Cake Mountain Ride Report

Steve’s report:

The weather was sunny and warm when 19 of us set out from View Tube en route to Upshire and the mountain of cake.  However there were many challenges that we had to meet before we could have our cake and eat it. We rode out of the Olympic Park under the Lea Bridge Road, the towpath was busy with walkers, joggers, cyclists and fishermen/women and on the water there were rowers, paddle boarders, houseboaters as we made our way through the distinctive areas of Springfield park and the start of the string of reservoirs extending north out of London.

Nesting swans were seen as the waterway became quieter and water fowl had more room.  We had a few punctures on the rough tracks and although we managed to fix them quickly we did find ourselves returning to the same back wheel.  

After we left the towpath just before Enfield lock, we followed the National Cycle Network before joining Sewardstone Road and then climbing Dawes Hill, which combined with too many cars was a tough challenge.  As we rode into Chingford passed Gilwell Park scout camp, we were surrounded by the forest and we climbed up to the Queen Elizabeth hunting lodge where we had another brief stop. Turning off Rangers Road we entered the forest and followed the tarmac track towards High Beech, the track had some steep sections before we emerged from the forest at the bikers tea hut.  We were soon at High Beech, which was crowded on account of the sunny weather, the forest was beautiful as we rolled on towards the Wake Arms and the busy A121. We negotiated this road without any problems and joined the small road that took us over the M25 and into Upshire and our destination, St Thomas’.

Arrival time 14:28, tea and cake served from 14:30, and with a large slice of home made cake for approximately £1.10 and tea £0.70, unbeatable value.

The ride back was uneventful with zero punctures.  We detoured from the canal and cycled around Hackney marshes and through the ever changing Olympic Park as our group reduced in number with people peeling off towards home.  We arrived back at Viewtube around 17:30 after an enjoyable outing. Thanks to Anita for back marking, Karen and Robin for marshalling, puncture repairs and photos; also Jonathan, some of whose photos are included here.

River Ride Report 14/4/19

10 of us set off in fair weather on Sunday from View tube bikes in the edge of the Olympic park –along Channelsea path (once a canal) leading to the greenway up the excellent new ramp at Abbey lane –here we passed Abbey creek –leading to the Chanelsea river. We rode the greenway (river of sewage?) as far as we could to Becton & the Gallions reach shopping park, skirting the new developments we caught our first sight of the Thames. Following the river path we passed through Gallions point Marina, Royal Victoria Gardens to arrive early for the first Woolwich ferry of the day. The new Ferries have a separate section now for bikes that easily catered for our group and other cyclists using the crossing with us –they even have a seated area sheltered area for cyclists –we did not need as sun had come out and we enjoyed views up and down the Thames.

After disembarking we followed the river path and Quietway 14 using the new bypass section that kept us away from the busy Woolwich rd –leading us to the Thames barrier off road!

QW14 lead us on past Greenwich Yacht club, many new developments as well as industrial areas along some excellent cycle paths to our lunch stop at the cafe under the Emirates cable car –here we lost a couple of riders –one heading back to Bexley the other taking the cable care (for the first time ) back to Newham.

On past the O2 only one small path diversion remained before cutting through the old Naval college in the University of Greenwich, past the Cutty Sark to take the foot Tunnel back across river to Isle of Dogs. Passing through island gardens we continued along the Thames path, passing beach at Amsterdam rd, over blue bridge onto East India dock basin (see second photo) We decided to divert into the new development London City Island surrounded by the River Lee meander through the Bow ecology park then over Newham way to Cody dock for a brief comfort break.

Following  Bow Creek we used the steep bridge to rejoin the River Lee past three Mills, back to Olympic park to end of ride back on the Greenway

An easy 20ish mile ride with many riders discovering new places – even after many years in the area!

Sorry no map as I had a technology malfunction(S)!

Thanks for Arnie for back marking & Nigel at view tube bikes for start photo (thanks also Nigel for checking over some bikes before ride!)

Bill

Steve’s Ride Report – Much Hadham Ride

The sunny and calm weather made for near perfect conditions for this ride.

