Jane

I could not let this week go past without remembering Olatunji Johnson Adeyanju, known as TJ, a 17 year old just starting out on what had the potential to be, by all accounts, an adult life that would have made a difference in his community. As most of you know, he was knocked from his bike on on Deptford Church St, in March last year, by a driver who didn’t… Read More »A Sad Reminder

Well, only Natasha at the Needle. The massive drenching showers of earlier in the afternoon had completely disappeared and if you had planned to come, but changed your mind due to that earlier weather, you missed a treat. Over the bridge, through the mad mayhem that is rush hour Thames crossing traffic, for maybe a minute, down to the riverside and peace, calm, sun peeping through the clouds, for the next two hours or so.  A real theme of this ride, Far from the Madding Crowd, you might say.

The ornamental canal was dotted with the nests of water birds. One fine swan stretched up to reveal one beautiful, huge, blue egg. We oohed and aaaahed at the coot chicks, bobbing up and down. Earlier, I had seen what looked to be a wagtail, but a yellow one, trying to drink. I have never seen a yellow one here before, anyone else? Or am I mistaken- definitely possible!

On through the two basins, Shadwell and Limehouse, to the Regent Canal.  Natasha was a West Londoner, so was keen to know through just what parts of London we were weaving our way. The canal was quieter than at the weekend, and sometimes we were even able to ride alongside each other. At one point we passed a little fluffy pile of sleeping goslings, nestling together on the towpath, carefully guarded by both parents.  I would have loved to photograph this, but the parents looked a bit large and fierce, so just squeeed! and rode by. We headed up the steep slope at the Islington tunnel, where the towpath and the strong horses had to stop and leave the bargees to power their craft through by leg and footpower alone and found our way through the useful and quiet network of cycle lanes here back to the canal further along. Soon we became aware that we were in the Kings Cross/St Pancras area because of the massive amount of building work alongside the canal. We headed up the steps leading to the new St Martins Fashion School.

Read More »Quirky Afterworker Ride

Some of us rode out from London to join others who trained it out to Otford for our Cheese Run Ride to Winterdale Shaw Farm yesterday. A mix of sunshine and showers, beautiful bluebells, some hills, some great descents, and one wild, wonderful glide along the Knatts valley before heading back to Otford and thence to town. Thanks to Andrew for leading this one. Great route.

Well, I was expecting to be sitting on my own waiting for no one yesterday. I had received several messages throughout the day from folks saying the wind and possible rain was sending them straight home. The wind at London Bridge was pretty wild. My helmet was blown off my head as I unclipped it and retrieved by a kindly passer by. However, there are some hardy folks among us… Read More »Thursdays Afterworker

I’ll be at the Southwark Needle again, this Thursday 9th May, at 6.30pm. South end of London Bridge outside Evans.  This time, I’ll head to the northside of the river and ride eastwards to Island Gardens, stroll through the tunnel to Greenwich,  pedal up through the park, across Blackheath and down to the Waterlink Way, which I’ll follow for a bit.  It connects with a few good cyclepaths that allow pleasant, traffic… Read More »Afterworker this week

As the warm weather arrives, be sure to check our rides  on our Rides and Events page.  We run rides every weekend throughout the year, regardless of the weather (unless health and safety concerns are too great, which is rare).  However, we know that some of you prefer to ride when the weather’s better, so don’t forget to check out what we are doing now the weather is improving. Some… Read More »Rides programme hotting up