Ride 1. London Bridge to Victoria Park

Ride 2. Southwark Parks and a Velodrome

London Bridge to Victoria Park

Report from Ride Leader Amanda.

Weather was a perfect day for a cycle – fresh and dewy leaves throughout the parks, following a heavy night of rain.  14 attended.

Started at London Bridge and headed over Tower Bridge. Took a sharp right through St Katherines Dock, then rode along the Ornamental Canal, seeing swans with cygnets on route to Shadwell Basin. A little C3 to Limehouse Basin, picking up a short section of canal path to Mile End Park.  This narrow but long park has a dedicated cycle path throughout, which we used in full.  The flowering hedgerows gave us optimum fresh spring air all the way to the perfectly manicured Victoria Park.  We rode the tree-lined flat outer ring circuit, which was well attended by other bike users, walkers and a new park-run that was just finishing, still there was plenty of room for us to spread out.

We took the exit over to the graffiti laden Hertford Union canal path to enter the Olympic Park.  This year all of the new flats were built to our left which has smartened this section up tremendously.

In front of the stadium, we had a pleasant, quiet, lower level riverbank ride towards our coffee stop at the view tube. We rode via the new University building’s front concourse to get to our coffee stop.  Unfortunately, there was an afternoon football match on and, many of the supporters had now discovered our little coffee house (that sold beer also), so some of us had a longer wait for coffee and food than anticipated.  Time was on our side, so we left when everyone in the group was satiated.

Our return was via the A12 underpass at Three Mills weaving through the Bow Estate, Devon Road, Voilet and the Poplar Estate to Upper North and Saltwell Streets, heading to Westferry. Thames Path along the cobbles and through the gardens to Tower Bridge and start location.

All back safe and sound,  Thanks to Simon S for Back-marking and keeping the group up tight at traffic lights, so we could all cross together.

Southwark Parks and a Velodrome

Just 4 riders for an early start in Peckham Square and off on a circuit of Southwark’s parks. First up Rye Lane to Peckham Rye Park. Gentle ride up the gradual slope to the top (south) corner of the park, then across Peckham Rye West Side and more gradual uphill to he top of Barry Rd. Across Lordship Lane and down into Dulwich Park. Clockwise circuit of 3/4 of the Carriage Drive and exit at the Picture Gallry. Next the short ride to Herne Hill Velodrome where there was lots of activiy as usual. Large group of riders on the track, the mountain bike club riding in the trees and a good crop of youngsters doing bikeabiliy training in the central area. From the Velodrome a longish trek via Greendale, Camberwell Grove and Edmund St led to park number 3, Burgess Park. Unlike the first two, this park was created much more recently, in the early 1950s. Stayed in the west part and departed down Portland St (C17) passing through busy East St market. Decided to skip Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Park as time was short, so straight to Elephant Park. Coffee at The Tree House then a meander through this brand new park. It is a bit odd, this new park. Small, not much open space or grass. Has a chldrens play area with low rocks and water, not much else. Given the mumber of new homes being created in the Elephant area, this additional space is clearly nothing like enough. Compared with even the Victorians and even the 1950s the ambition here is pathetic. From the Elephant the group headed back to Burgess Park using mostly the East Walworth Green Links route. Rode past Burgess Park lake then turned east to take the Canal Path back to Peckham Square. Arrived back at 12 sharp. A relaxing ride. Parks look slendid with everything growing fast. Rough map at https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1wzbEnhIKG7-t5XPQGt56tsHcRlNKGAk&usp=sharing.

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