Urban Cycle (walk) along the Lea Valley towards Ware Sat 30th May

[han]

You've gone from one extreme to another! Hazard of owning too many bikes .

What will be your steed of choice?

 

[alsoknownas]

What will be your steed of choice?

eta: That or the one fairly basic hybrid that I own ...

 

[8115]

I'll be on a Raleigh pioneer It's well maintained, in its defence.

 

[Stig]

Sorry guys, I don't think I'd quite realised the extent of rich!'s dislike of cycling on towpaths.

Places where cyclists and pedestrians use the same space can be fraught, I know this because I work near old street roundabout. That simultaneous feeling of being in the way, and everyone else also being in the way.

We may need to withdraw our late appearance. Or I might come along on my own.

isvicthere?
Putonghua73 (+ MrsP-to-be)
8115
Biddlybee (+ lil' Biddle?)
idumea
eme
toblerone3
sleaterkinney
golightly
ska invita
Rutita1
Rebelda
ShiftyBagLady (+Shifty jnr.?)
han
Boycey
(braindancer sketchy)
Stig
rich!

 

[rich!]

Sorry guys, I don't think I'd quite realised the extent of rich!'s dislike of cycling on towpaths.

Places where cyclists and pedestrians use the same space can be fraught, I know this because I work near old street roundabout. That simultaneous feeling of being in the way, and everyone else also being in the way.

The last time we cycled along the Lea towpath on a sunny day, I ended up hiding in a corner to recover. Horrible experience, I actually prefer cycling in motor traffic.

 

[mango5]

I agree. Walk with us

 

[alsoknownas]

I have to say, I actually find the Lea towpath a really good example of mixed path use. You don't get a ton of pedestrians anyway, unlike Regents Canal or Grand Union Canals further in town. Plus, people do seem to have a general understanding that bikes are a good thing, and it's never seemed like a hassle to me. And the towpaths are wider, and you don't have the bridges and tunnels to navigate.

 

[ska invita]

The last time we cycled along the Lea towpath on a sunny day, I ended up hiding in a corner to recover. Horrible experience, I actually prefer cycling in motor traffic.

rich, ive done this ride about 5 times now - its basically free from people and other bikers, and when you do come past someone theres loads of room
on a different canal ive ridden once in the morning and i know that stressy feeling you describe but I PROMISE it couldnt be less like that
Come....

 

[Stig]

I really want to go; I think worst case, we might train to Waltham Abbey and cycle the 2nd half, as once you're outside the M25 it's bound to be emptier, right?

 

[ska invita]

I really want to go; I think worst case, we might train to Waltham Abbey and cycle the 2nd half, as once you're outside the M25 it's bound to be emptier, right?

its all empty i swear to god

 

[ska invita]

look heres a picture around stratford - utterly representative of traffic levels

 

[ska invita]

there are reasons not to go - being forced by teachers to get up early in the morning, potential rain, flat tyres, but traffic is 100% not one of them, not on this tow path....

 

[alsoknownas]

Even the bits around Enfield Lock are not that bad if you're assertive:

 

[alsoknownas]

I really want to go; I think worst case, we might train to Waltham Abbey and cycle the 2nd half, as once you're outside the M25 it's bound to be emptier, right?

You honestly won't have any problems with traffic. If half this thread turns up, you might be playing dodge-the-urb, but that's about it.

 

[ska invita]

You honestly won't have any problems with traffic. If half this thread turns up, you might be playing dodge-the-urb, but that's about it.

talking of which, lots of people tagged still havent spoken.....
it would be good to know whose coming so we can hang around for late comers before setting off

 

[golightly]

talking of which, lots of people tagged still havent spoken.....
it would be good to know whose coming so we can hang around for late comers before setting off

I'm pretty sure Biddlybee is not coming. Taking a child across London on a bike is too complicated and stressful, which seems reasonable to me.

 

[alsoknownas]

I'm pretty sure Biddlybee is not coming. Taking a child across London on a bike is too complicated and stressful, which seems reasonable to me.

Fair do's. Just to make people aware - you can actually take bikes on a large part of the tube network on a Saturday, including some underground stretches.

Details here (it's a PDF) :
https://www.tfl.gov.uk/cdn/static/cms/documents/bicycle-tube-map.pdf

 

[ska invita]

Fair do's. Just to make people aware - you can actually take bikes on a large part of the tube network on a Saturday, including some underground stretches.

Details here (it's a PDF) :
https://www.tfl.gov.uk/cdn/static/cms/documents/bicycle-tube-map.pdf

thats really useful - i never knew that! i wonder if tube staff know it

 

[braindancer]

Still hoping to make it!

I know. It's ridiculous! Brompton, singlespeed, racer, hybrid, and Jan's absurdly heavy 'mountain' bike. I think I'll decide on the day. ;-)

I've ridden up the Lea on every one of those bike types - apart from an absurdly heavy mountain bike. All will be fine so toss a coin... with 5 sides!

 

[ska invita]

Still hoping to make it!

really hope you can bd

 

[Artaxerxes]

Fair do's. Just to make people aware - you can actually take bikes on a large part of the tube network on a Saturday, including some underground stretches.

Details here (it's a PDF) :
https://www.tfl.gov.uk/cdn/static/cms/documents/bicycle-tube-map.pdf

It annoys me so fucking much you can't go straight to Stratford on the Central (well you can, as long as you plead ignorance...)

 

[Orang Utan]

The last time we cycled along the Lea towpath on a sunny day, I ended up hiding in a corner to recover. Horrible experience, I actually prefer cycling in motor traffic.

What was so bad about it? I had a great time on the Lea two weeks ago

 

[Sue]

eta: That or the one fairly basic hybrid that I own ...

Champion the Wonder Horse...? Good shout...

 

[Treacle Toes]

Weather watch:

Saturday

High: 19 degrees C
Low: 12 degrees C

 

[ska invita]

Weather watch:

Saturday

High: 19 degrees C
Low: 12 degrees C

its meant to be.........

 

[ska invita]

btw ruti, i was looking at maps and you could get the dlr from lewisham to limehouse and i think you can pick up the canal from there even....im thinking about maybe biking to lewisham and doing that.... maybe

 

[Treacle Toes]

btw ruti, i was looking at maps and you could get the dlr from lewisham to limehouse and i think you can pick up the canal from there even....im thinking about maybe biking to lewisham and doing that.... maybe

Oooh good spot. That would add a few extra miles on (Limehouse to Clapton is a route I know.).

 

[ska invita]

Oooh good spot. That would add a few extra miles on (limehouse to Clapton).

yeah thats the down side - its more biking and more sapping....

 

[alsoknownas]

Champion the Wonder Horse...? Good shout...

It's the theme tune that swung it for me .

eta: in your head all day now for sure

 

[alsoknownas]

All will be fine so toss a coin... with 5 sides!

Geeky? Moi?