We are run by volunteers who are passionate about cycling in Redbridge – these legends organise free rides suitable for different abilities (please read the description) from fun family rides to long endurance rides! We are looking forward to seeing you on one of our rides!
26-05-2024 Ride London
London’s annual festival of cycling, the Ride London, will take place on Sunday, 26 May, 2024.
The Freecycle is a great opportunity to cycle around iconic streets of central London, unmolested by motor traffic. It is a great day for everyone, including inexperienced cyclists, families with children and anyone who fancies a great day’s cycling with a 40,000-strong like-minded group.
Redbridge Cycling Campaign will lead a marshalled feeder ride to take you to central London to join the main event, and, of course, bring you back at the end. The starting points are:
- 9.00 am in front of Ilford Town Hall
- 9.00 am outside Wanstead Station
- 9.30 am at the Tea Hut in Wanstead Park.
The three rides will converge in Aldersbrook and go to central London along a quiet route. The ride will be slow and our experienced marshals will be coming along to keep you safe at junctions. We expect to be back in Wanstead and Ilford at about 5 pm.
You are, of course, welcome to make your own way to central London, by cycling or taking your bike on the train. Another option is to come with us, knowing you have the option of making your own way home.
Register to join the feeder ride from any of the starting-points on the LCC booking page.
LCC will shortly be announcing a separate booking link for those wishing to join just the mail ride, not a feeder ride.
As last year, the more demanding Ride London events, the 100-mile and 60-mile rides to Essex and back, will take place on the same day. If you are planning to take part in the Ride London-Essex, registration is open now.
09-06-2024 Richmond
Our ride to Richmond-on-Thames will leave Wanstead Park Tea Hut at 09.00. We will cycle by a quiet route across London in time for lunch in Richmond.
It is possible for you to return by train on the Overground or District line. Most of us will return on our bikes to make it a 50-mile round trip. Bring your own refreshments if you would prefer not to have to buy food at the café.
Book your place here. If you have any questions or find all places are booked and would like to be added to the waiting list in case of cancellations, leave a message here.
12-05-2024 Family Ride to Fairlop Waters
On a lovely, warm day, fourteen riders set off from Wanstead Park for our May family ride to Fairlop Waters. We headed along the C16 cycle route to Valentine’s Park, where some more cyclists joined us. There were quite a lot of people out enjoying the sunny Sunday weather, and we saw more cyclists around Fairlop Waters than usual. If you enjoy cycling in that area, you are very welcome to join our rides!
The lunch stop at Fairlop Waters was slighty extended because the café was so busy and we had a couple of punctures and mechanical problems to deal with. Then we finished cycling around the lake and made our way back by the C16 route.
It was great to see some new participants and we hope to see you all again on our rides as the season continues.
27-04-2024 Hyde Park
As the early morning rain eased, eighteen determined cyclists gathered in Wanstead Park. Our aim was to cycle to Hyde Park on the Saturday before the London mayoral election to meet cyclists from other boroughs and London Cycling Campaign’s head office. Cycling in London is now a mainstream activity, with the number of cycle trips equivalent to one third of all journeys made by Tube. LCC’s priority for the election is to ensure all mayoral candidates are committed to providing the support for cycling that London needs.
Having dealt with the day’s first two punctures, we headed along the C16 cycle route towards Victoria Park and thence the City of London and Trafalgar Square.
As hundreds of tweed-clad cyclists rode past, marshals repaired another puncture in the Mall.
After all that, we were only slightly late meeting LCC cyclists by the Serpentine Café for the lunch stop.
With split-second timing, just after we left the park, a huge pro-Palestinian march passed down Park Lane behind us. We might have been stuck for hours! We followed a more southerly route back, along CS3, past Parliament to Tower Hill, then St Katherine’s, through the docks, Mile End Park, along the towpath to Victoria and Olympic Parks and along the C16, arriving home just before the rain restarted.
14-04-2024 Fairlop Waters to Valentines, Wanstead and Olympic Parks
The glorious spring weather brought out 30 riders, including several children, for our family ride to the Olympic Park.
We visited the velodrome and were surprised by the absence of cyclists inside, but outside, we saw many cyclists exploring the park. Our own explorations were a little restricted as West Ham FC had a change of date and were playing at home in the London Stadium.
Everyone made it safely back to Wanstead Park with smiles on their faces. Whilst the people of London love cycling – #LondonLovesCycling, Redbridge people especially love cycling.
We had some new riders and look forward to seeing all of you again soon. Our next Family Ride is to Fairlop Waters on Sunday 5th May. Details will be posted soon.
