Saturday 12th January: Otford Loop. A ride around some rather nice Kent lanes with a simple pub lunch planned at a rather hidden pub with great beer and cider from the barrel. Lunch stop is over half way through the 33 mile ride so bring the odd snack if you like to keep you going up the odd hill.
Pace decidedly moderate. I'll just be pushing to ensure that we get to the pub by 1pm. If we get there particularly early, hey, more cider.
Mumsy advice – bring a decent lock which you are happy to entrust your bike to as we will have to lock the bikes outside to each other while we sit inside by the wood-burning stove. Check your brakes as there is one very steep downhill. Bring warm layers, it can be far colder in Kent than balmy Lewisham. Bring lights of course. Ride suitable for any bike. Total distance about 33 miles.
Meet ticket office at Catford railway station at 8:40 for the 9:02 train to Otford. Arrive early to maximise your chances of a Groupsave discount – tickets can be suprisngly cheap from here. NB: NOT Catford Bridge. Catford is the one of the two side-by-side stations closest to Forest Hill, just opposite the Halfords in the retail park. To get there, head round the South Circular or go straight down the Waterlink Way. Check it out on old London Cycling map 15 or numbers 10 or 11 of new ones
(Paul - 07957 209 322 - No texts please.)
Saturday 19th January: Tonbridge and Hildenborough. The ride today will include 10 miles or so of off road national cycle route which is sometimes not that skinny tyre friendly, it will probably be a bit muddy in places. Our overall mileage for the day for the basic ride will be 30 miles approx and will have 2323 feet of ascent and 2323 feet of descent, so fairly hilly!
We start the ride at Tonbridge station and then venture a short distance to Tonbridge Castle, from here there is a very pleasant five mile traffic free route (almost anyhow) to Penshurst Place. We follow NC route 12 from Penshurst - first west to Wat Stock then in various Southerly directions down to Balls Green, here we join NC route 21 and progress even further south to Eridge. Upon leaving Eridge we turn North and pass over the Spa Valley Steam Railway then on to Langton Green, thence to the high village of Speldhurst before climbing our last hill (of any size) to Printstile. The next village will be Leigh and from here we press on to Hildenborough for trains home. However - for the keen and mayhap foolhardy - I intend to press on myself a futher 6.8 miles and 588 feet of climbing to Sevenoaks - join me if you wish!
Meet at London Bridge ticket office and meet Trevor Hughes by 09:05 for the 09:23 train to Tonbridge, or Meet Andrew Fergar at Bromley South ticket office at 09:00 for the 09:20 train to Orpington, changing there to join the train that the London Bridge people will be on, heading for Tonbridge. (Andrew Fergar - 07717 693 701 - no texts please.)
Sunday 20th January: Guildford – Godalming, River Wey Navigation. An easy paced ride from Guildford along the river Wey towpath, pausing at the Lewis Carroll plaque, past locks and wooded hillsides to Godalming, home of the World Wildlife Foundation. Pub lunch on way back. Seven miles each way, flat, suitable for all bikes except narrow-tyre roadies, may be some mud and gravel on sections of towpath which we share with pedestrians. Meet 0930 Cutty Sark Gardens, 1000 South side of London Bridge, for 1030 train Waterloo-Guildford. Back by train from Godalming or Guildford around 4.pm. (Anthony 07740 434078 - no texts please.)
Saturday 26th January. Medway and Aylesford Priory. The ride takes NCN 1 and then diverts through Wainscott to Rochester. The reason for leaving NCN 1 is to enjoy an unrivalled view over the Medway and Rochester. From Rochester the route trvels down the eastern bank of the Medway to Aylesford. Dinner will be at the Piory and there will be time to take a look around. The return to Gravesend is up the west bank of the Medway and through Cuxton, up and over the North Downs and through Cobham. This route is mostly on roads and should be suitable for all bikes. Remenber to bring lights. 35 miles.
