Not the Tour of Europe
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October 2008

It has to be said I was in two minds whether to lead the ride or not, but we’d had a lot of interest in it from the Freewheel and despite the forecast of 23mm of rain between 10 and mid-day I ventured to the Town Hall.

To my surprise 10 hardy souls gathered and we sheltered in the entrance of the town hall waiting for the rain to at least slow down. I decided due to the weather and number of riders it was not worth running the planned ride to visit the embassies so a quick decision to visit some where indoors, warm and dry was made. Alas the pubs did not open for another two hours so we headed off to the Science Museum which we visited before in a down pour a few years ago.

We took the usual trip into London along the south side of the Thames giving the rowers smug looks as we sped along in the dry under the trees whilst they struggled in the cold and wet in shorts.

We made it to Battersea Park for a much deserved hot drink and to contemplate whether we should continue. The rain fell but everyone decided it was worth continuing. We headed north over the bridge and had an easy ride to South Ken. Murray had the cunning plan of buying some food outside of the museum and we duly stocked up before taking advantage of the well-used bicycle parking in the University behind the museum.

Three of us decided to peel off at this point – and all praise to Barbara for making that far in less than ideal conditions.

The museum is a joy as always, but I particularly wanted to see a film made by one of our members that shows the history of the scientific documentary.

By the time we re-convened the rain had stopped and we returned to the bicycles for a quick ride home through Kensington and then up past a couple embassies before heading down the Uxbridge Road back home. One-by-one we lost people as we approached home in the traditional fashion.

Thanks to everyone for braving the rain.

Thanks to Murray for back stopping.

20 miles.