The Legend was fully prepared, serviced and cleaned.
Waking up on the day of an event like this always gets me excited cause I’ll be meeting up with old friends and making new friends at the same time. Cause the Lee Valley Velco Park is pretty much local to me so fully suited and booted in my trademark Bumble B outfit I rode to the Velco Park. Didn’t see many people out on the roads but I knew because the weather was goign to be warm there would be lots of people out enjoying the sunshine. Also I didn’t know til later that West Ham Football club was playing at the football stadium in the Olympic Park.
Arriving at the venue I wasn’t surprised to already see a long line for the entry to the racing etc. Didn’t recognise anyone in the line but made a few friends while waiting. Ofcourse a few recognised “The Legend” and made sure they took a few photos.
As I came up to pick up my race pack of-course I was welcomed by the bright smile of Chris who was helping out at the registration desk. Pretty much all Brompton staff recognised The Legend and they all kept smiling non stop whenever they saw us.
First things first after registering was making sure I got a few photos with the BWC 2026 Banners and ofcoure the BWC T Shirts. I missed out last year and that was the first time since Brompton have been doing merchandise that I’ve missed.
After having a quick look around I went back out to see who was in the line waiting to get registered and spotted my cycling partner Mr. Orange. We haven’t seen each other for over a year by this time and we exchanged greetings and heart felt hand shakes & hugs and caught up with everything in life.
Wondering around the Lee Vally Velco Cycling Park is awesome, we had a nice little spot & spectators a great view of the start/finish line and clear blue skies
Finally race time was here. Mr.Orange’s heat was the one just before mine so watched and cheered him on from the trackside. Always love watching him race as he always has a big smile on his face and that flash of Orange is unmistakeable.
My heat was the next up after Mr.Orange. 50yards away from folded bike. We run, jump on our bikes unfold and off we go down the track. This is the first time I’ve been on the full cycle track as its a lot longer than it looks from the stand and there are a couple of hills I always find hard but with the help of the crowds and even the Marshalls on the track cheering me on kept the energy flowing.
After my heat me and Mr.Orange went to find extra fuel. We went to old Stratford and found a Wetherspoons for pizza and a drink. Ofcourse us going around busy shopping center like Stratford we would always attract alittle attention from the Saturday shopping crowds but unknown to us West Ham football was playing at the stadium nearby. Ofcourse many people where commenting on out outfits and wondering what we was doing, even a few sneaky photos where taken too.
There was still a few things happening at BWC so we made our way back to enjoy the rest of the day.
When we arrived we spotted a few of the orignal old guard mementos of the London Brompton Club. Mark who had been saving a LBC cycling cap for me for ages now.
Susan who i haven’t seen for a very long time. I had seen Susan a few times over the years when she worked near Buckingham Palace and always gave her the biggest hugs even when i was driving I would stop get give her a hug. We was both abit emotional as we have both gone though a lot of personal things since the last time we spoke to each other and the hug just let the flood gates open. We took a photo of Me, Susan & Mr.Orange as a homage to a photo we had taken a number of years ago at previous BWC.
Still a few more events happening so we all went back. I entered the Best Dressed part of the BWC but i didnt win. I have to say there was some really great outfits and a lot of thought and preparation went into every single one of them.
How long can you hold up your Brompton arms out straight? Some serious upper body strength needed here even with a Super Light Brompton.
Another great thing was that we had a Parade Lap of Bromptons so anyone could ride around this great cycle track in East London, even if you didnt have your own Brompton you could borrow one to try in a safe environment.
It was an awesome day and I have to thank everyone that came along. All the Brompton, Lee Valley Velo Park staff and marshals & ofcoure everyone that attended. Without all of you this event wouldn’t be what it is today and I hope to see you next year, fitter and best outfits than this year if thats possible :D
P.s My lady as already claimed my BWC 2026 T shirt. 😂
till the next ride, bee safe.....
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