Meet 08:45 at Greenwich Station for the 09:07 train to Gravesend. Note: the same train leaves London Bridge at 08:59 before calling at Greenwich, Charlton, Woolwich Arsenal, Abbey Wood and Dartford. Arrives in Gravesend at 09:45. (Ian 07986 872 205 – No texts please.)
Sunday 27th January: The Serpentine and Hyde Park (South Approach). A slow easy ride to The Serpentine in Hyde Park taking in some of the green spaces of South London including Dulwich Park, Brockwell Park, Clapham Common and Battersea Park. Once at the Serpentine we'll take a look at Anthony McCall exhibition at The Serpentine Gallery and take a little time to explore the park. I'll do this ride again in a month to take in the Derek Jarman exhibition at the gallery and this time the approach to Hyde Park will be from the north. Direct roads route back to Greenwich. Dinner in a park cafe either in Battersea Park or Hyde Park. Suitable for all bikes. Bring lights and locks. 25-30 miles. Meet 10:00 at Cutty Sark Gardens or 10:35 at Ladywell Fields by Ladywell Station. (Ian - 07986 872 205 - No texts please)
Saturday 2nd February: Paddock Wood to Pluckley. Meet at London Bridge by the main ticket office by around 09:20 for the 09:38 train - William Cheung will awaiting you (NB: Buy a return ticket to Pluckley)
Or - Meet Andrew Fergar on Bromley South Station forecourt by around 09:15 for the 09:32 Orpington train - which meets the London Bridge contingents train - with ten minutes or so to spare.
This ride is going to be fairly easy ...with only 1127 feet of ascent and 1080 feet of descent during the 39 miles planned route.
We set off in a Northerly direction from Paddock Wood passing through Pikefish, skirting Yalding and then through Hunton ...before turning South and passing through Chainhurst then Marden ...and then going broadly West through Staplehurst ...jinking South to Frittenden and Bettenham Manor from here ....and then rising NorthEastward again up to Smarden and Biddenden Green ...then we pass South of Pluckley Station ( but you could cut short the ride here at the 30 mile mark - avoiding the hills that we encounter after this point ) and North around it via Rippers Cross, Hothfield, Little Chart ..before plunging into Pluckley Station for the train home.
We will find a pub to stop in at en route - the exact one will depend on our overall pace ... Plus it looks like it's going to be very chilly down in Mid Kent ...so dress up warmly! .....But on the plus side expect lots of bright winter sun!
Sunday 3rd February: Easy Ride Waterlink Way. South along banks of the Ravensbourne and Pool rivers through Lewisham and Catford to Beckenham Place Park for refreshment stop. Back along paths and quiet streets via Grove Park and Hither Green. Mostly flat and scenic, about 15 miles round trip. Suitable for all ages and bikes, bring lights and spare inner tube. Meet Cutty Sark Gardens 10am. (Anthony 07740 434078)
Wednesday 6th February: Greenwich Cyclists monthly meeting 7:30pm - 9:00pm Armada Centre, 21 McMillan Street (where Evelyn St meets Creek Rd, opposite the Post Depot) Deptford SE8 3EZ, 7.30pm - 9pm Map. Please ensure that you bring your bicycle into the meeting room with you.
Saturday 9th February: Shoreham and Otford Loop. Meet ticket office at Catford railway station at 8:40 for the 9:02 train arriving at Otford at 9:37. IMPORTANT TRAIN NOTE: This train normally starts from Blackfriars but today will be leaving from Victoria. Arrive early to maximise your chances of a Groupsave discount – tickets can be suprisingly cheap from here. (Note - meet at Catford Station, NOT Catford Bridge.)
A seriously meandering loopy ride around some Kent lanes. Includes two slightly barmy bits – on one cyclists almost definitely will have to dismount – the other may be rideable by keen mountain bikers. But both are short and the ride has been reccied by one of our team on a lightweight road bike so it's suitable for all bikes.
