London Marathon

according to wikipedia, jimmy savile competed in the 1951 tour of britain. I never knew that.

now then now then

found a photo of him interviewing Con Carr of the Irish Team on the 1952 ToB nice suit!

glad the "sack of potatoes" style front pocketed jerseys never really took off...

it looks as if someone's stuck a papier mache head of John Merrick to his chest

or really..really bad man boobs...shudder

Old tour riders never die, they just put their bollocks in their pockets

I would love to do this but I am running it so that may be an issue.

Don't know about the tour of britain but JS was certainly competing in the mid 50s.
Vinz, go for it early. Ride the course in reverse, done deal warmed up and ready for the start.

^ great idea. We'll meet you coming the other direction and give you tactical advice!

Is this possible to ride or what? I'm sure someone would say something about a swarm of bikes over the course..

Vinz I would love to do this but I am running it so that may be an issue.

poof

Well, I'd like to give it a go. Even if we get kicked off the course after even a mile, it'll be a pleasure to do a dawn ride through town on a weekend when traffic is off the streets. And I reckon we'll get through a fair chunk of the course, if not all.

reminds me of the morning of the tour, a dozen fixed gear riders riding a bit of the prolouge route in hyde park.

halcyon days :-)

great days mate

BUMP UNIT!

Just seeing if anyone is still up for this? I'm mad keen, it'll be awesome with a big crew

just over a week to go if so!

Just stumbled across this, my dad used to run it every year, and I've seen people cycling (and running) the course before the start time - well east around the Greenwich bit - before.

Oh and I've seen J Saville Esq. cheat on it too, but apparently he's a bit handy, so I shouldn't be spreading those rumours.

Yeah, this is gold. I'm definitely up for it. Where and when are we meeting.

it's a tentative yes here. What time are you crazy kids getting up?

I hope that it's going to be early enough to miss the runners and late enough for a good greasy spoon to be cooking on gas for afterwards

We should be done pretty early right?
I'm keen ( but have to be back in putney to meet people at 10).

im up for it but what time and where

sounds really good. might be able to - depends on time cause i might not be in london.

I reckon converge at north side of tower bridge at 7.00 or thereabouts. Could do the route from there (about 14 miles?).

I really hope to make it but I've been off the bike for 6 weeks and am just easing my arthritic joints into it again...but fingers crossed.

Sounds like a plan. Not sure If i'd be game for the full 26 before 8am but definitely sounds like a plan...

Excellent! 7.00am at Tower Bridge. I'll be there.