Past Rides

Battersea Park
Beddington Park
Forest Hill
London Bridge
South Norwood Country Park
South Norwood Lakes
The Arena
Tooting Bec

BATTERSEA PARK - November 2005

This ride was unusual in that it took place on a Monday during term-time. Some riders took the train from Norbury to Battersea, while others travelled by van.

Battersea Park itself offers a safe haven for cyclists. After spending some time at the one o’clock club, which provides adventurous play for children, the riders meandered along the river Thames.

Following the Thames footpath allows you to see parts of London hidden to the motorist. A chance meeting with a passer-by resulted in an invitation to this lady’s houseboat on the Thames. A one-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see what life is like on water!
>> View Battersea Park Gallery

^top

BEDDINGTON PARK
1st March 2009

19 riders turned up on a cloudy, but warm, rainless day to cycle to Beddington Park via Mitcham Common.

Mitcham Common must surely be one of the hidden gems South of the River, and only 2 miles away from built-up Thornton Heath by bicycle; the journey by car would be much longer, but cyclists can take short-cuts and reduce the distance considerably.

The scenery along the journey is truly breathtaking and it is hardly believable that busy London Road is so nearby.

The freedom of an off-road makes this one of our most relaxing rides. After a stop in the café, which provides delicious cakes, we rounded up the children to head tired but happy back home.
>> View Beddington Park Gallery

^top

FOREST HILL
5th July, 2009

The 5th July was a special ride to visit the Soteriologic Garden of a local permaculture specialist; 10 riders met as normal outside St James the Great and set off to Crystal Palace park, using the back roads to arrive in under 15 minutes. After a short break at this beautiful park, we set off to Forest Hill, which was a very hilly ride!

Our destination was a permaculture back garden backing onto disused railway land, that had been transformed into an oasis of fruit – redcurrants, white currants, raspberries, gooseberries and a cross between a blackberry and gooseberry – truly delicious and all of nature’s abundance for free.

After filling our bellies and our minds we returned back to St James the Great, making quick progress as the route was mainly downhill.

^top

LONDON BRIDGE
15th April 2009
11 riders met for a train-assisted ride from Norbury station up to London Bridge – thankfully, both stations have step-free access. Lugging your bike up and down stairs is no joke!

As we waited for our train on the platform, we identified the cycle/disabled coach as the train approached, and headed straight for it. After loading the bikes onto the train, it was a short ride to London Bridge, where we had plenty of time to unload the bikes and then make our way across Tooley Street and to Queen’s Walk on the Embankment.

We first of all headed East past City Hall, the Design Museum and onwards. The area around Tower Bridge was busy, but after a surprisingly short time the crowds thinned and cycling was easy, with wonderful views to reward us. We found a local park along the way where we hastily ate our credit-crunch-beating sandwiches. We crossed over the Thames at London Bridge negotiating steep steps to view the Monument, which commemorates the Great Fire of London.

We then cycled along the path that follows the Thames as far as Tower of London, where we could no longer cycle, so we headed back home, fired up with doughnuts from London Bridge station and back to Norbury.

This is an absolutely fantastic ride for beginners – one, easy train ride and then a completely car-free cycle ride with the traditional and iconic views of London along the way. And not least, there are plenty of delicious pit-stops along the way and free street entertainment on Tooley Street.
>>View London Bridge Gallery

^top

SOUTH NORWOOD COUNTRY PARK
7th June, 2009

A gloriously sunny day saw 16 riders assemble for a ride to South Norwood Country Park, a route we haven’t taken for a good while.

Under the expert supervision of the Ride Marshalls, the riders managed to cycle smoothly along the busy roads, to reach the park in record time.

South Norwood Country Park is really a beautiful gem hidden in Croydon. With funding from Bike Week, riders were treated to a free rustic lunch of baguettes, baps, salad, fresh juice, washed down by mugs of tea, kindly provided by the Warden at the Visitor Centre.

The Visitor Centre has recently had Lottery funding to develop a state-of-the-art swing-park, which had something to interest all ages and is well worth a visit in its own right.

A visit to the Park would not be complete without a cycle up and then down it’s steep hill – a feat enjoyed by the younger riders, but the older riders amongst us approached this challenge with some trepidation.

All in all a highly successful ride and some tired but happy riders on the way back.
>>View South Norwood Country Park Gallery

^top

SOUTH NORWOOD LAKES - July 2006

This ride was open to the public as well as members of St James The Great. Look at the pictures in the gallery to see our resident Dr Bike at work.

Despite Dr Bike’s best efforts, one of the riders had a puncture, but this turned out to be a perfect teaching opportunity. We were all shown the correct way to mend a puncture.

Luckily, the puncture was in the park itself, so we were able to take our time fixing it.
>> View South Norwood Lakes Gallery

^top

THE ARENA - June 2006

This very successful ride was open to the general public and was organised as part of Croydon Bike Week. A rather hilly ride to The Arena, but well worth the extra effort. The Great Wheelers was invited to cycle around the sports track in a victory lap of honour.

Afterwards, there was delicious Greek food provided free-of-charge thanks to Bike Week.

Having allowed our food to settle, the children lost no time in trying out many of the specially adapted bikes. The Arena is host to Wheels for Wellbeing, which encourages people with disabilities to take up cycling. The bikes include adult tricycles, hand-operated bikes and tandems.

As part of the festivities, the children took part in races – not to see who was the quickest on a bike, but to see who was the slowest! As cycling is all about balancing, this was no mean feat!
>> View The Arena Gallery

^top

TOOTING BEC
3rd May, 2009

A gloriously sunny day saw 9 riders congregate at St James the Great and then head off at around 2pm to cycle to our old favourite, Tooting Bec.

Although sunny, there was a keen wind and we were glad to get to the café and sit down, where the adults discussed religion, philosophy and life, while the children explored the newly refurbished playground.

We were not the only cyclists tempted out by the warm weather; Tooting Bec is truly a magnet for cyclists in this otherwise densely populated part of London.

^top