Pace moderate. A certain amount of climbing but in short bits. IMPORTANT: Make sure you have good brakes for this ride as you will be rewarded for your efforts with some good downhills.
We had hoped to return to the Golding Hop for lunch and we will be riding past it (we'll return soon) but it's not available today so we'll be going elsewhere. Pretty early start to give us flexibility on lunch pub stops but you should be back in town fairly early.
Bring warm layers – it can be far colder in Kent than balmy Lewisham.
Bring lights of course.
Ride suitable for any bike.
Total distance about 35 miles.
(Paul: 07957 209322 – NO TEXTS, I love your voice)
Sunday 17th February: Ashridge and Tring. A winter ride into the country and out into the National Trust Estate that is Ashridge.
Meet Southwark Needle 08.15 sharp for the 08.53 to St Albans. From St Albans we cross out through the old Roman Town, skirt Hemel Hempstead, and pick up the tow path along the Grand Union Canal which quickly takes us to Berkhamstead.
We'll follow some circular rides well marked around the area, with plenty of opportunity to relax in a tea shop and wait for the ride to return if the need arises, so something here for all.
Lunch will be in Aldbury, quite possibly the definitive English Village with duck pond, fully functional Post Office and Village Store, a green and a fine selection of beers, even a lime tree planted by Queen Victoria.
Afterwards we have quite a steep climb through woodland onto the Ashridge Estate, where we should experience some splendid woodland scenery before descending alongside the Whipsnade Perimeter fence into Luton.
Plan on some 40 / 50 mostly easy miles, couple of steep but short hills.
Train Fare £9 or groupsave/railcard etc.
(Bill - 07973 668 642.)
Saturday 23rd February: The Crays. An easy going ride along the Thames Path to Erith where we pick up the River Darent which leads us to the River Cray. We follow the River Cray to it's source at Orpington Pond. There is an opt out here at just under 30 miles with the option of getting a train back to London. For everyone else it's direct roads back to Greenwich.
On the way we'll take a look at Hall Place built for the Lord Mayor of London in the 16th Century from the recycled stones of Lesnes Abbey. Also on the route is Loring Hall former home of Lord Castlereagh, hero for his part in Napoleans downfall and villain for his part in the Peterloo Masacre. Byron invited us to piss on his grave for the latter.
Easy going slow paced ride suitable for riders of all abilities. The terrain is unsuitable for racey road bikes.
Bring lights for a possible late finish.
40 miles
(Ian - 07986 872 205 - no texts please.)
Saturday 1st March: An Easy Ride in South London. All on quiet roads or footpaths with a hard surface, passing through Sutcliff Park (to see the river Quaggy wetland area), Eltham, Sidcup, Chislehurst and Elmstead. Only 22 miles, suitable for all bikes. There are a few hills, but we will go slowly and wait for all riders. Lunch in a pub or café, depending on how quickly we get along. Meet Cutty Sark Gardens at 10.00 am. Bring a spare inner tube and drinking water.
Wednesday 5th March: Greenwich Cyclists monthly meeting 7:30pm - 9:00pm Armada Centre, 21 McMillan Street (where Evelyn St meets Creek Rd, opposite the Post Depot) Deptford SE8 3EZ, 7.30pm - 9pm Map. Please ensure that you bring your bicycle into the meeting room with you.
Saturday 8th March: Paddock Wood to Pluckley – The Return. This ride is going to be fairly easy with only 1127 feet of ascent and 1080 feet of descent during the 39 miles planned route - last time around we were easily averaging 13.5 mph for most of the ride. I am thinking of the Bell at Frittenden for our lunch stop although it's only 17 miles in (due to lack of suitable places further in) We set off in a Northerly direction from Paddock Wood passing through Pikefish, skirting Yalding and then through Hunton before turning South and passing through Chainhurst then Marden and then going broadly West through Staplehurst, linking South to Frittenden and Bettenham Manor from here ....and then rising NorthEastward again up to Smarden and Biddenden Green. We then pass South of Pluckley Station (but you could cut short the ride here at the 30 mile mark - avoiding the hills that we encounter after this point) and North around it via Rippers Cross , Hothfield , Little Chart before plunging into Pluckley Station for the train home.
