The Usual. The Sunday. The Ride.
Simon and Adam were there, ready...'raptochic' was also there. Laid back (she would lay down later) we acknowledged VJ Day as a small 'gallop' of soldiers passed on their horses.
Beautiful synchronicity with the horses' fetlocks swinging in the rythmn of the morning. The Kings Troop - Royal Horse Artillery.
It seems appropriate: 'Comfort', followed by Piccadilly - "We're On Our Way!" (© DZ rides passim).
Architecture swipes at you on the Sunday Rides - calmer roads in parts enables one to look up, to left, to right...
Space, glass continuum.
We had decided on a Northern approach to Woolwich Ferry, but "Look Mum, I have Cycled 2k" got in the way! We had a coffee and some chat (which is what it is all about really), - a friendly atmosphere (apart from the wannabe fixie demon who found his vintage
Halfords being 'cuddled' by THE Colnago C50...he really wasn't sure what to do - but many eyes were on him!)
The establishment did a good trade in 'Look Mum, No Hands' caps!
A journey through the Barbican, Commercial road ensued...
So much space in London, so much potential...Previously we had the luxury of two Woolwich Ferries but this time we got to the front of the queue and had to wait. Ian - morose as ever, following an average Chelsea performance the previous day, decided to clean the clean bits on his bike. Dave had some wet wipes, (which were luckily alcohol free otherwise Ian would have sucked on them).
Tattooed beat warrior doing the housework.
Ta ta Clive, ta ta Ian - they looked like Father and Son disappearing up the hill after we disembarked the ferry. The rest continued upwards to admire the vista from the heights of Greenwich Park, and to drink more coffee!
Canada monumental
'Homage à Battersea Power Station'
At rest, at coffee, the two most eligible of men (Dr Si L'age ® and Ben Tandy (l) ) were approached by a lady of foreign repute, who expressed a wish to sit on it. of course, Ben and Si jumped to attention and she lay down in readiness. ~At this stage, it is probably useful to include a photograph (Health & Safety etc...)
Her grandfather used to 'invent' bikes apparently and she was intrigued...(I make no comment about the various helpful positions that 'the lads' were adopting to assist with her needs but a couple of hours later the look on her face told a story better than words could possibly describe.
Boris Bike took a new twist at Borough!
£50 per half hour!
At Parliament, Raptochic, Simon and Dave went left towards the Embankment and Chelsea, while Adam and I veered towards the North via The Mall etc.
I continued through HPC to Hyde Park, a couple of laps riding and out towards the West, then right towards a shower. In Hyde Park, I followed
more horses. This time they were not 'on duty', but just as hard working nevertheless! Good horses!
A symmetrical end to the images!
Thanks all for, as always, an interesting ride. Plenty more information yet to be revealed, and tentative plans to visit the Thames Flood Barrier one
Sunday morning - by boat! Complete with bar and disco! No bikes allowed. "Look Mum, no bands!"
