Woohoo Sunny London! 27 02 2013. 16.83 miles, Ave speed 11.6, max speed 20.6 in
1hr26
Timing is everything in life! A few distractions prevented me from leaving before 1pm and as I pedalled to Hyde Park there was a break in the clouds - the sun was out! The air temperature was decidedly nippy but the sunlight lifted everything.
On my way I was aggressively overtaken by a Range Rover who
did a particularly close pass and then swerved in front of me to stop at the
Give Way junction. Really - although I
suspect this happens all day long - what a ridiculous manner in which to drive. As I
overtook him at the lights I saw one of the problems - he clearly couldn't find the
correct number he was looking for in his Iphone.
A few years ago someone called Opera Winfrey
started a campaign to make cars a No Phone Zone. Mobiles are
left in cubby holes or in the boot. I think it's something to think about, at least.
As I began my laps of the park I couldn't believe the
difference the weather made in a day. The park was full of people!
Jogging, walking, Personal Training, dog-walking and many just strolling through the sunshine.
There were also quite a lot of
people cycling through.
Whilst cycling along the South Carriageway I was scalped by
a chap on a Trek road bike in a Campagnolo cycling top. It made me wonder how
fast I was going - oooops 14mph on the flat! Hardly a workout! So with a
naughty grin on my face I pushed up the pace and followed him. Hilariously I
then scalped him (well, overtook - I dont do scalping as it's too close)!!
A bit further down the road there was quite the most
fantastic sight.
An RSM (Regimental Sergeant Major - I have an
ex Boyfriend who was in the army!!) was accompanying them - well hollering at
them. It was fab to see.
The Hyde Park Farmyard works continued. The peat had arrived
and was being laid down in the hope it will all be back to normal in time for
summer.
What a big operation this has
been. The damage from last years' concerts, Glastonbury in W1.
Cycling in Hyde Park is fun because it has less traffic but
it's not perfect. The main cycling route
is a circuit - you have to cycle round it as it is not possible to cycle
straight down the middle.
The expression "No Cycling" appears often in worn out paint at the beginning of paths. I can
understand that given the number of pedestrians in the summer it is possibly no
bad thing although a review would be helpful, particularly as the cycling
numbers increase.
If I was writing to
City of Westminster I would also ask them how many of the chauffeurs sitting in
their parked cars on South Carriageway near Exhibition Road really need to have
their engines running whilst they wait for their bosses to come back from
shopping or wherever. The CO2 emissions level must be on a par with The Marylebone Road. Thankfully South Carriageway is being closed from 11th March which means the cars are going to have to park somewhere else.
In my imaginary letter to the City of Westminster, I was feeling very lucky, I would also ask
them to reduce the speed limit to 20 mph, like Richmond Park and to educate
drivers that cyclists who cycle a meter and a half from parked cars aren't
doing it to be irritating - they are doing it to avoid hitting car doors that
are opened by people not checking for cyclists.
It's called being doored and it can kill people.
With my letter finished I tuned back in to the beauty of Hyde Park on a lovely day.
By the end of my third lap the grin on my face was so big I
didnt want to go home! I pootled across to Kensington Palace Gardens and down
Millionaires Row.
I weaved my way south
and found the sun making these houses look so bright! Lovely jubbly!
