Saturday 11th Canal Ride by Jon Lane

The Saturday 11^th Canal Ride went pretty well… Dave, Tracy, Danny and me set off from Grays to Limehouse, meeting up with Terry, cycled through the real ‘East End’ to Whitechapel tube. The modest entrance, with outside the thriving market stalls, leads up the steps in to the Tardis like cavernous station. Seven levels down! We took the smart Elizabeth Line to Hayes and Harlington. Setting off along the Canal path Danny picked up a flat – rapidly fixed… A left turn at Bulls Bridge, picking up the Grand Union canal heading towards central London. For years this was a mucky thorn ridden track but now, I guess with massive development money, a very good firm recreation route. A great mix of green spaces and wildlife, next to sheds of industrial processes, residential flats and 1940’s homes; this along with the remnants from the industrial revolution, under and over the brick built, blackened Victorian bridges. A brief pause where the viaduct crosses over the A406, North Circular Road. Here Terry took a snap and we chatted with a band of valiant litter pickers, fighting to keep it all clean and pretty. Onwards to the coffee stop at the Lebanese café, Beit el Zaytoun (NW10 7AE) A hint of the middle east, welcoming and comfortable. Refreshed – onwards to the waterside café attached to the Mary Magdelaine church. Pushing the tables together a sandwich and soup lunch. Chatting, time slipped by, and the light just beginning to fade we postponed our plans to ride home south of the Thames. This didn’t take away our fun route through the ‘touristy’ Little Venice, the ‘posh W2′ and into Hyde Park. A whiz down Constitution Hill, with a respectful nod to His Maj’ KC III… in Buckingham Palace. Westminster, passing the Houses of Parliament and alongside the historic and scenic ‘Embankment’, leading us on to the ‘blue cycle route’ and Cable Street. Taking the homeward train from Limehouse, in great company, a ‘Grand Day Out’ – soon to be repeated…

To all – have a Terrific week!… Cheers! (-: Jon Lane.