will be easy paced, mostly off road and between 10 and 15 miles, starting at the View Tube. There is a limt of 4 who must register in advance
Do not turn up if you are displaying Covid-19 symptoms.
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
For the third year in succession our first ride of the year was to Greensted. The weather was fine as before but the route was different as was the lunch stop. We went north from Epping to North Weald and had a brief stop at the well preserved station there. The single track railway began life as an extension of the Great Eastern Railway. We then took the back route through to Tylers Green, Moreton and Bobbingworth, twice crossing the A414. We passed the disused Blake Hall station, over the railway and on to Greensted and St Andrews, the oldest wooden church (circ 845AD). The road then led us through Stanford rivers to Toot Hill and Fiddlers Hamlet, where we had a good lunch at the Theydon Oak. From there it was a short distance to Epping station and the train back although three of our group decided to ride back to Newham and burn some more calories Thanks to Robin for the photos on the link below, if you scroll to the end there are three aerial photos taken by Chas using a drone giving an unusual perspective
14 of us gathered at the ViewTube Cafe to tour the byways of Newham in search of some of our heritage amongst the new build and the post industrial landscape of the Royal Docks and the riversides of the Thames and the Lea.
Our efforts were rewarded – particularly the Thames parks of Victoria Gardens, Thames Barrier Park and Lyle Park which looked delightfully autumnal.
We got back to the View Tube just as the old was beginning to bite.
Start at 10.ooam at the View Tube Cafe. This year we will be focussing on the Royal Docks, and the banks of the rivers Thames and Lea. There will be short stops at sites of historical interest but for further info and photos (including some sites we will not be visiting!) see the update and expanded guide.
Lots of stopping places in the second half of the ride and the cafe at Cody Dock should be open. The choice will depend on the weather.
