London Ride 02/12/18 (What to expect) - Update

Saturday's 0730 start with drizzle until central London saw hordes of cyclists in Richmond Park. But it did me few favours as the London (ex Olympic) Stadium was barriered more than five hours before kick-off so no exploring was possible! Later on there was just one dayglo'ed steward and no barriers at The New Den. Hopefully there won't be similar problems next Sunday as West Ham are away at Newcastle, and Millwall at Bristol. But at least I can now answer the question "Where is the London Aquatics Centre?".

The total distance is around 35 miles. Once again the streets around Waterloo were choc-a-bloc so the ride will finish at the station. The first 14 miles are the same as my 70th nearly four years ago except this time we stay north of the Thames (CS3) for a deosil tour of London.

Following times are OPTIMISTIC based on today's ride! We start at 0900 from TK Maxx on Kingston Bridge. By prior email you could join almost anywhere, for example 0930 Barnes (at head of stairs which you don't have to climb!) or 1015 under Waterloo Bridge (cross river from station then two first lefts down Savoy Street to Victoria Embarkment cyclepath). 1030 should see us in Wetherspoons Tower Hill (Liberty Bounds).

The next five miles are offroad so timings would be deeply misleading. It's well drained but also cobbled including two bridges which we'll all be walking! After the London Stadium it's fourteen miles to the finish. For Joseph Bazalgette fans, we'll pause once again at the Cathedral Of Sewage (Abbey Mills Pumping Station) then it's back to the Thames for views of O2. Instead of the Emirates gondolas we'll leg it under the Thames to Cutty Sark which will give us a chance to sample either Fat Boy's Diner Trinity Buoy Wharf, Mudchute Farm Cafe, or Wetherspoons Greenwich. Finally we join Q1, a legacy of Boris's reign for the rest of the ride.

My Freedom Pass stayed unused but I only relaxed on reaching Richmond Park!