social cycle rides on Bank Holiday weekend

[Sally Eva]

The first is on Saturday morning starting 10am from Peckham Square (SE15 5JR) and returning two hours later to the same spot. The second is on the Bank Holiday Monday. It takes longer, and goes a bit further but still has the same easy-paced, safe routes template.

The Saturday ride goes in search of the source of the River Quaggy which is a tribute of the Ravensbourne, running from Lewisham to Kidbrooke. The route out goes via Brookmill Park to Lewisham town centre for a first view of Quaggy river where some quality landscaping is going in at the confluence with the Ravensbourne. The group will then follow Quaggy to Manor Park and Manor House Gardens before turning back via Lewisham Leisure Centre, Brockley station and Nunhead.

This route is about 10.5 miles, mostly on quiet roads. Route is at

There's lots of information about the Quaggy on the web site of QWAG (Quaggy Waterways Action Group, https://qwag.org.uk/river-quaggy/) an active organization whose ?goal is to demonstrate that rivers can be major assets to an urban environment.? Amen I say.

The Monday Bank Holiday ride starts at the Southwark Needle (SE1 2SX) which is on the south side of London Bridge. There's a picture attached for those who have never heard of it. It starts at 10am as well and ends around 3pm -- in between it heads for the Northern Heights of Ally Pally.

That's a route of around 21 miles and the map is here: http://taffimai.w2.org.uk/healthy-rides/NorthernHeights-20190505.html. 21 mile ride to Alexandra Palace and back, using a different route each way. Pretty obviously the ride goes northwards through the City avoiding the Vitality London 10K run. From Canonbury they start to make contact with the New River, then Woodberry Wetlands, and Finsbury Park. Roughly following the course of the New River ensures a flattish ride but it can't last. At Alexandra Palace Station, the group will start the ascent to the Palace and collect the reward for climbing, a view down upon London (and lunch at the Boating Lake Caf?).

The return route runs a bit to the west and includes sections of green path along Parkland Walk, a disused railway to Finsbury Park (info at https://underground-history.co.uk/northernh.php). Several miles will be green off-road path. The hope is to finish around 3pm with lots of stops at points of interest. The route was devised by Werner who will be leading.

Both rides are free and open to all. They are organised by Bruce Lynn and friends (this is where Werner comes in) on behalf of Southwark Cyclists. We are a branch of the London Cycling Campaign and everything we do is free and open to all. All types and sizes of human and bike are welcome. For more information on the Saturday ride see here: https://southwarkcyclists.org.uk/events/peckham-healthy-ride-37/ and on the Bank Holiday ride here: http://taffimai.w2.org.uk/healthy-rides/NorthernHeights-20190505.html