Thames Barrier
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A long cycle to the east end

I was unsure how many would turn up given my dire warnings of a grueling 50 mile trip – but I was pleasantly surprised that 15 people turned up including one completely new face.

We set off at a brisk pace with a mission to get to the Thames Barrier and to see some parts of London we don’t normally touch. We paused for cooling drinks just past the Barnes Wet Land Centre to pick up cyclists from the Hammersmith and Fulham LCC but alas something better was obviously happening in Hammersmith Sunday. We will keep in contact though as we are so close.

Some parts of the path of getting a make over and are vastly improved from last year. They contrast nicely with some paths further east which are of variable quality – some superb, others rough with cobblestones, and some with steps!

We rode the south bank of the Thames as usual and come over Putney Bridge and then back south over Battersea before going through the park and then back north over the river via Chelsea Bridge. Good to see the recumbent bikes still for hire in the park. Then through Pimlico before going over Lambeth Bridge to follow the south bank closely to the barrier. We had a few slight diversions such as loosing Karla in the Cuban parade going to the Latin festival but Tom kindly stayed behind to find her & Kelvin and meet up later.

Time was still on our side and we agreed to push on to avoid the tourists around Tower Bridge and find lunch in deepest Rotherhithe. I had not planned a specific lunch spot as it was hard to forecast where we might end up but we found a very pleasant pub called Spice Island that we stopped at and took a well earned breather. The three stragglers managed to rendezvous during lunch and we continued on our way.

On we rode through the remnants of the old docks and then into Deptford and finally broke out into Greenwich; dodging a few tourists and then onto the wide paths of Blackwall. We came to the Dome which still makes everyone pause for a moment before we carried on the civilised cycle motorway of the Greenwich peninsula finally seeing the barrier from about a mile away.

The centre is small, with a tiny visitor area and a decent café, but it does have unique views of the barrier and the Dome and it was very soothing to sit and relax.

Eventually we gathered ourselves up and made our way to the Woolwich ferry which is something of a novelty. It is a surreal experience – you can just about feel it move. When we hit the north side three of the riders peeled off and took the train back to Acton from North Woolwich station but the rest of the party headed back west with renewed vigor through Canning Town and Silvertown briefly side tracked from our route by the London Triathlon which upset our route a little. On we rode until at last we arrived at the Tower of London – the first landmark for sometime. We bravely battled the traffic and swepted through the deserted roads of the City, unfortunately I messed up and we missed going past St Paul’s – but I am sure there will be other times.

The last leg was through Oxford Street which was no where near as difficult as I thought it might be with 12 riders. Inevitably we split up but regrouped at Notting Hill Gate for a much deserved drink and cakes and then rather wearlily ventured on through west London where people peeled off as they passed near normal routes home.

A cracking day out – helped by the weather and people maintaining a good sense of group riding. I think this proves how far we can go and hopefully it has spurred people to visit central London by bike now they know it’s possible.

The return journey was more direct than we would normally take, involving Oxford Street and Marble Arch, but spirits were flagging by then and we didn’t really have time to take a leisurely trip back.

We passed a lot of other places we can revisit for other rides – all suggestions welcome.

50 miles – home by 8.00.

Thanks to Martin and Tom for back stop.