Cyclists in Southwark: Midsummer Mania 2017

Wednesday 21 June 2017 is the longest day of the year, and since time immemorial people of all faiths and none have marked the occasion of the summer solstice by rising to greet the dawn. London cyclists do this in their own special way, by riding through the night from Bar Italia in Westminster to watch the sunrise from a vantage point in Camden, following a tradition established by the late Barry Mason and continued by Francis Sedgemore. This year the ride is going to be branded as a "Cyclists in Southwark" ride and will follow a familiar route up to Primrose Hill, but will then continue on to Parliament Hill, which has much better unobstructed views to the east for watching the sun rise at about 04.40. Previous years have seen hundreds of London cyclists foregoing their beauty sleep, giddy with excitement at the prospect of experiencing the rise of the midsummer sun. Overcast skies and rain are no deterrent, for the Summer Solstice ride is a community happening, fun whatever the weather. Following the sunrise, will cycle back to the 24 hour cafe Bar Polo, where we will have breakfast at 06.30am. This Summer Solstice cycle ride is brought to you by Cyclists in Southwark, an informal collective of paid-up members of Cycling UK who organise a rides programme in and around South East London. Ride Leader: Nigel Bee (tel 07415 315 690 email [email protected]).