London 100. Getting there and getting about

Hi,

I’ve been lucky enough to get a place in the London 100 (2nd year for me), but unfortunately my travel and cycle buddy has had to drop out.

I was going to pay the £85 to get my bike ferried to London and home, but £85 is a bit much for me at the mo (inc the £85 for the train and £10 for the boat back from the Mall).

Here’s my question, how easy is it to cycle from London Euston to the Excel Centre. I’m a pretty confident cyclist, but I cycled a bit in London last year and didn’t find it an enjoyable experience. 9 miles from train station to hotel with a rucksack on my back as well doesn’t really have me jumping for joy at the moment.

It is a completely ludicrous idea to rock up at London Euston, flag down a black taxi and put my bike in the back with me? Or can anyone recommend a decent cycle route from Euston to Excel?

Oh, if anyone is facing a lonely and expensive drive from the North West and fancies a bit of company (and lashings of petrol money), let me know. I’m an excellent passenger and I always have sweets.