London to Brighton Cycle Ride for Cycling Music.

Back in Reigate by 10.00 I would like to say fresh as a daisy but we were feeling the effects of the record ride from yesterday.   We are not ones to complain.   The good news was everything was working; bodies and bikes. This was a big day on the tour for the artiste.  If the ride into home territory was not enough there  was all the detail of the concert which would be given on Brighton Beach.    Dealing with the details and last minute hitches. Once we were riding there was little we could do. The Downs managed to throw up a few hills to contend with but nothing that two experienced riders could not cope with.   Our route dropped down through Leigh, Hookwood, Lambs Green, Faygate and onwards south to Brighton.   I made a slight navigational error, unusual on this tour,  which cost us four miles in distance and the precious time!   No bonus points today.   Soon back on the right lanes and in good time. Stopped to  refuel; coffee and cakes! The end of the ride was in sight and so was the Devils's Dyke hill.   We had been up this little challenge on our last major training ride before the tour commenced. It would need a big effort.   The artiste was in a keen mood and set the pace. The sight and thought was in fact worse than the effort required and before long we were both delighted to be rolling down the long  hill into Brighton.  Traffic congestion due to the closed roads of the L to B ride.   We met with Louise to pick up more gear for the concert. I had a couple of calls as we came down the hill from Naomi. I could not speak as we were moving too fast.   Eventually we spoke and she sent a picture to me of her and Lisa at the pier.  What a surprise for Father's Day Naomi and Lisa had come down to meet and greet and welcome me back to the sea which we had left nearly seven weeks ago and nearly 1,400 miles.  What a fantastic effort.  It felt so good to have them both at the end of the day's ride and more special  for Father's Day.  There was still a concert to prepare for. An unknown quantity! The big screen on the beach was the venue.    Cyclists were pouring in from the marathon ride.   Strangely though,  close in terms of distance, the event seemed detached from the big screen area.    The stage show needed to be adapted in terms of performance and set up. The former more tricky and masterminded by the artiste.  The plan was to play between two World Cup matches being shown on the big screen.   Sound check was completed in time and then we had a few moments to rest and chat.   Cards from Naomi Lisa and the little ones. So kind. Naomi disappeared to get food including a delicious vegan meal for the axeman!    Not only that she treated the ride team to hoody tops for the L to B ride.  Very smart indeed.  We attempted to bridge the event distance between the screen and the ride and get bikers to attend the Cycling Music Show.  Sadly the audience was pretty sparce on the pebbles. That did not prevent our man from Shoreham delevering a great show. The projections were on huge big screen and the sound through the more powerful venue PA.  Quality conditions but sadly the wrong slot.   The next match was on the screen whilst the bikes were repacked with gear. With a lull in the tour until Thursday I was going home to Norfolk.  I planned to return to London with Naomi and stay the night with them and head on to Eccles on Monday morning.   Along with my bike we went up the hill to the station at Brighton. Good plan.  Not a plan which fitted in with Southern Railways. No bikes on trains because of the London To Brighton ride.    Surely that is a good reason to have bikes on trains. Lay on more trains and carry the bikes.  That would require Southern Rail giving service to customers and planning the logistics. This event was not suddenly sprung on them.  More trains,  more carriages. Even charge to carry the bikes. Make a donation to charity? Not difficult in 2014 surely.  No, not Southern Railway, take the easy option and simply ban the bikes.  The managers need the boot, big time.  I made my feelings known to the staff. I did not kill the messenger but I asked them to pass it up the management line. Fat chance. Wasted time I think.   Typical in England to have such negative attitudes. Not one to whinge but this is ridiculous beyond belief.    We chained the Norco to the railings at the station and texted the boss.  Richard agreed to pick the Norco up in the morning.  Before catching our train we took everything off the bike including the front wheel.  My partner in crime looked sorry for itself as we left. Back in business on Thursday all being well.   Next problem came up. Poor Naomi had started to feel unwell and this developed as we got on the train and headed for the capital.     We arrived in Victoria and poor Naomi needed to hunt for the loo.   Our taxi was waiting to take us to Chigwell.   Lovely attitude from Addison Lee Taxis.  Don't  be sick in the taxi.  £100 fine if you are. No sympathy no assistance and a negative attitude.  Good old English service again.   Back home and straight to bed for the poorly patient.  Beans on toast for yours truly. Thanks Lisa.   Bon nuit.   A great day on many fronts despite the problems.    Tour mileage 1,378        Richard rode 7 extra miles to get home.   Glutton for punishment. What a feeling.