If it's true that Smithfield has banned cyclists then it's something of an irony given that this part of London is the epicentre of the courier scene and also played host to the inaugural Smithfield Nocturne back in June. That was when a series of criterium-style races was held around the 800-year-old market, and a great night it was too - complete with one of the the most spectacular thunderstorms people had ever seen. The folding bike race, in which entrants were required to wear office clothing, took place with the storm at its height, and the Python-esque sight of be-suited riders tearing down near-flooded streets will long live in the memory. The Rapha clothing label that organised this year's event are planning another for 2008, I believe. Meantime I shall vary my route to work tomorrow and check out the Smithfield situation myself and report back.
A wet and windy excursion to Box Hill on Sunday where the National Trust café at the top of the hill was a somewhat forlorn sight compared with the summer weekends when the place teems with cyclists. Only me and my friends Lewis and Graham plus one or two others were in the queue for tea and cakes. It was Remembrance Sunday of course, and a handwritten note on the counter announced: "2 Minutes Silence at 11am". We observed our silence on our bikes as we headed back into town.
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