Midsummer Madness Ride from Bar Italia

This is a ride in tribute to Barry Mason, whose idea this ride was. It happens every year and this is a report of what happened on the 2013 ride: http://goo.gl/XUjCk1 . The ride takes place on the longest day of the year and since time immemorial people of all faiths and marked this occasion with special celebrations. London cyclists do this in their own special way, by cycling up to Primrose Hill to watch the summer solstice dawn and then cycling on to Greenwich. Overcast skies and rain are no deterrent, for Midsummer Madness is a community happening, fun whatever the weather. We meet up at 4am at Bar Italia ( http://www.baritaliasoho.co.uk ), Frith Street. There is a 24 hour restaurant called Balans ( http://www.balans.co.uk/restaurant/soho-london/ ) round the corner in Great Compton Street, if you want to eat beforehand. We then cycle up to Primrose Hill getting there at about 4.30am, ready to watch the summer solstice dawn at 4.43 . At 5.15am we start to cycle on to Bar Polo, 176 Bishopsgate, London EC2M 4NQ, near Liverpool Street Station, for breakfast at about 6am. This is the route we take from Bar Italia to the Polo Bar: https://goo.gl/7YTpwf . At 7am we resume the cycle ride and take an early morning look at Southwark. We should reach Cutty Sark Gardens SE10 9HT in Greenwich by about 8.am. Ride Leader: Nigel Bee 07415 315 690 or [email protected].