This annual event has set us off in the right frame of cycling mind for a few years now, with our feet in the pedals and our seat on the saddle – preparing us for whatever lies ahead… This is a steady paced recreational type ride along flat cycle paths, through country parkland and linking up onto the River Thames. It’s an ideal outing for all the family so do please encourage everyone to come along … Read entire article »

For those of you interested in local recreational rides we have a couple for you to put in you calendar.  The first is a Gateway Cycling ride and the second Sustrans. 6th October – Gateway Recreation Ride: Canvey Island Meet at Benfleet Station car park 10.30am. This autumn ride will take in extensive views of the Thames estuary with the possibility of seeing some of the migrating birds that visit the area. Included in the ride is a visit … Read entire article »

Saturday 18th August 2012 we had an excellent countryside ride around Great Wakering and Barling, fifteen folk in all turned up, the youngest being eight years old (well done to Thomas B (-: ) and the senior rider being Bob D. A few of us collected at Benfleet and travelled by train to Shoeburyness, from there we all met up at Uncle Tom’s café at the ‘top end’ of Thorpe Bay. We set off in the very … Read entire article »

There were 8 of us setting out from the Whitmore Arms in Orsett for a ride around some of the quieter lanes in Thurrock. It was pleasing to see several new faces turn up. Finally we had some decent weather after several weeks of cold and damp. Shortly after 10.00am we set off and headed along the cycle lane down to Stanford le Hope. We were held up as the barrier to cross the railway was … Read entire article »

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 … Read entire article »

There were 6 of us intrepid souls at the quayside at Gravesend preparing to journey into darkest Kent. We set of in brilliant sunshine. Soon we had left civilisation behind and we were off road travelling along a trail west wards toward Lower Higham. Our first short stop was at Cliffe a picturesque village over looking the Thames. We moved on and a few miles later we reached Cooling. Cycling past its castle we stopped for a … Read entire article »

The Thurrock Sustrans group has the following family rides planned for 2012: Click on an item for more detail. … Read entire article »

Sunday 24th April was the first recreation ride of 2012.  Seven of us met Bob, our ride leader, outside Benfleet train station on a gloriously sunny spring morning.  We were soon off on a mix of skinny and fat tyred hybrid and mountain bikes and over the Canvey Bridge onto the island. Our first stop, albeit brief, was the Canvey Lake Local Nature Reserve.  At the east end of the lake sits the Oysterfleet Hotel which … Read entire article »

There were about 10 of us who met up at the ferry terminal in Tilbury for the short crossing to Gravesend. From there we rode along the bumpy off road cycle lane up to Lower Higham before heading northwards to the bird sanctuary near Cliffe. We had a short stop to admire the views over the Thames estuary before cycling to Cliffe  with another short stop to look around this picturesque village. Retuning to Lower Higham. where we … Read entire article »

The recreation group had their first ride for the 2011 season around Canvey Island on Saturday 16th April. The group met at Benfleet Station Car park and rode a circular, mostly ‘off road’ route around the sea wall. The total distance covered was approx. 12/14 miles. It was a fine sunny spring morning, there was a high tide and the 12 participants enjoyed fine views of Hadleigh Downs and the Thames Estuary. A stop was made on Canvey … Read entire article »