54 Miles ...........phew 5 weeks to go!!!!

Well that was some ride 54 miles all in all. The ride was not entirely successful.

The diversions and signage around the Olympic Park Development leave a lot to be desired.

The Greenway stinks!! Not surprisingly as it goes for 4 miles along the top of a working Victorian Sewer.

The first Woolwich leaves on a Sunday at 11:30 http://www.greenwich.gov.uk/Greenwich/Travel/LocalTravelServices/WoolwichFerry.htm  (No good if you are there at 11:00)

Currently the Woolwich foot tunnel is closed and there is serious improvement works at Greenwich foot tunnel.

Despite the Thames path being both pedestrian and for cyclists, pedestrians are in the majority and there are thousands of them. Despite British Waterways two tings campaign  http://www.waterscape.com/canals-and-rivers/regents-canal/two-tings I think we need a two brain cell campaign for tourists and stupid people. At Tower Bridge, Southwark Cathedral, The Tate Modern, London Zoo and Camden Lock there are serious pinch points for cyclists.  

Any way it wasn’t all bad. We had the pleasure of Mike for the first time, despite the fact he turned up without a bike, bike helmet, gloves or back pack and in Romper Suit.

We lost Mike only once during the ride when we arrived at the Olympic Park View Tube, after ten minutes searching for him he reappeared like a Jeanie holding a very large juicy Prosciutto Mozzarella and Tomato Luncheon Focaccia Roll. Which looked awesome to tuck into, half way through a long slog of a day, unfortunately it was only 9:30am.

Olympic Park from The View Tube ( Can you spot the very large juicy Prosciutto Mozzarella and Tomato Luncheon Focaccia Roll)

The View Tube is a social enterprise and community venue located on The Greenway adjacent to the Olympic Park and offers a fantastic view of the Olympic Park with public maps for information about the view. It was built using recycled shipping containers and includes a café, education, arts and information spaces with a panoramic view over the Olympic Park and Stratford City.  Have a look    http://theviewtube.co.uk/

Paul B left us at Tower Bridge and continued home from here.

We passed the Mayflower pub in Rotherhithe and looks a likely one for a visit on another day

 This 17th century pub was built at the end of the jetty from where the Mayflower took the Founding Fathers to America.

We also called into see the Queen for afternoon tea but she wouldn’t see us because mike was wearing that Baby Grow!!

Anyway enough of this old guff see what your all missing. 54 miles of fun.

Interesting features on our Cycle this Weekend - Number One

For those of you that looked at the map that I posted yesterday you would have noticed that the route follows The Greenway for about 5.2miles from Wick Lane in Bow (bottom right hand corner of Victoria Park) through Stratford, Plaistow and Newham to Royal Docks Road in Beckton.

The Greenway was created as a footpath and cycleway along the top of the Northern Outfall Sewer Embankment, which was built between 1860 and 1865, by Joseph Bazalgette.

The Northern Outfall Sewer took sewage from North London to Beckton, and the Abbey Mills Pumping Station lifts lower level sewage into the Outfall. Hmmmm.

To be honest the route here looks a bit grim but you’ve got try it.

The Good thing about this route is once you get back to the North side of the river we can double home at anytime, so perhaps a 8:30 start is possible and a finish at 2:00 back at HP.

Next Weeks Ride

I think most of us got out for a ride this weekend although we did nothing organised, Leigh went up to Hertford and Back (another puncture though) Ainsley: went via Epping Green to Roydon St Margarets then the Towpath Home. Danny: High Beech Old Orleans Broxbourne then the Towpath Home. Ian Conor just a short one to the bikers hut and back. JJ has been cycling to work.

Conor and I are distributing flyers at both Beavers and Cubs tomorrow night if you fancy trying to nab some sponsors  I attach a copy here if you want to print some off for family and friends also on the right hand side of the blog towards the bottom are both the hardcopy sponsorship form if you prefer to get sponsors in this fashion.

Windsor to Highams Park Sponsor Form


Windsor to Highams Park Flyer

This weekend I propose we do another big one as we are only 6 weekends away from the off. Its going to be the London Jubilee Greenway which means a cycle down the Lea to the Olympic Park to Woolwich via the Northern Outfall Sewer crossing the River by the Woolwich foot tunnel Thames path to Lambeth Bridge Greenpark Buck House Hyde Park and Regents canal back to Victoria Park then Home which is 34 miles plus the 12 odd from HP to Victoria park connection so 46 all in. Here is the route :




Who is up for this either a 7:00am start Saturday or Sunday

Can we also all get together soon so that we can discuss arrangements for the 30th April Transport Hotel rest points for the service crew etc etc what evenings are we all free this week guys??

Finally anyone up for a local hill climb tonight nothing big just an hour spin.....

Yesterdays Ride and Ainsleys Breakfast!!!

A good ride yesterday guys thanks. 42 miles and it was at a very good pace. We left mine at 7:15 and were back in HP for 12:15
Here is the route.....




I did feel a tad weary afterwards. Perhaps I should have had a Hertford special heart stopping gutbuster breakfast like Ainsley and JJ.......

What Leigh missed out on.

How are you all fixed for next weekend? I was thinking about HP to St Albans or Watford and Train Back. What do you think?

I'm going to do the 15mile local hill climb Tuesday night I know that Paul L is interested in doing this is anyone else?  (Paul L sorry none of us has any spare lights)

This Weeks Training Ride - 6th March

OK looks like we are on for an early Start on Sunday Morning. 7:00am from Ians House. We shall cycle up the Lea Tow Path and see how far we get and train it back or go to Hertford and Back. We need to be back in HP by 12 Noon or Ainsley turns back into a pumpkin.

Please dont forget pumps, puncture kits, spare inner tubes, drinks etc.

Looks like it will be Ian, Leigh, JJ, Mike and Ainsley.

The River Lea at Ware

This Weekends Ride, Money and Hill Climbs

Hello Gentlemen, I hope your training is going well and you are clocking up the miles. If you look on the Just giving Website or at the gadget to the right you can see we’ve raised 6% of our target (£150 to date).

We still have a long way to go. If you can think of anyone who may be able to help publicise our challenge to get it to a wider audience then do shout out. I have paper sponsor forms for those who need them

This Weekends Cycle – Anyone fancy cycling to St Albans on Saturday or Sunday ?? Sunday would be better for me but I know that Leigh and Ainsley can’t make it. Conor and Mathew are on a Training Day in Stepney so they can’t make it either.

I’m gonna start doing some hill climb sessions during the week in the evenings …..here’s the route..

Cycle up Falmouth, up The Charter, Left down Chingford Lane, accross the Hatch under the Railway left down Larkshall over the crossing and up Oak Hill left into Woodford New Road and back Down the Charter.

Its 5.37 miles and incorporates one climb up the Charter Road and one climb up Oak Hill. It won’t make up for time in the saddle but it will strengthen our legs a bit. I reckon 3 circuits in an hour.

Anyone interested in joining me if so what days are best for you.

Arrrrrgh !!!!!!!! The Inlaws have Landed

In true Irish Stylie..... Noreens Brothers family have arrived in London (avoiding their General Election I reckon) and will be staying with us over the weekend. I fear that I shall only be allowed out for a very short Cycle on Sunday Morning. 7:30 start my house up to Broxbourne and back hopefully by 10:00?.. any one up for it ???

River Lea at Cheshunt