Jupiter London Nocturne 2015, the legend returns....

June is always a fun month for the Legend and I. This is when we have 2 events on the same day/weekend, namely the Jupiter Nocturne & Nightrider London.

Firstly the Jupiter London Nocturne. The registration format had changed little this year in that the riders had to register on the 5th June & the event itself was the next day. Registration was held at Oakley In Residence Workshop in Exmouth Market between 12 pm till 10 pm.

A few of the LBC was riding in the folding bike race so we decided to register at the same time and have a little look at the track in Smithfield's Market afterwards because the course had been reversed compared to previous years.

The LBC gathering

The legend has arrived

Officially signing up for the folding bike race. Making sure we know where to place our rider numbers and other important information.

Where to place your rider numbers

Even a competition for  virtual riding with Zwift.

Virtual racing with Zwift

Haven’t seen Mark W’s new addition of a Charge Saddle. Looks VERY familiar to Bromptons standard saddle but with green stitching. I had a look and there was a yellow version but very expensive and I’m not really in need of a new saddle just yet.

Mark W new “Charge”saddle

This is what was in the riders pack, very impressed with the little spanner/tool bottom middle. Beer opener, 15mm spanner & even a spoke tool too.

The rider pack

After everyone had registered and collected there rider packs which contained a few freebies & rider numbers we headed down to Smithfield's Market to check out the track.

As I thought the road / track’s surface hadn't really changed much at all. VERY rough surface and potholes all over. It’s a well used bit of road due to the market but also not a major road so the surface isn't as well looked after. We couldn't really go all the way round as the roads where still open to traffic and we was going around the wrong way round.

This time round I was going to be filming the race.  A good friend of mine, Daniel lent me his Garmin VIRB Elite so i could get front and rear views, video to be posted later.

RACE DAY

Woke up bright and early and excited as it was finally RACE day. Met up with my cycling partner Mr Orange & John M & others soon followed at a little coffee place just down the road from the event & fuelled up. This was going to be a long and busy day for the legend and I but we was ready. It was finally time to get down there as we was the first race on the cards so good not to be late.

London Brompton Club gang

BBB is all set up and ready to go racing

As part of the event there where Masseuse on hand to give riders a good rub down before and after the races. I couldn’t say no :D

Damn its tough being a legend I can tell you.

Massage services provided by the University of Bedfordshire

I was in Heat 1 which I later figured out was one of the fastest heats & most of the LBC riders where in. But as always I'm not there for the racing and winning etc, I was there to have fun and to just take part.

The tension was building as we rode to the start line, we picked numbers from a hat and that was where we had to fully fold out machines in readiness to be rode like never been rode before.

As always its safety first at these kinds of events so we had to wait a little while longer to make sure the track was cleared and marshals where ready for the racers. The chief race official quickly did a circuit in the iconic London Taxi.

Jupiter Taxi checking the course is "locked down"

Normally the run to the bikes is about 100 meters or so but this was WAY WAY further than that. I thought damn man we're here to ride not run :D

Every rider has their own way of preparing themselves in those last few minutes before the flag drops. But before I knew it we was off. Seeing all these rider's scrambling towards there bikes, trying to unfold and get a good start  on the straight

Job Brown (BWC 2014 Champ)

My cycling partner Mr Orange just missing Mark W

Graham Parks making a good escape

After about 30 mins of hard pedalling the race was over. I knew I hadn't did much I already knew I was pretty close to last place but that didn't matter at all to me it was the taking part that counted.

In heat 2 though as far as I'm aware it was the first time ladies had taken part in this race and was looking forward to seeing 2 of the LBC ladies lighting up the track. Ann Marshal & Chris Bridge where in lightening form.

Anne Marshall

Chris Bridge

Heat 2

Heat 2

Like me a few of the riders where there to have alot of fun, here is Yavor Mitev of Brompton Junction cheering up the crowd.

Yavor giving it the big cheer

After the folding bike racing I spent most of the time chatting with my follow riders warming up and chatting away about all things cycling in general.

I couldn't stay long as I needed to get home and prepare for the Nightrider London ride later that evening. It was a great day and I very much enjoyed it. I especially loved that a few people that I have ridden with where around the track cheering me on as I went round. That made my day even better and I thank you guys for all the support.

As always my ride data from my Garmin and there is a video which will be online soon

till the next ride, bee safe.....