30-03-2024 Trinity Buoy Wharf
Thirteen riders left Wanstead Park on Easter Saturday with a pair of secateurs in a pannier.
The weather was warm and sunny as we followed the course of the Roding to the Royal Docks.
Dragon Boat racers were training on the Albert Dock, but we had only a brief minute to watch as we crossed the Connaught Bridge to Barrier Park, passed the Mayor of London’s new headquarters on the Victoria Dock, and cycled on until at last we arrived at Trinity Buoy Wharf for lunch at the café.
Then we had time to explore the wharf, admire the art works, listen to the tide bell, which sounded even though the tide was very low, and visit the lighthouse where Michael Faraday did experiments and the Longplayer musical composition now plays, still in the early days of its thousand year cycle.
The return ride followed the Lea, through Cody Dock, past artworks on the way to Three Mills, thence through the Olympic Park to the C16 and home.
It was a leisurely ride with a great group of cyclists. And, with the aid of those secateurs, we left the cycle paths along the Roding clear enough of overhanging vegetation for cyclists to pass in safety.
16-03-2024 Eastbrookend Country Park
16 Redbridge riders cycled in the sunshine to Eastbrookend Country Park to meet up with cyclists from Havering and from Barking and Dagenham. Lunch in the sunshine was enjoyed by all. It was good to make contact with other East London boroughs, engaged in similar campaigning to us. We all want better provision for cyclists and more coherent signed routes from which we would all benefit. Once there are properly signed, safe, routes everyone benefits. Many more people want to cycle and are nervous to do so with the current level of provision.
03-03-2024 Women’s Freedom Ride
Eighteen cyclists set off from Wanstead Park on Redbridge Cycling Campaign’s ride to join the 2024 Women’s Freedom Ride in central London.
After a cold start, spring-like sunshine glimmered as we rode through Victoria Park and joined a thousand cyclists in Lincoln’s Inn Fields, all there to protest against dangerous cycling conditions, especially for women in London, and demand action from London Mayor Sadiq Khan.
We met members of other LCC borough groups before setting out on a circuit of iconic central London Streets, and finally followed the C27 back to the Olympic Park and home.
A great start to the season, we look forward to seeing all participants on lots more rides as the 2024 season unfolds.
09-12-2023 Walthamstow Wetlands
People sometimes suggest a winter ride, but would they turn up when faced with the reality of getting the bike out on a cold, rainy morning? The answer is, six did, and were really pleased to have made the effort. The weather improved and we had a really great ride with a lovely group of cyclists. The heavy rain had already eased by the time we gathered in Wanstead Park, to make our way through Walthamstow to the Wetlands, where our ride leader’s other passion came to the fore as we enjoyed a brief bird spotting session. After lunch in the café, we returned via the Olymic Park and C16. A lovely addition to the season and we were so glad to have made that early effort,
28.10.2023 Redbridge Parks
Our 2023 season came to a climax with a ride around seven parks in the London Borough of Redbridge, with short talks along the way on their history and geography.
Fifteen riders gathered in Wanstead Park, in sight of the newly arrived English longhorn cows, and set off along the Roding Valley Way for Claybury Park, where we met two more cyclists from Valentine’s Park and learned about the psychiatric institution that once stood there.
The third park was Fairlop, where we had a break by the Waters and a talk about the watercourses in the area.
Then we visited Seven Kings Park en route to Goodmayes Park, where we took the main lunch stop outside the café. Then came South Park followed by a ride through Ilford to Valentine’s Park.
The forecast rain held off until after we were safely back at Wanstead Park, glad to have finished the season with a lovely group of cyclists on a rather complex ride, and looking forward to a break before embarking on a whole new programme of rides. See you in 2024!
22.10.2023 The Olympic Park
In the respite between storms Babet and Ciaran, ten intrepid cyclists gathered in Wanstead Park for Redbridge Cycling Campaign’s last family ride of 2023. Our outward route took us to the Olympic velodrome, where novice track riders were being briefed for a taster session, then onward to the heart of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, where we took the break in front of the stadium by the fountains.
Our anti-clockwise ride headed back along the C16 cycle path through Leyton and Forest Gate. Finally, we were back in Aldersbrook, grateful that the family ride season had ended in lovely autumn weather in the company of such a delightful group of riders. We look forward to seeing everyone in 2024 for a new programme of variations on the proven family-ride theme.
8.10.2023 Rainham Marshes
13 riders took part in a ride from Wanstead Park to the RSPB reserve at Rainham. It was a gloriously sunny day and for some riders, discovering Eastbrookend Country Park and the Beam Valley Nature reserve cast East London in a new light. The route alongside the Thames, past the concrete lighters – remnants of the second world war led to the café at the RSPB reserve. Lunch on the balcony in the glorious sunshine and using the display binoculars to look over the RSPB reserve, made for a relaxing break before heading back. We passed through Mayesbrook Park and South Park on the return.
