Not running the marathon? Then join us on a flat 30 mile ride down the Waterlink Way west across Croydon to link up with the Wandle Trail heading north back into London and looping back around to Greenwich.

Easy paced ride. Suitable for all bikes except racey roadsters.

Report

What a difference a day makes. Yesterday was glorious warm spring sunshine and today was dull, persistent drizzle. I wasn’t confidant we’d have many takers with a combination of a change in meeting places, the marathon making it potentially difficult to reach the meeting place and the weather not being particularly inviting, but there were seven of us by the time we reached Ladywell Fields.

David, Camille, Nick, Brendan, Tim, Anil and Ian.

I was admonished for missing out Brookmill Park on the way to Ladywell but the feeling of freedom gained by riding up a traffic free Deptford Church Street (cordoned off to prevent traffic going down to Creek Road where the marathon was taking place) inspired me take the ride down Brookmill Road. However, we were soon in traffic again, the marathon effect providing only a localised calming effect.

The Waterlink Way route can be traced by the names of the green spaces we pass through, Ladywell Fields, Cator Park, South Norwood Country Park, the various athletic and sports clubs we pass in Catford, Bell Green, Sydenham and Beckenham, the two rivers we follow, the Ravensbourne and the Pool and the stations situated along this valley, Ladywell, Catford, Lower Sydenham, New Beckenham, Kent House, Clock House and Elmers End. You are never far from a jumping off point if you want to take the train home.

Before we reach South Norwood Country Park we a traffic jam of 20 to 30 cars queuing for a recycling plant in Churchfields Road. Tim remarks that this is a sure sign that local authority recycling initiatives aren’t working. I know from personal experience that this scene is being repeated all over London every Sunday and so have to agree with him. 

From South Norwood Country Park we take to the roads and the cycle routes which take us to Croydon. Despite what seem like several hours of looking at maps and half a dozen reccies, I’ve yet to manage a clean run through Croydon that didn’t involve coming face to face with a tram or going the wrong way up a one way street. Today was no exception but it was only a short 20 yards of travelling against the traffic at the end of the main shopping high street, North End. One day I’ll find a legal route trough here.

Through Croydon and we quickly link up with the Wandle Trail on the western side of Purley Way  The Wandle Trail, is a nicely crafted route but is let down by poor signing in a couple of places. Coming out of Beddington Park the river goes straight on but the trail isn’t signed that you have to turn left head up the road and then turn right into Butter Hill.

After Beddington Park the Wandle turns north and we go through Hackbridge, meandering with the river through the suburban housing of different eras. Out of Hackbridge  and into South Merton through Poulter Park, Ravensbury Park and the picturesque Morden Hall Park. We have the run of the paths in Morden Hall Park, the continuing drizzle must be keeping the dog walkers and children in doors. We now pass Dean City Farm and then roll into Merton Abbey Mills for our lunch in the William Morris Pub.

Roast lamb, 5 kinds of vegetables (carrots, swede, broccoli, cauliflower and parsnip) roast and boiled potatoes and a pint of Guinness - £10. A vegetarian roast was available.

After dinner we head on past the Merton Sainsbury’s superstore, through another Wandle Park (there was one in Croydon), through Tooting and Summerstown to Earlsfield where I’ve decided to leave the Wandle and turn east. The Wandle continues for another mile or two reaching the Thames at Wandsworth, but there is a nightmare one-way system you have to cross (about 6 lanes) if you want to keep going to the Thames.

We head of east by Wandsworth Cemetery, over Wandsworth Common, over Clapham Common, through Clapham, Stockwell, Brixton, Camberwell, through Burgess Park into Peckham, then New Cross, Deptford and finally Greenwich and Cutty Sark Gardens.

No sign of the marathon here now but it is still raining. Although it’s rained all day no one has got particularly wet.

32 miles

Thanks everyone for coming.

Ian Pendleton

Lewisham Cyclists.