photos of lea valley before Olympic development

[craner]

This mountain bike Craner is riding he had as a 14 year old which was probably around the start of the mountain bike craze. I think it was steel and it squeaked and creaked a lot.

This is why I look so awkward on it. I was completely out of my comfort zone on bikes. Also, I had a terrifying, existential hangover that day (the ride from Bow to Richmond), I was really out of sorts. You had to force me to go on that ride.

 

[luka]

You look good. Tanned. Lithe. Debonair. Like a leopard.

 

[craner]

I took us about an hour to patch up the tyre before we got going that day. We were trying to find the puncture in a bowl of water. I'd literally just had it brought from Wales so I could avoid taking the tube after 7/7.

The good thing about that day was that I got to show you and Jim the parakeets at Isleworth.

 

[craner]

I have a very good historical memory, by the way, which is quite astounding when you consider the quantities of wine I drank then.

 

[luka]

I reckon you're confusing the timeline here tbh. I cycled up to Richmond many times but I'm not sure i cycled with you. You took me to see the parakeets but I reckon we took the train and I don't think Jim was there. I think it was before I started cycling again.

 

[luka]

That photo is taken somewhere near Silvertown/Thames Barrier Park, that part of town.

 

[luka]

Remember Thames Barrier park with the Ballard apartments and the topiary hedges?

 

[craner]

No, we definitely did. We had to cycle back via Piccadilly Circus at rush hour, it was fucking terrifying. You and Jim kept complaining because I wouldn't ride fast enough. We had a beer at Isleworth but only one each because we didn't want to ride back pissed. I remember it. Ask Jim.

 

[luka]

I just have. Waiting for his response now.

 

[craner]

Remember Thames Barrier park with the Ballard apartments and the topiary hedges?

Of course I do. But we took the train and then walked for ages to get out there.

 

[luka]

A train to where? From where?

 

[luka]

Nothing is adding up.

 

[craner]

I can't remember. DLR? Let me have a look.

 

[craner]

I'm sure we got off at Canning Town and walked. I remember we walked for fucking miles one of the times we went there and the weather was overcast.

 

[craner]

It was just you and me that time because it was a Monday and I was off work.

 

[craner]

One of us has cognitive issues.

 

[luka]

Both of us is my guess

 

[luka]

Jim says we went Richmond. Amazed you were fit enough to get all that way and back.

 

[luka]

The thing is thiugh there was a day you went out with me and Mark on the bikes.

 

[luka]

And that day we went south Newham. Which is round Thames Barrier Park, Beckton Alp, the docks etc