We spent an enjoyable afternoon at the Cycle Show at Earls Court in London yesterday. We got discounted tickets thanks to CTC, Britain’s national cyclists’ organisation.

We’d not been before, but were impressed by the range of bikes and accessories on display. Karen had suggested driving but I said we couldn’t possibly take a car to a cycle show! Cycling to the show was made even easier by the free secure cycle parking, sponsored by Brompton, the makers of my folding bike. I felt guilty for not arriving on the Brompton!

We had a very easy ride to Earls Court using the London Cycle network from Marylebone station via Hyde Park. Pedestrians waved us on as they waited to cross a zebra crossing and a white van man did the same as we turned right. Youngsters playing hockey in Hyde Park stopped play to the cry off ‘Bike!’ to let us pass. The streets were quiet and ideal for cycling. What a terrific advert for going by bike in London. My only criticism is that the Cycle Network is only signposted when you’re on it. Leaving Earls Court, we had to devise our own route back towards Kensington.

The show itself was a really good afternoon out. My highlight was the display of tandems on JD Cycles‘ stand, including this amazing £10,000 four-person tandem. (Shades of the Goodies’ famous tandem from the cult 1970s BBC comedy.) If we ever win the lottery, we’ll certainly beat a path to JD’s door to upgrade our Thorn tandem, which has hardly been used since we acquired two wonderful lightweight Cannondale solo hybrids.