Recreation Ride – Regents Canal & Central London 23 June 2012

We had an enjoyable ride alongside the Regents Canal last Saturday 23rd. There were only six of us in the end, however several folk emailed who wanted to come along but just couldn’t make it.

The weather was good with sunshine and cloud and a little breeze. A few walkers and wild fowl on the tow path didn’t impede us too much and the detour through Islington to avoid the tunnel went well with no one getting lost or left behind.

As we passed through Camden Lock and the many colourful riverside stalls our only lady rider, wanted to stop and go and buy herself a ‘top’… we had to persuade her to keep going and save this feminine treat for another day…

However, a little further on we took our lunch and a comfort break at pretty Primrose Hill, along with a short stroll around for those that wanted to take in the ‘scene’.

Rejoining the canal at Regents Park zoo we pedalled on towards Little Venice and Paddington Basin. Interestingly, compared with previous rides where we have had to negotiate nasty steep steps a decent diversion has been put in with a good traffic light crossing to take you safely over the Maida Vale tunnel.

Bob our Rec’ Sec’ got a couple of snap shots of us at Paddington Basin.

Paddington Basin

On and along past Paddington rail station (getting a mega makeover at the moment…) then left at the lights in front of St Mary’s hospital then right again along the well signed cycle route, passing stylish London homes, leading to safe and spacious Hyde Park.

Over the busy Hyde Park Corner and under the Wellington memorial brought us to the top of Constitution Hill. A whizz down towards Buckingham Palace, around Victoria Memorial, and as The Mall was closed for Olympic preparations we glided along Birdcage Walk to Parliament Square. We got in line for this busy bit and made a safe left turn onto the Embankment and in short all met up at Fenchurch Street station.

Bob measured this easy paced ride as 17.3 miles which I think everyone enjoyed. Overall it took us five hours, including comfort stops and lunch breaks. We left Grays on the 10.18 train and departed Fenchurch Street about 3pm-ish,

The hardy souls of Bill, Dave and Graeme decided to cycle home… a good choice with the wind on their backs.

This is a ride to be repeated and having just spoken to Bob we will do the same again on Saturday 7th July 2012, same time – meet 10am at Grays Rail Station. We hope to see more of you then – when the sun will shine and the birds will sing… (-:

Happy pedalling…