1. Parks and Ride
2. Dulwich to Crystal Palace

1. Parks and Ride

12 riders at Burgess Park for this ride round the parks and open spaces of Southwark and near Lambeth. Comments from Ride Lader Simon S. “All riders said that they enjoyed it, and the route was interesting.  Sunny weather helped. Going along East Street on a Saturday was a bit of a mistake [v. busy market there]. Arrived back at exactly 1pm, despite a long coffee stop (slow service, Pear Tree Cafe on Clapham Common).” More details of route (including GPX file) and places to be visited at https://southwarkcyclists.org.uk/healthy-rides/simons-parks-and-ride-ride/

2. Dulwich to Crystal Palace Park

12 riders on a very cold morning set off from Dulwich Park. This is a route we have done several times, most memorably in February 2019 with snow on the ground in Crystal Palace Park (see photo with ride report at http://healthyrider.weebly.com/healthy-ride-reports-jan-march2019.html).  Despite the cold, no snow this week! 

Ride leader Amanda tells me: “Ride went very well, nice pace and sunny. Some really nice comments about the route” Jamie, who joined this ride, commented on WhatsApp about the invasion of the Clangers (see photo)  Route map https://goo.gl/rfUzwn

Amanda’s full report

Nice dry sunny but cold day. 12 of us left Dulwich and headed towards Firemans Alley, crossed over Lordship Lane into Melford Road. (No entry sign up now, but still has cycle access marked on the tarmac beneath us). Turning left near the top into Wood Vale, crossed over into Benchley Gardens with its views through the trees on London, we rode on the York stone path that was the old track bed of the High Level Crystal Palace railway line (closed in 1954). We went through one of the magnificent 7 cemeteries, namely Camberwell New (and Honor Oak) picking up NCR21 & 2 via Crofton Park.

At Ladywell, we cycled along Waterlink Way beside the Rivers Ravensbourne and Pool to Penge. This is an excellent couple of miles of dedicated path for walkers and cyclists free from the noise of traffic. We went at a gentle pace and all stayed together well. Through Cator Park we turned off to a newly renovated stunning little coffee stop through Kenthouse station, in its own little cul-de-sac, complete with outside bike rack and seating. I spoke to the new owner the day before, he said 3 staff, hot coffee and pastries would be waiting for us on our arrival. Hmm…. It was closed. We turned back up Kingshall Road and headed towards Crystal Palace Park. Where we stopped for our coffee. On-route we passed alongside the stunning Alexandra Cottages. The first Victorian houses built as semi-detached with gardens for the workers, These are kept in great order, due in part to British Heritage boundaries. Passing Penge East station we were allowed to ride on the pavement near the entrance to Crystal Palace Park.

We meandered through the park, detoured around the dinosaurs = always a pleasure, following those, we rode alongside various statues left in situ from the 2022 end of year lightopia (unfortunately went bankrupt, so had not picked up their stock items.) Pictures with the Clangers…. All made it up the last incline out to the top 100 yards of Crystal Palace Park Road. At last, the 15 minute last section of downhill all the way back to Dulwich Park, via Fountain Drive and its toll gete – the last remaining one in London, thankfully free for cyclists. All arrived back safely. Thanks to Jamie back marking.

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