Architectural Tour
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A ride taking in many of the architectural gems of the borough

No one could have predicted two good days of weather for December, but we were lucky that the rain petered out before we left the house and it remained dry all day. Brian had researched a tour around the borough to take in as many types of Architecture are possible – even supplying a written sheet detailing the sights and centuries we were going to see. What other borough could contain planned communities, a village designed for film stars, 14th Century churches and one of the last American diners in the UK?

Nine of us took off up the Uxbridge Road to start the dozen venues – I must admit my head was spinning by the fourth area by the sheer number of facts and features of the types of buildings we were seeing in such a small distance. We stopped at Starvin’ Marvins diners on the A40 – one of many places that everyone had heard off and seen but never actually stopped at – again an excellent reason to use bicycles for exploring rather than a car.

Lots more local history followed as we cycled through the back roads of Greenford and Northolt, passing behind the new Northala park being built off the A40 before taking in a forgotten hamlet and a long forgotten manor house. No trip would be the same without some canal paths and we cycled along the Grand Union for a much welcome lunch at the Black Horse. The group divided into pairs to go their separate ways before we lost the light.

An excellent ride both for the subject matter and routes taken– very different from recent rides as we stopped at a multitude of areas rather than cycling to a specific location.

Thanks to Brian – everyone looking forward to the January ride!