Have been home since five or so after a most splendid epic weekend....
For not the first time, this was an FNR/gig combo- whether the night before, same night, or night after, I've done them all. But this time it was perhaps the most apt gig of all. The band so enthusiastically pro-cycling that they released first the greatest musical reference to bike racing ever- the
Tour de France single- then an entire album of that same name some years later. Renowned for on occasion getting off the tour bus early and riding to gigs. Jerseys, bottles and mitts available on their online store. Some years back, they played a show at Manchester Velodrome, featuring guest appearances on the boards from Mr Thomas, Mr Clancy, Mr Kenny and Mr Staff. Oh, and they're also playing a show in their home town of Dusseldorf the night of the TDF Grand Depart (featuring aforementioned album in full). Who else, Die Mensch-Maschine, Kraftwerk, at the Albert Hall. Some online moaning about the choice of venue, sound, viewing angles..... Well, it was fab from my spot in the gallery. Awesome 3-D effects, excellent sound, cracking setlist, and Ralf Hütter was unexpectedly chatty- he made a comment about playing Dusseldorf after they played the TDF suite, and a whole four words in his send-off. 'Good night. Auf Wiedersehen'
In the morning, after a night at LSE Bankside Hall (cheap, reasonably comfortable and an excellent breakfast, as on my first stay), I spent the morning at the little art gallery over the road.....had to photograph the notorious Carl Andre ode to bricklayers.....
Then, at two, on from Kings Cross to York. Slight panic at York as train manager didn't realise a bike was leaving the train (why exactly have mandatory cycle reservations then?). Mooch around the NRM for a bit. Had a quick chat with Greg, making my excuses at 4.55 as I was expecting mine host Daryl to be meeting me shortly. Gave him a quick call from the street corner at 5.05. He was just wrapping up a meeting, he'd be with me shortly. He arrived at 5.45…unfortunately the meeting was with an Italian chap who refused all entreaties to finish their business via Skype and said the same things four or five times

Daryl then again demonstrated his protestations of cycling slowness were mere sandbagging as we made it to Newton on Ouse, 10.5 miles by his route, in 50 minutes despite traffic & negotiating a locked gate. Back to an enthusiastic welcome from the lovely Jen and these two chaps....
Stanley, eater of soil and subwoofer par excellence…
and Gus, here seen in little-spotted static mode....
As ever, Jen's culinary skills were deployed to much appreciated effect. Incidentally, she was most gratified to hear the positive response to the choc orange brownies. I did my bit but still returned some leftovers. Between Jen's (rather large) batch of choccy loveliness and Kat's feeding of the 5,000 strong pro team training camp, I think the ride achieved Peak Cake



Friday's pre-ride nommage was pasta with venison meatballs. Czech-made mincer's brand name tickled my eye...
Thoroughly fed and brownies in pannier, I made my way south again at 10.15. I went for the direct route (1. Go to A19. 2. Stick with it until Petergate) and covered the 8.5 miles in 38 minutes. First to the Minster- I'd rather have allowed more time rather than less- where I was rapidly joined by Martin and the rest of the peloton.
As for the ride- it has been missed. This is one of the jewels in the crown for me, and it's been a crying shame not to have it in the calendar the last two years. I had somewhat mixed feelings about the changes to the start- yes, very nice it was, but we did miss out, unlike on the old route, this suitably bizarre
local gem...would have fitted nicely with the solar system-themed path had the two worked in combination. But Drax was pretty awesome. OK, not pretty, just awesome. Garthorpe hospitality was splendid and judging by the way the contents of that table largely vanished, much appreciated by all of us.
The undoubted highlight for me, as always, the Bridge. Most gratified to see that (unlike its brother across the Severn) there were no silly signs, let alone electronic boards, with a speed limit for the cycle lanes, merely thoroughly sensible advice to give pedestrians priority and share the space nicely. Good stuff, highways persons.
And then to Hull. For once I turned down the Largest Available Breakfast Option- I wasn't actually that hungry and still had much cake to fuel the possible ride back to Newton. Had the porridge, and it was pretty good. Bade my farewells and set off to ride north-west, or at least see how it went, with the option to get gouged by Northern Rail for the next train back to York if the headwind proved too brutal. And it was. Three-quarters of a mile on Anlaby Road was enough to make me chuck in the towel and pay the extortionate £19.80 rather than slog into that for (probably) five hours. Most of the ride is NW rather than westerly, but those bits were clearly going to be very hard work and knacker me for the rest. Back in Newton at noon, and the land of nod not long after. A most pleasant evening (cracking barbecue dinner then quality iPlayer viewing) followed.
Bid my farewells this morning and sped back down the A19. 33 minutes from Newton to the end of Bootham 8.6 miles later. Unfortunately, it then took another five minutes to make the last stretch to the station. Traffic lights...and though I was still in plenty of time, the train wasn't- service was twenty five minutes late due to a breakdown at Edinburgh & train change. Couldn't make the fast service south from Waterloo, and then because of four other cyclists leaving the train in insufficiently rapid fashion at Fratton, I got stuck onboard and had to get off at Portsmouth & Southsea five minutes later. Put the anger into the cranks instead of words and made at least some of the time back.
Back to work tomorrow for a rest
Splendid job Adam, and thanks one and all.