• Ride 1. Upminster to Southend
• Ride 2. Cutty Sark to Cody Dock

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Ride 1. Upminster to Southend

This was an ambitious ride designed and led by Owen. Happily a good group opted to give this long ride a go and the weather was kind. Owen’s report is below.

Ride Leader Owen’s Report. Ten riders including myself started the ride.Eleven riders arrived at Southend. That’s because Laura was late and missed the start of the ride. She joined us at Cliffs Pavilion in Southend and rode with us the last few miles down the road to the pier. No incidents to report. Everything went to plan. At Southend Ash rode home by himself. He didn’t want to wait for us to have lunch. Nobody else wanted to ride back. We all made our own ways home from Southend. We didn’t arrive at Southend pier until 2pm.Well behind schedule. I think the scenic route I took was partly to blame as it was hillier than the main roads.  Fish and chips lunch took an hour and a half. Everyone was so chatty. After lunch Jean led a group down to the beach. She brought her swimming trunks. I don’t know if she went into the water not. I think everyone enjoyed the day which was the main thing. Jean and John were the marshalls. Philip Woolford helped me plan the route for the ride was also on the ride.

Route notes. Start Upminster library at 9.30am. Our first stop at 9 miles was Essex Wildlife Trust Langdon Discovery Centre.  Our second stop at 20 miles was at Hadley Park café.  At 25.5 miles is Southend seafront our destination and our lunch break.  Those that want to leave the ride at this point can catch the c2c train from Southend Central back to London. Planned cycle route back traces much of the route outbound but will have only one stop roughly half way at The Doorstep Cafe, The Knares, in Basildon. then return to Upminster library. 

Ride 2. Cutty Sark to Cody Dock

Popular ride from London Bridge. Led every year by Amanda. Out via the Cable Car at the O2, back on the Woolwich Ferry. Lots of Thames Path and Lee Navigation. So many photos on WhatsApp – selection here.

Some notes from Amanda’s WhatsApp Post. “You were a great bunch. It is an intended 4½ hour route but was 5 hours due to diversions and only one ferry operating. Cody looking lovely. I really hope the riverside path opens in my lifetime! It is taking years to sort out the disagreement with the recycling centre. Thank you Mike, Jamie and David for your assistance. Sooo glad the rain held off.”

Comment from Liz: “Thanks for the lovely ride today Amanda and everyone. Loved all the flowers at Cody Dock!” And from Farah: “Thank you Southwark Cyclists for a brilliant ride. Shout out to Amanda for leading and Mike for watching our backs.”

Ride 2 report text

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