Join our joint ride for a special Valentine’s Day jaunt to Valentine’s Park (where else!) in Ilford with a stop at the much-loved Gardeners Cottage Café with its range of coffee, chai, sandwiches, soup and cakes including its cinnamon buns which we can testify are rather fine. https://www.gardenerscottagecafe.com/
This marshalled ride, led by Geoff, starts at Sidings Community Centre in West Hampstead with several meeting locations including the Parliament Hill Tennis Courts NW5 1RP and Islington Town Hall. The route takes us through Hackney and on the edge of Epping Forest, Wanstead and on to Valentine’s Park. The return route is via the Olympic Park, Victoria Park, Islington Town Hall, Parliament Hill and back to Sidings. Approximate timings are set off at Sidings at 0930, Parliament Hill at 1000 and Islington Town Hall at 1030 and allowing for at least one stop of 45 minutes and two shorter stops of 15 minutes, we aim to return to Islington Town Hall at about 1500, Parliament Hill at 1530 and Sidings at 1600. It’s a fairly flat route but could be muddy in parts so mudguards are needed if only not to spread mud on whoever is behind you.
The total return distance is about 34 miles from the start at Sidings; from Parliament Hill 28 miles and from Islington Town Hall return 22 miles.
All welcome; children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult and be comfortable with the distance. Bring some kit in case of rain or punctures, some coffee money and plenty of water/snacks.
Come and enjoy a fun ride and celebrate our love of cycling together – with cake, of course.
Book your place and tell us where you are joining here
Date: 14th Feb 2026
Time: 9:30 am - 4:00 pm
Location Sidings Community Centre
Categories
Contact Name Geoff Stilwell
Contact Phone 07788 202489
Contact email geoffreyccc@gmail.com