Meet: 10:00 Cutty Sark Gardens map

Distance: 45 miles

Phone: Paul - 07957 209 322

A trip up that Lewisham Cyclists favourite, the Lee Valley. We can take our time going up as we'll be coming back through town. Bring lights.

This is an LCC and Lewisham Cyclists event

Five of us met at Cutty Sark Gardens - me, Ian, Kepa, Carol and Caroline.

The northern lift of the foot tunnel was out for its regular bearing replacement but we were all lightly loaded so it was no great problem.

We found our way onto the Limehouse Cut which was well populated by walkers and other cyclists. We stopped to look at the Big Breakfast House which, though pretty old and apparently chosen to give the long-departed programme some real-life cred, seemed to have somewhat perversely been remodelled to look like some sort of film-set - complete with painted-on brickwork over real bricks.

We stopped for coffee at Springfield Marina's gloriously unreconstructed cafe - one of the great things about the Lee Valley path is that although it 's green and full of wildlife it cuts through many down to earth parts of north London, ensuring that it doesn't get too prissy and is well served by straightforward cafes and pubs. Conversation in the cafe centred on Carol and Caroline's past and planned long distance pedalling adventures, a world away from our quiet afternoon trip up the Lee.

As we headed north I began to appreciate that Ian's recent ride reports of the upper Lee Valley had actually been accurate and not fuelled by the delirious imagination of someone who thinks nothing of cycling for 40 miles up a dodgy canal towpath on his mountain bike. The surface really is very good and gives you a very fast northerly exit from London. You can easily fly along at a steady 15 or 16 miles an hour.

At Enfield Lock we came across a run-down pub soon to be demolished to make way for flats. A cry of recognition from Caroline brought the confession that it had been the fabled Rifles, venue for a mis-spent early youth amongst the disco glitter balls.

We headed up the final mile or two to lunch at the canal-side cafe. We had meant to go to the adjacent pub but it has very recently closed. Apparently it's about to be flattened to rise again as trendy flats and the cafe may well soon follow it as part of a wider development. I'm sure it will all be very nice in a bland building-by-contemporary-kit sort of way but if things carry on like this (bah humbug) there will be no simple waterside facilities left for walkers and cyclists, just gastropubs and trendy restaurants. Fine when you're in the mood but I go pedalling for a taste of simpler pleasures.
The cafe is apparently open 7 until 3, seven days a week, giving me an idea to pedal up one spring or summer morning for an early breakfast. Any takers for a perverse ride probably involving a 5am start from Cutty Sark Gardens just get in touch with me.

Lunch was very good value though I gathered later that two folk found hairs in their meal - waiter waiter ..... Conversation ranged freely, in fact so freely that I managed to get lost with one or two of the conversational leaps. Fun.

Since we were on the outskirts of Waltham Abbey we came up off the canal, past the Royal Gunpowder Mills (look out for a Lewisham Cyclists ride here later in the year) and headed off into the town to check out the supposed grave of King Harold of arrow-in-the-eye fame. The graveyard inscription is a bit non-committal as to whether Harold is definitely buried here, but it's a nice thought and and it was a good target for the ride.

Back down the Lee we got ourselves filmed at Stonebridge Locks doing a staged happy smiley ride towards camera. Look out for us in your cinemas/leisure publicity film or whatever. We retraced our route back down the canal to Markfield Recreation Ground (marked on London Cycling map 5) to take a route back through town which spared us the by now darkening towpath.

Back through Hackney, Stoke Newington, and Old Street on quiet roads. The route took us through the backstreets of Stamford Hill, home to one of London's most distinctive communities - Hassidic Jews, whose menfolk favour long black coats and large hats. The community of around 20,000 is reckoned by some to be the largest such community in Europe. The wonders of London.

After Old Street we hit City Road/Moorgate and Caroline peeled off to take the direct route home over London Bridge. I led folk on a bit of wayward wandering westwards, including a particularly senseless looking loop near the Barbican. Still, we did get a very good alternative view of the newish building that sits on Ropemaker Street and then weaved round the Guildhall so that we could check out the rather nice new approach to Southwark Bridge down Queen Street. The new pedestrianisation here is just about finished and the cycleway has been preserved. A good approach to central London's quietest bridge. Someone will probably correct me, but I also think it may have the lowest accident record for cyclists.

Here we split. Kepa and I followed the cycle routes south to Elephant and Castle and Walworth while Ian and Carol headed east.

A good day out and I think we were all probably back by about 5. Soon (roll on spring) it'll be light at that time of day. Thanks to everyone for their company - hope to see you all again.

Photos for the ride will be on the Lewisham cyclists web site sometime in the next few days

Total distance: Approx 40 miles

Paul Taylor