- Burgess Park to Clapham Common
- London Bridge to Hyde Park Cycleway Loop
Burgess Park to Clapham Common
9 Riders + Jane leading set off from Burgess Park towards Stockwell through quiet streets, then onwards from Clapham North to Clapham Common via residential side streets with a short stretch on Clapham High Street. After a circuit of the bandstand and a brief comfort stop, we returned to Old Town and back through Stockwell, “the pretty way” via Rectory Grove, catching a great view of the Battersea Power Station complex as we crossed the railway bridge. The downhill section on Larkhall Rise and Lane meant a long, speedy stretch with minimal pedalling and Saturday traffic was light throughout.
We continued to the Bolney Meadow estate in Vauxhall to see two concrete reliefs on the walls of Horton House and Wareham House, created by the Hungarian sculptor Peter Lazlo Peri as part of a campaign to promote public art during post-war redevelopment of the area. The reliefs of “Mother and Children Playing” and “Boys Playing Football” achieved Grade II listing by Historic England in 2016 (when Healthy Rides last visited them; (link to report)). On then to Spring Gardens and Darley House in Laud Street to see the first of Peri’s social housing commissions, “Following the Leader” – dedicated to children who lost their lives in The Blitz. Then to Waterloo station through Kennington ventually accessing the concourse on foot for our final Peri sculpture “The Sunbathers”. This was rescued from the grounds of a Blackheath hotel (See report here), restored and relocated here in 2020, not far from their original spot where it greeted visitors to the 1951 Festival of Britain on what is now Southbank. By now it was after 12 noon and the group decided they’d prefer to head for home from Waterloo rather than return to Burgess Park so we went our separate ways. Thanks to everyone who turned up on a cold blustery day. Thanks also to David for back marker duties and apologies for losing him (nearly at the end of the route!)
11 miles. Route map at https://gb.mapometer.com/cycling/route_5431778.html
London Bridge to Hyde Park Cycleway Loop
Chilly morning found 11 riders at the Needle (London Bridge) looking forward to a new route devised by ride leader Bruce. The aim was to see if it was possible to do a big Central London loop using just cycleways, with as much segregation as possible.
Crossed London Bridge then down to Cycleway 3, a well-designed, segregated route. Followed this along the embankment, through Parliament Squ and up to Buck house. A breif stop to admire the excellent crowd for the changing of the guard. Next along the south side of Hyde Park and on across Kensington Gdns. Brief photo stop at Kensington Palace. Started the return here, but needed to use the first on road stretch as there is no legal return path across Kensington Gdns. At the Albert Memorial rejoined an off road route and continued in Hyde Park over the Serpentine to Lancaster Gate. Abandoned C3 here and stayed in Hyde Park heading east for the return leg. Left Hyde Park just before Marble Arch via the cycle crossing to Stanhope Pl, then back streets (LCN5) to Crawford St. This stretch is not cycleway, but traffic was light. Joined Cycleway 27 headng east at this point. C27 is a bit of a let-down after C3; no segregation, no protection at junctions. However it is a (nearly) straight route. At Gower St we left C27 and used the segregated lanes on Torrington Place eastwards, these not having a cycleway designation (LCN6). At last we arrived at our long-awaited coffee stop, Momo’s Garden Café in Gordon Squ. A small hut has been converted into a charming coffee spot. Only drawback is lack of toilets. Continued east the short distance to Marchmont Street where we joined a second stretch of well designed route, Cycleway 6. Turned south on C6 to and over Blackfriars Bridge. Last segment was on C14 to Bermondsey St, then back along Tooley St to London Bridge. C14 is an ex-Quietway, little segregation, but pretty much traffic free and main road crossings all with cycle phase. The group had maintained an nice steady pace thoughout and we are back at the Needle about 12.40, 20 min quicker than exected. Route 75% segregated; 88% on Cycleways. Many thanks to Mike for back-marking. 14 miles. Route map at https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1qkrX4KxPAZfk9xDVDZM5tWq_oaj4kBQ&usp=sharing
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