I’m jealous of London’s cyclists, last year it was clear the estimated 40,000 who participated in the London Freewheel had a great time and I’m sure this year’s event will be just as successful when it takes place next month.
It must be great fun to whizz past famous landmarks on roads normally full of cars, but sadly I’m cursed with no sense of balance and were I to take to the streets on a bike I’d end up an unwelcome addition to London’s road accident statistics.
In fact, I’d probably end up being the cyclist who really did get killed by a bendy bus, finally enabling Mayor Boris to point to a specific example when he next vents his understandable hatred of the articulated and characterless buses.
Instead of cycling I tend to enjoy the capital on foot. In parts of the capital it seems impossible to walk more than a few yards before finding a plaque, notice or inscription explaining the history of a park, a street or building. Great architecture, spanning almost every age and style, and an endless list of statues and monuments make a walk around London a voyage of discovery.
On that note I’m looking forward to visiting the Battersea Power Station which is open to the public this month. But as enjoyable as it is, I suspect walking isn’t quite as exhilarating as racing around on two wheels looks to be.
In a couple of madder moments I’ve toyed with popping out to buy a bike and braving the closed off streets for the Freewheel but more likely I’ll be watching the event from afar and wishing I was taking part.
By the way, if like me you can’t cycle but have a few hours to spare on the day and would like to be involved, the organisers are looking for non-cycle marshals to help the event run smoothly. There’s a free lunch in it for the successful applicants.
Brian says
Borrow a bike from a mate and give it a try.
The beauty of the freewheel is that the roads are clear of motor traffic so you’ll find yourself more confident then trying to cycle on a normal London work day.
Tom says
A beauty that could be rather more permanent if, say, Boris did the decent thing and decided to regenerate Parliament Square. It would help us pedestrians, too.
TawkinSenz says
Martin,
Just do it. I was nervous when I started 3 years ago. I hated the rain and the wind and could easily talk my way out of going by bike.
Now, I cannot get enough. Every time I have to catch a rush hour tube it reminds me of why cycling is the king and why I could never go back to being a tube regular.
Do your research, plan a route. I can get from Wimbledon to the city without using a single main road. Parks and the Thames path make excellent routes into London.
If you happen to live in SW london then I’ll be happy to show you some routes. Cycling isn’t dangerous, it’s bad cycling (like bad driving) which provides danger.
Best of all, it now takes me 45 mins to make the journey (50 with a hangover) – which is faster than the tube for the same journey. With tube delays, on average the cycle time is far, far superior.
Trust me, it will be the best thing you will do all year. Definitely attend the freewheel rally to boost your cycling confidence.
See you there.
Martin (Editor) says
Hi all, seeing as everyone who responded publicly and privately had the same advice I’ve now bought a new (simple and cheapish) bike, booked myself in for a free two hour lesson courtesy of my local council and made sure my home insurance covers the bike away form home.
Still much to do but it looks as if I’ll be joining you all for the Freewheel after all. God help us all!
james metcalfe says
Martin, this isn’t the Olympics and you have nothing to prove to other cyclists so if looking or feeling ‘a bit silly’ is what’s stopping don’t let it.
Find a quiet route to suit your comfort zone and you can go at your own speed. Plus, as TawkinSenz said it’s often better to avoid the main roads anyhow.
Just stay focused, don’t use your mobile or ipod whilst riding and make sure you have some idea what’s happening behind you and you’ll be fine.
TawkinSenz says
Martin,
I am so glad, I hope to see you there. Don’t worry if you fall off – remember, it’s like riding a bike, the best thing to do is to get straight back on!
Dave says
If you seriously can’t balance then there’s always the option of riding a tricycle.
Martin (Editor) says
Hi Dave
Well it turned out I can cycle, Saturday I spent four hours cycling to the Southbank, along to Tower Bridge and back to South London.
The fun was slightly dented by someone walking right into a cycle lane I was riding in, just 6 inches ahead of me and just stood gawping and expecting me to move out of the way (which would have required me to drive under the wheels of a bus).
Slightly peeved me off TBH but it was a good day out and I look forward to my next.
TawkinSenz says
Oh Martin – welcome to the joys of cycling. Kamakiaze pedestrian’s are all the rage in London. My favourite is when they cross the road, with headphones on and texting on the phone!
This is one reason I would be very wary of introducing electic cars – the amount of pedestrians run over would be dreadful. I have a friend who has partial hearing, and she always said ‘hearing people don’t look’ – I really understood what she meant when I started riding the bike.
I am glad to hear you enjoyed it – I have ridden along southbank on my way home sometimes, the actual thames path gets too busy, but the streets round the back (by the ITV studio’s, vinopolis etc – are lovely).
Make sure you come on the 21st for the freewheel – you really will enjoy that I can assure you.