Julia, James and Helen joined up with Climate Safe Street Ride hosted by Redbridge Cycle Campaign at Valentines Park. The weather was kind to us and the constant stream of people coming into the park from all directions to observe Eid prayers was fascinating. Our ride leader had been concerned if the cyclists would get through to the meeting point but there was plenty of room for us all, the group was soon assembled and made its way out of the park to the sound of gentle prayer chants.

Next stop was in Roding Valley Park and meeting up with the people who started at Wanstead Park including Pauline. Our ride leader was delighted with the numbers that turned up compared to the few they had last year. It was lovely to see the children some of whom were little more than toddlers. We were split into two groups and introduced to the Ride Marshals two of whom were our very own Julia and James. From here we continued on the path along the pretty blossom filled Roding Valley and the ride leader dashed off to pick up the next group from Ray Park. We then set off passed Redbridge Lakes up to Claybury Park. Feeding the bikes though the bike gap was getting tedious so the lighter ones were passed over the top, if only we had known the group behind had a working key for the big gates 😂 After picking up another few in Claybury we set off to Fairlop Waters for a well deserved break and sustenance. From here the ride went back to Valentines Park and round the route again, dropping off people at their chosen parks along the way. Hats off to James and Julia for agreeing to marshal hence doing the full circuit twice.