Friday 14 August 2015

How about a bike ride in London?

Wheely good days out


1. Route - Bermondsey to Angel (paradise for foodies)

Start out at Maltby Street Market
Pick up some breakfast or brunch along the Ropewalk. There is an option for every appetite but we would particularly recommend the excellent doughnuts from St John.

Head for The Gherkin
From the Tanner Street docking station cycle over London Bridge, past the Monument and into the City to take a selfie with London's favourite food-shaped building.

Next on to Whitechapel
Drop off your wheels at Fashion Street and walk north up Brick Lane, enjoying the delicious smells from its famous curry houses.

You are heading for Elys Yard
Grab some street food from the gaggle of vendors there. Mother Clucker's fried chicken is just the delicious protein hit you will be craving. Then on to Brick Lane Market docking station. 

Pedal over to Angel
Your final stop is Islington Green, where you can take your pick from the many cafes and restaurants on Upper Street. The tempting cake selection at Ottolenghi will be hard to resist.


2. Route - Hyde Park Corner to Chelsea (culture for vultures)

Pick up a bike at Hyde Park Corner
Make for the Serpentine Gallery to check out the 2015 Pavilion and Duane Hanson's disconcertingly realistic sculptures. 

Next, to the Natural History Museum
Dock at South Kensington tube to experience the museum's virtual-reality tour 'First Life', which takes you back 500 million years. Lovely David Attenborough provides the intro.

Nip into the Saatchi Gallery
Do not miss the extraordinary permanent installation by Richard Wilson, or Ethiopian artist Ephrem Solomon's works combining newsprint and woodcuts (until 6th of Sept).

Wind up at Chelsea Physic Garden
Dock your bike at Royal Avenue, SW3. Protective brick walls mean the ancient botanical garden has its own micro-climate and the Tangerine Dream Cafe is a serene spot for tea.