Bow Floating Towpath (2) and Lower Lea

Wednesday, 31 August 2011 - 6:30pm - 9:00pm

Another opportunity to see and try out the Bow Floating Towpath which connects Limehouse Basin to Hertford This ride will also explore the possibility of constructing a path from the mouth of the River Lea to Three Mills and then onto the Bow Floating Towpath. Also going to a mystery location never seen before on a Wheelers' ride or any other LCC group and if time permits then we'll also explore the changing face of Hackney Wick.

Afterwards at the Palm Tree, expect to be there at 9pm, you're welcome to join us there too.

 

Ride difficulty: 
Easy
Ride report: 

It was warm and sunny when I arrived on top the Green Bridge and stood there  anticipating the flood of riders who were just about to appear. No such luck, obviously an evening in my company just ain't cutting it these days. I was just about to leave to meet Terry and Richard when Jane made an appearance, we then cycled to West Ferry to meet them.

From West Ferry it was onto CS3 down Poplar High Street, then Mulberry Place and the path onto the side of Bow Creek. This leads  round onto the Canning Town flyover and then the blue bridge into Bow Creek Ecology park. From here we started the evening proper with my talk on how there are plans to connect Bow Creek to Three Mills.

I not going to discuss how this will be achieved (you should have been there) but from there we rode along the road on the side of the Canning Town industrial estate for a look at the newly opened Star Lane DLR station and then onto the secret location. From there we rode over Twelve Trees Crescent bridge and then had to walk up the Blackwall Tunnel approach to Tesco at Three Mills. We then visited the new Three Mills Green (park) and make our way to the far corner to see the new Three Mills locks which were installed to stop the Bow Backwaters running through the Olympic Park from being tidal. The lock was also constructed to run barges from the Thames to the park construction sites carrying building materials thereby eliminating road haulage and supporting the ODA's green credentials. To date sources claim that only three barges have used the lock. Draw your own conclusions.

By now the light was fading and it was time to leave so we could use the Bow Floating Towpath and bridge. From Three Mills you have to cross the bridge and onto the other side to get to the floating towpath. During consultation before its construction I did make the point that the floating towpath should be on the same side as Three Mills thereby making the path continuous on the east side but it fell on deaf  ears, for some reason our riverside authorities love to build bridges where none are needed.

After the floating towpath we just had enough time to make it to that backwater of Hackney called the Wick for my brief tour, then along Wick Lane to the bridge over the motorway at Old Ford and then onto the Palm Tree. Thanks to Jane, Terry and Richard for a pleasant evening and the 20 fluid ounce weights.

The joining of Bow Creek to Three Mills using existing and new infrastructure is an important development for us an an opportunity for us to object to certain aspects of it. With this in mind I'm going to repeat last night's ride but it now cannot be done as an afterworker this year so I'll organise it for a weekend day soon. Watch this space.

Keith

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