London Freewheel
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biondino wrote:Red top, grey helmet, middle of picture!
Sorry, I thought your avatar was you! How silly of me0 -
Hello
I'm Stuart and I'm a red light jumper.
Did anyone else find it difficult to ignore the lights on the central route? I physically flinched the first dozen times I went through a red light while the marshals had "GO" boards up. Mind, by the time I was returning home I had to consciously pull up at red lights.
Rode direct from Footscray/Sidcup rather than joining the Bromley led ride (1hr45m allowed for them to go from Orpington to Beckenham Place Park :shock:), and no hub in the South East, so I didn't see the hubs; although according to my brother-in-law the Victoria Park hub was a couple of tents - nothing like last year. I assume this was down to the late organisation. Anyhow, it let my wife experience my commute (not sure I'll be 'allowed' to do Old Kent Road/New Cross/Lewisham anymore - although I did try to explain that it was worse than usual as the bus lanes and red routes were inoperative).
Arrived on the course at 11.30 - already quite busy. I was quite surprised, but the lack of a bike lock up this year didn't seem to be a problem - if anything, it prevented the awful bottle neck there was getting out of it last year. Got a hi-vis tabbard (wore in to work this morning as a wind break) but they only seemed to have "large". The very pleasant girl handed them out assured me that after a couple of laps of the course it would fit me , she was wrong .
Saw a couple of the gold medallists, but my wife and nephew just missed out on a photo with Vicky Pendleton. Snooks: she was up there, but only for about 2 minutes before she was replaced by one of the Gladiator girls - a shame as we'd been told she would be in photos for 15 minutes. And who was the bloke who, when the interview session in the tent went to questions, asked her to marry him?
Good to see the collective feeling on the road. More families/trailers/little kids/triandems(?)/and pull-alongs than last year. Hell, yes it meant that there were a lot of inexperienced cyclists; and, yes, it meant riding on the brakes most of the way (except the drag from Blackfriars to Tower Hill :twisted:), but the whole idea is to get more people involved rather than it be a TT circuit. So, on the whole I'd say "Well done" for the second year running.
My one criticism - the hairpin at Tower Hill :shock:
Stuart0 -
the hairpin at Tower Hill
Especially for those of us riding a tandem!!0 -
andrewc3142 wrote:the hairpin at Tower Hill
Especially for those of us riding a tandem!!
Especially for the Av2Hire guys with the massive bass tube - they spent a good 5 minutes turning it around the first time. Following them through the embankment underpass before they got sound-limited was truly deafening.
I had a fabulous time just pootling around the circuit from 9:30ish till about 1pm. (Although stopped for ages in the Mall because my other half had an invite to the TFL tent where wonderous breakfast goodies were available).
Strangely, I only saw one accident where a young boy had fallen off his MTB and was more in shock than pain.0 -
Took the family in to london by train with their bikes for the first time, The kids loved it and even the wife said she had a good day. Stoped for lunch at Piza express by Blackfriars and with a couple of cold beers some good food and talking to other biking familys we realy had a great day Looking forward to next year now !
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I nipped out fairly early and had a good couple of laps, first one was nice and quick but then it all got a bit busy. Not really the place for speed of course but it was great to experience closed roads in London. Saw CJCP and his family though (very cute kids!) and have even managed to find some pics... looking ridiculous as usual in my little cap!
- 2023 Vielo V+1
- 2022 Canyon Aeroad CFR
- 2020 Canyon Ultimate CF SLX
- Strava
- On the Strand
- Crown Stables
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Mark
What is that strange seat the little one is in ? I have never seen anything like that before.0 -
Found some pics
hanging in on the right hand side of the frame! That's me!
And this one:
Where the camera seems to have put pounds on me! Blooming cameras, blooming photographers hurrumph!
I realise I'm no racing greyhound of a cyclist, but I didn't think I was that bad :evil: ...and WTF a folder that close behind me? Cameras lie, trust me I'm a photographer!0 -
Here's me!
Don't know where my photo of me with Chis Hoy is - it doesn't seem to be on the website
*´¨)
`.·´ .·*´¨) ¸.·*¨)
(¸.·´ (¸.·´
Power to the pedal0 -
I had a fabulous time at the Freewheel event. Beautiful weather and a great crowd. Though if I had to be completely honest the best ride was to the event - the bike route from my house to Clapham was very pleasant. I would make it a regular weekend occurance if I still had my bike.
