Kweens and Kings Do Ladywell Fields and beyond

Get ready for an epic in-person gathering like no other! We're hitting Ladywell Fields and beyond for a day full of fun, laughter, and unforgettable moments. Whether you're a kween or king kind of person, this event is all about good vibes, great company, and making memories. Don’t miss out on the chance to connect, explore, and celebrate together!

When are we riding :

Sunday 11th January 2026 We will roll to Ladywell Fields, Blythe Hill, Mayow Park, Beckenham Place Park, where we might take a break, and then cycle back to Catford (please keep an eye on any updates with the weather, as we may need to reschedule and will update you).

Where will we start from:

The route starts at the car park, entrance of Laurence House, Catford SE6 4RU at 9.30am

The Route:

As the mornings get brighter and while the nights draw in earlier, we still want to try to make the most of the weather when we can.

As this will be our first ride of the brand new year, we intend to start at an easy/leisurely pace.

Ladywell Fields is a park that runs between Catford and Ladywell and is around a mile long. The park is made up of three fields with a river running through the middle and southern fields, where the river has been opened up for use so you can see the wildlife living here, if we are lucky. The park is a key for cycling and a walking route.

We will then go on to Blythe Hill which is one of Lewisham's Three Peaks, and is an open space providing views over Canary Wharf, the City of London and Kent. The Fields has meadows, trees, hedgerows, and butterfly friendly planting and a Tiny Forest, as well as a flat grass space.

After exploring briefly, we will head for Mayow Park, where we might complete a few circuits before heading to Beckenham Place Park. If we decide to take a coffee break or bring your own snacks, itll be here where we will unwind, before heading back to Catford.

As this is a circular route, we will return to Catford where the ride will end.

🚴🏽‍♀️ Kweens and Kings Cycle Group & Network

A Reflection on Our Journey

🌟 Origins and Vision

Founded in 2020 by a passion to grow from a small group of African and Afro Caribbean women cyclists, the Kweens and Kings Cycle Group began as a grassroots initiative to promote inclusivity, joy, and empowerment through cycling. What started as a few weekend rides quickly blossomed into a vibrant community of diverse riders — united by a shared love for movement, connection, and advocacy.

📆 Milestones

• 🌱 Year 1: Launched our first community ride with just 6 participants.

• 🏁 Year 2: As the group grew, we introduced themed rides celebrating cultural activities and events, Black History Month, and proudly completed our first group participation in the Black Unity Ride — and we have continued this tradition.

• 🛠️ Year 3: Strengthened bike safety and awareness, travelled by train to explore cycling destinations beyond London, and actively participated in social and community events.

• 🎉 Year 4: Completed our first annual weekender away, featuring a canal boat excursion from Reading.

• 🚴🏽‍♂️ Year 5: With continued growth, we completed our first London to Southend ride, expanded our cycling routes both within and beyond London, and deepened our focus on wellness opportunities.

💬 Impact

The group has become a beacon of empowerment, especially for African and Afro Caribbean women and men. Through mentorship, gear swaps, and wellness workshops, Kweens and Kings isn’t just about cycling — it’s about building a movement. By creating space for joy, visibility, and community leadership, the group uplifts voices that have long been underrepresented in cycling culture. Riders find not only a place to pedal, but a place to belong, heal, and thrive. Welcome to Kweens and Kings Cycling Network. You can sign up for rides as soon as they are published.

To become a member, you will need to complete a registration form before you can be added to the WhatsApp group, and complete at least 6 rides over the course of the year to remain as a member.

Who are we:

We ride as a group of people, mainly from an African and African Caribbean background and as cyclists we ride together regularly, often with a structured schedule and we have varying levels of abilities.

We usually aim to start when the weather is improving March/April, (we have however started as early as January, it depends on the weather), with easier local rides to start the year off, and we increase the distance and go further afield, until November or December (if we are really lucky), and we have been riding together since November 2020.

Who is this ride for:

The ride is for adults only and we have a mixed ability within the group. We welcome new riders. On some of our rides, there is likely to be at least one hill, but we try to avoid them where possible. We will wait, if you can't make it all the way to the top without stopping and we are a supportive group. You can sign up for rides when they are published. However, if you wish to join Kweens and Kings Cycling Network, you will need to complete a registration form before you can be added to the WhatsApp group, and complete at least 6 rides over the course of the year to remain as a member.

What you should bring:

Your bike and helmet, appropriate attire for riding and weather conditions, and a smile.

We ride as a group, but please cycle carefully, and abide by the rules of the road. Your safety will be at your own discretion.

Please come prepared with inflatable tyre and/or pump.

Light fruits/snacks and water according to your preference. A travel card/cash.

Thanks Hot Stepper!

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