This year’s Greenwich Ride was conducted in a heatwave though in the morning especially there was a deceptively refreshing breeze. We had a few last minute drop-outs (Frank, get well soon after your spill) but a couple of late joiners, too. There was plenty going on elsewhere (a Way of the Roses ride just starting, a Guernsey trip just ended) and some were put off by the heat forecast, but we had a turnout of sixteen riders and rode in three groups.
Group 1 leader Julie writes
The first group set off promptly from Beddington Park in an attempt to get ahead of the intense heat of the day. In my group was Linda, Sue B, Rob, and Stuart who was my back marker. Ayla cafe was delightful as was the lunch stop at the floral Dog and Bell in Deptford. Linda enjoyed the nostalgic ride through Wandsworth passing her childhood school and tennis club. Everyone enjoyed the ride despite the heat. Linda and I were the last ones standing as we stopped for tea at MED cafe in Merton Abbey Mill before heading for home and a cool shower
Group 2 leader Tim writes
Mad dogs and Englishmen (and CTC cyclists) go out in the midday sun !
The recent heatwave and forecast of further high
temperatures did nothing to deter a good number of eager enthusiasts to gather
at Beddington Park to start today’s adventure to Greenwich.
My group consisting of Ian, Sharon, Jackie, Alyson and
back-marker Andy headed out towards the metropolis of Croydon then out on
calmer treks through suburban streets and green spaces to our first pitstop of
the day at Ayla cafe in Kent House. Suitably refreshed we headed out via
Catford and Lewisham then made our ascent to Blackheath and across to Greenwich
Park to admire the clear and spectacular view of the city across the river.
There was quite a carnival atmosphere amid craft stalls and live
music.
After a few customary photos we headed down to Greenwich to
admire the Cutty Sark by the riverside. Following the river we soon reached our
lunchtime stop at the ‘Dog and Bell’ at Deptford. Good food was promptly served
as we sat outside surrounded by an impressive floral display.
Our afternoon ride took us further along the river and
parkland at Rotherhithe then Bermondsey, London Bridge and a very crowded
Borough Market. At this stage Ian peeled off to make his own way home by train
and the group became temporarily split. Soon reunited we continued along the
Southbank, across Westminster Bridge and through Parliament Square to follow a
well marked cycle path to Battersea Bridge and into the park. The shade of the trees and relaxed atmosphere
made for a good opportunity to rest and recharge our batteries. The final leg
took us via Clapham, Wandsworth and Earlsfield where we picked up and followed
the river Wandle to our final destination at Merton Abbey Mills.
Thanks to everyone who made today’s ride a success and
enjoyable experience both in planning and execution. It’s always a pleasure to
lead a ride with cyclists who are keen, enthusiastic and good company. A good
day had by all !
Group leader Paul writes
The Annual Greenwich Concerto is in five movements. For my quintet, bringing up the rear with
Paul G, Justine, Ken and Maggie, the first movement from Beddington to Kent
House, was Allegro Moderato, though apparently not quite moderato
enough, because we caught Tim’s sextet, riding Adagietto, at Kent House Station.
The traditional coffee stop there was closed but this had
become obvious during the recces so I had arranged with Ayla on Kent House
Road, to ship in some more cakes. Vitally
and unlike our old haunt, Ayla is in the shade in late morning, and Violeta
worked her socks off and succeeded in serving us quickly.
The second movement, The Ravensbourne, is Adagio, and majestic on a sunny summer’s day. The easy cadence sets you up perfectly for Simon’s cadenza through Lewisham and then the closing crescendo up to Blackheath, and the magnificence of its concluding cabaletta. As Wordsworth wrote from a different vantage point two and a quarter centuries ago, Earth has not anything to show more fair than the view that General Wolfe, the hero of Quebec, now gazes upon in perpetuity. The music festival there on Saturday did nothing to detract.
The Third movement, really nothing more than an Intermezzo in brisk Vivace, takes you past St Alphege (where Wolfe is buried) and the Cutty Sark and Peter (Little Head) the Great to the Dog and Bell in Deptford, one of the great pubs. On a good day with kitchen-produced food and decently-priced ale some would say the D&B is the sixth movement of the concerto. Jackie’s cheeseboard was a wonder. I am no Wordsworth and will let the flowers speak through Sue’s camera. We lingered, partly because Tim and his sextet would have lingered until nightfall had I not caught his eye with a bit of signalling and they were supposed to be ten minutes in front of us.
"........and another thing about the Brompton."
The fourth movement is in three parts, the balletic dance through the shaded gardens that were once Canada and Russia Docks, the Vivacissimo along the river to Battersea, and these two separated by the chaotic homage to Stockhausen that is cycling through Borough Market on a summer Saturday. So difficult to play that the sextet broke up and we came across their remnants busking in Southwark. Tim appeared to be phoning his agent.
In many ways, after such inspiration, the final movement,
the fifth, can turn into a bit of a plodding deciso, but the finale is
rescued by the peaceful diminuendo of the Wandle Trail.
Well played, my quintet; thanks for back marking, Maggie. A satisfying pleasure to have performed with
you all.
And special thanks to Julie and Tim for giving up the time
for recces and leading.
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