Sunday 16th Dec was Wheelers last scheduled ride of 2012. Billed as an relaxed pace social ride, it turned out to be just that, with an impressive 22 cyclists, and nice sunny weather. Most had cycled with us before (including many of our “mile eaters” happy to take it easy for a change) but there were also some newcomers to welcome, one making a guest appearance from Wales as he was visiting his daughter in Tower Hamlets.

Ride leader Alex was late for his own ride – he suffered a deflation en route from South London, but fortunately it seems he had made our ritual offering to the p****ure fairy, as the rest of the day was un-perforated, despite encountering excessive quantities of broken glass. We started with a leisurely ride up the towpath to Victoria Park and then along the fairly recently re-opened Greenway to the View Tube where we stopped for coffee and were joined by riders from Newham. We weren’t exactly sure whether we could get through to Stratford High Street, having heard various bad stories about access being barred, but Alex went ahead, discovered the friendliest security guard in London and we proceeded with smiles all round. After re-joining the Greenway we made good progress, with the gates at the various road crossings all open so no need to pass bikes around the restrictive barriers. We then took to the quiet residential roads around Beckton, crossed the dock at the end of the airport runway and arrived at the Woolwich Ferry. A quick survey as we waited revealed we had at least five ferry first timers in our group. Sea conditions were calm and we managed to occupy the entire width of the front of the boat ahead of all the motor vehicles.

On arrival south of the river we took a detour eastwards to Woolwich Arsenal, intent on finding the new sculpture of Nike (that’s nee-kay Greek Goddess of Victory not nigh-key as in sportswear) that was presented by the people of Olympia to London Borough of Greenwich in September this year. There seems to be some doubt as to whether it has been put in a appropriate “public space” (it’s slightly hidden away courtesy of Berkeley Homes) but we certainly found it and have the picture to prove it.  We then completed our lap of the Arsenal. Personally I rather like the way they have converted the old buildings and built the new in contrasting modern style, but the roads really aren’t as cycle friendly as they could be – lots of bumpy cobbled stretches and places where “permeability” requires use of the pavement.

The final leg was westwards, back past the ferry and along the riverside path to Greenwich.  Unfortunately it isn’t possible now to get right around the dome on the peninsula, so we had to take to the roads and shared use pavements around the very unattractive Blackwall Tunnel approaches before re-emerging on the riverside at Ballast Quay and our destination the Cutty Sark pub. There we ate, drank, chatted and met Mike from LCC office (the first three were planned, the latter was a happy co-incidence), before wending our way home.

Thanks to Alex for organising us, and to everyone who turned up for a very pleasant end to the year. See you all in 2013!
 

In Victoria Park

Waiting for the ferry

Sculpture of Nike (nee-kay) at Woolwich Arsenal