• Ride 1. Islington and Hackney Squares
  • Ride 2.. Buckingham Palace

Ride 1. Islington and Hackney Squares

Charterhouse
Tom B.
Photos from Phillippa

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Report from Ride Leader Eva. 19 riders set off early at 9.30 am from London Bridge to explore Islington and Hackney’s squares. Eva led the ride, which was a variation of Tom Bogdanowicz’s “Secret Islington and Hackney Squares” ride published in the August 2024 LCC magazine. Tom actually met us on the ride and gave us more of an insight especially about the development of the former Arsenal stadium at what is now Highbury Square. The major stops at the ride were at De Beauvoir Square, Mole House, Clissold Park, Aberdeen Park, Highbury Fields, Freightliners Farm, Arundel Square, Thornhill Square, Lonsdale Square, Cloudesley Square, Gibson Square, Milner Square, Duncan Terrace and finally Charterhouse Square. After a coffee stop on Islington’s Upper Street, we finished the ride back at London Bridge in bright sunshine shortly after 1 pm. 

By chance Tom Bogdanowic made an appearance at the Arsenal Stadium stop. Eva recounts: “One of the riders is friends with Tom’s partner. She was in Highbury Square and recognised that rider and started talking to him whilst I was giving some background information to the transformation of the former Arsenal station. They live very close to that new square, so she then called Tom and said that there is a group of riders doing one of your routes and he came to us and said hello, and gave some more background info! It was not pre-arrenged – just luck. “

Ride 2. Buckingham Palace

Report from Ride Leader Simon K.

EIght of us left London Bridge on a beautiful autumnal morning. I’m not sure what the collective noun is for buses, but we seem to have left at the wrong moment. Eventually all successfully navigated. Into Cannon Street, then dropping down to the Embankment, where a lot of tents were being set up for a protest march, and an anti protest march. One of our riders decided that discretion was the better part of valour and decided to leave,

Into Parliament Square, so many tourists in London these days, or maybe rent-a-mob for the marches. Round Buckingham Palace and up The Mall. Admiralty Arch is being turned into a hotel, due to open next year.

Pleasant enough to sit outside, we had a coffee at Storey’s Gate – note there are no loos. Tony G and his partner gate crashed the ride at this point. Had the option of crossing Westminster Bridge or back along the Embankment. The Embankment won, by which time there was plenty of ‘activity’, with the Boys (and Girls) in Blue keeping an eye on proceedings. As always these days, especially in touristy areas, tourists stepping onto cycle lanes, unaware of what they are. After disentangling a tourist’s leg from my front wheel all back safely.  A jolly ride, returning at midday, about 1/2 hour to spare.

With many thanks to Sue, MIke and Nicolas for helping with the ride.

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