LBC Ride: 40 in 40's - A Tweed Themed Ride

Today was the day of another great ride with the London Brompton Club clan.

"Tweed themed easy ride celebrating a number of members 40th birthdays this year- culminates in a Sausagefest after at Steins, Richmond, with (probably) 40 sausages.......And cake !"

Well the magic word was mentioned, CAKE !

I don't have much tweed, ok tell a lie I have NONE at all but this wasn't a prerequisite to attend the ride. But I thought I'd push the boat out a bit clothing wise. Yes dear readers I broke out the ironing board & iron. Hell I didn't even know I had one. You know things are deadly serious when I do something like that, I was actually scared. Well I didn't burn the house down or burn my shirt.

I also had my yellow vest that I had been saving since the last Brompton World Championships when riders had the option of not riding with jackets due to the hot weather.

Upon leaving the HiVE, I could see it was going to be a great day for cycling with my fellow Bromptoneers and I did catch my reflection in the mirror and thought

"DANG man, you looking fine!"

While commuting to my local station I did notice a few people turning their heads to get a better look, embarrassing I know :P

Arriving at The London Eye, I was greeted by smiles from old friends and new friends. Everyone had dressed to impress where they could.

Jenny (Left), Me & Samantha (Right)

Samantha has been busy working on a little gift for some of the riders for today's ride and I got this cool custom one of a kind Bowtie :D

Sporting my BeeBow Tie

I have to say I TOTALLY love it, Thank you Samantha :)

After a quick briefing from David we was on our way, with this being London there was alot of traffic and we lost a couple just before Trafalgar Square but we managed to get back together mad take a quick group photo.

The whole gang

Off we went towards Hyde Park Corner but there was alot of police & barriers all over the place. There was Vitality World Triathlon going on  so we had to work out another route. While we was waiting a few of the officers where very interested in our little group and have never seen so many Bromptons in one go.

Passing though Hyde Park we could see a couple of competitors on the Vitality World Triathlon

Jenny photobombing me

David looking very dapper

Annie looking cool

After we crossed Battersea Bridge we made a quick stop at Phoenix Cycles. I asked David if we could stop by as BBB needed his recent wheel rebuilds double checked, just to make sure the spokes had settled down properly. Harry at Phoenix Cycles who had done the awesome work on BBB was happy that the spokes where settled and all good to go. I knew that already but always good to get an expert opinion just to be on the safe side.

Not too long after we left Phoenix Cycles, Graham caught as up with big smiles.

Graham look so dashing

Soon after we entered Bishop Park Brian had an accident and quiet a serious one as it turned out.

Basically alot the path there are big bumps where tree roots have forced though the tarmac and produced quiet big bumps and if your not prepared for them they can catch you out and you take a tumble.

Brian had fallen and taken the full force on his hand, wrist. It was hurting quiet abit but he was more worried about his Brompton. We thought it would be best to call emergency services to come and check him out, when we knew an ambulance was on its way we decided to continue with the ride with Brian's blessing. Anna stayed with him to make sure he was alright. It later turned out he had actually broke his wrist and its now in plaster, get well soon buddy :(

Jenny photobombing while we waited

and again....

Peace out you all

Samantha getting in on the act

The rest of the group cycled onwards towards our goal of Stein's for some well earned food and beers.

Janine just bimbling along

Finally we was Stein's where we got a little surprise of a couple more Bromptoneers where waiting for us namely Chris B & Andy L. And as you can see Chris B was dressed to impress ;)

As you can see the girls got into the party mood as we was waiting for our orders of food and of course BEER.

Samantha, Chris & Jenny can can dancing?

and this craziness was BEFORE they even had any beer, I know bonkers but we love em.

I decided not to go all out this time round and just ordered something pretty tame that I could handle with ease. Got to try and watch my waist line you know.

SAUSAGEEEEE!

Now I’m not really a beer drinker so I opted for this Beer & lemonade combo and I have to say it was pretty nice and refreshing. Perfect after a good ride.

BEEEEEER!

and of course there was a dessert. Once again I opted for the Apple Strudel with cream & ice cream which was nice but could have been ALOT bigger but that's just me I love my desserts :P 

DESSERTTTTTTT!

Another great relaxing ride with my LBC buddies as always and here is the ride data for all those that love all that data stat stuff :P

till the next ride, bee safe.....