Ride Reports 2004
Reports from the saddle by Jacques, Grabo & 007

25.1.2004 - Winter Sunshine Towpath Toddle
A short trip along the Lee towpath.  Tea stop at Springfield Marina, then a ride round Hackney Marshes.   Then to lunch at Princess of Wales pub for roasts ..etc.  Back home about 3pm.    Paul L, Graham, Alan, Jim, Jane P, Richard & Anya. 

8.2.2004 - Temple Bar and Goffs Oak
Off in sunny, windy weather. Tea at Forty Hall. North to Temple Bar for a last look. The bar had been nearly taken apart before cleaning and its move to Paternoster Sq near St Pauls in London. A great lunch at the Wheelwright, Goffs Oak (worth going again here). Back via Burnt Farm Ride to Enfield by about 3pm.  Paul, Graham, Jane, Jim, Alan, Laurent, Annabel.

22.2.2004 - Barnet 'n' West
Through Palmers Green, Arnos Park along the Pymmes Trail to a welcome cafe stop at East Barnet.  West via Oakleigh Park Station to the Dollis Brook.  Further west, past Totteridge Green, along country tracks to Mill Hill East.  Nice lunch at The Mill.  Back east in sunny, windy weather.  Paul, Graham, Alan, Stuart, Ian, Gavin, Andy, Chris.

14.3.2004 - Easy Family Ride - Trent Park
From Civic Centre west by Grange Park in windy weather.  Pre-ride puncture for poor Jerry!  Then to Grovelands, hey presto!  The cafe was just opening for tea!    Then by back roads to Southgate and Trent Park.   Hot food at Trent Park cafe as rain fell.   Back on route 88 to Enfield Area.   Paul, Richard, J

28.3.2004 - Victoria Park and Lewisham
From Edmonton, south at Stonebridge Lock past Hackney Marshes to Victoria Park, tea and food at cafe.  Nine of us went onward to Lewisham.  The remaining four toured Victoria Park before heading home.   Paul, Alan, Graham, Gunsel, Stuart, Ian, Richard, Jane, Peter L, Dave M, Denise M, Jim, Chris. 

4.4.2004 - Hayes Hill and beyond
A family ride to Hayes Hill Farm from Edmonton.  Tea at Waltham Cross riverside.   Four went North, while the other four visited the farm.  The Hertford four had lunch at the Old Barge and invented a new cocktail!  Cheers!  Rain for everyone on the way home.  Jane had a slow puncture.  Paul, Jim, Marion C, Peter L, Ian, Stuart, Jane, Graham. 

18.4.2004 - Sustrans Route 12 (with Watton Wheelers)
For this ride we were joined by a group from Watton Wheelers, who got the train down to the start.  Wet start with showers.  Jane sporting new panniers.  Off-road at Monken Hadley.  South Mimms Cafe for tea break.   Lunch at Morrisons in Welwyn!  Dr Ian fixed Graham's brake problem and then we pressed on via the Cole Green Way to Hertford, where the Watton group left us to head home.  As for us, after a swift half at the White Horse, we split up, some of us getting the train back and the braver ones, heading south down the towpath.  4 punctures today!  The plan had been to get as far as Stevenage, but rain and punctures put paid to that.   Well done to Watton Wheelers for such a good turnout in abyssmal weather.  Good to meet you.   Ian, Richard, Stuart, Graham, Gavin, Jane, Rebecca, Marion plus 8 Watton Wheelers (sorry we didn't get all your names!) 

9.5.2004 - Herts Countryside
East to the Lee, tea at Riverside Cafe.  Whoops! Ramesh had puncture - a blow-out! - just short of Broxbourne.  Short cut West to Wormley, then past Paradise Wildlife Park.  Late lunch at Bakers Arms, Bayford.  Back via Goffs Oak and North Enfield.    Special Thanks to Christina and Helen for organising this  ride.    Christina, Helen, Paul L, Ramesh, Ian, Stuart, Jane, Jim, Alan, Chris, Marion C, Aldo, Kim, Jack, Laura, Laurence, Graham, Gordon, Carl, Patrick.

