Freewheel

The Freewheel event on Sunday 23 September was a massive success, with thousands taking part. Surely it must now be an annual event. The weather was superb, which will make the inaugural one stand out better.

17 people rode from Barking, most of whom I didn't know. I gave them each an LCC membership form. I hope they stay in touch - better still join LCC, but most of all keep cycling.

There are some learning points. The routes between the hubs (Victoria Park in our case) and the central motor free route were marshalled, but the general traffic was still jockeying for position with hundreds more cyclists than usual. The marshalls' advice at busy junctions was not what most LCC-ers consider best practice.

It would have been good to be in touch with those who came on the feeder ride before the event so that Doctor Bike (http://www.doctor-bike.org.uk) sessions could have been held and advice dispensed to novice cyclists. One of our riders had never used her bike's gears.

In fairness to the organisers, far more registered than they expected and could cope with. Organisation was overall pretty impressive on the day.

Next year's Freewheel will (presumably) be on Sunday 21 September 2008