A 7am start deterred some of you (as I thought it might) and after a flurry of texts on a beautiful Easter Saturday morning, just as I was about to leave, from people who had overslept or were otherwise unable to make it, just three of us left the cafe to head through fairly quiet South London streets. We soon realised we had a slight tailwind, which lifted my spirits… Read More »Surrey Hills Ride: The Tough One
Andrew’s Cheese Run route covers some of my favourite bits of Kent as well as a few lovely lanes I am not so familiar with…often the way with Andrew’s rides…I think I know the area he’s leading us through and then he turns off down a beautiful little lane that I haven’t yet ridden, even after 30 odd years of exploring this area on my bike. So, despite the horrid… Read More »The Cheese Run Ride Report
Lewisham Cyclists began to gather at the cafe in Ladywell, quite early on a beautiful International Women’s day morning, ready to believe that winter was finally done with us and a spring and summer of sun kissed rides was on its way. Ten of us set off along the Waterlink Way to Greenwich where we were met by another ten. At this point, Sidney and Mary left us as they… Read More »An East London Explorer for International Women’s Day
Felt like a great day for a ride as soon as I headed out down Peckham Rye. More cool spring day, than mid winter morning. Two fellow riders at the library, and together we headed off for the riverside at London Bridge, then a short Bankside trip to Blackfriars. 2 more met up with us and the five of us managed to get return tickets to Harpenden for less than… Read More »Herts and Bucks Explorer 1/2/2014
I have been a bit remiss in completing ride reports recently…but having been told at the Greenwich Christmas Quiz that at least a few people enjoy them, I will start again. I rode to Clapham Junction under blue skies streaked with thin threads of pure white cloud, a beautiful clear winter light flooding the Common. A great 6 miles to start the day I was expecting at least half a… Read More »Surrey Hills Winter Edition December 2013
Seven of us headed up out of Coulsdon on to the lovely Farthing Down. The weather looked good but we had all brought waterproofs, prepared for the forecast showers. At this point, it looked as though the forecast was wrong. Beautiful blue skies, bright sunshine giving us terrific views all round. On to Chaldon and then a fast descent down to Spring Bottom Lane, and then further south to cross… Read More »Over The Hills and Not So Far Away (Farthing Down into Surrey and Kent Ride)
Nine of us at Ladywell Fields cafe – only just opening as we leave, so no opportunity for a quick coffee. Beautiful sunny day and few cars as we cruised to Hayes via Bellingham and the lovely section of Greenway along the Ravensbourne River. Soon out into the country the main ‘traffic’ being returning early rising club cyclists. Steady climbing up to Downe and a well deserved stop for teas… Read More »Ladywell Downe and Fickleshole
Must be about the fourth time we have done this ride- it’s becoming a Bike Week classic. 20 of us at Cutty Sark Gardens. A good number aged from ten to about 60, diverse group of cyclists, set off on a fine summer evening. Everyone pootled through the back streets and pleasant bit of the Waterlink Way, then our first and least picturesque ascent, Friendly St. Our youngest member decided… Read More »Peaks of Lewisham 20th June 2013
Ride report: Midsummer Madness 2013 Cloudy skies failed to dampen enthusiasm for this year’s nighttime ride to greet the solstice dawn. More than 50 cyclists assembled in Cutty Sark Gardens on Friday morning for a 2am departure westwards towards Southwark Needle, where we collected another 35 or so, making it a Barry-100 in total (there is only one significant figure). There were certainly in excess of 100 at Bar Italia… Read More »Midsummer Madness 2013
Four of us left the hustle of London Bridge on a dull, grey evening that threatened rain, but never carried out that threat. Pleasantly warm, too. Ideal evening for an extended commute. We hopped over Tower Bridge easily, down to St Katharine’s Dock where a fifth rider was waiting on the other side of the bridge. The bridge was up, to allow a fine old Thames barge through, quite a… Read More »Another Quirky Afterworker May 2013