Sunday 11th July 2021 8:45am

Starting from - Meet outside Ealing Town Hall from 8.45am for a 9am departure. We should return to Ealing by approx 5pm. W5 2BY

This West London Breeze ride is open for anyone to join

  • 43.9 miles
  • Mountain Bike, Hybrid (off road tyres), Hybrid (road tyres)
  • 8 hr
  • Challenging
  • Ealing
  • Adults 16+ only
  • Women only

Free, women-only bike rides led by experienced Breeze Champions. They are a great way to get started in cycling or to improve your skills, whether you are a beginner or a seasoned cyclist.

Starting point




London
W5 2BY

This is the first of our two long summer weekend rides for 2021. It’s a full day out, taking us right across London to explore the Lea Valley as far as the Walthamstow Wetlands Nature Reserve, and returning by a different route via Finsbury Park and Gospel Oak. It’s quite a long way- 71 km (44 miles), but the outward journey is almost totally flat; there are a few small hills on the return ride, so you do need to have stamina to manage the whole ride. There are public transport options if anyone feels unable to complete the ride.

From Ealing, we use quiet back roads via Ravenscourt Park and Holland Park, to reach Kensington Gardens and the segregated cycle track down to Hyde Park Corner. We follow Cycleway 3 all the way past Buckingham Palace, across Parliament Square, along the Embankment to Tower Hill, and into the East End, as far as Limehouse. Here we turn onto the riverside path alongside the Limehouse Cut and follow it via Bow Locks and Three Mills Island, where we will enjoy the fascinating architecture and history of the area. We soon reach the start of the Lea Valley, which we follow through Hackney Marshes and into the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Crossing the Park, we continue alongside the Lea Navigation to reach our destination, the Walthamstow Wetlands Nature Reserve. This is an extensive area of reservoirs and quiet green space, popular with birdwatchers and other nature lovers. The area is also rich in industrial history and has some splendid buildings, including the Engine Room, which is now a visitor centre and café, where we will stop for a well-deserved lunch. https://www.wildlondon.org.uk/walthamstow-wetlands-nature-reserve

After a generous pause for refreshments and the possibility of exploring some of the reservoir paths on foot, we leave the Lea Valley with a short sharp climb up to Stamford Hill, and then follow quiet back roads to Finsbury Park. Our return route then takes us via Upper Holloway, Tufnell Park, and Gospel Oak, before turning down through St John’s Wood and Maida Vale to cross the canal at the Halfpenny Bridge and join Quietway 2 in North Kensington. We ride through Wormwood Scrubs and onto Cycleway 34 along Western Avenue, before turning off through Acton and back to Ealing.

Please do not attend if you or anyone in your household has any Covid 19 symptoms or is currently required to self-isolate. We will maintain social distancing and hygiene precautions. Please bring hand sanitizer, wipes etc and a face covering (unless you are exempt) in case we are unable to maintain social distancing for any reason.

Route rating

5 stars (1) Reviews

A long ride all the way across London, exploring the Lea Valley up to the Walthamstow Wetlands Nature Reserve.

We use a range of quieter roads, segregated cycle tracks, riverside paths, and shared use paths. There are a few short stretches on busier roads.

Our destination is the Engine Room Cafe in the Walthamstow Wetlands Nature Reserve. We will have lunch here and time to explore the nature reserve on foot. We will have other brief toilet and snack stops en route.

Bring water and snacks, a picnic lunch or money (card only) for the cafe; sunscreen if necessary. Locks for your bike. Hand sanitiser, face covering (unless exempt).

First-timers welcome!

Who else is on this ride?

Ride leaders

Profile photo for Helen Hayes
  • Breeze Champion

    Breeze Champion

Helen Hayes

Assistants

10 ride participants

Conversation

Register to join the conversation about this ride