Ruislip Lido
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Return to Ruislip Lido

Despite the dire weather forecasts for Sunday following a glorious week 14 of us turned up at the Town Hall. A couple of new faces, some die hards, and some people like me trying to avoid Bank Holiday DIY chores. The usual odd mix of bikes - road, hybrid, two folding mountain bikes and a feather light single speeder.

We had not been to the Lido for a few years and a return visit was long over due, fully braced for the hills between Ealing and Ruislip we took off at a sedate pace and managed to take a wrong turning near the Brent River within minutes. A quick lap of the allotments and we rejoined the track - a late starter also caught us up before entering Perivale and the first daunting hill in the shape of Horsenden Hill. The cycle route over the hill is vastly improved and makes the trip over the hill considerably more pleasant than using the road. We then started on the next hill in Sudbury before climbing the south face of Harrow itself. We had a slight pause at the top hill to catch out breath before enjoying the ride back down the hill (touching 26 m.p.h.). I was under the impression we had seen the last of any ascents but the ride through the rest of Harrow did take in some quite impressive climbs at times.

We finally hit the Lido earlier than expected and spent a pleasant hour for lunch in the sunshine before pottering around the lake and bracing ourselves for the return. Every where was surprisingly quiet; roads, cafes and tow paths and this made for a quick journey into Uxbridge. We some how managed to loose our back stop, but thanks to the power of mobile communications we soon met up again before joining the canal at the Uxbridge Lock. We witnessed a spectacular slow motion bicycle accident in the pub car park when a boys handle bars came loose - a grateful loan of an allen key saved the day. We struck out onto the canal which was almost devoid of people, and we made excellent time on the dry tow path, the only hindrance being those motorcycle gates. One-by-one we peeled off until eventually we spilt neatly into two, one heading south to Brentford whilst the other headed east to Ealing.

29 miles - thanks to David Lomas for back stop.

Route details available

To the Lido:http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/ECC-Rusilip-Lido-return

Return from the Lido: http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/ECC-Rusilip-Lido-return