Croydon to Lesnes Abbey to London Bridge

Riding first to Woolwich then alongside the Thames to reach Lesnes Abbey, a park and woods with the ruins of an abbey in Thamesmead, for lunch and a wander around. Next riding the length of the Ridgeway, an arrow-straight, flat and elevated walking and cycling path with high views through the lush vegetation followed by a back streets route to Blackheath. Across that park and downhill through Greenwich Park. On to London Bridge on the C4 cycleway.

It’s a long route for this group but on the way back we pass Plumstead Station and close to Greenwich Station, so anyone who wants to beat the remaining riders to London Bridge can catch a train from there. Direct London Bridge services are running from both stations as usual that day. We also pass Surrey Quays Station on the Windrush Line, operating normally.

We start at Queens Gardens CR0 1GY at 10:00. The entire route is 35 miles long. There will probably be 4h 40m cycling and up to 1h 45m at stops, making about 6 and a half hours for the ride to London Bridge.

There is one short section that is a bumpy earth trail that on a road bike with very narrow tyres would be a struggle. I suggest 28mm or wider; that would be fine. Please bring a spare inner tube.

Croydon Social Cycling’s WhatsApp group is at https://chat.whatsapp.com/FA8sK41PspPG0NcJz7h3bE Expect to see other riders joining from there. Use it to stay in touch about any changes on the day and to locate us en route, enjoy social chat and find other rides.

To Lesnes Abbey
https://www.komoot.com/tour/2889540997?share_token=aHDfAiaVF4KxN20vlqanAUfL9xgg6dfFSXZlcFOEiEnOgfwprb&ref=wtd

To London Bridge
https://www.komoot.com/tour/2889595975?share_token=aR8eS9PK2g94gjXrhclaXe5wEetOXTfl47N1EA05fiJp6j2N77&ref=wtd