16.5.2004 - Round-the-Borough Charity Ride

23.5.2004 - Stansted Moutfitchet Sprint
By train from Brimsdown in eye-catching t-shirts to Stansted Mountfitchet.  The undulating country spread the peloton.  Tea stop at Old Crown.  15 miles on to "One Armed Sword of England" for lunch.  Some to tea-rooms opposite.  Grabo's stats: 42.76 miles at 9.2 mph in 4h 45m 12 sec !! Stuart, Ian (Voodoo), Jane, Dave, Denise, Alan, Graham, Tim + 2 others.

BIKE WEEK 2004:

Sat 12.6.2004 - Dr Bike at Halfords
Another half-century of bikes checked over by the experts (one of whom is now half-a-century old!).  Promotions for the club and Enfield Cycling Campaign.  Andy H was presented with a £100 Halfords voucher for raising the most money in the Charity Ride.  Drs Dave & Wayne with helpers:  Elaine, Peter, Jim Ch, Jim Ca, Ian, Stuart, Paul, Alan, Stephen, Adrian, Graham, Andy M, Andy H, John M, Gunsel, Fred, John (SCC)

Sun 13.6.2004 - Trafalgar Sq Bikefest
Around 30 miles, all told.  Enfield - Finsbury Park - Highbury Fields Oasis Cafe for a stop.  Then Islington - Bloomsbury - Trafalgar Square.  A very warm day out!  Got to the square at about 1.45, saw Barnet guys there.  Split up top look round displays, tents ..etc.  Local TV interviewers caught 007 and Jacques - did anybody spot them on the telly?  Grabo failed the recumbent test with flying colours!  Back up the towpath, tea at Victoria Park, then up the Lee to Edmonton.  Chris (homing pigeon), Paul L, Ian, Stuart, Alan, Gavin, Jessenia, Dave, Denise, Jane, Graham, Jim, David, Nina & David, Paul & son, Mike B.

Tues 15.6.2004 - Tour de Soiree
Another enjoyable evening potter in fair weather with Richard's musical theme quiz.  Popped into Fallow Buck and Crown & Horseshoes for R&R.  Cheers! Richard, Wayne, Paul, Ian, Fred, David & Nina, Graham, Jane, Stevie, Mike B, Pete & P, Paul & Chloe, Caroline, John M, Andy M, John W, Andy H, Gunsel, Dave S.

Thurs 17.6.2004 - The Legendary, Original Ice Cream Ride
Enfield to Ally Pally Phoenix Bar (hic!), then off road down the old disused railway branch (Parkland Walk) to Highgate and Finsbury Park.  Then on-road to fabulous Marine Ices for supper and ices of the highest order.  Stats by Grabo: 26.5 miles at 9.3 mph in 2hrs 53mins.  Stephen, Richard, Ian, Paul, Graham, Fred, Gavin, Alan, Jane, Gunsel, Stuart, Laurent, Charles, Mike L, Stevie, Dave L.

Sun 20.6.2004 - Hayes Hill Family Ride 
Bright weather saw us pick up 8 en-route at Mossops Creek.  Then tea at Waltham Abbey before heading to the Lee Valley Farms.  Four then pedalled on further towards Hertford.  The rest had lunch and saw the animals.  Grabo "accidentally" sampled Richard's veggie lunch.   We were forced to round up 3 stray sheep who were attempting to escape on our bikes!  Back to Enfield at about 4pm.  Finally Richard's lost mobile was located in the ladies loo at the farm(!)  Grabo's stats:  21.23 miles at 7.8 mph in 2hr 41 min.   Paul, Richard, Sujal, Jasmin, Anya, Aldo, Kim, Jack, Laura, Alan, Graham, Stuart, Jane, Ian, (Olympic) Jim.

Sun 11.7.2004 - London to Southend for British Heart Foundation
Our quintet set off from Victoria Park, eastward on the marshalled route.  Breaks at Stapleford Abbots, Mountnessing, E. Hanningfield, Hullbridge and on to Southend.  Some rode through a ford (river, not car!).  Ian removed "the weakest link" from his chain.  Medals and certificates from the Mayor.  Trains home.   Good ride.   Paul, Richard, Ian, Jane, Mark W.

