StuAff
Silencing his legs regularly
- Location
- Portsmouth
Yes indeed
London Lockdown 2026
- Thread starter lazybloke
- Start date
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Yes indeed
Ming the Merciless
There is no mercy
- Location
- Inside my skull
Blimey, that is going to need staggering
Ross is doing it I think
StuAff
Silencing his legs regularly
- Location
- Portsmouth
Yup, and quite a few other Fridays....
StuAff
Silencing his legs regularly
- Location
- Portsmouth
Mark's now thinking of doing that, with starts from 9.30.
rb58
Enigma
- Location
- Bexley, Kent
Indeed I am. Better get my *rse into gear and register.
OP
OP
lazybloke
Chocolate eclairs: the peak of human endeavour
- Location
- Leafy Surrey
Thought i read something from Mark about maybe halting further entries if it got too large? Suppose staggering the start would address that concern... although i think the traffic lights out of the start would do a good job of staggering everyone into waves anyway.
OneCogDown
Well-Known Member
Its looking cold and possibly wet for the '26 ride, with just over 6km routed on the canal and river paths of East and North London how churned up are the paths likely to get with 300+ riders? Would urban tread tyres be sensible or normal road slicks fine?
OP
OP
lazybloke
Chocolate eclairs: the peak of human endeavour
- Location
- Leafy Surrey
I've done several night rides, some wet, some cold, occasionally really dire weather. The forecast for Friday doesn't worry me too much, but I will be dressed quite warm (long Hummvees with bibshorts under, 3 or 4 layers on my torso, ski gloves, and at least one buff to keep my neck/head warm).
Surfaces didn't worry me much last year. The Thames path, Blackheath paths, various canalside bits - all really good surfaces. A short section from near Holloway to near Highgate had a loose surface, but nothing challenging.
My biggest concerns are health/fitness.
Health - I have a dodgy knee, hoping I don't need arthroscopy.
Fitness - My last big ride was nearly 5 months ago. Since then I've cycled a TOTAL of only about 60 miles.
I figure I'll just plod along slowly and see how I get on.
OneCogDown
Well-Known Member
Fab ride and recommended. Weather stayed dry and what a combo at the start with the CM escort out of Victoria, unforgettable. The Sunrise heading up and over Hampsted was very special as London started to wakeup. Hope your safely round Lazybloke it certainly got busy on some of those looser sections.
OP
OP
lazybloke
Chocolate eclairs: the peak of human endeavour
- Location
- Leafy Surrey
Mixed experiences for me, OneCog.
I'd barely touched my bike in 5 months, so I had little endurance. I was totally unprepared for 100 mile ride, but how bad could it be? Ho ho.
I've also been under a lot of stress at work and home (an in-law reaching end-of-life), so I was DETERMINED to enjoy this one night out on my bike. Made it to the start where 375 registered Lockdown riders were boosted to a total of circa 700 by the Critical Mass crowd. I quickly bumped into some familiar faces (don't know all the cyclechat names, but they included @StuAff and @tdk27). I lost sight of them as soon as we started - the streets were RAMMED with bikes.
The CM procession through Belgravia was amazing, complete with lights and music, but my best enjoyment of night cycling comes from the peace and quiet, so I was just as happy when the lockdown riders turned back and went over the river and onto the peaceful south bank Thames path. Now the only sounds were the gentle whir of tyres, a click of gears, murmurs of conversation, and some Critical Mass bass woofers somewhere off in the distance, blasting out a Bronski Beat sample!
[you have to imagine the noise!]
And so the miles began to tick off through south London, but my lack of fitness start to make itself known after about 25 miles. I was still confident - I wasn't burning matches, my speed was low; I could keep going for ages. It seemed to take an age to hit Blackheath, but then it was a quick descent back onto the Thames path around the amazing Greenwich peninsular : the lights of Canary Wharf over the water, the millennium dome, the flags/lights outside the Trafalgar Tavern, the Old Royal Naval college, Cutty Sark, and then the Greenwich foot tunnel; it's an awesome part of the ride.
[Cutty Sark]
[Southern portal to the foot tunnel]
[no comment]
I bumped into tdk27 again at the top of the steps on the north side of the foot tunnel, and we rode together for the next 15 minutes until he called it a night. I had no intention giving up at this stage, so went on another 25 minutes to the Bow Golden Arches. A Hot Apple Pie and coffee were Ambrosia & Nectar!
Had a very brief chat with Mark K when he arrived, but I wanted to get on, and blimey - it was cold out - donned a 4th layer on my torso and pulled a buff over my chin and ears; but my sit-bones felt horribly bruised already (after only 50 miles!) and for the first time I wondered if I would be able to complete this ride. It didn't help that no other riders were in sight, and there was some dodgy streets and footpaths in this section; in my head I was plotting routes back to Waterloo and an early train home!
