Day 13 – Back to London

A lie in, comparatively speaking, as we were gathering outside the hotel at 8am for a departure shortly afterwards. Today was a short hop towards Leighton Linslade for the opening of a BMX track in association with ‘Bike Club’, and then onwards to London. The group today is swelled by a returning Domestique in the shape of Eric, Sven Thiele from Hot Chillee, Colin Bath from bike sponsor ‘Wilier’ and of course Maggys wife Meg.
The pace today was more relaxed and the mood of the peloton more jovial. We stopped a few streets before the BMX track for morning coffee & flapjacks and the banter had already started. Nick the physio seemed to be getting a bit of stick from the O2 boys for his excessive attention to Greg’s legs. The first official engagement of the day was the opening of the BMX track and with so many youngsters giving it their all around this track it was hard not to see how much impact the Bike Club was having in this community. No sooner was the tape cut and photos taken then it was off towards London.
Lunch was taken just outside the M25 and we said goodbye to the motorhome that had been our kitchen for the previous two weeks. Nigel and Magnus briefed us all about the ride into London and as we continued towards Edgeware we again caught the attention of the Police. This time however it was the outrider Dave who did the talking as he knew the boys in blue and had alerted them to what we were doing. At first we moved as one between each set of traffic lights but then as we got closer to the centre of London the traffic seemed to stop for us and all the lights seemed to be green. Riding down Edgeware road, past Marble Arch and onto Park Lane with all the traffic being stopped for us was an amazing experience. We stopped at Admiralty Arch for about 30 minutes as our next appointment was to be at Downing Street and we couldn’t be early. Soon we were off again swooping down behind Buckingham Palace and on through Victoria before riding up Whitehall and into Downing Street. After the security we were all photographed outside No10 with our bikes and we met with Tim Laughton MP who is the Parliamentary under secretary for children. He was to ride the last mile with us to our finish.
‘Out of Downing street, turn left and then left again at the lights onto the Mall’ said the policeman. That was the last mile of the 1374 that we had ridden over the 13 days. As we rode down the Mall we passed St James Palace where Nigel had introduced us to Princess Anne at the start of this challenge in February this year. I rode with Leo, Maggy, Greg & Nigel every mile and we were now coming to the last 300 yards. We could see the finish line coming closer, we were trying to cross the line as we had crossed the start line at Kensington Palace, five abreast. The chit-chat had stopped, as the rest of the peloton had dropped back a few bike lengths, and we were all trying to take in that this was the end. I was trying to video the occasion as we rode and then as the champagne corks popped and the champagne arch was sprayed, Maggys daughters held a red ribbon across the road to signify the end.
We pulled into the main gateway for Green Park opposite Buckingham Palace where we were welcomed by John & Charlotte from UK Youth, Steve & Noush from Silverback Media, Becky & Nick who had driven every mile with us, Dave, Ian & Roger the outriders, Rosanne, Elynor & Zoe Backstedt, Megs parents and lots of friends & relatives of the other riders. The celebratory hugs & photos gave way to more champagne drinking and spraying and again, for the last time today it was time to saddle up and head off to Chelsea to the Hotel.
Cycling in London in Rush hour with a couple of glasses of champagne in you and no outrider assistance for the first time in two weeks. Now that was a buzz. There were cyclists appearing from every junction to ride with us for a few hundred yards, some because we were on their route, some to admire the ‘Team’ bikes, some who recognised Nigel, some who recognised Maggy but all said ‘hello’ is some way or another, you don’t get that in a car do you.!
Another fantastic hotel with a comfy bed and a great food menu. Greg, Leo & Nigel are up and away very early in the morning to drive the race car again, Susan & I are heading back to Jersey as are Tony & Nick, Maggy & Meg are heading back to Wales. Dinner will be a small affair tonight for the core team as we had the main bash at Silverstone last night.

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• October 16, 2011
• BY Ian Williams
• IN