Eight of us met at Leytonstone station as usual to take tube to Epping for the start. We followed the B181 out of the town and through the countryside to Epping Upland, Epping Green and Roydon. Over the river Stort and the level crossing and deeper into the Hertfordshire countryside, through the pretty villages of Hunsdon and Wilford to Much Hadam. We turned east and passed a field full of sheep with their newly born lambs, cross a ford on the river Ash and climbed the hill towards Perry Green. The Henry Moore studios and gardens are not open until 3 April, although some of his iconic statues can be seen from the road.

We rode through Green Tye and saw a pillbox that used to guard a long forgotten WW2 airfield. We passed Thorley woods where the notorious murderer Harry Roberts lived while hiding from the police. We took the back route through Sawbridgeworth and crossed the locks and railway line and we were back in Essex. The Fox at Matching Tye was our lunch stop, there were two other cycling clubs there, including a big group from Redbridge. I wonder if any had attended the Redbridge LCC meeting?

The last leg inevitably included the Toot Hill rollercoaster before climbing back up to the station to catch the train home. Well done to all participants, especially those that had not done such a long distance (38 miles) before.

Nuclear Bunker Ride Report

The weather forecast was predicting rain and some strong winds so the destination of a well insulated, dry and extremely safe bunker seemed perfect.

As usual we met at Leytonstone station cafe and took the tube to Epping, to start the ride. Although wet, the weather was not too bad and nine of us took to the hills, Toot Hill in fact. On our way out we passed riders from the Hainault Roads cycling club completing a hilly 50k time trial. Note that we only passed them as they were coming the other way…

A quick repair stop…

Near Navestock we had our only puncture, but this was soon fixed and we were on our way. Once again we entered the secret bunker via Beacon Hill, ignoring the warning signs, and parked our bikes next to the missiles for extra security. Following the coffee break we continued to Kelvedon Hatch and then to Stondon Massey and the Bricklayers Arms for the lunch stop. Refreshed we headed into the wind, although the rain had stopped, towards Ongar. This well cycled path took us past Greensted Church, back to Toot Hill and the rollercoaster. The advantage of the hills is that we were all warm as we concluded the ride at Epping. The time triallers were all long finished by then but we had enjoyed our route at a slower pace and witnessed the changing times as the secret place of greater safety for five hundred has become a museum .

As always, thanks to Robin for his excellent photos – https://www.flickr.com/photos/rsstephenson/albums/72157690137332453

Greensted Ride Report

It was a beautiful, bright and cold winter morning as we gathered outside the Parisienne cafe at Leytonstone station for our first ride of 2019. We took the tube to Epping and set off towards Toot Hill and Greensted. This section is known as the “rollercoaster”, as the road rises and falls in a similar fashion, a great way to get warmed up. St Andrews church provided an interesting stop and they also have a range of preserves for sale using an honesty box, which provided a shopping opportunity for some.

Unfortunately at the Mill lane turnoff some of the group were separated. Thanks to GPS and mobile phones we were easily able to identify a rendezvous point, the Top Oak pub, in Stapleford Abbots and this also became the lunch stop. Refreshed and sated we continued to Lambourne End then down the hill to Abridge, the intended lunch stop, over the river Roding at Passingford bridge and on to Theydon Bois. From here we had to carry our bikes over the footbridge to take the train back to Leytonstone.
It was a great ride with a good turnout, sixteen riders of different ages and abilities riding the scenic, mostly traffic free, Essex lanes under the bright winter sun.

Fantastic photos (as ever) by Robin can be seen here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/rsstephenson/sets/72157704559216201

Essex Lanes Ride Report

Essex lanes ride 7th October

Bright sunshine greeted us as we met at Leytonstone station to gather for a group photo before setting off into the wilds of Essex.

We were sixteen strong setting off from Epping station finding the quiet ways through the splendid countryside on a glorious autumnal day. After crossing the busy A414 we followed well maintained and quiet roads.

We saw the house that Steve Marriott, lead singer of the Small Faces, lived and died in and with now has a blue plaque.

The curious story of the two churches of Willingale was another interesting stop en route. Why does this tiny village have two churches to serve the congregation?

