two free sociable cycle rides Sat Nov 5th

[Sally Eva]

NOTE. You must register on Eventbrite so we can limit numbers, links below.

On Nov 5th we will have 2 rides, both approx. 3 hours in duration. If you cannot make it, please cancel so that someone else can take the place. Even at the last minute it is worth cancelling.

We had another puncture yesterday. Was fixed with an instant repair can (like this one, https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/universal-puncture-repair-spray-nozzle/_/R-p-312454?mc=8573560). Please consider carrying one of these, and/or a spare inner tube and some tyre levers.

Ride details

Gunpowder Plot Ride. < https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/gunpowder-plot-cycle-ride-tickets-456115091517 >

This ride, starting 10 am from Peckham (Peckham Square, next to Peckham Library and Peckham Pulse Leisure Centre) will follow the events of the Gunpowder Plot in chronological order. We will start on the Strand where the plotters, led by Robert Catesby, met in the Duck and Drake to organise their dreadful deed. Sadly the splendidly named D and D no longer exists so we will instead ride past a few old pubs in the Strand area. Next the gunpowder had to be stored. For this the plotters moved south of the river to a house owned by Catesby in Fore St. Fore St also no longer exists but is where we now have the Albert Embankment. This is conveniently opposite parliament and was on the waterfront. Nice and handy for rowing across to parliament at night with a few barrels of gunpowder.

Next back across to parliament. The exact building that was to be blown up, the then House of Lords, yet again no longer exists. However Westminster Hall where the surviving plotters were put on trial is still there. We can also visit Old Palace Yard where the plotters were hung, drawn and quartered. Finally, slightly out of sequence, we will head to the Tower. Here Guy Fawkes was tortured to reveal the names of the other plotters. He held out for 2 days! The history ends here and we finish with a peaceable ride back to Peckham for 12.30 to 1pm. Bruce leading. Probable route at

Greenwich to Thamesmead Tor < https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/greenwich-to-the-thamesmead-tor-cycle-ride-tickets-456113827737 >

Mary and Mike Leading. Start/finish next to the Greenwich foot tunnel alongside Cutty Sark, SE10 9HT. Flat ride (apart from the Tor – you can walk this in a few minutes), 8 miles each way, we are allowing 3 hours, so pretty modest pace and time for a short coffee break at Woolwich Arsenal. The Tor (or Gallions Hill) is a 20-metre-high landmark created from recycled excavated material when they built Thamesmead.

A spiral wide surfaced path leads to the summit. Thames path there and back, including some miles on one of the best quality cycle paths in London. Route map, including a quiet route from Canada Water to the start, is at

These rides are part of the Healthy Riders group, organised by Bruce Lynn on behalf of Southwark Cyclists https://southwarkcyclists.org.uk/. Like everything else we do, our activities are all free. We co-operate with other London Cycling Campaign groups like Greenwich Cyclists. The LCC details are here: https://lcc.org.uk/.