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Spiky biking… it’s infectious
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When the Covid-19 lockdown was in full force, many frustrated Audaxers sought ways to enjoy long-distance riding while sticking to the ten-milesfrom-home rule. But can any have been as inventive as the 100 mile route, in the shape of a virus spike and vaccine needle, through the capital city? Pete Davis explains…
Going viral… the CoV19 ride devised by Mark Kowalski
Spiky biking… it’s infectious!
IT SEEMS A LONG TIME AGO but at the beginning of lockdown you might remember that we were discouraged from travelling too far from home to avoid unnecessary burdens on the emergency services. This presented a challenge to many a long distance cyclist.
But a silk lining was created in this cloud by fellow Audaxer Mark Kowalski who devised a 100 mile route venturing no further than 10 miles from his home in South London, and it followed the London streets in the outline of a virus.
This route design was eventually supplemented by a needle and syringe to mark the release of the first vaccines. He refined the route over a period of time and released it publicly via the Yet Another Cycling Forum (https://yacf.co.uk) as a mandatory route Group DIY. He had chosen a start time of 10pm to ensure empty streets for most of the route.
And so a group of five complete strangers assembled at Victoria Station at the appointed time on a Friday night in March. Mark set off with his superior route knowledge into two red traffic lights in the first 300m. The unspoken thought shared by all was that it was going to be a very long night.
We headed out through Fulham, across Battersea Bridge and on to a wiggling, crescent-shaped route around south London. Once past midnight the streets became much quieter and varied from straight, fast arteries heading towards and away from the West End to residential streets lined by parked cars. In addition there were a good few cycle paths which Mark negotiated without hesitation, a feature which ensured rapid progress throughout.
My palmares of only one 400km ride along with a host of 200s made me feel slightly out of my depth. Fellow riders were mostly PBP anciens. Thankfully London is remarkably flat, and while I generally found the pace at the limit of my ability I was noticeably exposed on the few hills and lagged behind only to discover the whole team waiting for me at the top allowing me to replenish sugar levels.
Being relieved of navigation responsibilities meant that for long stretches I had no idea where I was. However, excursions through Streatham, Lewisham and Greenwich reminded me of my student days, and passage under the Thames through the Greenwich Foot Tunnel was a major landmark. Next we passed through Canary Wharf and on to a series of canal towpaths which we all agreed felt more secure in a group.
The only lengthy stop was at just past half way in Bow at 3am where a 24 hour McDonalds gave us new resolve. Daybreak appeared as we approached Holloway and we remarked how the cool night air seemed to keep us all alert despite the hour.
The final climb was up towards Hampstead Heath before heading out west to complete the virus outline. The crowning glory of the ride was the final run in to central London with perfect blue skies and a low sun illuminating some of London’s iconic buildings in their glorious splendour – the Natural History Museum,
TeamCov… from left, Pete, Mark, Bryn, Tom and Dave in the lift descending into the Greenwich Foot Tunnel
Harrods and Buckingham Palace. There was a quick dash up and down the Mall to Aldwych (the drip on the end of the needle) before a finish back at Victoria at 7.40am.
I managed to fit in a full English before getting the train back to Worcestershire. On reflection it’s remarkable to think how five individuals, never previously known to each other, had effortlessly maintained good humour throughout a lengthy and tiring adventure, but that’s long distance cycling for you.
Mark is hoping to host the ride again next year and I strongly recommend it – it’s one that will live long in my memory. The route is available on ridewithgps but navigating alone with a GPX or riding during the day is certainly going to be a lengthy, though not impossible affair. I was happy to make a donation to the Lewisham Bank of Things as an optional entry fee and I’m sure the others did too. Thanks to Mark for the ride and the photos and to Paul Stewart for validating it.
