Ride London, Brompton World Championships & the 46

I've taken part in the Ride London Freecycle three times in 2016, 17 & 18. Its a 10 miles circuit in central London closed to traffic for a day and an estimated 20,000 cyclists throng the streets.

Each year our group have consisted of various people but usually accompanied by my son and daughter. The trip starts with going  down to London by train early on Saturday morning. Doing the Freecycle route early on before it gets too busy. Then check in to the hotel where we've usually stayed in Brick Lane.

In 2017 and 18 I took part in the Brompton World Championships on a short circuit starting on the Mall. Around 500 Bromptonistas with a 'Le Mans' start running over to unfold the bike and get away. The race finishes when the leader completes 8 laps. The first year I was on my 5 speed 'touring' Brompton and managed 6 laps but the second year on my CHPT3 Brompton and managed 7 laps finishing 195th! Daughter Polly took part that year too.

On the Sunday it has always been the 100 mile and 46 mile ride with huge numbers of people taking part. Son Jake has done the 100 mile ride twice in 2017 and 18, I managed to get an entry into the 46 in 2018. So after the Brompton World Champs on Saturday it was back for a meal, an early night and an early start for the 46 from the Olympic Park. The route was on closed roads through London, Richmond Park to Kingston where the two routes joined together again for a return to London through Wimbledon to finish on the  Mall. I completed the 46 miles in 3 hours 39 minutes.

I modified the CHPT3 Brompton for the race and ride by putting a larger 58 tooth chain ring on to gain a higher top speed because there was only on significant hill for the whole 46 miles!