Warm with no rain - an unusual Sunday beckoned as I set sail for the Centre and beyond.
I stopped around Hyde Park and savoured
the scene - hobbling and upright together in triumph. (Well, it was probably Playtex, not Triumph, but hey!)
Further along, towards Millbank, I chatted and snapped a few still 'en route'.
It seemed a long haul - well done all of them!
Anyway, I was happy to venture forth into unknown territory, exploring Stockwell, Lewisham, New Cross - all the high spots. Actually, if you take a look upwards there are many interesting building details to be seen - little turrets, ornate corbelling etc...
Hackbike had been around, leaving his own particular mark on the walls:
Onward and upwards...I made it to
Goldsmiths College - which made an interesting statement on the South London skyline:
After ploughing through two one-way systems and with time ticking on, it was an almost certainty that the 'inbounds' had crossed 'the out
siderbound, and I pulled in at Lewisham Town Hall for a glance at my phone.
A message from topcat said 'London?'...I replied that I was in Lewisham
Normal service is being slowly but surely restored to my cycling events!
So I rode back into town. I wasn't missing anything because the lads from bogless Bromley tend to hang around the conveniences at Hyde Park for as long as possible. Sometimes we ride 200 metres to the café - then back to the Gents - it's FUN!
I took time at Vauxhall Bridge to see the skyline.
The 'unloved' West with Battersea Power Station
and the 'higher' East
The tide was out, revealing lots of interesting shapes
Even the Guardian of the Bridge was admired
And onward. I got pulled by the bent of Mikey, for swerving around pothole central AKA Grosvenor Place, and not indicating - can't remember - but we said hello and made our way to the toilets to rendezvous.
And Lo! there they were...innocently chilling out. Andy, Clive and Dave.
Some chit chat and a snap of the law, with a bloke on a horse in the background!
Mikey's camera array is growing - soon, his tyres will only be inflated with you tubes...
Another splendid site was 'Dapper Dave'. New bike - new shoes, natch!
And a superb view of the cool dude attire:
There then followed a short intermission where foreign people declared that they were in love with the recumbentinas and insisted on a photo call. 'Us' ordinary people on proper bikes felt miffed, although Clive was shoved in because he was wearing his CycleChat jersey. (Makes students everywhere jealous!)
Caring for his welfare, we escorted Mikey to his place of work and got a look of his custom made carbon fibre roller blades. Serious kit!
As no one had been for a pee for about five minutes, we trundled back to the coffee bar (just to top up the tank
) and thence to the loos encore.
It was nearly time for ellevenses after that, but Clive got the call that his Sunday Roast was ready and we thrust purposefully toward Tower Hill. There was a slight obstacle in the form of Changing of the Guard to contend with, and also a Marines 'Old Soldiers' parade.
Dave, Clive and, at the back, Andy - telling yet another tourist to move to Bromley, where there is an automatic privilege to ride recumbent.
Andy and the crowded house...
Following a slow exit, we rolled to Tower Bridge, said goodbyes, said goodbye again as Dave peeled off and I rode Waterloo Bridge, Camden and home - in the light drizzle. No more photos but I felt a bit more confident and turned over 100kms+ for the morning. Thanks again chaps.
