I wasn't born until 2210 hours so today was the right day for my birthday ride. Just on five past nine, a well wrapped-up eight set off from Kingston Bridge. Richmond Park was entered at Ham and exited at Roehampton with nary a hint of ice. Our first mission was to meet up with Irene and Pam at Barnes station. One level crossing was closed but there was still time for cake before eight became ten. We were using NCN4 without most of the uneven, cobbled, pot-holed side roads so beloved of Sustrans engineers. From Hurlingham we past through Chelsea Harbour and along the Embarkment and over Westminster Bridge. Even with three earlier arrivals, there was room inside for all of us in Bill's Cafe though we were requested to be on our way by eleven!
Dour and drab miles go us to Greenwich for a gentle trundle past the Cutty Sark and old naval colleges and onto the narrow Thames Path. It couldn't have been a profitable day (queue of two!) for the Emirates Cable Car so our flight departed on time at 1215 hours. It was enlivened by a violent sway and a stall but after two minutes a spectral voice assured us this was quite normal. The mileage through Canning Town and Plaistow was mercifully short before we turned west onto the Greenway (or more properly the Northern Sewer Outfall). We ignored East London cemetery as "Dixon Of Dock Green" is the most famous person buried here but we did pause at Abbeys Mills, perhaps the major reminder of Bazalgette's contribution to London. We were now experiencing a keen northerly wind and the centrally heated Olympic Park toilets proved to be popular. Most dined in the Mittel Orbit cafe while Neil went in search of the velodrome. Just before his return, our trencherman squeezed a pudding and a second drink.
We continued along the Greenway to its end in Wick Lane before crossing a near deserted (was it really that cold!) Victoria Park. Four traffic-clogged miles saw us to the final stop, the crowded Look Mum No Hands in Old Street. Smithfield and Blackfriars Bridge returned us to Waterloo. By now numbers were dwindling and I led a rump to Victoria Station before rejoining the outward route. Pam, Irene and Tony departed just after the Marc Bolan memorial, and I said my final goodbyes to Paul and Ed at Kingston Gate. Call it 40+ miles.
The fliers were Terry, Lillian, David Vine, Graham, Ed, Tony Hopkins, Paul, Neil, Dave S, Daniel, Irene and Pam whilst Alan left after 11s.
A first contribution to the blog from Ed methinks!
Author: RaasayWarden
2 Comments:
Daniel V 03 February 2015 at 20:54 GMT
I have to congratulate Graham on a super-excellent ride: very interesting indeed and a fitting tribute. The Emirates Airline provided stunning views (and historical narrative). The combination of history (eg Greenwich), good views, architectural sights, countryside (Victoria Park), sights of interest (Olympic Park), bike-oriented special interests (Look Mum..) and exercise in the cold NW wind made this a special ride.
This was a ride that unequivocably, indubitally and most assuredly should be repeated!
Congratulations and Happy Birthday Graham!
Daniel
mike morley 03 February 2015 at 21:32 GMT
Graham, this is a ride I wanted to do but was committed to Toasting the visitors + Ladies + guest of honor Keith Butler at the Surrey/Sussex VTTA annual lunch & prize presentation in Horsham. Congratulations on reaching 70 yrs. As David suggests I hope we can repeat this ride again!
