- Forest Hill and Waterlink Way
- Mile End, Victoria Parks, and the Globes
Forest Hill and Waterlink Way from Peckham
9 riders gathered at our new meeting place, The Round café, Strakers Rd, Peckham Rye Park. Phone call from one rider at our usual meeting place of Peckham Square. Pleased it was only one. They successfully joined us at Camberwell Old Cemetery. In consequence a team of 10 set off up Forest Hill. And we all made it to the top with most people cycling all the way. A fine sunny morning and excellent views back into Central London from Ringmore View. First part of the descent is very steep. All brakes had been checked at the start and no-one had a problem. Detour up to Honor Oak to cross the railway then street route to the Pool River at Bell Green (Lower Sydenham). Enjoyable off road ride along the Waterlink Way. Approaching Catford passed a group of volunteers enhancing the rail bridge with murals and illustrations of creatures that live along the Pool River (see photos). At Ladywell left the Waterlink Way and back on to roads to Brockley Cemetery. As usual became lost, twice, trying to get across to Brockley Road. Much consulting of phone map. Thank goodness for GPS or we might still be there! Up the hill to Brockley Way via the rail foot bridge from Dalrymple Rd. Then LCN back to Peckham Rye Park bang on time (12 noon). Most of group stopped for a coffee in the sunshine at The Round then headed home proud to have conquered Forest Hill and definitely healthier!
Thanks to David and Nigel for back marking.
More photos form Paola at https://www.facebook.com/groups/553896211918871/permalink/1131405657501254/
Route at https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=19Fnwgmcupm7p1uCnAkQse67gA_p71Ng&usp=sharing
Mile End, Victoria Parks, and the Globes
Many thanks to Jean and John for stepping in at 15 hours notice. Jamie, the planned Ride Leader, had an injured leg and had to cancel. The injury occurred when he succesfully fought off (with help from bystanders) 2 thieves attempting to steal his Brompton (more on TheVulnerables Whats App group). All registered riders were contacted and offered an alternative ride. Happily most turned up and had a smooth ride. Here are Jean’s notes.
We had 14 from beginning to end. Big thanks to Tony and to John for covering the Backstop. An uneventful ride up to Tower Bridge & along CS(3?) to Limehouse Basin. Along the (Regents) canal side – not too many Saturday runners. Through Mile End Park. Diverted across Hamlets Way to visit the nature reserve that is Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park – well known for its copious Spring flowers – but a nice wilderness to cycle around at any time. There’s a great website & they do guided tours & have some lovely audio recordings on line & on their You Tube channel. We continued on to Victoria Park for our coffee stop beside the lake. We did a nice cycle around both parts of the Park ( there’s a great Food market on Sundays near to Bonnet Gate). Back along a similar route – pointing out the Yurt Cafe where we’ve stopped in the past – behind St Katherines church. We also pointed out the Cable Street mural at Shadwell ( commentating the battle of Cable St in 1936- an anti fascist protest) as we went back along the Superhighway. We got back to London Bridge in good time – by 12.15.
Since the ride was shorter than advertised – I had suggested we might explore the 10x Globes set around the City of London for which I had a map – but I made it clear I hadn’t had time to do a recce. So it was a group recce – 6 of us decided to go on. We took some time to find the Start point at Bank but once we got on track – we took turns in spotting where the sculptures were hiding in courtyards & in front or behind of buildings. I thought it would take us about an hour but actually it was 90 mins by the time we found the Globes & enjoyed the descriptors & info on the artists ( all to do with racial justice and slavery). There are 103 sculptures around the UK including in 4 London Boroughs. Finished near to London Bridge around 2pm. What a beautiful day for a ride.
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