Great Fire of London - Southwark Healthy Ride

Note. You must register on Eventbrite, link https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-great-fire-of-london-ride-tickets-1987769935386?aff=oddtdtcreator

A short and leisurely eight-mile ride around the perimeter of the area destroyed in the Great Fire, based on Hollar’s map of 1666. Starting 10am at London Bridge (Southwark Gateway Needle, south side, near London Bridge Station), we pass the Monument and go down Pudding Lane to join the cycleway to the Tower, which just escaped the blaze. We’ll pay a brief visit to St.Olave’s church, where Pepys worshipped, and is buried. We then follow the edge of the affected area, with occasional stops at some churches that just survived, including the imposing St. Katharine Cree. This will take us up through Austen Friars to London Wall and the ruins of St. Elsyng Spital, and then Aldersgate Rotunda, where we stop for coffee. We then make our way via New Fetter Lane to Fleet Street, and take a diversion to cycle around the safe space of Lincoln’s Inn Fields, to which the unfortunate inhabitants of the affected area were advised to carry all their worldly goods, before making our way through the Temple, which just escaped the flames, and so back to the cycleway that brings us to London Bridge.

John S leading, Start: London Bridge 10am, Finish: London Bridge 12.30pm

General Information about the Healthy Rides. Riders of all ages are welcome on Healthy Rides but under 18s must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Same for “adults at risk”. Always give way to pedestrians and to other cyclists so all path users feel safe. If you cannot make a ride, please cancel so that someone else can take the place. Remember things can, and do, happen on bike rides and we sometimes get delayed. It is therefore advised not to schedule anything to immediately follow the expected end time. This ride is part of a regular programme of Saturday rides, more information at https://southwarkcyclists.org.uk/healthy-rides/

Easy-paced circuit of City following the limit reachd by the Great Fire. Everyone welcome.

Mostly quiet streets and short bits of busier roads.

Several stops at points of interest and one coffee stop.

Just yourself and your bike.

First-timers welcome!