This 35 mile ride was probably the best weather ride we have had this year so far. Two more to go see details above.
1.10.2023 Hyde Park
Ten cyclists, including four marshals, left Wanstead Park on a fine Sunday morning bound for Hyde Park by way of the C16, Olympic Park, Victoria Park, City of London and Cycle Superhighway 3.
It was a great ride despite adversity caused by road closures in or near tunnels. Firstly, a section of CS3 is closed in the City, where it goes through the Upper Thames Street tunnel. There was a good diversion through the traffic tunnel and they have to do maintenance, we accept that. Queen Street was closed for roadworks. We found a way around that and stopped for lunch near the Serpentine Café, little suspecting the closures were going to get worse.
After the break, we headed back along CS3, past the Palace of Westminster and Tower of London, to St Katherine’s Dock.
The bridge where boats enter the dock was up! Luckily, an eagle-eyed rider noticed it was about to be lowered so we waited a few minutes. But that’s not all. The Thames Path in Wapping is still closed near the Thames Tideway Tunnel works, forcing us onto the Ratcliff Highway. This is not a temporary closure – the landlord is endeavouring to make this a permanent closure to cyclists from the Thames Path.
Then, part of the towpath along the Lea Navigation is closed, forcing us to carry our bikes up steps to find a detour. The Canals and Rivers Authority may have a pressing need to do maintenance, but if would be good if they signposted it earlier, so people could make a diversion that doesn’t involve steps.
We then had the smug feeling of cycling past huge amounts of snarled-up traffic. We assume the Limehouse or Rotherhithe Tunnel was closed.
We arrived back at Wanstead Park, feeling it was a good ride, and extremely grateful to the ride leader for expertly finding ways around all the closures.
17.09.2023 Wanstead Festival to Wanstead Park
The Wanstead Festival got off to a good start, with dry weather early in the day. Two family groups joined our taster ride from Wanstead High Street to Wanstead Park and back. Four marshals were on hand to show how we keep everyone safe and to give a flavour of what our longer rides are like.
The deteriorated weather later in the day may have put people off and, in the event, the morning ride was the only one we led, giving an opportinity to explore the festival in the afternoon.
We hope to see riders back for one of our regular programme of rides one day soon.
10.9.2023 Waltham Abbey Olympic Canoe Centre
Seven star riders, including three marshals, left Wanstead Park determined to make it to the Lea Valley White Water Centre on one of the hottest days of this summer’s late heatwave. The first leg went through Leytonstone and Walthamstow Marshes to Markfield Park. Some of our family rides finish here, but today there was no time to visit the Victorian double-expansion beam engine, we had much further to go, along towpaths, following part of national cycle route 1, until at last our end was in sight: the canoeing centre near Waltham Abbey built for the 2012 Olympic white water rafting.
After the lunch stop, we watched elite white water canoers training for an event the following weekend, then headed back along towpaths to the Olympic Park. The temperature soared to 31°C and a few splodges of rain fell as route C16 took us home to Wanstead Park.
26.08.2023 Trinity Buoy Wharf
Our return was via Lea Valley and the Olympic Park.
20.08.2023 Family Ride to Markfield Park
Fifteen cyclists, including five marshals, set off from Wanstead Park in warm, dry conditions for our August family ride to Markfield Park on the Lea in Tottenham. The route there took us along residential streets in Leytonstone and the greener terrain of Walthamstow Marshes. After the tea break by the café next to the Victorian pumping station, we returned along the Lea, through the Olympic Park and Leyton
30.07.2023 Regent’s Park
Our new route to Regent’s Park followed a thin figure-of-eight. We peddled the familiar C16 to the Olympic Park, then in Islington, North Londoner Alan gave talks as we passed Tony Blair’s infamous house, the ground where cricket was played before Lord’s and the New River, among other historical titbits. Our 14 cyclists traversed Regent’s Park from north to south, stopping for lunch at a handy bandstand, and the wind blew us back by a more southerly, central, route along the C27, past the Post Office Tower, rejoining the outward route through Victoria and Olympic parks. To complete the eight, we cycled the final section through Leytonstone to Bushwood as the rain, which had obligingly held off until the end, started to pour.
16.07.2023 Victoria Park Family Ride
In a magnificent turnout, 28 riders including seven fantastic marshals 
set off from Wanstead Park for Victoria Park along the C16 and through the Olympic Park. The forecast rain held off, the temperature was perfect for cycling and the wind blew from behind on the way back. After the tea break, the official route entered Draper’s Fields and went over the humps.