After I finished the course I decided to make the most of the sunny afternoon in London so decided to do the "Open House" venues in Southwark. Locked my bike up on the bike stands outside City Hall. Came back a couple of hours later and it was gone... they left the cut lock which was lovely of them. I wonder which bolt-cutters they used because they did an excellent job of cutting through my lock . I usually double-lock my bike - a lock on the back wheel and another on the front, but had left one of locks at home. Was a bit worried but with lots of people around and security guards walking about I thought it would be kinda safe. There was still a lot of people, especially Freewheelers, around when I came back. How can someone cut a lock of a bike and not get noticed!?!
So in a way Freewheel has had the opposite effect on me. One of the reasons I don't bike in the City is the fear of getting my bike stolen. What happens the first time I ride in the city, my bike gets stolen. So I won't be in a hurry to take my bike into the City again. That's if my bike does get returned or I can ever afford a new one0 -
girly_biker wrote:I had a fabulous time at the Freewheel event. Beautiful weather and a great crowd. Though if I had to be completely honest the best ride was to the event - the bike route from my house to Clapham was very pleasant. I would make it a regular weekend occurance if I still had my bike.
After I finished the course I decided to make the most of the sunny afternoon in London so decided to do the "Open House" venues in Southwark. Locked my bike up on the bike stands outside City Hall. Came back a couple of hours later and it was gone... they left the cut lock which was lovely of them. I wonder which bolt-cutters they used because they did an excellent job of cutting through my lock . I usually double-lock my bike - a lock on the back wheel and another on the front, but had left one of locks at home. Was a bit worried but with lots of people around and security guards walking about I thought it would be kinda safe. There was still a lot of people, especially Freewheelers, around when I came back. How can someone cut a lock of a bike and not get noticed!?!
So in a way Freewheel has had the opposite effect on me. One of the reasons I don't bike in the City is the fear of getting my bike stolen. What happens the first time I ride in the city, my bike gets stolen. So I won't be in a hurry to take my bike into the City again. That's if my bike does get returned or I can ever afford a new one
This is absolutely terrible absolutely. I am sorry to hear of your awful experience!Food Chain number = 4
A true scalp is not only overtaking someone but leaving them stopped at a set of lights. As you, who have clearly beaten the lights, pummels nothing but the open air ahead. ~ 'DondaddyD'. Player of the Unspoken Game0 -
Sorry to hear about your loss GB. Did you chain it up by city hall on Victoria Street?
If so around what time as I used those racks with DDD and a couple of work mates for about 10 minutes between 13:50 and 14:00 when we popped into Sainsburys to grab some food!
I can't remember if there was any bikes there then tho, but I'm fairly certain the racks where empty then.0 -
I did take some (a lot) of (not very interesting) photos... did i capture YOUR behind?!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/aidanspics ... 431949697/
and also some vids
http://www.flickr.com/photos/aidanspics/tags/video/
I had fun, nice to see lots of bikes from rusty to fancy! I saw a few prat falls but nothing serious, most impressed by the hand pedaled things I saw around. A lot of work to get them moving!0 -
Bassjunkieuk wrote:Sorry to hear about your loss GB. Did you chain it up by city hall on Victoria Street?
If so around what time as I used those racks with DDD and a couple of work mates for about 10 minutes between 13:50 and 14:00 when we popped into Sainsburys to grab some food!
I can't remember if there was any bikes there then tho, but I'm fairly certain the racks where empty then.
Thanks - I'm slowly getting over it. When I was "freewheeling" I couldn't help but look at other's bikes thinking they were better than mine. So if my insurance co pays out I've got an excuse to get a better bike. I'm more upset by the fact that I was just getting back into cycling after a 10 year break (I had a bad accident and never found the courage to get back on my bike until now) and then some s0d steals it!!
It was Thames River City Hall, and the bike racks are behind that and by Potter's Field and More London. There's no Sainsbury's there only a M&S there so it can't have been the same one. The nice policeman I spoke to said they would check the CCTV but I doubt it. He also said that area is very popular with bike thefts - kids steel bikes to carry out other crimes then dump them. Maybe I will write to Bo Jo to tell him that his bike racks are pants0 -
You seem very calm about it! I would be livid!
Glad there is a chance you are insured though!0 -
Aidanw wrote:You seem very calm about it! I would be livid!
Glad there is a chance you are insured though!
You should have seen me last night!! As soon as I got home I bursted into tears. And I had a wee cry this morning when I saw the empty space my bike once occupied.
I am angry at both the person who stole and the people who did nothing to stop him. But what is done is done. There is nothing I can do to change it so it's time to move on.0 -
girly_biker wrote:Aidanw wrote:You seem very calm about it! I would be livid!
