We had a magical ride through London’s West End to enjoy the sparkling atmosphere. Here is a link to the photos
Category: Rides
Urgent! tonights firework ride cancelled
Ride scheduled for this evening has been cancelled due to display being cancelled due to adverse weather conditions
‘Unfortunately due to the adverse weather conditions, including strong gusts of wind, which are forecast to continue, the Event Mangement Team have decided that it is unsafe to continue with the event. We regret any dissapointment this may cause, but public safety must be our priority at all times.‘
sorry Bill
Essex Lanes – Ride Report
Sunday’s Essex Lane’s ride followed the route from Epping station north east towards Morton, Fyfield and Willingale, before going south towards Blackmore and then west to Stondon Massey.
We had lunch at the Bricklayers, before heading to Ongar then Greensted, Toot Hill and the rollercoaster back towards Epping.
The weather was amazing, warm and sunny, and the countryside still had the lush feel of summer. Leaving Epping we saw the Routemaster buses running the shuttle service to NorthWeald so we decided to make a short detour to see the spectacle which is the preserved station, vintage trains and busses recreating the transport infrastructure of the past.
The next stop was the small village of Willingale with two churches next to each other…
There are numerous stories regarding how this came about and if you are interested you will have to wait until the next Essex lanes ride to find out.
After lunch we couldn’t resist a stop at Greensted church as we were passing and there was a demand for local honey. Unfortunately there was none but there were lots more local history stories.
The photos only show the start and finish of the ride, but can you spot the ebike?
Freecycle Feeder Ride – Stratford to Bank
This is always the biggest family ride of the year with many people coming from outside London to take advantage of the freecycle cycling carnival in Central London, with no traffic. It was our task to ensure that the participants were guided safely through the streets leading to the Freecycle and bring them back after the event
This year we changed the route to include the Olympic Park, Victoria Park, a short section of the regents canal and quiet way 13, from Broadway Market to Shoreditch and on to Moorgate and Bank. Families gathered, their bikes were checked, tyres pumped, emergency contact forms filled and everyone was made to feel welcome. As usual we saw some interesting vehicles, including a scooter, a child trailer and a rider with a large sound system on his back. There were a number of children on their first or longest road ride, who were asked to ride at the front to set the pace, the youngest was just four years old.
The weather was fine and the ride passed very smoothly, apart from coming across a seemingly continuous running race in Victoria Park. Our excellent team of marshals worked hard to ensure that the riders were safe, had fun and arrived at the Bank to join the thousands of people on bikes enjoying a traffic free London, perhaps this is how London will look in future.
More photos here – thanks as always to Robin Stephenson.
Canterbury Circuit Ride Report
We got the train from Stratford International and did this circular tour in Kent in two legs:
The first ride on Sunday 7th July took us out from Canterbury up the hill to the university, and then some very fashionable gravel riding on the Crab and Winkle Way to Whitstable. From Whitstable we followed the Kentish coast clockwise past Reculver and the Herne Bay Sailing club to the West Bay Cafe for lunch. A brief stop at the Sunken Gardens and we carried on around the coast to Ramsgate and our train home.
More photos here: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmEX2YGU
A fortnight later on Sunday 21st July we took the high speed train out to Ramsgate and continued the loop—around the coast past the Pfizer pharmaceutical site and its accompanying “Hands & Molecule” celebratory statue to Sandwich. From there we headed inland through the Weald of Kent on some fairly quiet country roads to our lunch stop at the Independant Pedaler [sic]. Some short and sharp hills, and then a long fast descent into Canterbury to take a look at the cathedral. We just missed a fast train back, so took the opportunity to have a drink at the Millers Arms by the Stour.
More photos here: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmFnkWLe
Brewery Pride ride Report 29/6/19
10 of us set off on a very sunny Saturday to ride around some east and north east London’s Breweries –as well as old favourites we found a no. of new brew sites! Crossing river Lee we passed old favourites inc Crate & Howling hops to cross Victoria park (& a family marathon in park!) to Old street brewery in Bethnal green –new to us last year. Passing Boxcar –soon to reopen, we stopped for first sample at new Mechanic Brewery also in Bethnal green.
Travelling north now the day started to really heat up passing more Hackney breweries we headed for Lee navigation canal where we rode up to Hale brewery near Markfield park –they actually brew in a shipping container –very micro! Back up canal past Beavertown who were holding a ticketed beer festival we had our lunch stop at Pressure drop brewery –however promised food was not there! after some negotiation some procured food from tasty Beavertown stalls.
Then past new brewery Ora and onto new site for One mile end brewery & Redemption –both in Tottenham. –back across canal and Tottenham marshes to new site of Wild card –next to a retro scooter shop in north Walthamstow. Past alcohol free brewery Nirvana, four more in Leyton before a stop at another new brewery Gravity well for more sampling. We spoke to keen staff at Solvay Society tap room in E11 –brewers of Belgian style beers! We passed Pretty Decent brewery in E7 to our final stop at Woodgrange market where Forest Gayte festival was in full flight and to sample Pretty Decent brew!
