Saturday Ride: 28th July 2017

 

Well it turned out to be a record attendance for the Saturdays with 38 riders eagerly waiting at the start!

Ok, so it was slightly different to a normal Saturday as we had been asked to step in at the last minute to lead and marshall the Croydon ride into the London Prudential Freecycle event.

Miles and Karen looked pretty in their pink Marshall’s tabards whilst Roger and Pete chose a more reserved green befitting of their roles as ride leaders. We were also joined by Bob and friend so there was a good Anerley showing and I was able to plug the club to a few riders alongside me as we rode along.

It’s quite a job escorting a long tail of mixed ability riders across busy London roads. We were joined by Jim from LCC who had organised the ride-ins from various boroughs and together we set about halting traffic as we shepherded our happy cyclists across the south circular, A3 and other notorious junctions.

Starting out at 9.30am from opposite Boxpark the route crossed some nice, traffic free parks such as Tooting Bec and Clapham Common and the rain stayed away, on the way in, at least. We arrived at Westminster at 11.30 to join in the Freecycle event.

For those of you who don’t know it Freecycle is huge! Around 80,000 cyclists expected to turn up to cycle the 8 mile central London closed circuit course. There’s also plenty to see in the way of cycle and exhibition stands plus a secure bike parking area in Green park so you can safely leave your bike and take a look around. Miles took a wander and bumped into AJ and Agne who joined us for a quick drink at Ye Grapes, Shepherd Market.

The return trip left Whitehall at 3 just as the rain started and we arrived back at Croydon at 5.

All in, we covered 36 miles at 8mph and raised £400 for charity which we have agreed to donate to www.whizz-kidz.org.uk/ who do a great job providing wheelchairs and mobility aids to children and young people.

Pete S