This is a great ride along the south bank of the Thames to Erith. The route rarely leaves the side of the river and affords great views of Canary Wharf, the Dome and the Thames Barrier.

A very easy paced ride, suitable for riders of all ages and abilities. Chat and ride.

Find a pub or cafe for lunch.

Suitable for all bikes except racey road bikes.

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Even though no one met me at Ladywell Fields it gave me the chance to look over our newly landscaped meeting place. Work is still in progress and what must me a couple of kilo metres of Harris fencing keep you from getting up close but when its finished and worn in, needs a little more grass and a few bushes we’ll have nice meeting spot. The Ladywell Fields sign will become to Lewisham Cyclists what the needle is to Southwark Cyclists, the Lewisham obelisk.

Down at the Thames it was a bust day on the river, a huge navy auxiliary fleet vessel, some kind of ferry, the Larks Bay lay anchored off Wood Wharf, several of the large passenger carrying catamarans passed by and a huge floating crane sailed past heading east.

Watching all this with me were Paul, Jack, Dave, Sarah, Gary, Joan, Peter and Jurek.

The ride down to Erith is very easy, flat and familiar. Familiarity is not a problem though, developments on both sides of the river catch the eye, good or bad they keep you interested. Something bad to look at was the very nice new cycle path through the University of Greenwich which appears to be finished but it now seems we’ll have to wait for the pier development to be finished/finalised before we can use it. Something good to look at was the cycle training happening at Woolwich Arsenal. Several women were under instruction and getting more confident with every crank turned. We handed out some cards, when you’re ready come for a ride with us.

Refreshments were had at Firepower and then we rode on to Erith. We only went as far as the pier where a few minutes were spent watching an armada of small dinghies and craft on the river. Then it was time for dinner at the Riverside Café. The fare here is beans, bacon, sausages and is cheap. All day breakfast with coffee and bread is £3.75.

We took the same riverside route back to Greenwich. It was great to see so many others out on bikes.