London Freewheel - Sunday 21st September 2008

[Domestique]

We managed to get there reasonably early (for us), around 10ish and did three rounds, each one increasing in bike traffic, which was great if a little frustrating at times. We left around 1pm
Funny moment of the day stopping to get a bag of dried fruit, my partners bike had one pannier open which the marshal filled with his bags of dried fruit, saying the words 'here have these for your trouble'
Great day out though, fantastic weather, and nice to see so mant kids out.

 

[jonathan ellis]

That was fun
Son (age 7) cycled all the way there and around it from Ealing - around 21 miles all said.

As there was so much bike traffic I let him ride on his own into the centre of London - no problems, but i'm a bit tired from the brain working overtime to ensure safety!

top day out

 

[CopperBrompton]

A fun day indeed. And yes, Helen, I think we waved at each other. :-)

A brief write-up and some snaps here:
http://www.benlovejoy.com/wheels/cycle/tripreports/freewheel/

Ben

 

[LLB]

That was fun
Son (age 7) cycled all the way there and around it from Ealing - around 21 miles all said.

As there was so much bike traffic I let him ride on his own into the centre of London - no problems, but i'm a bit tired from the brain working overtime to ensure safety!

top day out

Well done that lad

I passed through Ealing on the way into and out of London yesterday on my own ride and it is a fair old hike and fairly hilly as well

 

[CopperBrompton]

Son (age 7) cycled all the way there and around it from Ealing - around 21 miles all said.

Impressive stuff!

I was impressed by the kids generally, including those who were too young even to have pedals ...

Ben

 

[Hilldodger]

A fun day indeed. And yes, Helen, I think we waved at each other. :-)

A brief write-up and some snaps here:
http://www.benlovejoy.com/wheels/cycle/tripreports/freewheel/

Ben

That's Miriam from Cyclemagic on my Victorian tricycle with Dave in the background on my 1899 Gents roadster

 

[CopperBrompton]

The tricycle is an amazing machine, and Miriam certainly did it justice with the costume. :-)

 

[Hilldodger]

Blimey my legs ache this morning! I haven't done any real distance on my Penny this year and riding in a lot of traffic is quite hard with all the changes of directon, speeding up, slowing down and, of course, all the getting on and off!

Had a great time though and I wish I had a quid for every time I was photographed!

Only bummer was, I was asked to go over to the Sky tent to have my photo taken with Vicky, Chris and co but when I got there they'd gone over to the Mall to meet me. So, they had their pictures taken with Miriam and Dave and I missed out

 

[Hilldodger]

The only other bummer was on the way home up the M1. Miriam Dave and I were in my Capri (all the bikes were in a van) when near Northampton I slowed to a stop in the outside lane and someone smashed into the back of us.

It was quite a bang but we're OK, however my lovely Capri has a mangled bumper and other minor damage. I pulled over to the hard shoulder but the bloke who hit me just drove off

However, a few miles up the motorway there was a car on the hard shoulder with a smashed front end and steaming radiator.

Tough these old Fords

 

[jonathan ellis]

could this be £1?

http://www.smileforskysports.com/album/RED_1pm/slides/RED_1-3_0914.html

 

[Hilldodger]

No, that's not me - I was in full Victorian costume. I did chat to this guy, though.

 

[Auntie Helen]

Look at this guy - a bit of an acrobat!

 

[saddlesoar]

I spent the day in London yesterday. Got there really early and did two circuits of the route whilst it was fairly empty. Didn't manage to set of the speed camera though! I've never cycled in London before, it was weird cycling past familar sights, especially in the middle of the road and not worrying about cars.
I also cycled around other parts of London. I went from W11 to E13 and everywhere in between.

On the way back to Twickenham I caught up with a led ride going to Richmond and tagged along with them as I didn't know the way back. They took twice as long as I would have but it was a nice ride and I didn't get lost! A marshal even escorted me back to Twickenham as he was going that way.

All in all a very enjoyable day with 63 miles covered in total.

I did see some recumbant riders but only flashes of them as they seemed to be going very fast!

 

[Auntie Helen]

No, that's not me - I was in full Victorian costume. I did chat to this guy, though.

Are either of these you?

http://www.smileforskysports.com/album/WHITE_3pm/slides/_MG_1405.html
http://www.smileforskysports.com/album/RED_3pm/slides/RED_3-5_0379.html

 

[Wobbly John]

This is Hilldodger