The Elephant Ride

We head off to the City of London to visit the Herd of Hope at Spitalfields Market - 21 life-sized bronze statues of orphaned elephants which have been migrating around London. Find out more about the free exhibition here: http://bit.ly/3eYa2zN This route is suitable for beginners who are confident on their bikes but wish to get more experience with riding in traffic. We use a lot of segregated cycling lanes and quiet roads, and the route is mostly flat, so we will aim to keep a steady pace.

We come out of the borough using back roads and a small section of Chamberlayne Road to cross Harrow Road to North Kensington, then Hyde Park and Buckingham Palace. We then join CS3 at Westminster and CS6 at Blackfriars into Smithfield Market. On the way back, we take quiet roads in Kings Cross, Marylebone and Maida Vale.

We will stop at Old Spitalfields Market for about an hour, so we can visit all statues and grab something to eat in the market (you are also welcome to bring your own lunch). Please bring a face mask so you can get into the toilets and eateries.

If you develop Covid-19 symptoms or have been told to self-isolate before the ride, or can't make it for any other reason, please ensure to cancel your space so someone else can join. Only riders who booked themselves on the ride will be allowed to join. Children are welcome to join as long as they have good control of their bikes and can handle the distance. Limit of 2 children per responsible adult (who should supervise them at all times). Please check that your bike is roadworthy before the ride and bring a spare inner tube and tools in case you get a flat tyre mid-ride. We will be following government rules on social distancing, so we are not supposed to share any tools. Unless the weather takes a nasty turn making it unsafe or difficult to cycle, this ride will go ahead even if it rains. Dress for the weather and bring a rain coat just in case.

First-timers welcome!