I worked on the Olympic park in preparation for the 2012 games, so seeing the venues again was a boost to my spirit , and it was soon afterwards that I stopped to help someone who had a rear brake block rubbing. The only help needed was for me to point my torch (shame it was only a dynamo stand-light), but I loosely joined her peloton of friends for the next hour or two.
[Spring was showing everywhere]
I next stopped on the Parkland Trail, and had a beer with Gav from Butternut Bikes; his popup bar was there again; so I spent a few minutes relaxing, but not feeling quite right. It was well past dawn now - I was much later than in 2025. But despite my earlier doubts, I now had only 30 miles to go, so was confident of finishing.
Back on the bike - OUCH - and then I carried on until hunger forced me into a Tesco. Why the hell I bought two chocolate eclairs I'll never know. I stuffed them down, immediately felt bloated and unwell, and spent the next 10 minute thinking I might be sick! Also had horrendous navigational problems in the Fulham area, but eventually reached "escape velocity" into Knightsbridge, and went past the last few landmarks of Wellington Arch, Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, then back along the Mall and down Buckingham Palace road to the finish line.
Holy cow, I'd done it!!!
[Mark K stopping for a beer]
[Lahhndon innit]
[Nearly dead people, finished!]
Very sore. Very tired. And the next day I had a rotten fever, plus headaches every day since... but I loved it!!!!
tdk27
Active Member
Congratulations on making it round!
I have been dealing with some knee pain this winter, and lived about halfway on the route, so decided to ride the first half and see how it was going. I could feel the twinge coming on that suggests overuse, and so stopped off for bed. The first half of the route was fiddly but a very cool little slice of London - I might take another crack at it later in the year when the nights are slightly warmer.
I have been dealing with some knee pain this winter, and lived about halfway on the route, so decided to ride the first half and see how it was going. I could feel the twinge coming on that suggests overuse, and so stopped off for bed. The first half of the route was fiddly but a very cool little slice of London - I might take another crack at it later in the year when the nights are slightly warmer.
StuAff
Silencing his legs regularly
- Location
- Portsmouth
Before I write up last night, thought I ought to write up the previous week…
On account of engineering work closing all lines in Portsmouth for a few days (Saturday 28th to Thursday 2nd), my train home on Saturday would terminate at Havant. I therefore opted to save myself a few quid and ride the six and a half miles for the train north as well. Allowed plenty of time, and got the faster service at just after half-six. Filled the bottles, then round to Victoria just after half eight, along with a couple of gents who might well be among those who got round the whole thing very much at their own pace and finished just before six PM (!!). Ate the first of my yellow-stickered sandwiches and watched as a trickle of riders turned into a flood. Saw quite a few familiar faces- apart from Dan and Tea, James G, Mark W, Anton, Sonia (not to talk to)…as more and more arrived. Then CM turn up and it's almost as quiet as Brixton Academy was for Underworld a few weeks back. Organiser Mark and lady from Lewisham Bank of Things borrowed a PA for the intro before we all (700 or so inc CM) headed off, with the aid of very helpful and pleasingly unstressed security and police officers. Now, as a good law abiding non-red light jumping citizen, I couldn't possibly condone some of the good natured but entirely unlegal behaviour as tax-paying motorists had their way blocked in order for this torrent of self-powered humanity to progress. But it was a blast. Eventually, CM went one way, we went the other and more normal abnormality was restored.
First part of the ride was pretty great, if of course unfeasibly twiddly. At this stage, the inability of a Garmin eTrex to do turn by turn was not a problem. Just a case of following the trail of tail lights. Get dropped by one group, another would pick you up. As I remarked to James G as we rode it, it was odd crossing Tooting Bec Common south to north, when it's now a stock part of FNRttC routes going south. The first big climb- Downsview Road (Norbury/North Norwood)- was a bit of a nasty shock, did my first bit of walking there. First nav issues for me in Lewisham- despite riding with Tea at the time, I ended up going off-route (the direction arrow on the Garmin meant this turn not that one), but I eventually looped back onto the route and continued.
Greenwich was where it all went off the rails. Went back and forth on paths and roads around the O2 & North Greenwich before getting back on course. Trying to find the foot tunnel was a painful exercise in misnavigation. By this stage, I was really cold (kit that always worked on previous night rides suddenly wasn't), stopping to check my position on the phone (because nice large clear map screen) adding to that. And I hadn't eaten anything since that sandwich. Oops. So, cold and not warming up, weakening but not eating anything because I didn't want to stop in the cold. Not good. And silly little voice in my head told me to press on until the Bow McDonalds. Silly voice indeed. Descending the foot tunnel stairs was very much not pleasant, I needed to catch my breath on a couple of the landings. Also, bloody Lime Bikes in it. Millwall & the Isle of Dogs was no better for me- more round and round, back and forth, getting increasingly frustrated. Finally had some food at about 3.30- another sandwich and an energy bar, and felt a bit better though not second wind. Eventually decided that I had no chance of finishing the route at anything resembling a reasonable time for me, and to head up west. That was easier said than done- more errors, more back and forth- but once I eventually got to Limehouse, I was OK all the way in. I wasn't going for a train just yet, I needed many calories and tea. In his pre-ride briefing email, Mark had recommended Gianni's on Horseferry Road for breakfast. Got there just after seven. Recommendation deserved, most excellent breakfast and a big mug of tea at a great price. Then back to Waterloo, onto the 7.55 train home.
