The Watership Down 100

You forget.  You forget the rituals around audaxing.

• You forget that you shouldn't rely on just one alarm clock.
• You forget that putting the bike flat in the car with the full water bottle in the cage is bad news.
• You forget that you need a pencil or pen with you.
• You forget that the right hand side pocket is where you should always put your camera.
• You forget that the light brackets are where the winter mudguards should go.
• You forget that taking a change of clothes for after the ride is a good idea.

But you don't forget that audax riding is just brilliant.

• You don't forget the warm welcome you'll get when entering the HQ hall.
• You don't forget the wonderful landscapes in Britain.
• You don't forget that the organisers work out the best route possible.
• You don't forget that there will be talk about LEL.
• You don't forget that the brevet card must be signed at the end.
• You don't forget that great feeling when you get home.
• You don't forget to enter the next ride

Photos of the ride: MyPhotos

The Fridays Windows and Death Ride

You always learn something new about London when you're out with the Fridays.  This was certainly going to be true about today's daytime Windows and Death Ride.

Just look around you, look up, and left and right.  It's all there for you to see.  But what is not there, is Simon and Ian's personal take on London historical events.  A big thank you to them both for sharing facts on history and architecture in such an entertaining way.

It all started in Queen Anne's Gate.  I like the picture below as you can't see any windows.  Simon explained the reason for that.  You should have been there to hear!

Anna Regina

The Great Stink!  Simon described it so well, that I felt like I was cycling in Dickens' time for a while. When we went through the Savoy Place Pedestrian way, I could even smell it!

Passage from Savoy Place to Adelphi Terrace

Why were flush toilets not a good idea at the time and what did Sir Joseph Bazalgette do to start the clean up the Victorian capital?  It's not the same as hearing it from Simon, but you can read about it here: The Great Stink

Below is Ian talking about Lenin and linoleum.  Myths were demystified.  Handouts were handed out.

From Clerkenwell Green we moved towards Worship Street and Worship Mews.

Philip Webb is the architect of these mews.  I wasn't getting it at the time, I admit.  Why was Simon so animated about these building?  So I had to do some googling.    I read wikis and history pages.  I found the connection between Webb and Morris.  I finally really got it, when I read the introduction to Kitty Valentine by thegentleauthor on this blog: About a Worship Mews resident.

I love learning something new about London.  And the day was concluded by talking about baking and  cycling plans for 2013.   Oh and LEL.  Anybody thinking about it, just register.  Entries open 5th January (tomorrow at time of posting).

Thank you Simon, Ian and the Fridays' company.

Photos are here: MyPhotos