The 2010 bike ride saw a welcome return of the 'Country to Capital' route from Broxbourne, near Hertford into central London.  This is without doubt one of the best bike rides you can do in the South of England and we are very grateful to John Spielman and his wife Doreen for planning this ride and leading it so expertly.

The ride starts in the heart of the country and follows quiet towpaths past canal basins, boatyards, locks and parks to Limehouse Basin in the heart of Canary Wharf.  It is remarkable to ride into London barely touching a road, indeed just crossing one of them. 

Around twenty of us set out on a fine but cool day and enjoyed friendship and fellowship as we rode along the towpaths to London.  Little gave away that we were getting closer except for the tower blocks just visible above the trees lining the towpath.   As we drew nearer to London trees gave way to factories and docks and the skyline started to show the famous buildings of the city of London and Canary Wharf.  After about three hours and 19 miles we suddenly emerged in Limehouse Basin and the river Thames.  John had arranged for the group to eat at an open-air Italian restaurant and two hours later and much food later the group was ready to set off for Tower Bridge and the second leg of the journey.

For many, this short three mile leg was the highlight of the ride as once again without hardly touching a road we cycled along hidden towpaths, through quiet wharfs and parks to emerge quite unexpectedly at St Katherine's Wharf and the overpowering presence of Tower Bridge.  Nobody could claim that this last bit of the ride was quiet!  Tourists everywhere!  Cycling through the crowds thronging the bridge and the Tower of London was difficult and keeping the group together was challenging for even John's expert eye.  But all emerged unscathed and the final leg of just under a mile was undertaken through quiet weekend streets to Liverpool Street Station.  The feeling of elation at completing this monumental ride was tangible as we piled on the train, bikes and all, for the half hour journey back to Broxbourne.  

Everybody agreed, at the end of a long day, that they couldn't wait till next year to see what John has planned for us them.  Want to join us?  Then check out the events on the 2011 event page.