Being a bit of a cycling fan, I was an obvious candidate for our Cycling and Walking Manager to volunteer me for the Newham's 'Ride and Stride' cycling and walking event held last Saturday (he was unable to attend due to his dad’s 60th birthday apparently - poor excuse).
This was an event to launch Newham’s guide to walking and cycling (taking in the Olympic Park and other interesting and historic sites) and aims to encourage walking and cycling amongst local residents.
The event (which also commemorated the date of the first known bike race which took place in Paris in 1868) started off with a quick briefing on top of Stratford shopping centre multi-storey. This is actually an excellent viewpoint to take in the Olympic Park and the developments happening at Stratford City.
Before the cycle ride:
Our group, led by Nick Williams of Newham Council, then headed north around Angel Lane and Temple Mills Lane to the Olympic Park. After taking in the sites of the Tennis and Archery centres we stopped at the VeloPark site (where I certainly won’t be cycling in 2012). From there we cycled down to the Lee Navigation and along the tow path past the hoardings of the
International Broadcast Centre/Main Press Centre (IBC/MPC) and
Handball Arena.
Cycling past the hoardings on the tow path:
We then made our way onto the Greenway where we rode past both the
Stadium site - taking in a superb view of the progress being made - and West Ham station, one of the key gateway stations for the Park. Once at the end of the Greenway it was onto Beckton, passing St. Mary Magdalene Church (claimed to be the oldest parish church still in use in Greater London) ending up at the Royal Docks and
ExCeL, venue to a number of other sports that Newham will be hosting.
Finally it was back heading towards Stratford through two of Newham’s industrial estates, now housing some of the businesses relocated from the
Olympic Park. On past the new Prescott Lock and up through Three Mills and the 3 mills studio.
About two and half hours later we were back at Stratford station taking in a refreshing drink and much needed snack. Not quite the same as the 224km Giro d'Italia cycling stage I caught later in the afternoon, but still not a bad morning's ride and an excellent way to see the Olympic Park site and to learn a little bit about Newham’s history.
After the ride:
For more information on the guide and cycling and walking in Newham please visit
Newham Council.