Everyone having successfully completed that challenge, we continued the ride home with suitable musical accompaniment.
A great afternoon’s cycling – we can’t wait to do it all again!
02.07.2023 Woolwich, Greenwich and Tower Bridge
Twelve intrepid riders set off towards the Royal Docks intending to cross the Thames at North Woolwich. We knew the Woolwich Ferry wasn’t running on Sunday, and the lifts in the Woolwich foot tunnel were out of action, but we had a contingency plan – to take our bikes across on the DLR. Having made it to Woolwich, we cycled the path south of the river, admiring the art works around the periphery of the 
Greenwich Peninsula, and arrived at Greenwich for a lunch stop by the Cutty Sark.
Continuing on the Thames Path south of the river, we arrived at Tower Bridge to discover it was raised.
After a few minutes’ delay, the bridge back down, everyone made it safely to St Katherine’s, and from there through the docks to Leamouth, along the Lea through Cody Dock to Three Mills, through the Olympic Park and finally back to Wanstead Park. It was a great day’s cycling with a really good group and the challenge of crossing the river both ways made it an adventure. We’re already looking forward to the next one.
18.06.2023 Fairlop Waters
18 June 2023 was the day of the London to Brighton ride. In Redbridge, 14 cyclists embarked on the Wanstead Park to Fairlop Waters. According to weather forecasters, our Sunday afternoon family ride would encounter thunderstorms, but in the event it was a warm, humid afternoon with just enough drizzle to cool us down a bit. After a stop for refreshments at Fairlop Waters, we returned the way we had come on the C16 cycle route.
It was lovely to see so many families and children on the ride. And by the way, congratulations to everyone who did do the London to Brighton!
11.06.2023 Tour de Waltham Forest
Seven of us, led by Julia, cycled to Jubilee Park in Waltham Forest to join their Tour de Waltham Forest. An annual celebration of all that is cycling. A few of us had booked on the 25km led ride along the Lea Valley and then through the streets of Chingford, Leytonstone and Walthamstow. We enjoyed a gloriously sunny and warm day. The cycle friendly route weaved its way around and I guess most of us could never find it again. We met a number of local cyclists at the event. We hope to arrange something similar in Redbridge one day.
10.06.2023 Wanstead Park to Richmond
14 of us set off on the first really sunny day for some time. It turned into the hottest day of the year, but that did not detract from the fun we had. We do check for events which will affect our routes. What we failed to identify was that today was the dress rehearsal for next weekend’s Trooping of the Colour. All riders took it in good spirit as we were forced to walk amongst many pedestrians along the Mall. It did not delay us too much. We then came to a major polo event at the Hurlingham Club where a number of royals have been known to take part. This meant a little more traffic chaos and interesting people in their finery queueing to enter.
The view over Richmond from the top of the Hill was spectacular as always. We stopped for a break at the café by Richmond Bridge. Three riders had planned to return by train. 11 of us climbed back up the Hill and had a slightly different return route to take in more of the wonderful sights London has to offer. We did encounter a large group of naked cyclists making their way to a rally at the Wellington Arch, Hyde Park Corner.
28.05.2023 Ride London Freecycle
Tens of thousands of cyclists rode the traffic-free streets on central London for the 2023 Ride London Freecycle. 108 of them, including ten marshals, novice riders, families and a dog in a trailer, got there from Wanstead and Ilford with Redbridge Cycling Campaign. We had a glimpse of the 100 mile London-Essex ride as we crossed the A12 bridge between the Olympic and Victoria parks, then arrived in London with three hours to enjoy the Freecycle (and have lunch) before heading back by the same route. And all in perfect sunny weather. As we arrived back in Wanstead, people thought we’d done the 100 mile ride, and for some of us, the achievement felt as great.
21.05.2023 Family Ride to Olympic Park
A sunny morning gave way to perfect cycling shade by the time twenty cyclists including seven marshals set off for the Olympic Park. Tranquillity prevailed in the velodrome, with no activity to be seen. Then we navigated a path through a thong of park goers and West Ham supporters leaving the match in the stadium as we did a quick tour of the park before heading back to Wanstead Park along the C16 cycle route.
29.04.2023 Exploration of the Essex Countryside
11 riders enjoyed the first warm and sunny ride of the year. From Aldersbrook we rode up to Fairlop Waters and Lambourne End before a circular route through the Essex Countryside. A welcome stop for lunch at The Bake House, just south of Chelmsford and back through Fyfield and Moreton to Lambourne End, Chigwell and our start point. 100km(60miles) was a great achievement for some of the riders. Good luck to them as they take on further challenges. If you want to increase the distance you can ride, do speak to us. If you are comfortable with a 30- or 40-mile ride, then a 50 or 60 mile ride is feasible. It is early in the year after a particularly wet spring, so it is time to get the bike out and start to build to whatever goal you choose.