Meet at London Bridge by the main ticket office by around 09:20 for the 09:38 train - Hopefully someone will come forward to be my official meeting person - but if not enough of you know what the form is for it not to be a problem Or - Meet Andrew Fergar on Bromley South Station forecourt by around 09:15 for the 09:32 Orpington train - which meets the London Bridge contingents train - with ten minutes or so to spare.
(Andrew Fergar 07717 693 701.)
Sunday 9th March: Eynsford. We're off to Eynsford, meeting up with Pollards Hill Cyclists in Downe, and then to cycling together to a pub lunch in Eynsford. After lunch, Lewisham and Pollards Hill will take separate routes back. Pace on this ride will be more moderate than some of our rides as we are riding with other folk, and it will feature that old favourite, Cudham's 25 per cent hill. But it is short and we'll wait for everyone. Not a particularly difficult ride apart from that. Pace back may well be faster. Suitable for all bikes. Total distance approximately 45 miles. Meet Cutty Sark Gardens 8:45. Ladywell Fields at 9:15 for a prompt departure. If you want to do half of the ride, you can take a train back from Eynsford but if planning to do this please check that there are no engineering works. More info from Paul: 07957 209322 - NO TEXTS If you know my email address, feel free to email me.
Saturday 15th March: The Great North Way. Southwark cyclists set off up The Great North Way, although its unlikely we will get far enough to notice any change in the weather or anything else come to that. Cycling up to kings Cross we will take the train to Hadley Wood, which happens to coincide with the Hertfordshire border, where we will pick up the way, otherwise known as LCN 12, 32 miles of well constructed path and quiet road, masses of history, woodlands and things to see, even a cyclist access to a Motorway Services! We may well divert along the odd woodland track, or stop at a local heritage site. Who knows what this exploration will bring. The eventual destination is the Bedfordshire border near Letchworth, from where we will train it back to London. Absolutely suitable for all, with plenty of opportunity to train home sooner. Meet 08.30 at Southwark Needle, an earlyish start to make the most of the day and the lengthening evening, although it will be dusk by the end. (Bill - 07973 668642.)
Sunday 16th March: The Serpentine and Hyde Park. Approaching from the North. A slow easy ride to The Serpentine in Hyde Park taking the canal route to Pasddington via Limehouse, Victoria Park, Islington and Camden. We'll take a look at the Derek Jarman exhibition at the Serpentine Gallery and then either have lunch at the cafe on the Serpentine or carry on to Battersea Park and lunch there. Suitable for all bikes and riders of all abilities. Bring lights and locks. (Ian - 07986 872 205 - No texts please.)
Saturday 22 March: Rainham Marshes and the RSPB reserve. Meet 10am Cutty Sark Gardens for the 20 or so easy meandering miles to the reserve and a walk round. Train back from there or stay on for newly discovered Purfleet riverside to the Tilbury Ferry and over. Train back from Gravesend or might ride back. (Barry. 07905 889 005)
Sunday 23rd March: Broadway Market. An easy-paced ride on canal towpaths. Meet 10.30 Cutty Sark Gardens, 10.45 north side of Greenwich Foot Tunnel. Then Isle of Dogs, Limehouse, canal path to Three Mills, Lee River, Old Ford Lock, Lee Navigation, Hertford Union Canal to Victoria Park, Hackney, stretch of Regent's Canal to Broadway Market, a bustling street of pubs and cafes for lunch. London Fields, Regent's Canal towpath back to Limehouse, Westferry Rd and Greenwich by about 4pm. Bring eggs and we'll organize a hunt in the park. About 20 miles, all flat, some rough surfaces on towpaths. (Anthony 07740 434 078/).
