Nightrider 2012 - Out of the grey, into the clear night

Somewhere in 2012 the time continuum had a blip because '78 days to go' suddenly became THREE, which turned into 'The Night' and off we headed.

With bike serviced, lights checked, kit packed and everything double/triple checked... it was here, and ready or not look out London here we come!

The weather for June was foul in the week leading up to the event but by some divine intervention [Thank you, again - prayers answered!] the clouds cleared and it turned out to be perfect; clear skies and little to no wind as we arrived at Crystal Palace, and remained that way throughout the night.

Our group of riders, supporting Eikon, set off at 23.10 to the enthusiastic starting orders of Chris Hickford, founder of EIKON, and a person whose infectious laughter and huge smile put everyone in good spirit and ready to go.

The group set off and a pace just a little too quick, immediately proven by us missing the first turn by some few hundred metres and having to double back - an exercise that would be repeated more than once before the night was over.

So off we went riding through London's dark streets, down toward Greenwich and then heading into the city and around Canary Wharf's deserted streets before doubling back into the City and around St Paul's, past the Emirates stadium and up through Hackney toward Alexandra Palace.

Probably my favourite moments were crossing Tower Bridge, just because it's so iconic, looking back over London from Alexandra Palace where the dark night sky and lights created such a fantastic scene.

Even with a few minor deviations from the route [signs were not always easy to spot..] meaning we completed more than the obligatory distance, the climb to Alexandra Palace at the midway point and the climb back up to Crystal Palace at the end, we finished a little before 5am, which given the traffic in town was respectable.

Navigating our way back though Camden and Regent Street among the revellers who were queueing to go into clubs at 3.30 AM on Sunday morning for something undoubtedly alcoholic while we were swigging energy drinks, was certainly a interesting experience...

Around 4:15 the dawn was starting to break and the bird began singing as we made our way back past the Oval and onward to Crystal Palace, where a well deserved mug of tea and bacon roll, provided by our supporting EIKON team was perfect finish.

I thoroughly enjoyed the experience, and the training rides certainly proved worthwhile.

In the end I got very close to my target and overall the group raised around £17,500 [100 percent of which will go to EIKON] so we're very pleased with that.

Your contributions helped to raise a fantastic sum that will go to a very good cause, thank you all.

Now what shall we do next...

Nightrider 2012 - Funny Trousers!

Not being as young as I was - and certainly less in body than mind - I set about taking on a few training rides in the months leading up to the event; I donned the Lycra and set off on a few ten, fifteen, twenty and thirty mile rides. 

More effort needed I thought, so I set about a few more regular rides, a few more inclines and generally upped the exercise with a determination that I would enjoy the actual ride when the day came.

One weekend as my grandson got out of the car and I was about to set off for a ride in my "gear' he proudly pronounced, upon  spotting me, 'Those are funny trousers granddad' to which my wife could do nothing but laugh at the three years old's observation! 

One day he'll be old enough to understand that sometimes comfort comes at the expense of fashion....

Anyway, I thought I was progressing rather well until taking a ride out in the Surrey Hills with a couple of my more experienced colleagues, see picture, where upon one of whom shot off up the first steep hill like a 'mountain goat' leaving me puffing and wheezing like an old train!

More effort required I think.

Fancy a Night On The Town? - Nightrider London 2012

Some months ago the suggestion was made that I join a couple of friends for a night out in London; well actually a cycle ride for charity that happens to take place at night... around London

And who could say no to a Lycra clad night in London!!

So having a bike in the garage that I'd bought but not really gotten around to using as intended; only occasionally puffing and sweating for a few miles, it seemed to be a good idea. It would provide me an purpose to get out and improve my heath as well as doing other people some good.

Nightrider 2012 - is a circular route around London starting at Crystal Palace, heading north along the eastern side of the city toward Alexandra Palace, then south again on the western side returning to Crystal Palace. In all covering about 65 miles [105km] taking in many of the major landmarks of the city.

My Chosen Worthy Cause...

Eikon – a Surrey based charity that has been working in the local community for almost two decades, providing sustained support to some of the county’s most vulnerable young people and their families.

Their core-work is placing inspirational Youth Specialists into schools to identify ‘at risk’ young people and provide the following support in the pivotal teenage years.