London to Cambridge 60 mile bike ride, 1st of July 2018

The temperature on the fine summer's day was 10 centigrade at 6 a.m., rose to 29 centrigrade by 12 noon.

There were apparently some 6000 participants, and a jolly atmosphere. But this was no easy ride, with the combination of long climbs and desperately hot weather.

The event was in aid of Amnesty International. People came on bicycles, two from our Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy on unicycles, one person on skates (yes, all 60 miles).

Known participants from the West Cambridge site included Alastair Houston (unicyclist), Richard Ghymer (Cavendish), Rosie Ward, Apparao Chintha and Harry Bhadeshia.

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After arriving at Pickett's Lock in London, waiting a short period for the lorries with the bicycles to arrive.	Apparao Chintha in the foreground.
Plenty of activity and facilities at the starting point.	III
III	Coffee and energy bar before the journey.
Coffee	III
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At the first stop, after 18.5 miles.	These two are both 75 years old!
Waiting at a train crossing.	III
The second stop, at 30 miles. Temperature at this point was about 25 centigrade. This picture shows a part of the queue for filling water bottles.	The rest of the queue. Bannanas here cost a pound (Sterling) each.
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A very beautiful lunch stop at about 40 miles.	On each occasion that we rested, it became more painful to start cycling again.
It seemed that all the refreshment stops had been located so that the ride from there started uphill - this was particularly painful. Not complaining, just stating facts.	The end, back at Midsummer Common in Cambridge. Only the rides home remained!