Usain Bolt’s performance in the 200 metres last night, another gold, another world record by an astonishing margin leaves one speechless. By his own admission he was not on top form! So, when fully fit and prepared, what can this lad really do?
When he crashed through the 9.6 secs barrier for the 100 metres we watched the event at Tom & Kate’s flat on the Upper Richmond Road in Putney. We were there to help them move to a new flat over the road in West Hill.
Upper Richmond Road is the South Circular route and was especially busy on Sunday. Unlike Birmingham there is more traffic at weekends as Londoners, sensibly, don’t use their cars during the week. Cyclists are provided for with two wide cycle lanes which were being very well used. Where the roadway wasn’t wide enough for a bike lane, bike logos were painted at intervals to remind motorists that cyclists are sharing the road. I counted more than twenty four cyclists passing by in less than five minutes.
Upper Richmond Road (South Circular) Putney
I suppose Birmingham’s equivalent of the North and South Circular routes is the Outer Circle. Have you seen any bike lanes marked out on this route? Not even on Harborne Park Road dual carriageway where there is ample room!
Cycling the South Circular...
Here’s a selection of photographs of the cyclists who passed by. Most wore helmets but quite a few were lid-free. Back packs were much in evidence and one or two had fully loaded panniers. A few sported the latest lycra go-faster kit but most were simply attired in casual clothes. Didn’t, however, see anyone to compare with the elegant cyclists one sees on sites such as copenhagencyclechic.com!
If they’re not cycling in Putney they are jogging. I guess the group outside the pub had completed their physical excercise regime much earlier in the day!
Joggin' 'n' drinkin'
The move will take Tom and Kate out from under the Heathrow (arrivals) flight path. One plane every three minutes. Average 200 people per plane. That’s a hell of a lot of people coming in. Is there an equivalent amount leaving on the planes flying west from Heathrow?
Putney fly-over
Talking of leaving, Upper Richmond Road is the location of the childhood home of the man whose last words were: “I am just going outside and maybe some time.” Captain ‘Titus’ Oates selfless act in an effort to give his colleagues, on Scott’s ill-fated Antarctic expedition of 1912, a chance of surviving long enough to be rescued. Sadly in vain.
Site of Captain 'Titus' Oates boyhood home on Upper Richmond Road