- Art Nouveau Buildings
- Dulwich to Vauxhall
Art Nouveau Buildings
Report from Rie Leader Eva. “19 riders set off from London Bridge in bright sunshine. The 24km route took us from the City of London to posh South Kensington and back again. We found Art Nouveau style decorations on pubs (The Black Friar, Fox and Anchor), a church (the Russian Orthodox Cathedral), monuments (Queen Alexandra monument, Shaftesbury memorial fountain), and a wide variety of other buildings (Abbey Orchard House, Michelin House, Harrods, Bishopsgate Institute, Whitechapel Gallery). St. Ermin’s hotel’s links to the murky world of spies and Labour Party politics were too entertaining to miss out. A special thanks to Mike for his excellent back marking especially around the large crowds at Buckingham Palace, and some quite tricky junctions.”
Comment on WhatsApp from Shelagh: “Great Art Deco [Nouveau?] ride today led brilliantly by Eva.” Shelagh also posted lots of photos on The Vulnerables, our WhatsApp Group, some of which will be copied here.
More photos! Sample of the 51 photos and videos posted by Denise to the Facebook group, https://www.facebook.com/groups/553896211918871
Dulwich to Vauxhall
Starting from Dulwich there were 11 riders including Ride Leader Simon S. Headed out past the Dulwich Picture Gallery to Brockwell Park, pausing at Winterbrook Rd to admire the cherry trees still in full bloom. Brockwell Park very busy so progress at times slow. At Effra Rd were reminded we were following the valley of the lost river (Effra). Still there – just underground. Bypassed the busy Brixton junction, joining Brixton Rd briefly before turning left to Bolney St. Stop at the Tradescant Memorial. John Tradescant was a naturalist, gardener, collector and traveller in the early 17th century. With his son, John Tradescant the Younger, they were influential in introducing many new plants to Europe. Read about them at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Tradescant_the_Elder. Next stop was on Vauxhall Bridge. It is just possible, behind the super sewer works, to make out the lions head on the river wall marked Effra. Rode upstream a short stretch then crossed Nine Elms Rd to the new American Embassy looking very shiny (the sunwas out). At the same stop viewed the Sky Pool constructed between two blocks of flats. No one swimming.
Stared the return past the new Nine Elms Station then back streets to Eythorne Park (aka Myatts Field Common Park) where we had another pause at the Tangerine Tree. More back streets to Herne Hill and on to the Velodrome. As usual some cycling to watch on the track and coffees to buy. Most riders headed srtaight home with just a few of us completing the ride by returning to Dulwich Park. Nice to ride my route with Simon leading. A few variations to keep me alert. For new riders, several interesting stops along the route. I rather think a ride we will repeat most years.
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