London Ride, 20th March - A Magical History Tour.

The more I researched this ride, the more historical facts were uncovered: not just of places - and place-making, but of people and events. Hence the London Ride, to places I suspect were unfamiliar to you as they were to me, became a fascinating tour through local history. A 'magical history tour'!

(Rather than clutter this write-up with arcane historical information I've sprinkled the text with numerous links. You may know much already. Skip them all if you like, and just read about the cycling!)

On the doorstep of North Cheam we cycled through a former sewage treatment plant. Not that you would recognise it now. The Hamptons is a little bit of New England real estate transported to Worcester Park. https://www.jtp.co.uk/projects/the-hamptons. (I don't go in for pastiche architecture, but I suppose it could come in useful as a film-set).

A little bit of New England - the Hamptons.

Most will know the Wandle Trail as we exited Morden Hall Park, but did you know the Surrey Iron Railway ran along much of the banks of the River Wandle? Not the first, but a very early railway.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surrey_Iron_Railway#Route. (Rails seem to be a recurring theme after last week's A ride!)

Continuing along the Wandle Trail, now dubbed part of TfL's Quietway 4 after Wandle Meadow, http://content.tfl.gov.uk/quietway-4-map-clapham-common-to-wimbledon.pdf, we cycled through Earlsfield and skirted Tooting to arrive at the San Remo cafe in Tooting Bec Common with the Italian ladies working hard on the coffee machine to serve 35 of us. (120 years old and the cafe is still going strong). http://www.wandsworth.gov.uk/news/article/14665/birthday_celebration_for_tooting_common_cafe.

The San Remo cafe - (apologies for the bum shot!).

Along the way some stopped at a rather older artefact - a 145million years tree trunk!


http://www.wandsworth.gov.uk/news/article/14534/restoration_work_to_tooting_common_s_fossil_tree_enclosure_begins

Jurassic tree in Tooting Bec Common.

Along the back of Brixton prison, and avoiding Brixton Town centre, we stopped to regroup opposite the historic City of London Gresham Almshouses. http://www.londongardensonline.org.uk/gardens-online-record.php?ID=LAM008.

Skirting Peckham, we arrived at Addison Square on the edge of Burgess Park. Delightful now, but number 33 has a somewhat notorious history, being the home of the Richardson Brothers - East End gangsters who traded violence with the Krays in the 1960's. http://www.notableabodes.com/person-abode-details/7512/charlie-richardson-gangster_the-addington-33a-addington-square-camberwell-london

Burgess Park - a post-war creation of the (first) London Plan in 1943, (I've a copy on my bookshelf), provided a excellent linear cycle route on our way to Rotherhithe with some interesting structures retained from the era when the Grand Surrey Canal ran through here from the Surrey Docks to Camberwell and beyond.
http://www.friendsofburgesspark.org.uk/history-in-burgess-park/the-history-of-burgess-park/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Surrey_Canal

Around the Lime Kiln

The bridge to nowhere

 After a circuitous route around Southwark Park - a park 150 years in the making, https://www.southwark.gov.uk/parks-and-open-spaces/parks/southwark-park?chapter=2,
we arrived on the banks of the Thames, with the River in full spate.

At the Thames - with Dr. Salter looking on.

The sculptures here of Doctor Salter and his family are poignant reminders of the dire heath and living conditions of the local population in the early part of the 20th Century; these are now a popular tourist attraction on the Thames Path.

https://lookup.london/dr-salter-sculpture/

Pete and the learned Doc. - with the site of King Edward III's Manor House behind.

Along London pave we reached St Mary's Church in Rotherhithe St. - famous for its connection with the Mayflower, the Pilgrim Fathers, and specially the captain, Christopher Jones.
https://www.stmaryrotherhithe.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4&Itemid=3

This area is also associated with Brunel - and the first tunnel here of its type, dating from 1843, (and still in use today). https://www.brunel-museum.org.uk/history/the-thames-tunnel/

 A quick spin along the east side of Greenland Dock in Surrey Quays and we were in the Surrey Docks pub before 1.30pm. (Probably the biggest group of Sou'westers to gather at a 'Spoons).

Some of the London Riders at the Surrey Docks

Five of the group left to go separate ways, but still leaving 30+ for the shorter leg back to south west London. Re-visiting Burgess Park we watched enthralled as the BMX kids did their stuff on the renowned Peckham circuit. http://www.peckhambmx.co.uk.

Old timers - and the new kids on the circuit.

By the time we reached the Home Community Cafe in Earlsfield - after a quick run along Cycling Super Highway 7 and over Wandsworth Common, we were ready for tea and delicious cakes.

Many thanks for joining me on this Spring Equinox London Ride. Dave V. and Mike B. did an excellent job back-marking such a large group, and Simon had my .gpx files ready in case my Garmin misfired. You all did brilliantly at corner-marking - including those new at the game!

I thought 32 riders and 32miles last year would be a difficult act to follow. With 35 riders and 33+ miles you exceeded my expectations. Well done! And finally welcome to Jacqui on her first ride!