A very hot day for our fifth Wednesday ride in July reduced the number of riders on the two long rides.

Fourteen went with Richard down to London, while only four of us went on the new route Paul had mapped out heading north on a circular route to Ardeley and back.  

The more sensible riders among us had their normal local rides around the Lee Valley.  

Cheshunt to Thames Barrier

Richard’s group had 14 riders all geared up for a hot day, but perhaps surprisingly, with a decent breeze, it was noticeably cooler cycling along the rivers Lea and Thames and the many shaded avenues they encountered.  Having plenty of water stops to keep hydrated.  

Most got back by 4.30pm and no real incidents, just a couple of stumbles going through gates.

The group did about 42 miles. 

Their route took them down the towpath for a cuppa in Victoria Park, then off via Regents Canal and Mile End Park to Trinity Buoy Wharf at the mouth of the R Lea.

Then they circumvented the cycle path upgrade works to get south of Royal Victoria Dock for their packed lunch in the Thames Barrier Park. 

Off again along the shady Becton Corridor, to pick up The Greenway, to the Timber Lodge in the Olympic Park for another cuppa (and cake for some) before cycling through the Walthamstow Wetlands and along the River Lea towpath back to Cheshunt.