Did you go to a Space for Cycling ride today?

[Sara_H]

I did.

I was absolutely amazed. Approximately 220 bikes at the Sheffield event. I didn't even know that many people owned bikes!

Brilliant atmosphere, only heard one driver and one bus driver complain.

 

[summerdays]

I thought about it then looked at the route which finished going down Park Street and decided I didn't want to do that with lots of other cyclists of unknown abilities. It was a bit weird deciding I preferred doing it with cars than lots of other cyclists!

 

[Sara_H]

I thought about it then looked at the route which finished going down Park Street and decided I didn't want to do that with lots of other cyclists of unknown abilities. It was a bit weird deciding I preferred doing it with cars than lots of other cyclists!

It occurred to me that there was potential for crashes due lots of bikes riding slowly together. I didn't hear of any problems though. The ride was very s-l-o-w. Families with children were at the front.

 

[summerdays]

You can't go slow down Park Street, it's one of those hills that took me a long time to conquer going up!

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

I went up to the London one just now. It was very well attended - in the thousands - and because of the amount of tourists wanting to cross the road, there were frequent stops. Along Piccadilly, I suddenly realised that, in the absence of traffic, it was actually very pleasant. You could hear people talking and stuff.

Silliest behaviour was a Tescos delivery van going up Park Lane mouthing off about cyclists not paying road tax. (In a company van? The VED is paid by Tescos.) Remember that before you place your online order.

 

[Kies]

I attended the London one today. It was great fun and slow due to the sheer numbers - but lovely to ride and chat with all manor of folks. The pretty girls on the tandem made me smile :-)

 

[GM]

I've just got back from the London one. Good turn out, must have been thousands from one end of Piccadilly to the other. Good car free ride back down the embankment and give the old legs a stretch!

 

[jefmcg]

@vickster and I went to the London one, plus feeder rider from Crystal Palace. We ended up right near the back of the pack and it was sooooo slow I'm sorry to say we felt we'd made a presence felt, turned right and Pall Mall and stopped for a sit and sandwich.

Huge turned out. I'd be interested to hear estimated numbers.

@EthelF said she was going too. I was going to look out for her, but just saw the same 40 or so cyclists within a small circle for the entire time on the road.

update LCC says 5000, but from the rear of the pack it seemed much more than that.

 

[Maxants33]

I think the news said there were 5000 at London.

Here in Manchester we had 200 to 300 I think. What a great day for it too!

 

[EthelF]

Went to the London one with Mrs Ethel, Mini-Ethel and Micro-Ethel, and had a great time. I think the kids enjoyed the ride to and from the event more than the actual Big Ride, which, as @jefmcg said was rather slow. We bailed out at Westminster Bridge before the little 'uns got too fractious (there's only so much you can do with marshmallows and iPhone movies), and that was the best spot to get onto a quiet family friendly route home.
It was excellent to see the diversity of bikes and riders out there, made a bit of a change from the weekday commute (I know the Bible says something about not coveting thy neighbour's ass, but surely that doesn't stretch to a Hase Pino tandem?)
Here's a pic of me with the Ethel-Miniatures at the bottom of Regent Street (opposite the statue of the Duke of York - cue a rendition of the Grand Old Duke of York!) - also a good turnout from Dulwich Paragon.

 

[EthelF]

@EthelF said she was going too. I was going to look out for her, but just saw the same 40 or so cyclists within a small circle for the entire time on the road.

Ah sorry. Despite the name, EthelF is actually a he (the story behind this is as boring as it is long). We must have been only a little way ahead of you, about 3/4 back.

 

[annedonnelly]

I was at the Newcastle one. About 150 people I think. Some pics here and a video here

 

[jefmcg]

Ah sorry. Despite the name, EthelF is actually a he (the story behind this is as boring as it is long). We must have been only a little way ahead of you, about 3/4 back.

We were close, I saw quite a lot of the paragons (maybe the same set I saw on my way to Crystal Palace). But I definitely did not see you, I learnt Fox in Socks nearly off by heart before I could read, and GE&H was another favourite; so I'd remember you!

 

[Saluki]

There wasn't one anywhere near us

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

Yep, loads of Paragons. I must have been close to you.