'Small Wheels Big Difference' on my Raw SL2 Brompton

'Small Wheels Big Difference' consist of three friends who in June will embark on a charity bike ride (on Brompton Bikes) from Lands End to John O'Groats. It is going to be tough going but they hope to raise as much as possible for three charities. Hospice in the Weald, Help for Heros and Great Ormond Street Hospital. It is a noble undertaking to say the least and they certainly have my support.

Before their mammoth cycle in June they quite sensibly are going on number of training runs. Yesterday I joined the 'Small Wheels Big Difference' chaps for a training run from Kings Cross to Tonbridge - well almost.

Before I set out I had a big decision to make. Would I take my beloved Orange ML6 which is more suited to the 38ish miles from Kings Cross to Tonbridge or take my new addition the Raw Lacquer SL2? I decided to take the SL2. I chose the SL2 as it is lighter and much nippier than my ML6. I was worried though about the lower riding position over such a large distance as I headed off to Kings Cross.

Arriving in good time I stocked up on some sweets - fuel for the trip and met up with the Small Wheels chaps and a few other friends. After some group photos and final checks we headed off.

The Small Wheels crew meant business and set off at a fair pace. This was to continue for the whole trip. Preconceived visions of having the time to take pictures on route were soon abandoned. We headed south past the Houses of Parliament and travelled for a while alone the north side of the Thames past Battersea Power Station. Soon we crossed the River and headed further south.

Lambeth, Clapham, Tooting Streatham, Crystal Palace and Croydon past by as the miles went by. The ride down the long hill past Crystal Palace must have produced speeds over 35 mph!  At the 20 mile point we stopped for a well deserved rest. Having completed the longest single distance on my SL2 I was suffering no ill effects. I had worried about the lower riding position putting strain on my back but I was fine and glad that I had not brought the heavier and less agile ML6. With our rest over we headed off again.

It wasn't too long until we were in the countryside, made all more beautiful by the fantastic weather we had been blessed with. It was also the start of the mountain section! I say mountains as there were a series of incredible gradients. With only two gears this resulted in me out of the saddle and pushing but to be honest being 42 years young I would have been doing the same if I had of brought the ML6 instead.

Lovely scenery and glorious weather

One of those hills

We passed near Biggin Hill and arrived at Sevonoaks. With another 45 or so minutes to Tonbridge we were given the choice of getting the train back to London or Tonbridge or carrying on. I and one other decided on travelling back to London and the others pushed on.

On the train my legs were aching but soon recovered and I knew a soak in a hot bath and an early night would put things right.

I am very happy I tagged along with the 'Small Wheels Big Difference' chaps. I enjoyed the ride and finding out more about them and the reasons behind why they are embarking on their charity ride. My SL2 proved to be a worthy ally and having cycled approaching 30 miles, almost 24 hours after the event I am not suffering in any way. The bath and early night must have helped.

You can find out more about 'Small Wheels Big Difference' donate, support and even join in just like I did by going to their website: www.smallwheelsbigdifference.org

It really is a great thing they are doing and if you haven't given any money to charity this year or want to donate what you can to three good causes please look them up.

Back to training on my Brompton Bikes

It has been a while since I was able to go out of an evening and do a few circuits around the roads where I live. Many things have conspired against me. Snow, a cold that seemed to stay with me a month (and I am not convinced that it had fully gone) and of course the demands of work.

Next weekend I hope to go on an extensive training run and have some fun along the way but more of that if things go according to plan.

My two Brompton bikes seem to work well. The Orange an ML6 is great for wetter weather and longer distances while the Raw SL2 is perfect for everything else (still don't like getting it wet yet).

Many people have asked whether I will be selling the Orange Brompton. The simple answer is no. I don't think I ever could. It is the bike that got me riding again after years of cars and dire public transport. The bike that gave me the inspiration to start this humble little blog and the bike that allowed me to enter the Brompton World Championsips and all the fun that owning a Brompton brings.

A Roman Bath in the middle of London - Strange Locations!

Loyal readers of my humble little blog will recall that I have written in the past about a strange location in the heart of London that few people know about. The last time I wrote about this location on my blog I didn't have a camera or phone to take any pictures. Added to this, many people have asked me where this Roman Bath is located.

Your starting point is the Strand. You can reach this by walking from Picadilly Circus or Charring Cross - Charring Cross being closer.  Turn right on to Surrey Street. Not far down you will see Aldwych tube station which opened in 1907 but closed in 1994. The first thing you will notice is that as you walk down Surrey Street the noise, hustle and bustle of the Strand is left behind. Apart from the odd student from the nearby Kings College you will have the place to yourself.

Aldwych Tube. Used for film and TV now.

Continue past the disused tube station and carry on until you see a black mesh metal gate. It does look as if it is a place you aren't allowed to go but the general public is at liberty to wander down. (I'd better point out that this gate is rarely, if ever open during the weekend or public holidays as far as I am aware).

Although it doesn't look like it, you can walk through these gates.

Once through the gate you will see a narrow passage with two bollards ahead. Carry straight on. The bollards are there as there is a staircase (Surrey Steps) down to Strand Lane. They are very steep so take care.

A short but eerie passage. Imagine this when it is nightfall!

Very steep stairs.

Almost immediately in front of you will see the Strand Lane sign. Turn right and you will see a narrow alleyway not dissimilar to a certain alley in Harry Potter.

In front of you you'll see quite an old timber framed building with a walkway. Just before this on your right you will see a window with black railings around it. This is where the Roman Bath is located.

The Roman Bath is just through the arched window.

Looking through the window just can just make out what remains. There is a light switch on the wall outside however this didn't seem to work today. The window has a fair bit of condensation on it and this makes taking pictures difficult as it renders the window like a mirror.

Dickens mentions this very location in David Copperfield and frequented the bath himself. The jury is definitely out on whether this is Roman. It is certainly old and was documented in the 1700's. I'd like to take the romantic view that it is Roman.

It is also strange to think that hundreds of people walk up and down the Strand everyday and know nothing of this little oddity. I travelled there quite easily on my Brompton just before midday. I must confess that even if you could go there after dark, nothing would get me to do so. There really is an atmosphere down there and the absence of other people only magnifies this. The prospect of walking down any part of this at night makes me shudder. If you are in London and bored of the usual tourist locations, or work in London near the Strand and have time during your lunch hour, you could do worse than visit this place.

How strange to think this is in the middle of London.