Sun 25.7.2004 - London to Cambridge for Breakthrough Breast Cancer
Yes, a sunny start.  North across the Lee to Widford tea stop.  Saw Bernie & Hyacinth of Southgate CC.  Musical "thrones" again! On to Langley, Ickleton, and finally to Cambridge in light rain.  At the finish we got a free Tropicana juice and a cape(!).  Spectacular grass slip by Alan 007 at end!  We saw a C5, a penny farthing, recumbents and the "Woddlers Club" arrive.   Train home.  Paul, Stuart, Ian, Jane, Alan, Graham, Alon, Jeff & Marion, Mark W. (also Wayne & John at a somewhat faster pace!)

Sun 8.8.2004 - Tropical Towpath South
Baking hot sunshine saw us ride to Springfield Cafe.  Then on to Eastway Cycle Circuit to catch the finish of a race.   Next we headed for Victoria Park for a light lunch and ices.  All in 29C temperatures!!  Wasps 2, Cyclists 0.   Paul, Graham, Richard, Sujal, Jasmin, Anya, Jim, Stuart, Alan, Stevie, David, Nina, Jane, Trevor. 

Sun 22.8.2004 - Ride to DeHavilland Aircraft Centre
An uphill ride west from Enfield, Hadley Wood, Barnet, over the A1 bridge.  Along country lanes in pleasant sunny weather to the museum.  Looked over the wide range of old planes, photos ..etc.  Onto lunch at the Black Lion in Shenley.   Back via High Barnet.  An early bike swap was made by Ian as his chain broke (again!).  Paul, Ian, Alan, Stuart, Jim, Graham, Patrick (did not start)

Sun 5.9.2004 - Family Riverside Potter
A family potter northward beside the Lee to Riverside Cafe, WX for midday tea, cake sarnies ..etc.  Then along the winding path, past Royal Gunpowder Mills to Hayes Hill Farm and a quick lookout from the bird hides across teh lakes.  More R&R at Hayes Hill Farm cafe, chat ..etc, plus rare sight of a quince tree (?!) Grabo's stats: 24.22 miles at 7.1 mph in 2 hrs 59 min 9 secs.   Paul, Graham, Richard, Sujal, Anya, Jasmin, Marian, Alan, Ian, Victor, Nipa, Dana, Gunsel.

Sun 12.9.2004 - Wormley Woodman & Lee Ring
Enfield North, around Forty Hill lake(to loos!).  The on to Goffs Oak, passing the former site of Temple Bar (it has now gone to Paternoster Sq, St Pauls).  Past Cheshunt Park to Woodman pub at 12.30 for lunch.  Back via Kings Weir.  Tea at riverside Waltham Abbey.  Well done by kids and tandem!  Grabo's stats:  20.7miles at 7.3 mph in 2hrs 50 min. (Top speed 25mph!).  Paul, Ian, Alan, Jim, Graham, David, Nina, Robbie, Victor, Marion, Marian, Tracey & Julien.

Sun 26.9.2004 - Ride to the Cycle Show in Islington
An early start to ride South, passed Stephen & Teresa of Haringey LCC off to hunt sloe berries.  Quick tea at Clapton Marina.  Joined by Steve of Chingford.  Parked bikes safely, then spent time touring the various exhibits.  Left at 4.30, back into Victoria Park, where we did our good deed for the day and helped a lady whose son had fallen off his bike.  Back along the Lee and home soon after 6pm.  Grabo's stats:  31 miles at 8.2mph in 3hrs 45m. Graham, Paul, Ian, Stuart, Steve.

Sun 10.10.2004 - To the Thames with Enfield Park Rangers
An early stop for tea at Springfield cafe, then on to the Greenway, passing Greenwich cyclists on the way.  Gunsel survived two tumbles.  Passed City Airport to catch the Woolwich Ferry (from the airport? - Ed), then lunch at The Mitre.  We then headed west towards the Dome (surrounded by weeds) to Greenwich.  Here we had to carry our bikes up and down the stairs of the foot tunnel as there were no lefts today!  Quick tea break and then home.  A late finish!  Grabo's stats: 42.35 miles at 7.3mph in 5hrs 46min.  Paul, Ian, Helen, Christina, Ramesh, Stuart, Jim, Alan, Graham, Victor, Gunsel, Andy H, Annabel, Laurent, David P, Rebecca, Michael.

Sun 25.10.2004 - Epping Forest Easy Ride

Sun 07.11.2004 - Turn-up-and-go ride

Home | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998