Healthy Ride on May 29th 2021. Led by Amanda whose terrific report is below.

Mild weather, but warming up nicely. Twelve riders left Cutty Sark along the Thames Path on route to Woolwich passing the O2 and Thames Barrier. Sections of the Thames Path previously closed are now open so no street diversions at Greenwich. Puncture No 1 on this stretch.  As there was a Ferry strike, we used the first of our alternatives on this ride, Woolwich Foot Tunnel.  Lifts were working both ends so no need to use the DLR to cross the Thames.

Through Victoria Park, over the flight path end bridge of City Airport and Victoria and Albert Docks, we said goodbye to our first puncture victim as there were more holes in the tyre than Jamie’s repair can could fix.  No flights overhead to day, but we did see the rowers in action whilst riding waterside along the docks.  Beckton Park south was green and lush, crossing over to Beckton Park North, for the first time I can recall, many of the park gates were closed. We took an easy but noisy diversion along the A13 using CS3.

Along the Greenway, Punctures 2 and 3 happened at opposite ends of the path.  Both were fixed (Thanks again Jamie.), One of the puncture victims took the DLR at Stratford, just in case it happened again.   Whilst at puncture stops it was great to be informed by David of the history of many of the places we were passing.

Turned off the Greenway past the beautiful Victorian Pump House, then a pleasant quiet section along the canal path, passing the newly erected 9ft statue (urban woman this time.) Through Three Mills Lock, over the bridge at Bromley-By-Bow to Bow Creek passing various other statues including the stacked supermarket trolleys and a big blue egg(!) and into Cody Dock.  

Quirky Cody Dock is in great shape.  The staff work really hard on the garden planters, especially to attract wildlife.  It’s informative with information boards and photographs.  There are mental health wooden statues (two). Many of the plants are also labelled to inform visitors. A new cafeteria is being constructed, possibly to attract visitors year round.  They are still hopeful of getting the path open to Canning Town but as yet the recycling centre won’t budge. A floating bridge on the river would be an excellent alternative.  We stuck with a ½ hour break to view the dock and have a coffee etc.

Homeward bound via Blackwall and Dollar Bay.  We stopped at Mudchute, to drop 5 at the DLR to cross the Thames as we knew that both lifts North and South sides of the Greenwich Foot Tunnel were not working. The remaining 5 of us braved the Foot Tunnel and flights of endless stairs both ends.  

This was a really great group to lead. Nobody was put out by the punctures all were happy to wait for them to be fixed.  Lots of chatting and laughter on route. We arrived back at Greenwich only 40mins later than planned.  Forgot to take any pictures (maybe there is someone with some photos, if so please post them to the Facebook Group).

Thank you to ‘Jinx’ Jamie for assisting as ‘sometime’ back marker (ha) and especially for fixing all of the punctures with his cans of white-stuff.