Despite the self-inflicted issues, a great evening overall. Unfinished business, so I will be back!
On account of engineering work closing all lines in Portsmouth for a few days (Saturday 28th to Thursday 2nd), my train home on Saturday would terminate at Havant. I therefore opted to save myself a few quid and ride the six and a half miles for the train north as well. Allowed plenty of time, and got the faster service at just after half-six. Filled the bottles, then round to Victoria just after half eight, along with a couple of gents who might well be among those who got round the whole thing very much at their own pace and finished just before six PM (!!). Ate the first of my yellow-stickered sandwiches and watched as a trickle of riders turned into a flood. Saw quite a few familiar faces- apart from Dan and Tea, James G, Mark W, Anton, Sonia (not to talk to)…as more and more arrived. Then CM turn up and it's almost as quiet as Brixton Academy was for Underworld a few weeks back. Organiser Mark and lady from Lewisham Bank of Things borrowed a PA for the intro before we all (700 or so inc CM) headed off, with the aid of very helpful and pleasingly unstressed security and police officers. Now, as a good law abiding non-red light jumping citizen, I couldn't possibly condone some of the good natured but entirely unlegal behaviour as tax-paying motorists had their way blocked in order for this torrent of self-powered humanity to progress. But it was a blast. Eventually, CM went one way, we went the other and more normal abnormality was restored.
First part of the ride was pretty great, if of course unfeasibly twiddly. At this stage, the inability of a Garmin eTrex to do turn by turn was not a problem. Just a case of following the trail of tail lights. Get dropped by one group, another would pick you up. As I remarked to James G as we rode it, it was odd crossing Tooting Bec Common south to north, when it's now a stock part of FNRttC routes going south. The first big climb- Downsview Road (Norbury/North Norwood)- was a bit of a nasty shock, did my first bit of walking there. First nav issues for me in Lewisham- despite riding with Tea at the time, I ended up going off-route (the direction arrow on the Garmin meant this turn not that one), but I eventually looped back onto the route and continued.
Greenwich was where it all went off the rails. Went back and forth on paths and roads around the O2 & North Greenwich before getting back on course. Trying to find the foot tunnel was a painful exercise in misnavigation. By this stage, I was really cold (kit that always worked on previous night rides suddenly wasn't), stopping to check my position on the phone (because nice large clear map screen) adding to that. And I hadn't eaten anything since that sandwich. Oops. So, cold and not warming up, weakening but not eating anything because I didn't want to stop in the cold. Not good. And silly little voice in my head told me to press on until the Bow McDonalds. Silly voice indeed. Descending the foot tunnel stairs was very much not pleasant, I needed to catch my breath on a couple of the landings. Also, bloody Lime Bikes in it. Millwall & the Isle of Dogs was no better for me- more round and round, back and forth, getting increasingly frustrated. Finally had some food at about 3.30- another sandwich and an energy bar, and felt a bit better though not second wind. Eventually decided that I had no chance of finishing the route at anything resembling a reasonable time for me, and to head up west. That was easier said than done- more errors, more back and forth- but once I eventually got to Limehouse, I was OK all the way in. I wasn't going for a train just yet, I needed many calories and tea. In his pre-ride briefing email, Mark had recommended Gianni's on Horseferry Road for breakfast. Got there just after seven. Recommendation deserved, most excellent breakfast and a big mug of tea at a great price. Then back to Waterloo, onto the 7.55 train home.
Despite the self-inflicted issues, a great evening overall. Unfinished business, so I will be back!
Last edited:
Shadow
member
- Location
- edge of the south downs
Chapeau @lazybloke!
I've seen you struggle a number of times on various rides and am mostly often amazed at your tenacity. Not quite surehow you do it.
Well done @tdk27 and @StuAff for getting as far as you did. It was far too early in the year for me to attempt my first imperial ton!
See y'all on a FNR soon.
I've seen you struggle a number of times on various rides and am mostly often amazed at your tenacity. Not quite surehow you do it.
Well done @tdk27 and @StuAff for getting as far as you did. It was far too early in the year for me to attempt my first imperial ton!
See y'all on a FNR soon.
Dogtrousers
Lefty tighty. Get it righty.
Well done everyone. A few years back I would have jumped at this but I don't think I'd have been able to make it.
