Well todays ride was a mere 4.5 miles to the shops, but yesterdays ride, that was something special
Despite living within 10 miles or so of it, I don't 'do' London. In an attempt to remedy this, and do my first Audax, I entered the London Sightseer. With a planned 105km taking in lots of the big sights it seemed a good way to 'do' London. My boss joined me so I had good company for the ride, though based on how friendly everyone was I suspect I could have tagged onto another group with no issues.
Since the start was only 12 miles away, we opted to ride from mine to Hampton Hill where we collected our Brevet Cards and headed off towards Twickenham. At this point I had no idea where I was, so the combination of local knowledge from Peter (my boss), the Garmin and route sheet became my guides for the day. Much of the route was riverside, and it started quite early on
We followed the river for a bit, edging away at Syon Park before re-joining at Kew Bridge along Strand on the Green. Still a bit of a group of us, including a couple on Bromptons with American flags on the back. Leaving the river again to go through Chiswick, then back on it again to the first information control until we crossed the A4 at Hammersmith. Heading North we went through Kensington and into Notting Hill for the 2nd info control, then West through Bayswater into Kensington Gardens. Onwards to Hyde Park, then through Wellington Arch
Constitution Hill, Buckingham Palace and the Mall followed. Loads of people on the Mall, and we'd just missed a carriage of some description, but caught the guards going back
Through Trafalgar Square and along the Strand the roads were very very busy which made for slow progress, and it was hot hot hot by now. St Pauls, the Royal Courts of Justice and onwards to Bank taking in the Lloyds building, the 'walkie talkie' and Gherkin. Got a bit off course here, Garmin through a hissy fit and locked up, but Bills route sheet saw us out to the Tower Of London
From here it was follow the canals through Wapping and Limehouse, which led us nicely to the Olympic Park. Much bigger than I thought, and the Velodrome provided us with a brief breather and our manned control. We arrived with 17 minutes to spare....
Back South through West Ham and Canning Town where we met with one of the other groups, arriving on mass at the Emirate Airline cable car. Decent service here, contactless meant it was on £3.50, the they folded seats to allow 3 bikes in a pod.
We 'landed' on the Greenwich Penninsula, looked at the dome, and followed the river, including a hefty diversion which the Garmin didn't like, but the route sheet guided us once more. Following the river more or less saw us cross Lambeth bridge, then round Westminster for the Houses Of Parliament and Big Ben. Battersea Park for a cake stop (Peter knew a good cake shop on Tooley Street, and the cake was good, and much needed).
Back on the homeward leg through Putney and into Richmond Park (hurray, I know where I am now..) where we picked up the pace as we were tight for time. Only a few miles to go as we headed along Barge Walk where there are some nasty speed bumps, though thoughtfully they have left a gap at the left for us cyclists. Great, but one said gap had a big pothole, spotted too late by Peter and bang when his rear tyre. 2 tubes later and we were off again, and back to the start.
A very welcome cold lemon squash and chat with Bill. Brevet Cards completed it was back on the bikes for home. Arrived with 147.8 km (92 miles) done, and 5 minutes short of 12 hours for the round trip, with 8hrs 40 minutes in the saddle.
A fantastic day out, and I'd recommend the London Sightseer to anyone.
