1. Tour de Rotherhithe and 2. Greenwich to Victoria Park
1. Tour de Rotherhithe. Report from Ride Leader Bruce.
14 riders at Canada Water on a mild, largely overcast day. Light breeze, excellent cycling weather. Set off to Southwark Park where we looked at the part built new pavilion at the running track. The northwest half of the park was closed for the Bermondsey Carnival so we left the park at the Southwark Park Road gate. Next stop the Salter Statues on the riverside where we collected a further rider. The route then followed the Thames past the Mayflower Pub, Sands Film studios, the Brunel Tunnel Museum, Surrey Dock Farm and South Dock lock – so much to see. Stopped on the Deptford waterfront next to the old naval building. Return started back to South Dock followed by a circuit of Greenland Dock. Stopped at the Sustrans statues that include one remembering Barry Mason, the originator of the Healthy Rides. Short detour to look in amazement at the houses built on water in Plover Way. Then into Russia Dock Woodland where the intended path to the north end was closed for work relacing a bridge. Rode directly to Stave hill. About half the group ascended and were rewarded by excellent views. Last leg was down to Surrey Water than along the Albion channel back to Canada Water.
If you compare this report with the map then it will be apparent that we cut out a bit of the planned route. On such a nice day no-one seemed to be in a hurry and there was lots of chat at the stops. A relaxing ride completed more or less on time. Annotated route map at https://goo.gl/5pFd9b.
Rotherhithe riverside 
Durand’s Wharf 
Crossing lock, South Dock 
Deptford riverside 
Climbing Stave Hill
Compass rose in Russia Woodland 
Deptford maritime riverside 
Mayflower Inn
2. Greenwich to Victoria Park and Mile End Park. Report by Ride Leader Amanda
Weather was perfect day for a cycle ride, warm and sunny. Start at Greenwich DLR Forecourt to take the step-free access DLR across the Thames to Mudshute. We picked up a rider here, then went to Island Gardens to pick up two more.
Set off along the Thames Path Northside and turned off to go through Ropemakers Fields. Picked up the Regents Canal Path at Limehouse and then across the road to go through Mile End Park. This Park is very well-maintained, wildflowers and bushes line the segregated pedestrian and bike routes through the park. Next very short stretch along the Canal Path to enter the perfectly manicured Victoria Park. We rode a ¾ circuit of the Park on its very wide outer ring, which is suitable for pedestrian and cyclists to interweave without worry.
Exited Victoria Park at St Mark’s gate and straight across the road onto the Hertford Union Canal Path – what a difference from one side of the road to the other! This short Canal Path has continual street art graffiti right up to and entering the Olympic Park. Coffee stop here at the Beast Barge. Most of us not queuing for coffee sat on the river bank with our bikes. There was plenty of room.
The return was a really enjoyable ride through the Olympic Park by way of the lower level alongside the Waterwork River, looking at all of the well maintained gardens on the river banks. This stretch was extremely quiet – perfect for us and very seldom used as it’s not really seen from the upper levels.
Exited the Olympic Park under a purple-light bridge and followed a short access route towards the Greenway. The return was via the now familiar route of the Three Mills Wall River Path towards Canning Town. We queued for the Emirates Airline which ended up being 50 minutes from start to finish (including the 10 minute crossing.) Cutting across the Greenwich Peninsula and A102 to finish at Cutty Sark only a few minutes over time.
All back safe and sound, no incidents.