Prize for best dressed bike must go to Anita -8 made it back to E7 after a very hot day of riding 23 miles and 28 breweries! -see list below
Bill
| brewery | location | tap room/notes | web | |
| 1 | Trumans | E3 2NT | no | https://www.trumansbeer.co.uk/ |
| 2 | Crate | E9 5EW | y | https://cratebrewery.com/ |
| 3 | Howling hops | E9 5EN | y | https://www.howlinghops.co.uk/ |
| 4 | Laine | E9 7BT | ceased? | https://www.peoplesparktavern.pub/brewery |
| 6 | old st | Arch 11 Gales Gardens, London E2 0EJ | y | https://oldstreet.beer/ |
| 7 | boxcar | Unit 1 Birkbeck St, London E2 6JY | tap not yet open | https://www.boxcarbrewery.co.uk/ |
| 8 | mechanic | Railway Arches, 22A Cudworth St, London E1 5QU | stop | https://www.mechanicbrewery.co.uk/ |
| 9 | Three sods | E2 6NB | ceased? | https://www.threesodsbrewery.com/about-us |
| 10 | Forest rd | 8 Netil Ln, London E8 3RL | y | https://www.forestroad.co.uk/ |
| 11 | London fields | 365-366 Warburton St, London E8 3RR | tap not yet open | https://www.londonfieldsbrewery.co.uk/agegate |
| 12 | church | E8 1JE | y | https://www.hackneychurchbrew.co/ |
| 13 | Deviant & Dandy | Arch 184 Nursery Rd, London E9 6PB | y | http://deviantanddandy.com/ |
| 14 | Hale at five miles | 39b Markfield Road, London, N15 4QA | y | https://twitter.com/halebrewing?lang=en |
| 15 | Beavertown | N17 9QP | y | https://www.beavertownbrewery.co.uk/home/ |
| 16 | Pressure drop | Unit 6, Lockwood Industrial Park, Mill Mead Rd, London N17 9QP | lunch stop | https://pressuredropbrewing.co.uk/tottenham-taproom |
| 17 | Ora | Unit 16a, Rosebery Industrial Park, London N17 9SR | y | http://www.orabeer.com/en/ |
| 18 | Redemption Brewing Company | 16, Compass West Estate, West Rd, Tottenham, London N17 0XL | n | http://www.redemptionbrewing.co.uk/ |
| 19 | One Mile End | 2, Compass West Estate, 32 West Rd, Tottenham, London N17 0XL | n | http://onemileend.co/ |
| 20 | Wild card | 2 Lockwood Way, Walthamstow, London E17 5RB | y | https://www.wildcardbrewery.co.uk/about |
| 21 | Nirvana | Unit T6, Leyton Industrial Village, Argall Avenue, Walthamstow, London E10 7QP | n | https://www.nirvanabrewery.com/ |
| 22 | Neckstamper | Unit 3, Cromwell Industrial Estate, Staffa Rd, Walthamstow, London E10 7QZ | y | https://www.neckstamper.com/ |
| 23 | Magic spells | 24 Rigg Approach, Leyton, London, E10 7QN | y | http://www.magicspellsbrewery.co.uk/ourbeers.html |
| 24 | ELB | E10 7QB | n | https://www.eastlondonbrewing.com/ |
| 25 | Signature brew | E10 7BT | y | https://www.signaturebrew.co.uk/ |
| 26 | Gravity Well | Arch 142 Tilbury Rd, Leyton, London E10 6RE | y | https://www.gravitywellbrewing.co.uk/beers |
| 27 | Solvay Society Taproom | 223 Dyers Hall Railway Arches, London E11 4AF | y | http://www.solvaysociety.com/taproom/ |
| 28 | Pretty Decent | 338 Sheridan Rd, London E7 9EF | y | https://www.prettydecentbeer.co/ |
| Woodgrange market | E7 | stop |
Cake Mountain Ride Report
Steve’s report:
The weather was sunny and warm when 19 of us set out from View Tube en route to Upshire and the mountain of cake. However there were many challenges that we had to meet before we could have our cake and eat it. We rode out of the Olympic Park under the Lea Bridge Road, the towpath was busy with walkers, joggers, cyclists and fishermen/women and on the water there were rowers, paddle boarders, houseboaters as we made our way through the distinctive areas of Springfield park and the start of the string of reservoirs extending north out of London.
Nesting swans were seen as the waterway became quieter and water fowl had more room. We had a few punctures on the rough tracks and although we managed to fix them quickly we did find ourselves returning to the same back wheel.
After we left the towpath just before Enfield lock, we followed the National Cycle Network before joining Sewardstone Road and then climbing Dawes Hill, which combined with too many cars was a tough challenge. As we rode into Chingford passed Gilwell Park scout camp, we were surrounded by the forest and we climbed up to the Queen Elizabeth hunting lodge where we had another brief stop. Turning off Rangers Road we entered the forest and followed the tarmac track towards High Beech, the track had some steep sections before we emerged from the forest at the bikers tea hut. We were soon at High Beech, which was crowded on account of the sunny weather, the forest was beautiful as we rolled on towards the Wake Arms and the busy A121. We negotiated this road without any problems and joined the small road that took us over the M25 and into Upshire and our destination, St Thomas’.
