Discussion
Rather ironically, I managed to book us in a kids West End theatre show on Sunday, which finishes at 1pm. We've now been let down by the babysitter. So, myself (I hate crowds), MrsPawBroon (who's not a fan of cycling), Jnr Broon age 3.5 and baby Broon age 8 weeks are all venturing into town, a town that will be packed with MAMILs and casual spectators, as well as the usual summer tourists. It'll be incredibly busy and probably soaking wet. And I won't even get to see Wiggo cruise past. Oh well.
The velodrome is excellent fun, if you haven't already had a go, I suggest you do, I was at their super final on Thursday.
As for green park, I've been rode into 4 times, been waiting at crossings and had bells rung for bikes to come through on the same crossing that im waiting for to open, err where do you expect me to go?
On the plus side, the number of very nice young ladies wearing very short skirts riding Boris bikes is making up for it! Thank god for the world's darkest glasses!
As for green park, I've been rode into 4 times, been waiting at crossings and had bells rung for bikes to come through on the same crossing that im waiting for to open, err where do you expect me to go?
On the plus side, the number of very nice young ladies wearing very short skirts riding Boris bikes is making up for it! Thank god for the world's darkest glasses!
Brilliant event I thought. There's no other time of year I could get the wife into the centre of town to ride up and down, and we did the full loop. Traffic congestion on the Mall and near the Tower of London was a bit frustrating, but peddos have to cross the road somewhere.
Saw one girl have a spectacular crash (in a straight line, all on her own) down on Thames Street, hope she's OK. No idea how she managed it.
Saw one girl have a spectacular crash (in a straight line, all on her own) down on Thames Street, hope she's OK. No idea how she managed it.
Just got back 
As always a great day out - quite heartwarming to see literally thousands of people enjoying London by bike.
Have been going to this since it was sponsored by Hovis and it keeps getting better and better. As noted above there was the usual congestion at the Mall and at pedestrian crossing points, but there's not a lot you can do about that really, and everyone takes it in good humour. And by the time you get to the City part of the loop the crowds have thinned out.
Enjoyed the various bands around the course, and it's good there are an increasing range of activities around the various "zones".
If you want to hare around, you'll be disappointed, but if you go expecting a gentle pootle in the shadow of London landmarks with plenty of free entertainment you'll have a top day out!
As always a great day out - quite heartwarming to see literally thousands of people enjoying London by bike.
Have been going to this since it was sponsored by Hovis and it keeps getting better and better. As noted above there was the usual congestion at the Mall and at pedestrian crossing points, but there's not a lot you can do about that really, and everyone takes it in good humour. And by the time you get to the City part of the loop the crowds have thinned out.
Enjoyed the various bands around the course, and it's good there are an increasing range of activities around the various "zones".
If you want to hare around, you'll be disappointed, but if you go expecting a gentle pootle in the shadow of London landmarks with plenty of free entertainment you'll have a top day out!
Just back myself and I'm knackered, almost missed the start of the Pro crit from the vantage point I'd chosen after the original one became scuppered. Turns out, just outside Buck palace was a perfect vantage point!
Although I do need to learn to count and concentrate too, on the 11th lap I was packing up ready to head back down to pit lane, when Tiffany Cromwell, Emilia Fahlin, and Lizzie Armistead, came screaming past me at about 10 feet, but I'd got the lens cap on and couldn't get it off quick enough!
As an experiance, the crit was good and I loved photographing it, but the whole Green Park area left me a little cold, with cyclists mixing with pedestrians, and some bad examples of how not to do both. One woman tried parking her bike in my ass whilst I was walking down the verge of a path going towards the Buck Palace gates.
Still I know for next year, becuase I hope to be in the Sunday ride
Highlights of the day:
Watching Georgia Bronzini give her bouquet to a young girl, which made her complete week! The girl never stopped smiling.
Having a good chat with the 3 ladies from Spec Lululemon, and seeing their faces when I told them I was one of their Project X backers!
Unforgetable momment: Seeing a rather nice young lady in a very short skirt cycle towards me on a boris bike, only for me to realize she wasn't wearing any undies!
Edit: Just found out that 3 teams will be using my photographs from today
Although I do need to learn to count and concentrate too, on the 11th lap I was packing up ready to head back down to pit lane, when Tiffany Cromwell, Emilia Fahlin, and Lizzie Armistead, came screaming past me at about 10 feet, but I'd got the lens cap on and couldn't get it off quick enough!
As an experiance, the crit was good and I loved photographing it, but the whole Green Park area left me a little cold, with cyclists mixing with pedestrians, and some bad examples of how not to do both. One woman tried parking her bike in my ass whilst I was walking down the verge of a path going towards the Buck Palace gates.
Still I know for next year, becuase I hope to be in the Sunday ride
Highlights of the day:
Watching Georgia Bronzini give her bouquet to a young girl, which made her complete week! The girl never stopped smiling.
Having a good chat with the 3 ladies from Spec Lululemon, and seeing their faces when I told them I was one of their Project X backers!
Unforgetable momment: Seeing a rather nice young lady in a very short skirt cycle towards me on a boris bike, only for me to realize she wasn't wearing any undies!
Edit: Just found out that 3 teams will be using my photographs from today
Edited by Celtic Dragon on Saturday 9th August 22:04
Agreed it was a good day out. I tried to get a decent lap in early on but quickly found out that it wasnt to be had. Everyone there looked to be enjoying the chance to pootle around. I did see a few minor accidents but it's not surprising having such a mix of abilities on the same road. I'll be doing it again next time unless i can get myself a place for the 100 mile ride the day after. Still managed 50 miles today and my quickest 10 miles on the way into town at just over 28 mins.
Steve vRS said:
Celtic Dragon said:
Unforgetable momment: Seeing a rather nice young lady in a very short skirt cycle towards me on a boris bike, only for me to realize she wasn't wearing any undies!
Pictures?Come on, someone had to post it!
Steve
Celtic Dragon said:
Just 1 of the many photo's I took on Saturday. Just about 20 left to do, I've already edited close on 100 today for teams, this last batch is purely for me.
I'll post the link to the gallery when I've finished them all.
One of my major memories of today is the number of women. Great to see, and I absolutely don't mean that in a lecherous way.I'll post the link to the gallery when I've finished them all.
Gizmoish said:
One of my major memories of today is the number of women. Great to see, and I absolutely don't mean that in a lecherous way.
From Saturday I can agree with that. When I go riding round here, I have met precisely 1 female cyclist! Yet I'm in quadruple figures for mamils.The galleries up, link below, but here are some of the better ones. I just wish they'd put the numbers on the bikes, not the rider. Its a nightmare working out who's who from the side
Think someone needs to get a Wiggle on
gallery
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152680...
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