As usual, it was hard to get the final bits packed on the bike, even though I’d virtually packed the panniers a week ago. Eventually I got away by about 12:30, although I have very little time pressure with the sleeper train to Scotland not leaving until 9pm. I could have just got a train up to London, but instead devised a plan to give me a bit of cycling (to make up for my lack of cycling in recent weeks).

I headed off to Burgess Hill Station, and my bike was really heavy and wobbly. I have been working off my set packing list and carefully weighing things, so it should be about the same as last year. I have bought an extravagant luxury item, but have off-set the weight with a lighter air mattress, so it shouldn’t be that (I’ll reveal the item in a later blog post – but feel free to guess!) However, by the time I reached the station the bike began to feel quite familiar, with the robust feel of an oil tanker. Although I think I will try to move my panniers forward slightly and stiffen the steering a tad.

I won’t write loads about the journey to London, but it is worth recording the first bit of excellent luck – it’s a good omen. As I bought my ticket, a train pulled in, I started to rush to catch it, but I nearly fell over getting through the barriers, and I decided to chill and catch the next train. Even as I ambled along the platform, I was expecting it to leave at any moment, but it didn’t. As I reached the bicycle carriage, I jumped on and got a space to myself (in the usual place by the toilets), and even the toilets were out of order. What a piece of luck! There were even some young lads on the train who seemed genuinely interested in my bike and journey (one of them was going for a haircut in Eastbourne – supported by the other two).

I got off at Croydon, first to cycle to Sutton to see my mum and dad, where the bike had pride of place in the hall. This never happened when I lived there. My next stop was to Wimbledon Football Stadium, which has been built on the site of the old Wimbledon Stadium (with the loss of Speedway, Greyhounds and Stockcars). A new statue has recently been unveiled to celebrate the Speedway, and more specifically, Ronnie Moore, a kiwi who rode for Wimbledon in the 1950s and 60s and was World Champion twice.

It’s a pretty cool statue, made of parts of Speedway bikes and tools, all welded together. From the pictures I’d seen, I was slightly skeptical about its quality. But up close, it’s really good, including a good panel on the history of the club and riders. All a bit sad really, as I’d supported the Dons since I discovered speedway in the late 80s, until they closed (moved to Eastbourne) and again in the 2000’s when they Rose again for a few years – there is a good history here.

I’d been following a route from cycle.travel which had followed nice paths from Croydon, along the River Wandle to Carshalton, and again to Wimbledon Stadium. From here, I was routed on CS7 (Cycle Superhighway 7). It was brilliant and really lived up to its name as I flew all the way into Central London. There was a downpour in Stockwell, but I hid in a doorway for the worst and got my waterproofs out for the rest. I suspect this will be the first of many times I will need waterproofs!

Had to hang around in Euston Station for a while, waiting for the Caledonian Sleeper to be made ready. There wasn’t much to do as a fully loaded touring bike in London is a bit of a pain. Even just popping into a shop is a real faff. I boarded and was the only bike in my carriage and a nice single seat. I have to change in Edinburgh at 4:30 – but the whole journey is a bargain at £36 (with railcard).

I’ll add some more photos later (when I can get the photos off my camera – card reader is deep in my luggage).