Arrival time 14:28, tea and cake served from 14:30, and with a large slice of home made cake for approximately £1.10 and tea £0.70, unbeatable value.
The ride back was uneventful with zero punctures. We detoured from the canal and cycled around Hackney marshes and through the ever changing Olympic Park as our group reduced in number with people peeling off towards home. We arrived back at Viewtube around 17:30 after an enjoyable outing. Thanks to Anita for back marking, Karen and Robin for marshalling, puncture repairs and photos; also Jonathan, some of whose photos are included here.
River Ride Report 14/4/19
10 of us set off in fair weather on Sunday from View tube bikes in the edge of the Olympic park –along Channelsea path (once a canal) leading to the greenway up the excellent new ramp at Abbey lane –here we passed Abbey creek –leading to the Chanelsea river. We rode the greenway (river of sewage?) as far as we could to Becton & the Gallions reach shopping park, skirting the new developments we caught our first sight of the Thames. Following the river path we passed through Gallions point Marina, Royal Victoria Gardens to arrive early for the first Woolwich ferry of the day. The new Ferries have a separate section now for bikes that easily catered for our group and other cyclists using the crossing with us –they even have a seated area sheltered area for cyclists –we did not need as sun had come out and we enjoyed views up and down the Thames.
After disembarking we followed the river path and Quietway 14 using the new bypass section that kept us away from the busy Woolwich rd –leading us to the Thames barrier off road!
QW14 lead us on past Greenwich Yacht club, many new developments as well as industrial areas along some excellent cycle paths to our lunch stop at the cafe under the Emirates cable car –here we lost a couple of riders –one heading back to Bexley the other taking the cable care (for the first time ) back to Newham.
On past the O2 only one small path diversion remained before cutting through the old Naval college in the University of Greenwich, past the Cutty Sark to take the foot Tunnel back across river to Isle of Dogs. Passing through island gardens we continued along the Thames path, passing beach at Amsterdam rd, over blue bridge onto East India dock basin (see second photo) We decided to divert into the new development London City Island surrounded by the River Lee meander through the Bow ecology park then over Newham way to Cody dock for a brief comfort break.
Following Bow Creek we used the steep bridge to rejoin the River Lee past three Mills, back to Olympic park to end of ride back on the Greenway
An easy 20ish mile ride with many riders discovering new places – even after many years in the area!
Sorry no map as I had a technology malfunction(S)!
Thanks for Arnie for back marking & Nigel at view tube bikes for start photo (thanks also Nigel for checking over some bikes before ride!)
Bill
Steve’s Ride Report – Much Hadham Ride
The sunny and calm weather made for near perfect conditions for this ride.
Eight of us met at Leytonstone station as usual to take tube to Epping for the start. We followed the B181 out of the town and through the countryside to Epping Upland, Epping Green and Roydon. Over the river Stort and the level crossing and deeper into the Hertfordshire countryside, through the pretty villages of Hunsdon and Wilford to Much Hadam. We turned east and passed a field full of sheep with their newly born lambs, cross a ford on the river Ash and climbed the hill towards Perry Green. The Henry Moore studios and gardens are not open until 3 April, although some of his iconic statues can be seen from the road.
We rode through Green Tye and saw a pillbox that used to guard a long forgotten WW2 airfield. We passed Thorley woods where the notorious murderer Harry Roberts lived while hiding from the police. We took the back route through Sawbridgeworth and crossed the locks and railway line and we were back in Essex. The Fox at Matching Tye was our lunch stop, there were two other cycling clubs there, including a big group from Redbridge. I wonder if any had attended the Redbridge LCC meeting?
The last leg inevitably included the Toot Hill rollercoaster before climbing back up to the station to catch the train home. Well done to all participants, especially those that had not done such a long distance (38 miles) before.
Nuclear Bunker Ride Report
The weather forecast was predicting rain and some strong winds so the destination of a well insulated, dry and extremely safe bunker seemed perfect.
As usual we met at Leytonstone station cafe and took the tube to Epping, to start the ride. Although wet, the weather was not too bad and nine of us took to the hills, Toot Hill in fact. On our way out we passed riders from the Hainault Roads cycling club completing a hilly 50k time trial. Note that we only passed them as they were coming the other way…
Near Navestock we had our only puncture, but this was soon fixed and we were on our way. Once again we entered the secret bunker via Beacon Hill, ignoring the warning signs, and parked our bikes next to the missiles for extra security. Following the coffee break we continued to Kelvedon Hatch and then to Stondon Massey and the Bricklayers Arms for the lunch stop. Refreshed we headed into the wind, although the rain had stopped, towards Ongar. This well cycled path took us past Greensted Church, back to Toot Hill and the rollercoaster. The advantage of the hills is that we were all warm as we concluded the ride at Epping. The time triallers were all long finished by then but we had enjoyed our route at a slower pace and witnessed the changing times as the secret place of greater safety for five hundred has become a museum .
As always, thanks to Robin for his excellent photos – https://www.flickr.com/photos/rsstephenson/albums/72157690137332453