Reconnoitre the River Peck and Stratford feeder/return

Join us to reconnoitre this EECC ride for Saturday 27 July. There will be occasional stops to discuss the routing, risks and identifying/testing alternatives.

From Stratford Velodrome our route joins the path along the River Lea followed by the Three Mills Wall river & island, then along the Limehouse Cut. We then follow the Thames Path along the west side of the Isle of Dogs and at 6 miles we walk through the Greenwich Foot Tunnel to get to the start point for the River Peck ride. After that ride finishes, we will resume the return ride by walking north through the Greenwich Foot Tunnel and cycle back to Stratford via Canary Wharf.

In Roman times, Southwark's claim to fame was that it was the largest of a set of gravel islands which lay to the south of a very wide River Thames. London Bridge was built to provide access to this island, whose eastern seaboard was defined by Earl's Sluice. Earls' Sluice enters the Thames at Deptford Wharf and, prior to the 13th century, when the Effra was diverted to run west from Kennington to join the Thames at Vauxhall, it was fed from the River Effra.

After Cutty Sark Gardens, we will cycle westwards along the Thames Path to find Earl's Sluice, which lies on the Deptford/Rotherhithe border. There is an historic bridge parapet and sewer outlet there now. Earl's Sluice is one of London's lost rivers now, but we will be seeking out the pipe where Earl's Sluice emerges from underground to cross a railway line. The River Peck, from which Peckham gets its name, is a tributary of Earl's Sluice. We will follow the path of this river up to Peckham Rye Park, where parts of the river emerge from underground culverts and form a stream which runs through the park. We will then seek out the source of the River Peck, which lies under the roots of the One Tree at One Tree Hill.

On our return journey, we will stop at the 16 mile point for a refreshment break at the Blackbird Bakery. We then cycle back along Quietway 1 to Cutty Sark Gardens.

This ride has 1,024 feet of climbs.

Children are welcome when accompanied by a responsible riding adult.

All participants are expected to bring:
• A bike in good working order with tyres pumped to the correct pressure.
• A cycle helmet
• Carry at least a spare inner tube, pump and tyre levers.
• A cycle lock for use on the refreshment stop,
• Dress for the weather on the day.
• A drink.
• Lights if there is any chance of poor visibility.

Ride Leader Contact: Yves – 07305 938171