Hidden Treasures – A Ride from Peckham to the Thames

Freezing overnight and around zero approaching ride start time. 4 riders plus Bruce at Burgess Park Café for the Wandsworth ride. Decided better to join the 9 riders at Peckham for Simon’s shorter “Hidden Treasures” ride.

First stop  Mandela Way where a WWII Panzer tank named Stompie was located for many years. But, what! No Stompie. Turns out Stompie was removed for refurbishment earlier in the year. Let’s hope he returns soon.  On to Potters Field where we did the group photo with Tower Bridge in the background. Next a cross river segment, over London Bridge and back over Blackfriars. Followed Cycleway 6 to the west bypass of the Elephant and Castle and through to Illife Yard with its artistic and craft workshops. On this stretch 2 riders departed as had become too cold. The remaining 12 riders continued through an area in West Walworth with a lot of character that is now one of Southwark’s flagship “Low Traffic Neighbourhoods”.  Stop in Pasley Park which Simon explained once housed, from 1831-1862, the Royal Surrey Zoological Gardens.  Across the road is the WalworthGarden, an award winning organic community garden, base for Work-Based Horticulture courses, and at one time the home of some of Simon’s bees. Continued past Kennington Park and Eythorne Park to Myatts Fields. Coffee stop at Black Cat Café in his park. Things had warmed up a bit, maybe 3 degrees, so outdoor coffee survivable. Back to Peckham Square via Love Walk, St Giles Churchyard and Peckham Rd. As you exit from the churchyard on to Peckham Rd there is a low fence on the left made from WW11 stretchers.  Along Peckham road made our final stop to admire Del Boy’s Reliant Robin outside the Best Western Hotel at number 110.

An excellent ride despite the cold – much helped by bright sunshine, lack of wind and well-dressed riders. Route: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1XznMODgkrQi-Kzamu3cvHgN6LF5JoqY&usp=sharing

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