Saturday 29th March: Surrey Hills. Train to Dorking leaves Clapham Junction at 9.33. I will be on the forecourt at Forest Hill station to pick up people who want to ride to Clapham Junction. Will be leaving Forest Hill 8.30 prompt to get the 9.33. This train begins at Waterloo. If anyone wants to pick it up there and meet us at Dorking, it's the 9.24 from Waterloo. As the name implies, there will be some hills, with at least one fairly long climb. so if you hate hills it's probably not the ride for you but I myself am no speed queen, so you don't have to be superfast, and we will wait. 40 miles. Lunch probably at a pub. (Jane - 07954 136 690.)
Wednesday 2nd April: Greenwich Cyclists monthly meeting 7:30pm - 9:00pm Armada Centre, 21 McMillan Street (where Evelyn St meets Creek Rd, opposite the Post Depot) Deptford SE8 3EZ, 7.30pm - 9pm Map. Please ensure that you bring your bicycle into the meeting room with you.
Saturday 5th April: Adisham to Faversham. Meeting Places : Lewisham Station forecourt - Meet Trevor Hughes by 07:50 for the 08:07 train to Rochester - changing there for Adisham ( arriving 10:09) Or meet Andrew Fergar on Bromley South Station forecourt at 08:30 for the 08:49 - ( arriving 10:09 )direct from here to Adisham - the Lewisham contingent joining us at Rochester.
Our ride today starts at Adisham then progresses in a generally Southerly direction via Barham , Elham , Lyminge and Postling before turning Northerly in direction towards Shalmsford Street via Stowting , Hastingleigh and Waltham . From Shalmsford Street we then progress to the West via Shottenden & Sheldwich ...before turning North at Painter's Forstal and thence to Oare ...before crossing the river into the old and fascinating Cinque Port of Faversham ...which, I for one propose to have a look around.
Take the trains home ...or stay with Trevor and I to enjoy an ale or two in one of the town's ancient hostelries . Faversham has plenty of trains going toward Rochester and Bromley South . The entire ride will be on lanes - no off road sections or A&B roads ................but ..there will be plenty of climbing ...over one stretch we climb almost continuously for 14 miles ...albeit quite gradually ..so please bear this in mind before coming on the ride ....another point being that the ride has no opt out points . Our overall distance covered will be 42 miles and we will climb 2691 ft during the course of the day ...damned good exercise! ...We will find a pub for lunch at an appropriate time . So ...be there on the 5th for an exploration of a part of Kent few will ever see! (Andrew Fergar - 07717 693 701 - no texts please.)
Sunday 6th April: River Lee and Hackney Marshes. A slow easy going ride up the River Lee and around Hackney Marshes offers an opportunity to view the big blue fence around the big hole in the ground that is the site of the 2012 Olympic Park. Also we'll take a look at the progress of Precott Lock which according to the timetable on the British Waterways web site should be completed in August 2008. Suitable for all bikes except racy road bikes. 30 miles. Meet 09:30 Ladywell Fields by Ladywell Station or 10:00 at Cutty Sark Gardens. (Ian 07986 872 205 - No texts please.)
Saturday 12th April: Oxted Loop. A ride around more Kent lanes featuring some great views and quiet lanes.
Apologies for the start still being early despite the rapidly lengthening days, but we have to get to the pub for lunch by a decent time. Take comfort from the fact that the post-lunch ride should be fairly leisurely and we'll probably be back in town pretty early.
There are some hills on this ride but it's not overly challenging and there are lots of nice downhills.
Check your brakes – some of the downhills are steep and you'll need good brakes on the sometimes loose surface.
Meet New Cross Gate ticket office 8:20 for the 8:40 train. We change at East Croydon and anyone wanting to meet us there can hop on the 9:10 from East Croydon which arrives at Oxted at 9:30. Arrive early at New Cross Gate for maximising your chances of getting a Groupsave 4 for the price of 2 deal.
