The organisers of next month’s IG London Nocturne have issued an invite to the capital’s cyclists to join 2011 winner Alex Dowsett of Team Sky and Paralympic champion Storey on a Nocturne Peloton ride taking place next Wednesday evening, 16 May.
The ride starts at 7pm at Potters Fields, on the South bank of the Thames between City Hall and Tower Bridge, and according to organisers will see four ‘tribes’ of cyclists – folding bike commuters, penny farthing riders, fixed gear and single speed riders and pro cyclists – head off on a route taking in iconic landmarks and finishing with a lap of the course that will be used in the IG London Nocturne at Smithfield on 9 June.
On the way, Pied Piper style, they’ll be encouraging bike commuters to get involved and join the ride, with the chance to win prizes and – a possible deal clincher for some – the promise of a free pint at the finish.
James Pope, organiser of the IG London Nocturne, said: "We wanted to create a launch event that engaged the London cycling community and represented the different elements that will be on show at the event.
“The blend of pro riders, commuters and Penny Farthings on the launch ride will certainly turn a few heads on route through the City of London and will give people a taste of the Nocturne action on June 9th."
The ride will also be featured in the Channel 4 TV highlights coverage of the IG London Nocturne itself.
Born in Scotland, Simon moved to London aged seven and now lives in the Oxfordshire Cotswolds with his miniature schnauzer, Elodie. He fell in love with cycling one Saturday morning in 1994 while living in Italy when Milan-San Remo went past his front door. A daily cycle commuter in London back before riding to work started to boom, he's been news editor at road.cc since 2009. Handily for work, he speaks French and Italian. He doesn't get to ride his Colnago as often as he'd like, and freely admits he's much more adept at cooking than fettling with bikes.