Fifteen of us on the ride, including the imps from over the river – a bit less than last year but the doom-laden weather forecasts had clearly put some off.
The usual motley collection of bikes for our Bike Week meander, including a fixie and a recumbent. Amongst a good sprinkling of regulars there were a lot of new folk as well, which is always good. Bob on the recumbent met us at Telegraph Hill, as did Ibrahim, who very nicely popped along to say hi before shooting off to work.
We met Tim on top of Hilly Fields before descending to drift through the wonders of the beautifully relandscaped Ladywell Fields. My reccie a couple of days before, with a pause to read an info board, revealed that this local triumph is brought to you thanks to the less than beautifully named QUERCUS scheme, which apparently stands for “Quality Urban Environments for River Corridor Users and Stakeholders”. Who the **** thinks these things up?
So, the happy stakeholders tootled on over Blythe Hill Fields, one of the best views of the evening, towards One Tree Hill and its royal picnic spot. Then off to visit the home of the dodo, which this year was sporting a new flag – the old one had become somewhat bedraggled after a few seasons atop the lofty peaks of Lewisham.
Despite dire predictions the day before, the weather was kind to us and as I’ve done the ride a fair few times I actually found the breezy air and cloudy/on the edge of a storm sky added a certain atmosphere.
After the scenic tour, some split for home as we emerged from the back of the Horniman, but rather more than last year were fixed on a drink so we headed off to the Crystal Palace pub. The owners have managed to progressively over-improve its wonderful garden with the addition of superfluous water features, over-elaborate lounge furniture and even bean bags which had to be hurriedly retrieved as the rain fell, but it’s handy for cyclists and allows bikes to be locked safely.
Once we were comfortably inside its tent-covered veranda the heavens opened and deposited a tank full of water over the chairs at the other end. A break in the weather allowed us to shoot off home on a wonderfully breezy evening so not a drop of rain fell on us in anger.
Thanks to all who came and the usual special thanks to the friends of the dodo.