• Ride 1. Frieze Sculptures
  • Ride 2. Bermondsey Tour

Ride 1. Frieze Sculptures

Photos from Geraldine, David and Jamie

NB To see photos in full: right click on image, choose “Open image in new tab”, open the new tab.

Fourteen of us set off from Dulwich Park at 10 am on a bright, cold, sunny morning for our now-annual ride to the Frieze Sculpture exhibition in Regent’s Park. With everyone having been on previous Southwark rides, we made good progress via Vauxhall Bridge, Buckingham Gate and Hyde Park, adapting our route around closures for a children’s fun run. Reaching Regent’s Park, we wheeled our bikes diagonally through the park, taking in the sculptures by international artists before stopping for coffee. Some works were striking, others less so. You can see more at Frieze Sculpture or watch this short video.

Our return journey took us through Hyde Park, with a brief stop at the Serpentine Gallery to explore the summer pavilion, a brick structure with curved walls and a translucent roof, and also a playful installation made from 4,000 suspended yellow PVC tubes. From South Kensington, we headed south via Albert Bridge and Battersea Park, where the autumn colours were looking splendid, before crossing Clapham Common and returning to Dulwich Park shortly before  2 pm.

Thanks to John for backmarking and to Jamie &  Geraldine for Marshall duties. 

Comments from riders on WhatsApp

  • David: Thanks for lovely ride in the sun to Regent’s Park and the outdoor Friezes, Jean, and to John as back-stop, and to Jamie as apprentice tyre inflator.
  • Jamie: We all love Jean & John’s annual Frieze ride in Regents Park. Marvellous ride and extraordinary exhibits.

Ride 2. Bermondsey Tour

Dave riding past the mural at the “Blue” shops on Southwark Park Rd

Bruce leading, 9 riders. Berrmondsey, the area along the Thames between Rotherhithe and London Bridge, is rich in history.. The wharves along the Thames were used to import food which in turn spawned food processing factories inland. The social history was interesting. Dickens describes Bermondsey as having the worst slums in London but in the early 20th century this area was a pioneer in slum clearance and social housing.

Started from Canada Water just after 10am with decent weather. Headed to the river near The Angel pub where there are ruing=ns of a 14tht Centurt mansion and the Salter states commemorating the early 20th century social pioneers, Ada and Alfred Salter. Continued along the Thames Path stopping briefly in George Row at the Blue Placque to Tommy Steele (popular musician, 1950s on, think Half a Sixpence) in. Contiued west to Bermondsey St where we stopped at St Mary Magdalen Church, 1690. On site of Bermondsey Abbey, 1082. Worked our way south to the Blue Anchor shopping are via a bit of the Bermondsey Beer Mile. The Blue now has a nice mural showing notable Bermondsey residents plus a row of ladies working in the Peak Frean Biscuit factory. This closed in 1989 and the large site is currently being redeveloped mostly for housing. More information about the ride on the Google map (https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1G-3W6xSCsWXFZPea5hSb5sd2yCSylZ4&usp=sharing).

Finished more or less on time around 12 noon back at Canada Water and a few of us had a coffee in Corner Corner. Always an interesting ride.
Thanks for back marking Dave.

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