23.04.2023 Redbridge Parks Ride
The weather was predicted to be wet……. And it was! 31 friendly and happy riders braved the cold and wet to explore 5 Redbridge parks. With a little talk in each park from Tajinder, the conservation, wildlife and biodiversiry officer for Vision, across all the parks in Redbridge. Riders joined us in each park and one can only admire their determination to enjoy the ride. We are keen to attract more riders from the south of the borough so if you have any ideas of how we might do this, please get in touch.
22.04.2023 “The Big One”
100 organisations, including LCC organised a demonstration at Parliament to draw attention to the urgency for action on Climate Change. The weather was forecast to be quite unpleasant, but in fact was delightful. After a pleasant ride in, linking up with LCC Tower Hamlets, enroute we arrived amongst the crowds in Parliament Square. There was a real festival atmosphere with people of all ages. The atmosphere was made even more interesting by the running of the mini marathon in The Mall and Birdcage Walk and we were able to cheer on the youngsters as they ran. The next day was the full London Marathon, so mixed in with all the runners and the protesters were many tourists.
16.04.2023 Family Ride to Ray Park
33 riders rode to Ray Park along Roding Valley way and back on one of the warmest afternoons of the years so far.
26.03.2023 Essex Lanes
On a drizzly day, 6 riders set off from Shenfield for a 30-mile circular ride around the lanes of Essex. Several riders had cancelled, put off by the weather. Those who took part had a great day and thoroughly enjoyed the route planned and led by Nic. Our challenge was the amount of surface water. At times we felt we were cycling along a river. Thanks to those who braved the ride and let’s hope for sunnier weather on our next rides.
5.3.2023 Women’s Freedom Ride from Marble Arch
More than 1,000 women cyclists and their allies joined the Women’s Freedom Ride in central London on the Sunday before international Women’s Day. Braving difficulties including lots of punctures and a medical emergency, Redbridge Cycling Campaign led forty cyclists from three starting-points in the borough to join a great event and promote safe cycling for women in the capital.
19.02.2023 Marshal training to Barking Park
2023 started with a special pre-season ride from Wanstead Park, along a route chosen to be challenging, through Ilford to Barking Park. Normal roles were reversed as ten regular marshals were marshalled by four new recruits. The ride took place in spring-like sunshine and was a brilliant success, with the new marshals, hesitant at first, marshalling like old pros by the end. We look forward to working with our new team members in the 2023 season.
29.10.2022 to Markfield Park and 30.10.2022 to Richmond
The 2022 season came to a busy conclusion over 29 and 30 October. The last of the year’s family rides saw eleven cyclists set off in sunshine on a quiet 14 mile route from Wanstead Park to Markfield Park in the Lea Valley, returning via Hackney Marshes. By Sunday, showers were falling as 14 cyclists set off for Richmond via Hyde Park. The rain cleared and a great group enjoyed the 50 mile ride. As we appreached the finish in Wanstead with lights on our bikes, it seemed a fitting end to a great season.
15.10.2022: Shenfield to Heybridge
A sociable group of seven riders followed a great 60-mile route, with a lunch stop at Heybridge basin on the Blackwater estuary.
24.09.2022: Wanstead Park to Fairlop Waters
Eleven cyclists took part in our latest family ride on 24 September, along the C16 cycle route from Wanstead Park, through Valentines Park to Fairlop Waters.
18.09.2022: Circular Ride – Wanstead Park to Royal Docks
Twenty cyclists including seven marshals took part in another highly enjoyable Sunday ride from Wanstead Park to the Royal Docks, returning along the Lea Valley, via Cody Dock and the Olympic Park.
03.09.2022: Wanstead and Valentines Park to Barking Park
Weather conditions were perfect for 19 cyclists including 6 marshals, who braved the busy Saturday afternoon traffic of Ilford town centre for a ride from Wanstead Park, through Valentines Park, to Barking Park.
27.08.2022: Wanstead Park to Olympic Park and Victoria Park
16 riders of all levels of ability, along with seven marshals, took part in the second Saturday family ride, from Wanstead Park to the Olympic Park and Victoria Park.
30.07.2022: Wanstead Park to Ray Park
19 cyclists joined the first in the new Saturday family ride series from Wanstead Park to Ray Park on 30 July.
Redbridge Cycling Campaign 