Elmbridge, Docks 16th March 2010

Brief report this one and a sort of addendum to my last entry but with a couple of differences.  This time, I have swapped my road bike for mountain bike and am joined by the good lady wife.  Use of the mountain bike will become apparent later.  Elmbridge sits sort of north west of Barnwood and the two blur into one.  Having cause to be in this part of Gloucester, we took the opportunity to bring the bikes and a camera and have a bimble.  I shan't be doing the normal distance and average speed thing at the end, just a guess because I don't believe the readings my computer was giving.  At one stage it suggested an average of  >200KM/h, and I'm not that good, before rapidly dropping to 3KM/h and I'm not that bad.  So any readings taken with a healthy pinch of salt.

For blog's sake, we are starting at Armscroft Park.  The Armscroft area/estate sits as a sort of border between Elmbridge and Barnwood. Armscroft Park has been a part of this area for ever and is now a part of the rather good, in my opinion  at least, Gloucestershire Park & Open Spaces scheme.  It is also now right on the edge of the redevelopment area that has been touted for some time by the Gloucester Heritage Urban Regeneration scheme.  It is also home to Gloucester Old Boys Rugby club.  This end of the park sits right by the level crossing area near Gloucestershire Royal hospital.  A small stream runs through the park and appears to have had the banks reinforced with overgrown wicker baskets.

Leaving the park, we cycle into the City Centre.  This doesn't feature much in the blog for a couple of reasons.  Primarily, you can't cycle round the City centre very much, rightly or wrongly.  Also, there is such a concentration of interesting stuff the blog would become a full time job.  Finally, most of the interesting history and buildings are covered by readily available books.  For a small fee, I would recommend The Story Of Gloucester if you are interested in such things.  Business done, time for a short bimble to the docks, or rather the Quays as it prefers to be known.  The new development here which is largely based on a large outlet shopping centre and hotel complex has polarised local opinion.  Just look at the comments pages attached to any vaguely related story in the local news web site.  The neigh sayers and doom mongers will come out in force.  Personally, I think it is fantastic.  It has regenerated the area, I'm sure there are things that could have been different but on the whole it has breathed life into a formerly run down ex industrial area.  It is a shame in a way, but there is little call now for goods to be transported by canal so to turn it into a leisure and shopping facility whilst blending in, more or less sympathetically, with the historic areas is good.  There are, as you can see in this picture, some of the derelict warehouses still standing empty and run down.  Whilst you could easily and reasonably argue they are an eyesore they also provide a powerful nod back to the history of the area.

From left to right, this picture shows the edge of the new Sainsburys, the blue and white of Gloucestershire College, St Anne's Way bridge right in the centre.  Behind the bridge, is the earliest dock basin with the renovated warehouses in the background, a bit of squinting and you should just about be able to see the Cathedral right at the back.  On round to the right of the picture are the derelict warehouses and behind them the new Quays development.  Of course, the canal is in the foreground.

Following a well earned coffee in Sainsburys cafe, overlooking the docks (and from where these pictures were taken), the trip home is only a couple of kilometres along the canal towpath.  This has largely been cleared in recent years and provides a very pleasant route; although more suited to a mountain bike.

Total distance - Probably about 15Km

Average Speed - Who knows?  But probably less than 200 KM/h

Weather - about 12C, Dry, Southerly wind.