Popping Back to The London Bike Show

 With all the excitement of the Total Womens Cycling Awards sponsored by Velovixen (attended by Laura Trott's parents woohooo!) at the London Bike Show -  I ran out of time to explore the rest of the show. 

A glorious sunny Sunday provided the perfect 10 mile cycle ride to see what I had missed although nothing could make up for missing Sir Chris Hoy who had been there 24 hours earlier! 

Knowing that Cycle-Works were providing manned bicycle storage (as opposed to their units in action above)  I picked up my Brommie (ok I admit it, I also took three locks) and headed out into the sunshine.

Cycling in empty London streets with a clear blue backdrop surrounding sunlit buildings is an absolute joy. The Thames was putting on a show of its own - buses on distant bridges, sightseers sightseeing, the London Eye silently and gently going round and round - it was all so bright and exciting to see.

Into the City and out the other side, all was well until I realised that the CS3 was disappearing north without a hint as to where I should head. For a cycling event, the route to Excel really is beyond the pale.  I couldn't believe I was having to cycle up and over the Lea Valley Flyover again - and on the Brommie.  

The traffic at 40mph is not expecting people to cycle up it and to the driver that swerved towards me it's all very well thinking that a cyclist shouldn't be there but scaring them witless by cycling within an inch of their life isn't really very helpful. There has to be a better route option somehow.

The show itself was packed with people which was encouraging. In between catching up with friends I was very happy to find that  Chapeau, according to the technical designer, are extending their current and somewhat limited ladies range. 

 As I made my way around the exhibition I came across some cycling initiatives that I had never heard of but was very excited to find.  The first was  London Cycle Exchange who sell pre-owned, ex-demo and ex-tour bikes all of which are traced, serviced and warrantied.  I am sure that gumtree and ebay are always available but this organisation appealed as it removes the worry of buying dilapidated or stolen bicycles. 

At the Velovixen stand I met two more Velovixens who loved the idea of The Fridays.  We discussed rolling averages over distance and these two speedy Velovixens said that as they headed towards Paris last year their rolling average was 17mph!  

Once I had picked myself up from the floor,  I explained that the The Fridays rides weren't necessarily the fastest as the whole ethos of the ride is to encourage people to ride further than they thought possible and it was more of a 10mph-12mph but they were the most fun you would ever have on a bicycle.

The slower-than-their-ususal-pace I described didn't deter these two who seemed rather in awe of the whole thing! So I directed them to the website and reiterated that it is not a turn up and ride event, as you need to register in advance.  Little do they know how much fun they are about to sign up for! 

Whilst we were chatting, these pumps caught my eye - really neat!  
 

My next discovery was Jura Cycle Clothing, a company so new that I am not sure their website is up and running yet.  Australian merino jerseys, designed in Italy and made in Turkey - really, really good quality and design.

Just past the next stand I found Help for Heroes who are raising funds through a whole range of activities.  In June they are organising a ride from Blackheath to Central London.  www.heroride.org.uk to find out more.

The Open Wheel produce rides in Yorkshire and London.  I have no idea what they are like but the fee includes food, the rides are waymarked and because of The Tour 2014 they caught my eye.  Not to mention they were also offering flapjack ..............!!  I should add  that as a very happy member of the Fridays, I know that the standard set for group rides is so high that I as far as I am concerned no-one will ever come near it, let alone match it - free flapjack or no free flapjack. 

At the next corner I found Bickerton. Yes, really, Bickerton!  They have launched a brand new range, Bickerton Portables and although the fold is not nearly (by a long way) as neat as the Brompton, they do three 20" wheel versions and two 26" wheel ones.  

Apparently Mark Bickerton, the son of the original Bickerton designer, Harry Bickerton, was at the show on Saturday with his 1970s Bickerton bicycle.  Quoting from their brochure Mark says "Bickerton Portables are back"  I don't know how they compare with the Tern or the Dahon but are definitely worthy of a look.

 Two other products caught my eye - the first was Henty   who have a genius way of carrying a suit

 and then there was Zaini whose headwear I have seen on several friends.

A little later on I found myself speaking to the Brooks Brand Specialist.  It seems that Brooks are looking at a different model of their Cambium saddle which will have cut outs which I think will make it much more comfortable.

The lovely people at Velorution and Shutt were on fine form despite a very hectic few days and I found the most fantastic display of high-end Boardman bikes which were causing a hive of interest. The other bike manufacturers exhibiting were numerous (I had to avoid them purely for the fear of n+1) and I hope all the exhibitors were creating a new cyclist at least every three seconds. 

My continuing enthusiasm for all things cycling doesn't seem to be diminishing and I really enjoyed the London Bike Show. My main concern for its future is the cost of the entrance fees which may deter people from popping by. Thanks to the fantastic support from Velovixen and Total Womens Cycling along with British Cycling I hope that next year's event is bigger and bigger.   

As for the appalling cycle (non)route this really needs to be addressed - sooner rather than later. 

Planning ahead, from 28th March Spin London will be back at the Truman Brewery, Brick Lane.  Last years inaugural event was full of independent bicycle businesses and I am already looking forward to it.  

Cycling is such a brilliant thing to do and I count my lucky stars that I ride a bike, every single day!

  

                                                  The End!