London Bridge-Kensington Gardens Loop

NOTE. Please register on Eventbrite so we can limit numbers, link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/london-bridge-to-kensington-gardens-circular-cycle-ride-tickets-868586835607

There has been a decade or more of work to develop safe, segregated cycle routes in London. What kind of possibilities has it opened up? Last year I set out to look at Central London where most of the new cycleways are. Stitched together a circular route that gets you around in reasonable comfort and passes lots of interesting locations.  Report of last year’s ride is here.

Start 10am at London Bridge. Cross bridge and drop down to Cycleway 3, a well-designed, segregated route. Follow this along the embankment, through Parliament Squ, past Buck house, across Hyde Park and into Kensington Gdns. Start return past the Albert Memorial and continue to Lancaster Gate. Abandon C3 here and stay in Hyde Park heading east. Exit Hyde Park just before Marble Arch via the cycle crossing to Stanhope Pl, then back streets (LCN5) to Crawford St where the route becomes Cycleway 27. C27 is a bit of a let-down; no segregation, no protection at junctions. However it is a (nearly) straight route. At Gower St we leave C27 and use the segregated lanes on Torrington Place eastwards, these not having a cycleway designation (LCN6). Keeping going east we join a second stretch of well designed route, Cycleway 6 and turn south to and over Blackfriars Bridge. Last segment is on C14 most of the way to London Bridge. At an easy pace we can ride this loop in 3 hours including a coffee break. Bruce Leading, 14 miles.  Route at https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1qkrX4KxPAZfk9xDVDZM5tWq_oaj4kBQ&usp=sharing

Riders of all ages are welcome on Healthy Rides but under 18s must be accompanied by a responsible adult.  Same for “adults at risk”.  If you cannot make a ride, please cancel so that someone else can take the place. How to cancel link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/help/en-gb/articles/575010/how-to-cancel-your-free-registration/  This ride is part of a regular programme of Saturday rides, more information at https://southwarkcyclists.org.uk/healthy-rides/.  You can see our forward planning and also how many riders are registered here.