Category: Rides

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.

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

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.

Here is the result of our audit ride of Newham Greenway

Newham Greenway audit ride 211118 (1):

A mixture of Newham Cyclists and friends from E20 Cycle Club set off from Canterbury West, heading through Canterbury University and up a hill to join the Crab & Winkle Way (some ‘Paris Roubaix’ surfaces here!)

At St Cosmos & St Damian Church, Blean, we met Jane from Southwark Cyclists, who joined us for the ride.  Then it was on to the coastal path – aka the Viking Trail.

Stopping for lunch (and a few ice creams) at the West Bay Cafe, we were joined by Newham Cyclist Anna, who was off for a swim at Broadstairs.

On around the coast to Margate and then finally to Ramsgate station for the train home, after 33.4 miles and 350m of climb (not pancake flat as previous advised by Robin!*)

More photos here.

Ride map here.

*Editor’s note – anyone spot a recurring theme with our ride leaders?!?

Apologies about the odd formatting – lost the will to live trying to get it to look right!