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May 2010

May 29

Yesterday I went to London for the monthly Critical Mass, my first in daylight.

Rather than make the trip purely for that, I made a day of it and cycled along the Regent’s Canal towpath from Limehouse Basin to Regent’s Park.

Limehouse Basin Lock
Canary Wharf from the Limehouse Basin
Towpath café
Entrance to Islington Tunnel
St Pancras Lock
Camden Lock Market
Macclesfield Bridge

Critical Mass had the usual mix of jubilant cyclists and angry motorists, resulting in at least two incidents of bikes being rammed by vehicles (both taxi’s), but it was mostly a very pleasant affair.

Cyclists’ gather at Southbank for Critical Mass
LV52 NJJ with a bicycle wheel wedged underneath

The numbers had dwindled somewhat by the time we arrived at Parliament Square, but there was still a good, strong number which excited the protestors at the so-called ‘Democracy Village’.

I haven’t kept abreast of Brian Haw’s ongoing campaign, so was amazed to see a large number of tents actually on the green, rather than just a handful at the kerbside as was the case my last visit.

‘Democracy Village’, Parliament Square
‘Bike Lift’ infront of Big Ben

May 25

Not only do humans needlessly lose their lives to motor vehicles, but animals too… like this badger.

Badger lies dead at side of road

May 16

I took part in the ‘Tour de Tendring’ for the first time this morning, along with hundreds of other cyclists. It has become my favourite of the three local Bike Events rides, for the pleasure of the route, the organisation, and entertainment at the start/finish.

The queue to enter (it was possible to pre-book)

Even Essex Police took part!

Police at the start
Plenty to do at the finish

Desford Lane Pedallers VCC brought along a collection of vintage bicycles.

Penny farthing and Boneshaker
Vintage tricycle

The Harwich Royal British Legion Brass Band played for the masses.

Brass band
Crowds at the finish

I got a train back to Colchester, with a change at Manningtree, where on Wednesday an attempted raid took place on the cashpoint. The damage doesn’t look too bad from inside.

Manningtree station

Entries made in April.