Suitable for any bike. There is a stretch of moderate off-road but this route was reccied on two bikes with narrow tyres. Total distance – about 60 miles. More info from Paul: 07957 209322 NO TEXTS – talk to me!
Sunday 13th April: Goldfinder with Notting Hill Cyclists. This short ride explores some of the easy and attractive cycle routes in central London. We'll ride from Hyde Park through the West End and Marylebone to the Grand Union Canal, then following one of the Borough's best kept cycling secrets: the route through Notting Dale to Olympia. And the Ian Fleming connection? If you don't know, you'll have to come along and find out! Meet Cutty Sark Gardens 09:00.
Saturday 19th April: Weybridge and back. We'll cut across town to Richmond Park, drop down to the river, then follow the Thames Cycle Path all the way to Weybridge. Pub lunch at a canal-side pub after about 30 miles. After lunch, if you want you can take a train back to town from Addlestone or Weybridge, but please check engineering works and ride at a pace to let the rest of us complete the ride. After lunch, it's a fast road route back through town – this will take far less time than the route out, even after a beer or two. Good practice for my Windsor and back ride which I hope to do later in the year. Estimated maximum distance of 60 miles. We are riding along the river on the way out but the surface is reasonable, not hard off-road, and I'll be doing it on a narrow-tyred fast city bike. You may not want to come on a full-on racer though, your choice. Meet Cutty Sark Gardens 9:30am. One pick-up only on this ride. More info from Paul: 07957 209322 NO TEXTS - talk to me.
Sunday 20th April: Red House and Bexleyheath. Red House at Bexleyheath, home of William Morris and a design shrine to the Arts & Crafts movement. They raised eyebrows in rural Kent at the turn of the century with their flowing robes and pre-Raphaelite ways but wait till we turn up in our bike gear. Free for National Trust members, £6.60 for non-members. Meet Cutty Sark Gardens 10.a.m., ride via Blackheath and Danson Park, 1 hour guided tour booked to start at noon. Lunch in Danson Park, alternative return by train from Bexleyheath. (Anthony 07740 434078.)
Saturday 26th April: North Kent Loop. Between Sittingbourne, Maidstone and Faversham, along small lanes between orchards and over part of the North Downs (a slightly longer ride to the one which I led just before Christmas). Suitable for any bikes, though there is a short un-metalled by-road with ruts and puddles, but the surface is hard and I rode it with thin road tyres. About 45 miles, some hills, medium pace. Meet Cutty Sark Gardens at 9.15am for 9.37am train from Greenwich to Newington (change at Chatham). Return on 4.00 or 4.30pm train. Pub lunch (Painter's Forstal). Bring spare tyre tube and water. (Liz 07963 761039 - no texts please.)
Sunday 27th April: A short, easy, afternoon ride, to Nunhead Cemetry. We will ride mostly on quiet suburban roads or cycle paths, to join the guided tour of this fascinating Victorian cemetery, one of London's "Magnificent Seven". The walking tour, given by one of the Friends of Nunhead Cemetery, starts at 2.15 pm, lasts about an hour and there may be a small charge. The guide will give the history of the cemetery, point out some of the more interesting graves and show the plants and wildlife. The ride will be suitable for all bikes, 10 miles in total maximum. Meet Cutty Sark Gardens 1.00 pm. Sarah 07900 677706 no texts please. Please note unusual meeting time.
