Mice in the City

Star Log 106. 12.5 miles, top speed 17.9, ave speed 6.8 in 1hr 54 on the Brommie (I think traffic lights and having to do a bit of walking lowered my average speed!)

The novelty of cycling in sunshine never wears off! Two days running the sky had blue bits and the temperature in double figures! Wowser! Is this still London?!

Cycling along The Mall it seems the preparations for Margaret Thatcher's funeral are keeping many people busy.  Railings are going up along the pavement, lamp posts are being crowned, the TV outside broadcast trucks are parked up and ready.

As I went past Australia House on the Aldwych I swerved to avoid a road sign that was lying in the middle of the road. It was being crumpled by buses but would definitely take a road bike out if hit.  It was unsafe to stop so I found a policeman and asked him to help.

On to Fleet Street. I love Fleet Street. It is narrow, the buildings are higgledypiggledy and the road is sweeping as it drops down then up to Ludgate Circus.  With the magnificent St Pauls Cathedral as a backdrop.  Gets me every time.  It was a bit full of extra traffic and a lot of police.

I rode past St Pauls, stopped to wonder at its serenity, history and iconic effect on London's skyline.  Sir Christopher Wren drew a legacy that in turn made me draw breath in awe.

 

Up to London Wall and along to the Barbican where the architecture is a whole different ball game.  Tall, skinny and concreted.  

Hard, cold lines glaring down.  I did find a bit of a route that would have been a great helter-skelter.

 Sadly the authorities have got there first - spoilsports!

On to Liverpool Street Station - suits everywhere! Only me and a delivery guy wearing jeans!  Cycling past vistas not seen before, buildings old and new, spaces where demolitions have been completed and the sous-terrain pillars are being whacked into the ground. I am sure I saw a concrete lift shaft in the mix.

 

Down to London Bridge for a coffee and then home.