Fifth Wednesday Long Rides
Cycling Group
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On the fifth Wednesday in April, we had many different rides.
While Stewart and Annemarie took care of the local rides, Allen and Steve ventured off for the day to Stanborough Lakes and Richard with his group, headed down to the Thames Barrier Park.
The challenger riders, without Paul, who had gone AWOL, also went down to the Thames Barrier Park.
I don't think we had any punctures on any rides. However, Richard did have a casualty on his with Ray doing a spectacular unplanned dismount! Once checked out by a medic in the area, he returned home, I am pleased to say he is now recovered.
Richard's group - Cheshunt to Thames Barrier Park
We tried to catch up on some of the time we lost, owing to Ray's dismount, but no one was bothered, so eventually took our time with a tea/coffee stop in Victoria Park. We had a lunch stop in the shade in Thames Barrier Park.
After Victoria Park our route took us through Westferry and Poplar to Trinity Buoy Wharf. Next, on to Silvertown and the new cycle path to South side of Royal Victoria Dock, under the old cranes and then into Thames Barrier Park.
After a short diversion to see the Brick Lane Music Hall building, over the bridge and through S & N Becton Parks to The Greenway and the Olympic Park.
We had our usual tea/coffee stop at Timber Lodge in the Olympic Park.
Then on to the Walthamstow Wetlands and back up the towpath to Cheshunt. We arrived back at Pinder Car Park at 5.15pm.
Allen and Steve's group - Moderate Ride - Turnford to Stanborough Lakes.
This destination has become a traditional fifth Wednesday ride for the moderate group as it offers a variety of routes, trail conditions and that all important café stop for lunch.
Weather - dry, sunny and warm. Distance - 33.05 miles.
Duration - 5 hrs 10 mins.
Ride time - 3 hrs 23 mins.
Overall elevation gain 3632 feet.
Building on a previous fifth Wednesday route to the Panshanger Country Park, this time 7 riders made their way from Turnford Brook to Hertford via Brickendon, joined the Cole Green Way trail, which once was a railway track to Welwyn Garden City.
The ride then followed National Cycle Routes 61 and 12 to the Stanborough Lakes area. The return ride initially followed the same route to Hertford then made it's way back to Turnford via Hoddesdon.
Challenger Riders - Cheshunt to Thames Barrier Park
Nine Challenger riders set off to the Thames Barrier Park, but via many quiet roads and parks, with four of us using the same route on Garmins, what could possibly go wrong?
I won't answer that, but we did get there and somehow got back!