Saturday 3rd May: Greenwich – Rochester – Gravesend. Route 1 to Rochester along the Thames Path. This ride is mostly off road to Dartford and then there are a few busy roads before Gravesend. Gravesend for lunch hopefully at the riverside cafe and then quiet roads to Rochester. Quiet roads from Gravesend to Rochester. From Rochester we'll loop back to Gravesend and take in the superb view over the Medway from Church Green in Frindsbury. All day ride - train back from Gravesend. There are plenty of opportunities to cut this ride short; we're never very far from a station. Ian - 07986 872 205 - No texts please
Monday 5th May: Geenwich, Warlingham, Greenwich Sustrans are riding from Gatwick to Greenwich on the bank holiday Monday and have several meeting points along the way for riders to join in who don't want to do the whole thing. Our ride which begins in Greenwich goes out to the lunch stop in Warlingham and then returns to Greenwich with the main bunch. If you want to do the whole ride with Sustrans from Gatwick the ride time table is set out here. Meet Cutty Sark Gardens, Greenwich at 09:00. 40 miles. (Ian - 07534 935 633 - No texts please.)
Wednesday 7th May: Greenwich Cyclists monthly meeting 7:30pm - 9:00pm Armada Centre, 21 McMillan Street (where Evelyn St meets Creek Rd, opposite the Post Depot) Deptford SE8 3EZ, 7.30pm - 9pm Map. Please ensure that you bring your bicycle into the meeting room with you.
Saturday 10th May: Frant to St Leonards Warrior Square. Meet at Trevor Hughes London Bridge Station By The Ticket Office at around 08:05 for the 08:23 Train to Frant or: Meet Andrew Fergar on Bromley South Station Forecourt at around 07:55 for the 08:17 to Orpington - changing there onto the 08:40 to Frant (which the London Bridge contingent will already be on).
Our ride today will be 39 miles in length and will include 2695 feet of of ascent and 2964 feet of descent ..almost all of the ups and downs being packed into the first 15 miles of the ride - the second half being virtually flat, but bear in mind that some of the hills during the first half will take quite a bit of climbing!
We depart Frant Station and then proceed south via Wadhurst Station , Tidebrook , Mayfield , Broad Oak , Vines Cross , Grove Hill ..then Cowbeech Hill ...before skirting around Herstmonceux ..then South again through Stunt's Green and Ginger's Green ...whereafter we drop onto the Horse Eye and Pevensey Levels ...and thence to Pevensey itself for a long lunch ...where there is a castle to explore and no doubt places to find fish and chips or indeed a pub or two. (I will have more precise details on the day.) For those wishing to cut the ride short at Pevensey - there is a train to St Leonards. After Pevensey we ride 17 or so miles to St Leonard's Warrior Square; a large part of which will be a long the line of the coast.
Sunday 11th May: Junior Locks Docs. For free children's bike loan come to John Ball Primary School at 10.30. Suitable for children aged 8 upwards, have completed Level 2 Bikeability, are from 'cycling families', or who are on a trailerbike or a tandem. About 15 miles, 80% off road, flat, crossing the Thames at the Woolwich Ferry and Greenwich Foot Tunnel. Lunch overlooking the City Airport. Year 6 children may attend unaccompanied with written consent. Meet at The Crown, Blackheath Village 11:00. Email mail@johnballcycling.org.uk.
Saturday 17th May: East Grinstead Lews Circular. "The scenery was stunning" according to one rider on this route. Oh, and you get to see a camel - maybe. The ride begins with a longish jaunt down the Forest Way traffic-free path. This may cause issues for some more delicate full on racers - all other bikes fine.A fairly demanding ride but we'll have all day to do it. Lunch at our regular stop, the Snowdrop Inn in Lewes. Vegetarian and usually even Vegan options. As normal though, bring snacks to keep you going as lunch is 40 miles into the ride and will be relatively late because of our latish start from East Grinstead. Total distance: about 65 miles. Meet New Cross Gate ticket office at 8:50. We'll take the 9:10 train, changing at East Croydon. If you want to come straight to East Croydon, get the 9:40 to East Grinstead arriving at 10:17. This will probably mean you'll pay more for your ticket though as less chance of group discounts. 65 miles (Paul Taylor 07957 209 322 - no texts please.)