Sixty-five miles in 'Funny Trousers'

A Night On The Town?

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

Nightrider 2012 - is a circular route around London starting at Crystal Palace, covering about 65 miles [105km] taking in many of the major landmarks of the city.

Now 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 by supporting Eikon.

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

The 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.

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. 

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 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.