The long way down
For the first time in a long time, I got on the bike yesterday and rode. The plan was to ride to the Thames barrier or barrier park as it is called. I walked there back in 2020, I think, or was 2021. It was November the 5th, I know that for sure because I had to be back by the evening to light the fireworks for Lucas. They were still living in Green street. Anyway, I chose the usual route of crossing Enfield to the eastern corridor and picking up the river Lea navigation at Ponders end. I made my way easily down to Stratford within the hour. Passing the stadium, I continued with a vague memory of the right direction, I stayed by the river till I reached the Limehouse basin. Once there, I picked up national cycle path C3, which led to barrier park. I didn’t know that at the time but figured I would follow it as it led to Canning town and I knew that was the right direction. I crossed the Thames, forgetting it meanders round at Greenwich. Believing I was in south London, I then became confused, why the Thames was infront of me because I could see barrier park and by extension the huge Thames barrier. That lasted for a few seconds, then I felt relieved and proud of myself. Having not ridden for a long time, I just rode 20 miles to get there without feeling it on either my legs or my bum.
So what to do know? I thought I’d ride to Westminster bridge, taking me the scenic route along the Thames. Speed and time were of no concern or issue, it really was a sight seeing adventure. I took a few photos of my bike at the barrier and headed west, again retracing my steps/ wheels along C3 till I reached the south side of the basin. There I picked up the Thames path or rode a long side it because bikes aren’t allowed.
The first stop was Tower hill, with a rather large Police presence, a neighbouring draw bridge opening, I had to find an alternative route round it. Once that took me right up to Tower bridge itself. Not the best place to walk a bike as I tried not to bump into people. I gave a thought for two seconds about passing along in front of the Tower of London. I saw the sign saying no bicycles just time to turn around. I jumped back on my saddle and rode past three Police vans to meet the traffic getting onto the bridge, then turning left on to the cycle path that leads the way to Westminster. It is one of my favourite rides in London, it takes you past all of the best bridges, London, Blackfriars, Farringdon, Charing cross, Embankment, (I think I’ve missed one). Past the Royal festival hall and the London eye on the southside and new Scotland yard on the right, before sight of the Queen’s tower housing big Ben. In a split decision, I kept going, turning right past the houses of Parliament and heading up alongside Green park. Since I was here, I thought heading into Hyde park to be a good idea and I was right it was. I passed the Royal Albert hall with a gold monument to the monarch on the right. That’s right a gold monument. Two months in the past six, I have worried about going overdrawn and having money to last the whole month in a time of the rising cost of living. Yet, we pay for and build a gold monument of the countries most useless man. People then ask me why I support a Republic.
Once I had arrived at the memorial garden/ monument past Kensington palace. I stopped for a flapjack and an apple (come on, you wanted to know that). I considered my next move and possibly going home, it was around 4:10pm at this point and I had ridden 34 miles and my bum was killing me. The best and easiest option was to ride to Finsbury park and get on the train there with the bike. Then I thought, I would have an easier time getting on a station before, the train would be less crowded. Either Drayton park or Highbury and Islington. As I am not a football fan, I didn’t know if it was match day and whether I would have to contend with Arsenal fans taking up the whole train. This has happened to me before. I rode to Drayton park, taking my milage up to 39.5 miles and I made the station with 15 minutes to spare. The football game was still going on and I could hear the fans chanting. I spent the last ten minutes with my heart in my mouth, thinking the game was going to end and the fans would then over run the platform and I would have to wait for the next train. This didn’t happen and the train was relatively empty for a Saturday afternoon.
By the time I reached my front door, I had ridden over 40 miles. A day well spent and I feel like I have returned. Also I know, with little effort, I can get on the bike and go.
Forgot to mention, I worked out in the morning and ran a 5k.
