Cycling Group
A ship wreck, an ancient fort, a grave used as inspiration for ‘Great Expectations’, 2 punctures, cake served from a car boot — these are just some of the things that we encountered on a recent ride.
We are a group that is open to all, whether you come to church or not. We aim to have a good time and to include bike riders of all abilities and from 0 to 90 (or beyond!). We run about 3 rides a year plus the Pilgrimage over 3 days on the May Bank holiday. In 2013 we went to Canterbury Cathedral! Next year we are off to ???:3rd -5th May 2014. The rides are at an easy pace and over the whole day. We try to make them not too hard but interesting and a good social event — we sometimes finish the ride at a pub.
Local Community Link
We are establishing a link with the Blind Independence Group in Greenwich who have recently bought some tandems for their members to use. If you are interested in supporting them or and maybe even offering to be a tandem pilot volunteer please contact them via this link: Blind Independence Group
Rides in 2013
Our next rides are…
September: watch this space
4th -6th May 2013: Pilgrimage to Canterbury Cathedral. A record breaking 54 cyclists joined this year, with 52 of those cycling on the Monday alone. 21 of those completed the 3 day ride covering 75 miles. Of those 21 one was only 9 years old and another was 75 years old! The weather was fantastic and we enjoyed beautiful countryside as well as a stop off at Whitstable beach.
We made it…75 miles cycling from St John’s to Canterbury Cathedral. May 2013
New Years Day 2013: 19 of us rode along side the Thames Beaches on a beautiful sunny day…a lovely start to the year! We cycled around 27 miles and finished up with tea and cake at David’s home..many thanks to David and Penny for their hospitality!
New Years Day Group
Rides in 2012
September 22nd: ‘Ferry and Fly’. 18 cyclists enjoyed a day of glorious weather visiting the Woolwich Barracks, the Garrison Church and the Yacht Club [thanks to Howard for the tour at the club]…all part of the London Open House Weekend. We also took a ferry across the river and had lunch in the beautiful Barrier gardens…worth a visit and then ‘flew’ back over the Thames in a cable car. The view from the cable is wonderful and we had the honour of being the very first tandem ever to ‘fly’ across!!
3rd August: 14 cyclists enjoyed the Friday evening ride along the river to view the 7 bridges over the River Thames lit up for the Olympics. It started with a great boat trip up the river: we saw two helicopters land on HMS Ocean, the huge black and white picture of the Royal Family for the Queens Jubilee, the Party Home for the French Olympic Team as well the Olympic rings in the river. The bridges were lit up from the London Eye down to Tower Bridge and there was a real buzz in London and it looked beautiful too!
Night Ride
5th – 7th May 2012 : Pilgrimage to Chelmsford Cathedral..we covered just over 60 miles with 40 cyclists of all ages!
We made it!
2nd January 2012: 21 0f us started off the Olympic year off with a cycle ride to the Olympic site, a return visit from April 2010.We cycled 16 odd miles along the river and canals in glorious sun and blue sky but it was very cold. Part of the journey was taken by boat across the Thames…and it was quite a job to get all the bikes on and off quickly and safely! It was interesting to see how much of the site was now ready as well as the near completion of the red ‘helter skelter’. We ended with some much welcomed warmth and a beer at the Cutty Sark Pub!
Rides in 2011
Sunday 4th September 2011: 7 of us from St John’s plus over 80,000 others enjoyed the ‘SKY ride’ for the 5th year running. It’s a unique once a year opportunity to ride on roads in central London without cars, buses, vans…..
Pilgrimage 30th April – 2nd May to Windsor…31 cyclists and 70 miles travelled.
1st January 2011: 10 of us enjoyed the Rotherhithe Rumble….a route round many of Rotherhithes Historic sites as well as views across the Thames. By the end we were pretty cold so warmed up in a local pub in Greenwich!
Rides in 2010
5th September: 22 of us enjoyed the 21 mile round trip up to central London on Sunday. After 8.30am Communion and a cooked breakfast we joined 85,000 cyclists [a world record apparently!] taking advantage of the 15km car free cycling route round Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and St. Pauls. We again ended our ride with a well earned drink at the Cutty Sark pub after carrying our bikes up the stairs in the Greenwich Foot Tunnel!
Ready to cycle up to London….
…..with 85,000 others!
May Pilgrimage to Penshurst: see photos and stats by clicking on Photo Gallery.
5th April 13 of us, aged from 1 year to youthful 50′s!, enjoyed the 19 mile round trip to the Olympic Site. There is now a cafe and viewing platform on the Greenway overlooking the site……worth a visit. We ended our trip with a well earned drink at the Cutty Sark pub after carrying our bikes up the stairs in the Greenwich Foot Tunnel!
If you would like more details do contact Andrew or Jane Beswetherick via the Church Office on 0208 305 0520 or by email…
Videos from previous rides…
London Freewheel 2007
http://www.stjohnsblackheath.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/video/london-freewheel-2007.flv
St. John’s Annual Pilgrimage 2006
http://www.stjohnsblackheath.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/video/the-bike-bell-symphony.flv
