five visit the Big City

Another cycale trip this month, this time, unusually, a city ride through London, from Liverpool St station to Richmond and back.

Robin, our leader for this one, had not so subtly tagged this ride as one for "experienced and confident cyclists only", presumably in the hope that no-one likely to get lost or left behind in central London would turn up. The tactic appeared to be successful  and a manageable party of 5 cycalists stepped out of Liverpool St station in the drizzle and into the traffic of central London.

The plan was simple - down Bishopsgate, over London Bridge and turn left onto the Sustrans route 4 all the way to Richmond Park. There is something undeniably daunting about cycling in London, especially if you aren't familiar with the roads, and inevitably there was a fair amount of faffing and riding around in circles before we found the cycle route to Richmond. However, we were soon on our way, past famous London landmarks on either side of the river, out to west London.

The signage was excellent, even if some of the cycle paths weren't.

There were two incidents of note, the first involving myself. We were riding through a particularly affluent part of Chelsea, when we came across a barrier across the road - presumably a bus gate, or just a barrier to keep the poor people out. As we approached, magically, the barrier raised to let us past. The first four cycled on, but sadly the rider at the back (me) wasn't quite quick enough and suffered the indignity of being whacked by the lowering barrier as he cycled through. I thought I did rather well not to fall off, but there was some damage inflicted (to the barrier, not me).

The second incident involved our leader on a cycle/footpath in Putney. Robin was leading the way, failed to negotiate a loose dog on the pathway, and fell off. There followed an exchange of pleasantries between cycalists and dog owners, in which bad language was remarkably absent. Robin was OK other than a broken light and dented pride, and we were on our way to Richmond Park.

Cycling through Richmond Park was superb, and it was heartening to see so many people enjoying outdoor activities in a chunk of countryside within the city. Our first pub, and lunch stop, was probably the best of the day - the Roebuck on Richmond Hill, with glorious views down to the Thames. This was a proper pub, with excellent dark beer, good food, and with a proper dark interior.

Then it was down to the riverside to the White Cross

The pub was very busy, and clearly popular with it's riverside location, but we didn't stay long - just a quick half of the most tasteless beer I've ever had. Youngs London Pale was described on the pump clip as being "fruity" and "hoppy", but just tasted of water with a hint of beeriness, despite being a respectable 4%. Opinions of the beer varied between "insipid" and "very insipid".

Last of the Richmond pubs was the Red Cow, after a slippery climb up a steep cobbled street,

before we made our way back to Liverpool St. We had a small diversion at Pimlico to visit the Cask, a decent "craft beer" pub, although somewhat pricey.

A brief photo-opportunity stop at the London Eye

Our final pub was superb - the Black Friar at the north end of Blackfriars bridge, a fantastically ornate pub that was apparently saved from demolition by Sir John Betjamin, and a fitting end to an excellent day.