We passed the pretty village of Blackmore, a very popular stopping point for cyclists.  The lunch stop was the Bricklayers Arms,  Stonton Massey, a nice pub although they were overwhelmed to the point that they ran out of baguettes feeding hungry cyclists

On the way back we stopped at Greensted Church which provided another opportunity to share historical stories about this oldest of places, lepers, crusaders, Tollpuddle martyrs and others all feature

The route included the Toot Hill rollercoaster on the way back and the steep, if short, climb up to Epping station

Below is the route and statistics for this ride.

The next ride is the Newham Ride on 11th November, put it in your diary

Brewery ride report 1/9/18

13 of us set of from view tube on another sunny day for a tour this time of South London Breweries. First port of call was however the Husk Brewery in Silvertown–a rare Newham brewery! (Where another rider joined us) We then moved south of the river using the cable car that accepts bikes on board – I still get excited of the great views of London from the high points!

Passing Meantime brewery we followed the river westbound until we reached our first refreshment stop at Four Pure Brewery where some enjoyed food as well as the liquid refreshments on offer

–we then visited more breweries on the ‘Bermonsey beer mile’ as well as stopping at new Bianca brewery that had cycle themes, bike friendly owners  & even a brewery tour of the new Spartan brewery where riders quizzed brewer on brewing process.

We then crossed river again via the iconic (but busy) Tower bridge to visit the recently opened Old st brewery in Bethnal green for our final tasting stop of day. We then crossed Victoria park passing Peoples tavern (Laines brewery)  finally Crate Howling hopps & trumans  & those remaining back to view tube on greenway!

In all we covered over 20 miles & visited 20 breweries/ tap rooms & 1 Cider house!

See list below

Brewery Location tap open time (sat)
1 Husk E16 2AA 2pm
3 Meantime SE10 0AR noon
4 fourpure SE16 3LL 11am
5 partizan SE16 2DB 11am
6 Affinity SE16 3LR 11am
7 Spartan brewery SE16 3LR noon
8 kernal SE16 3SF off sales only to 2
9 Ubrew SE16 4AW open
10 Brew by No.s SE16 3RA 11am
11 Moor SE16 3RA 11am
12 Bianca rd SE1 4SB noon
13 Anspatch SE1 2HH 10-30am
14 Hawkes SE1 2HQ cider
15 London beer factory SE1 2HQ open
16 Southwark SE1 2EZ 11am
17 old st E2 0EJ 2pm
18 peoples park tavern E9 7BT pub
19 howling hops E9 5EN open
20 crate E9 5EN open
21 trumans E3 2NT no

 

Bill

WI Suffragette Ride

A group from Newham Cyclists and the Forest Gate WI set off from Forest Gate to Tower Hamlets library to visit an exhibition on the East London Suffragettes.

Our route took us through the Olympic Park, Victoria Park and Mile End Park. We discovered that the East London suffragettes not only campaigned for votes for women (and men who did not have the vote) but also provided support for those in need via their campaigns against food poverty and also via their ‘pay-what-you-can’ restaurants’, one of which was recreated at the exhibition:

We returned home after lunch and a leisurely 12 mile ride.

Canterbury to Ramsgate Ride Report

A mixture of Newham Cyclists and friends from E20 Cycle Club set off from Canterbury West, heading through Canterbury University and up a hill to join the Crab & Winkle Way (some ‘Paris Roubaix’ surfaces here!)

 

 

 

 

At St Cosmos & St Damian Church, Blean, we met Jane from Southwark Cyclists, who joined us for the ride.  Then it was on to the coastal path – aka the Viking Trail.

 

 

 

 

 

A cheeky climb up to Reculver Towers…

Stopping for lunch (and a few ice creams) at the West Bay Cafe, we were joined by Newham Cyclist Anna, who was off for a swim at Broadstairs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On around the coast to Margate and then finally to Ramsgate station for the train home, after 33.4 miles and 350m of climb (not pancake flat as previous advised by Robin!*)

More photos here.

Ride map here.

*Editor’s note – anyone spot a recurring theme with our ride leaders?!?

Apologies about the odd formatting – lost the will to live trying to get it to look right!