Deserted London
25 December 2004
OK, so it was not a Wheelers ride but you ought to know about it anyway. Xmas morning, yes, that one at 09:15 I was at Angel tube station to meet two friends of mine who I often ride with on Central London CTC rides, Paul and Inez. A quick pedal to Island Gardens and an illegal ride through the foot tunnel brought us to Cutty Sark Gardens, Greenwich for the meet for the Deserted London Ride. Things seemed too quiet as there were many fewer riders gathered for the start of the ride than last year. Among the riders gathered there was Alison who rode with the Wheelers in March 2004, when we rode some Kentish Lanes. Many thanks to Alison for the welcome glass of champagne, this has become my tipple of choice but never mind my louche lifestyle, I will still drink anything. Unusually there were no other Wheelers. Soon after our arrival Father Christmas himself, looking remarkably like Barry Mason arrived. Interestingly, he had swapped his traditional red headgear for a fetching black number with the legend "Bah Humbug". What was Santa trying to tell us?
Eventually we started off and the ride proceeded uneventfully, along the riverside path, until shortly before arriving at Butlers Wharf, Barry decided that we needed to take to the roads in order to make the pick up point at London Bridge. Wow!!! Loads of riders including our own KC Jones, The Black Knight and many others who I had met on various rides or with different groups. Eventually after a count, which established the group at 80, we moved off. A special mention goes to a group, who turned out to be German, and more especially the guy in boots and mini skirt who when viewed from the back looked alarmingly close to the real thing.
From London Bridge we proceeded to Putney, mainly via the riverside path, where we stopped for a well-deserved pint at The Duke's Head. Remarkably, in spite of being inundated with 80 cyclists as well as their usual Xmas lunch clientele we were served with amazing rapidity. I know from the conversation with some of the regulars there they were surprised by how many cyclists were prepared to get out on Xmas Day. In many ways it is the same whenever cycling groups arrive at a pub stop for lunch, locals always seem surprised that Londoners are keen riders and enjoy the countryside.
All too soon we were back in the saddle and after a swift passage up Kings Road, including a long wait while a backmarker had a puncture fixed, and through Hyde Park we got to Edgware Road which seemed as busy as on any other Saturday. Lunch was good and despite the table for 40ish, we were served quickly. I was particularly interested in the story one guy who was seated nearby told. He lives in Putney and The Duke's Head is his local. Notwithstanding that he rode to Greenwich for the start and nobly continued even though we had arrived back at his home.
By the time lunch was over darkness was falling over London. Lights were swiftly put on for the return ride and although Paul, Inez and myself headed back to Islington there were a few hardy souls who joined Barry for further riding and a visit to what they hoped to be an open pub.
Many thanks to Barry Mason for organising the ride and also Inez for the extremely comforting red wine when we got back to Islington where I was able to view her new racing bike which is like sex on wheels.
Ken
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