Glad there is a chance you are insured though!
You should have seen me last night!! As soon as I got home I bursted into tears. And I had a wee cry this morning when I saw the empty space my bike once occupied.
I am angry at both the person who stole and the people who did nothing to stop him. But what is done is done. There is nothing I can do to change it so it's time to move on.
I'm not trying to take anything away from your loss believe me I'm really not.
But given todays lawless streets trying to stop the person beyond discretely phoning the police could have endangered the 'good samaritans' life especially as the person commiting the crime was carrying a bolt cutter (easily adapted into an offensive weapon) around the streets, which in and of itself is intimidating.
I've seen too many times where a person has tried to help stop/prevent a crime and come off far worse.
I'm not advocating doing nothing, its just a terrible an sad thought when decent people have to think twice about doing the right thing let alone how they do the right thing.
I at my 5'11' and 14 stones would not have done anything physical to stop the person (for my own safety) but I'd have called the police and retained enough of a description to provide a proper police report.Food Chain number = 4
A true scalp is not only overtaking someone but leaving them stopped at a set of lights. As you, who have clearly beaten the lights, pummels nothing but the open air ahead. ~ 'DondaddyD'. Player of the Unspoken Game0 -
I'm so sorry to hear about that girly_biker, it's horrible when that happens. I imagine though that if ever bike theives get caught in the act of cutting through a lock, the little b@stards probably just claim it's their own bike and they've lost the key, and the passer by will probably just accept that or decide there's not much they can do and be on their way.*´¨)
`.·´ .·*´¨) ¸.·*¨)
(¸.·´ (¸.·´
Power to the pedal0 -
girly_biker wrote:Maybe I will write to Bo Jo to tell him that his bike racks are pants
Do it!
mayor@london.gov.uk
or (and this may get you a reply from a well educated chap like Bo!)
Boris Johnson
Mayor of London
Greater London Authority
City Hall
The Queen's Walk
More London
London SE1 2AA
Don't let them fob you off to TFL.0 -
With a bit of luck, the thieves will contract syphilis.FCN 2-4.
"What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
"It stays down, Daddy."
"Exactly."0 -
cjcp! What are you saying about girly_bikes' saddle hygiene?!0
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Aidanw wrote:cjcp! What are you saying about girly_bikes' saddle hygiene?!
Yes, I can see how that might be read. :shock:
Sorry, GB; I meant that I hope that karma determines that very bad things befall the thieves, including the contraction of syphilis from means other than coming into contact with your bike.
(I was going to suggest that I hope that their digits be lopped off with the same bolt croppers they used to steal the bike, or that their legs be tied to 20+ bikes, which immediately tear off down Embankment, dragging the odious little oiks behind them. Just some of the thoughts which immediately sprang to mind.)FCN 2-4.
"What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
"It stays down, Daddy."
"Exactly."0 -
DonDaddyD wrote:
But given todays lawless streets trying to stop the person beyond discretely phoning the police could have endangered the 'good samaritans' life especially as the person commiting the crime was carrying a bolt cutter (easily adapted into an offensive weapon) around the streets, which in and of itself is intimidating.
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True... I did think that shortly after I posted my message. Would I've done something to stop that crime? The answer is simply no. I would have, like you, reported it to the police. But who knows, someone might have.0 -
So many replies...
caw35slr... I'm going to do it!! I'm going to write to Mr Johnson! I will let you know how I get on.
cjcp... no offence taken. Though I don't think I want my bike back if they did catch something horrible like syphillis0 -
girly_biker wrote:DonDaddyD wrote:
But given todays lawless streets trying to stop the person beyond discretely phoning the police could have endangered the 'good samaritans' life especially as the person commiting the crime was carrying a bolt cutter (easily adapted into an offensive weapon) around the streets, which in and of itself is intimidating.
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True... I did think that shortly after I posted my message. Would I've done something to stop that crime? The answer is simply no. I would have, like you, reported it to the police. But who knows, someone might have.
I'm not normally a violent person, but I would have smacked the scumbag!! Bike thieves are the worst scum around right now. more so than cabbies and traffic wardens...2010 Lynskey R230
2013 Yeti SB660 -
Mr_Cellophane wrote:Mark
What is that strange seat the little one is in ? I have never seen anything like that before.
It's a I-Bert seat
http://www.ibertinc.com/
I was raveing about it in anouther thread here http://www.bikeradar.com/beginners/foru ... t=12586236
And Girly-Biker Sorry to hear your day was ruined0