Not slacking, just away ...

Since you ask I am in Rye where it's truly the summer - people really are swimming in the sea - but where there are few bikes. I have noticed the occasional sturdy mountain bike cruising down to the beach, and there does seem to be a new bike route between Rye and Camber Sands, little used. It's definitely not the biker's paradise I saw on the Isle of Wight. Anyway, I'm not sorry to be out of the London heat, but slightly missing the Giant. Or possibly I should start calling it LCM - the London Commuting Machine. Perhaps not. Of course, just as I write about the lack of bikes in Rye, one whistles down the main high street right by my ear! KC

Dave Cameron has a new problem: he can't cycle to work any more. We offer him tips

 The only reason I'm reasonably fit is because I cycle to work, then home again. The ride is exciting, often dangerous, occasionally infuriating, exhilarating and, let's face it, mostly a lot of fun. While on my way to work, my mind gradually empties of domestic issues and I arrive feeling ready to focus on matters of the office. On the way back, work worries slowly disappear as the more immediate threat of a juggernaut or an errant pedestrian come to the fore. Cycling is a great chance to be completely alone with your thoughts (yet enjoying a bit of cycling comraderie) and get some excercise at the same time.

Now I'm not thinking that in the last few months our Dave genuinely "commuted" every day from his home to wherever he was going. But I do know that now he's got a pretty major problem. He works in the same place he lives. 10 Downing Street. And even the trip to Westminster is a short stroll. I guess there's a slight environmental benefit to working in the same place as you live - but I worry for his fitness especially with all those fancy banquets and suchlike that Prime Minister's have.

So what advice can us cyclists chuck his way? Here are some tips - feel free to add:

1. 
   
   I've spotted Jon Snow (Channel 4) and Boris Johnson (London Mayor) cycling to appointments. Take a leaf out of their books when it's a short ride 
2. 
   
   Go anonymous. With a helmet, a mask and sunglasses, no-one will have a clue who you are. That's good for security
3. Sneak out at night. Night riding is fun and in London it can be more peaceful. Just make sure you have some good lights - and tell Sam what you're up to or she might get suspicious
4. Tell your office staff and security people you have an appointment which in reality you don't have. That will give you an hour of free time to ride
5. When you go on holiday, go somewhere cycle-friendly such as the Isle of Wight
6. You're now pretty friendly with the Queen - I'm sure that garden at Buckingham Palace has plenty of room for the occasional ride-about
7. Make the most of your weekends - strap the old bike on the back of the official car when you go off to the countryside and burn off your energy down the bridle paths of Gloucestershire or wherever
8. That's enough cycling tips (Ed).

Anyone else out there have any thoughts on the DC cycling problem?

Isle of Wight Cycling

I regret to say that despite spending a week on the Isle of Wight, I failed to spend a single moment on a bicycle. Having said that, I had a damn good holiday. But I got a good feel of what it's like to cycle on the island - and it certainly seemed like a cycling paradise. (BTW - this picture is not anything to do with me, but thought it gave an impression of what it's like).

For a start, the speed limit is almost everywhere limited to 40 mph, so you don't feel quite as threatened on the big roads. Drivers are generally much more polite and thoughtful than on the mainland. But here's the really exciting thing:

There's a "secret" network of cycle lanes all over the island.

For example, we were staying in Cowes. It turns out that you can follow the route of the old steam railway all the way from Cowes to Sandown on the other side of the island. While I was in the car, I kept seeing cyclists disappearing down little leafy alleyways.

This site seems to list many of the good rides, for those interested:

http://www.cycle-route.com/routes/Isle_of_Wight-Routes-83.html

Anyway - it's not strictly about London cycling, this post, but it's worth thinking about a cycling holiday on the Isle of Wight.

And ...

There's a big cycling festival coming up there in September ... any more excuse to get out of London needed?

http://new.britishcycling.org.uk/recreation/article/rec20090515-Event:-Isle-of-Wight-Cycling-Festival-0