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London is lucky enough to host a number of exemplary cycling events every year, and a firm favourite is taking place this Saturday!
The London Nocturne at Smithfield Market returns for its 8th year of cycle racing at all levels; from elite road racing teams battling it out for glory, to high jinks on Penny Farthings, and folding bike races. For the first time this year there will even be a Boris Bike Race taking in laps of the historic meat market, though whether the Mayor himself will take part on his namesake bicycle remains to be seen...
The races run late in to the night, and the atmosphere builds as darkness falls. There's always a great crowd, the surrounding Smithfield pubs stay open late and put on entertainment, and a series of bike-related stalls offer everything from t-shirts to team kit for sale.
I think the charm of the Nocturne is grabbing a hot dog and a beer with mates and banging the boards as your favourite riders rush past, but if you prefer a few more creature comforts then grand stand and hospitality tickets are on sale too. Wherever you stand, you're guaranteed a close up experience of the thrill of professional road racing, whilst the Penny Farthing races are a real spectacle. In the pro races, Tyler Farrar will be riding for Team Garmin-Sharp, Chris Sutton for Sky, Ed Clancy for Rapha Condor JLT, and World Track Champion Katie Archibald will lead the way in the women's field.
Getting to the Nocturne is easy too: Barbican Underground and Liverpool Street national rail stations are both nearby, and this year organisers have plotted a series of routes to get you to the Nocturne on the best way possible: by bike (though bring a few locks, cycle parking is sometimes in high demand here, see below!)
Races kick off on Saturday with the folding bike preliminaries at 4PM, with the Scwalbe Elite Criterium crossing the finish line around 10PM. Full race listings can be found on the Smithfield Nocturne website.
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The London Nocturne at Smithfield Market returns for its 8th year of cycle racing at all levels; from elite road racing teams battling it out for glory, to high jinks on Penny Farthings, and folding bike races. For the first time this year there will even be a Boris Bike Race taking in laps of the historic meat market, though whether the Mayor himself will take part on his namesake bicycle remains to be seen...
The races run late in to the night, and the atmosphere builds as darkness falls. There's always a great crowd, the surrounding Smithfield pubs stay open late and put on entertainment, and a series of bike-related stalls offer everything from t-shirts to team kit for sale.
I think the charm of the Nocturne is grabbing a hot dog and a beer with mates and banging the boards as your favourite riders rush past, but if you prefer a few more creature comforts then grand stand and hospitality tickets are on sale too. Wherever you stand, you're guaranteed a close up experience of the thrill of professional road racing, whilst the Penny Farthing races are a real spectacle. In the pro races, Tyler Farrar will be riding for Team Garmin-Sharp, Chris Sutton for Sky, Ed Clancy for Rapha Condor JLT, and World Track Champion Katie Archibald will lead the way in the women's field.
Getting to the Nocturne is easy too: Barbican Underground and Liverpool Street national rail stations are both nearby, and this year organisers have plotted a series of routes to get you to the Nocturne on the best way possible: by bike (though bring a few locks, cycle parking is sometimes in high demand here, see below!)
Races kick off on Saturday with the folding bike preliminaries at 4PM, with the Scwalbe Elite Criterium crossing the finish line around 10PM. Full race listings can be found on the Smithfield Nocturne website.
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4 comments:
This sounds amazing. I'm based in Nottingham but definitely want to add to the list to attend for next year. I went to the Milk Race in Nottingham a couple of weeks ago and it was brilliant. The elite races were inspirational and the atmosphere so much fun. The cycling community is great isn't it!
Hi Donna, thanks for stopping by! The Milk Race is a fantastic event, with such an interesting history, it is nice to see it back again. Sounds like you had an ace day out! Look out for the Tour of Britain when it comes later this year, it also always has a great atmosphere.
There's no need to tangle your bikes up as in the photo. There is parking provided by the LCC and Cyclehoop at the event (West Poultry Avenue)
Great news, tanks Teresa!
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