Cycle To London via RIvers and Canals | Ride with GPS | Glenn Jobson | Cambridge

I took a mountain bike from Sawbridgeworth to Brick Lane almost entirely along the rivers and canals that lead from the countryside into the heart of the city. From rural Sawbridgeworth through Harlow along the River Stort to Dobbs Weir and the River Lea. Following the River Lea through Enfield and over Hackney Marshes to The Olympic Park, onwards on the Hertford Union Can to Victoria Park and weaving between the walkers and strollers on a bright winter morning. Joining the Regents Canal through Hackney to Dalston, up onto the roads and finally, via Columbia Road to Brick Lane.

Guided by RideWithGPS and a Wahoo Elemnt Bolt The GoPro kept going but the main camera battery ran out, so not much talking on this one.

29 December 2019

#bikeride #cycletour #riverlea

Video of the morning is on YouTube, if you like it please subscribe and hit the like button too.

In October 2019 we set off for Amsterdam, choosing bicycles we made our way along the cycle routes of South Holland. Travelling slowly, cycling is meditation, a way of life and a way to reconnect.

From the early morning ride through the dunes towards Scheveningen with the lycra-clad speed freaks on carbon machines. Onwards to Den Haag and the cycle-shoppers with their baskets. Along the long straight roads that lead towards and past Schiphol airport and the deafening noise of planes from who knows where, into Amsterdam and Vondelpark and the chaos of cycling inner-city style.

A day to explore, the Jordaan of course, walking the streets and talking, making pictures and plans.

Leaving Amsterdam as the sun comes up, the wind is a mighty 45km/h full on headwind, 100km to go. Onwards towards Leiden, Den Haag and through the carefully constructed urban wilderness of the Haagsee Bos with commuters and prams. Approaching Hoek van Holland as the sun goes down, exhausted from the relentless wind. Satisfied.

This short film was made from the handlebars, conceived as a memory but so much more. Riding fills our heads with thought and mine with music, I remembered Seasons, this is Autumn but there are always thought of Spring and Summer. The serendipitous juxtaposition of the visuals with the early 70’s soundtrack is magical, at every musical juncture there is an extraordinary synchronicity with the hypnotic visuals, press stop at any point for a still, a silent moment in time on the journey.

Soundtrack – Seasons / Magna Carta