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Whether it's five miles or five hundred miles, riding a bicycle is more fun than anyone ever told me! My New Year's Resolution to cycle 10 miles a day or 40 minutes on a spin bike has meant that by the end of May I have cycled 2,600 miles! Because of my cycling wardrobe the weather has not stopped me from cycling (unless it really is -5 degrees or with wind gusts of 25 mph). Cycling in style and in comfort is really important to me as I don't really want to be covered in logos looking like a Ninja as I buy groceries or attend meetings. I have found some things that work for me but am always looking for new pieces. For me, Evans Cycles and Cycle Surgery for the basics. My two favourite brands for my wardrobe are www.velorution.com and www.velovixen.com but I am always looking for new pieces. I would love to know what works for you and why. Happy cycling!

Sunday 24 February 2013

Mice Log Star Date 55

Sunday London Ride 24.02.13 32.45 miles, ave speed 11.5mph, top speed 23.2 in 2hrs 48mins.

A text from a friend on Saturday night asked if I was going to do this ride. I hadn't decided but that spurred me on - yes, I replied and agreed - subject to ice. 

At 7am the alarm went off and I stuck my nose above the duvet. Brrrr,  it was cold. The BBC weather website said it was -1. Minus 1! Well that's the end of the ride thought I.  20 minutes later a text arrived from Becs "Am up and about, heading for station, see you at 9.30". Gordon Bennett, this was going to happen after all!

Minus 1 was still ringing in my ears - that means there could be ice. So this would be a hybrid ride and no cleats - trainers were deployed.  My cleat learning curve had reached the stage that if you don't unclip your feet fast enough you land on the ground like a sack of potatoes and can really hurt yourself.  And I learnt that the hard way on my first or second group ride at night when I didn't unclip my foot fast enough and not only held up 35 people for three quarters of an hour whilst I recovered from the fall but also fractured my arm.
  
Not my finest moment especially as this happened at 2.45am ie in the middle of the night in the middle of nowhere - about seven miles outside Blackburn. Best not think too much about that! Suffice to say that stopping on a bicycle is basic and involves using the brakes - an automatic reaction learnt many years ago.  However  incorporating swivelling your feet at the same time takes practice.  I think I have mastered this now and wouldn't dream of cycling long rides without cleats - but not on ice.



I layered up and headed to Hyde Park Corner at 9.25 where I found three others - looking very cool of course but also rather cold! 

They were all in cleats and lycra - this was a longer than 5 mile ride and indeed one of them had been up since 7 and cycled 30 miles up and down hills near to home. I said that if I was not able to go the speed they wanted I would turn back without a worry.

Becs arrived a few minutes later and we were both happy to hear that the original plan to Alexandra Palace was revised to go to The Olympic Stadium instead (which is a flat route).  Wooop Wooop!

We waited for the Household Cavalry to go by. It always takes my breath away and I take too many pics!

We cycled down Constitution Hill behind them, along the Mall and into Trafalgar Square, down to the Embankment and along to Blackfriars Bridge following a friend called Ian.  

                                                              Becs is in yellow
Onto Commercial Road, into Whitechapel and all the way to The Bow Flyover.  This junction is well known to cyclists and non cyclists but not for good reasons.  Two people in separate incidents were killed within three weeks of each other using this junction - on their way to work.  Shocking and inexcusable.   

Transport for London  have redesigned the junction and this was the first time I have seen it.  I'm not really in a position to comment - it was  a Sunday morning, with fairly empty roads, as part of a group. On a Monday morning in rush hour or on a regular basis I have  no idea what it's like. I do wonder how many people in TFL and the Department of Transport actually, genuinely commute to work on a bike.  I hope they know what they are doing - the price paid in lives lost - any life - is too high.

We made our way towards the Stadium - the security guards were very helpful and even operated a human level crossing for us - opening gates as we arrived and closing them behind us.




  We reached the cafe where the door furniture was unusual!
Since my last visit a year ago, a conservatory has been added.  Nice and warm - I look forward to being back there soon.


                                        Brunch was excellent.


The Manager chatted with us about cycling and he confirmed that the bicycle racks that were missing would be returning soon!

Meanwhile we had some wheels to admire

  
                                                               Very nice!  

Possibly not quite as clean as this bike though



Down to the Woolwich Ferry, a route I cycled on my very first Sunday London Ride two years ago when I was on a low racer recumbent.  We were not at one, the recumbent and I, but that's another story.  It did mean that being so low I had no idea that we cycled past the City London Airport runway - it looked not unlike (although I have never been there!) Hong Kong Airport.  Next time I will take some pics.

We reached the Woolwich Ferry terminal just as the ferry was unloading - perfect timing!
Once across the river and along to Woolwich Arsenal to do play hide and seek (somewhat unsuccessfully) amongst some statues!
 
 
   
 
Along a busy road to Greenwich, straight out the other side and back over the river using Southwark Bridge.  We arrived at The Aldwych - Ian had already left us, Dave headed South, Eddy West and Becs and I weaved our way to Portland Place and said our goodbyes.  I headed to Victoria for a very important purchase of bread - I was starving!  It may have been cold (understatement!) but it was a great day with fab peeps.