Left home on intrepid adventure, without mobile phone. Arrived in Kennington at Simon Young's gated flat. Couldnt remember the number. No door to bang on. Couldnt call him. No residents coming in or out to let me in. About to throw massive tantrum and cycle back to get phone and back to Kennington, making me a further hour late. One last try... start to buzz on every number until I find Simon. Miraculously Simon lives in number one! Over joyed.
Set off in sunshine over London Bridge, out East through White Chapel and Bow, around Victoria Park and cutting back West along the canal. Terrifying. Many passers by to share narrow path with. Cold, deep water is leering at me. Lots of very low and narrow bridges to pass under; requiring sharp intake of breath and steady steering. Nice lunch stop at popular cyclists' cafe Look Mum No Hands in Old Street where we met Simon's girlfriend, Lynda. Who should we bump in to but young Darius, invited but conspicuous by his absence on the bike ride. He's off to meet Ed and James so they can all go and get their hair cut, together. Make of this what you will.
Lynda waves us off with a wry smile as she heads off to do a spot of shopping in Covent Garden and Simon and I push off down Old Street in the direction of Oxford Street in the pouring rain and driving wind. Hours on the back of a soggy, shivering horse on the Surrey heath has toughened me up a treat and I really dont mind the conditions. I'm cheered that I havent completely converted in to a fair weather city girl. Oxford Street is hell. The pavements are bulging despite the weather conditions (London shoppers are a hardy bunch) and countless pedestrians step out directly in front of me without hesitation. I feel stressed. Hook a right up Great Portland Street and we arrive in Regents Park. Beautiful but not open to bicycles. We head back South, getting off and pushing the bikes across Marble Arch. Once round Hyde Park and down past Buckingham Palace which looks magnificent now it's stopped raining. Next comes St James' and Green Park, a pause to admire The Imperial War Museum, Kennington Park and home via the offy for a bottle of red. We come back to life sitting gently steaming in front of the rubgy with a full glass in our hand.
27 miles completed with thanks to Simon for his patience and good humour through out.
