The Brooks Penny Farthing Race at the London Nocturne
When: 9th June 2012
Where: Smithfields Market, London
£: Free
What is it?
The London Nocturne 2012, is an annual one-day cycling event held at Smithfields Market. This year’s events included a penny farthing race, a folding bike race and the longest skid, as well as women’s and men’s elite riders races.
The Nocturne is one of the few events in London where you get to see a mixture of amateur and pro riders racing through the city streets, all for free. The Folding Bike Race saw riders competing on their commuter cycles, many dressed in business suits. While the Penny Farthing race saw competitors from across the globe racing for 30 minutes to win the Brooks Ordinary Trophy, some dressed in Lycra others in more fancy dress. There was even a band playing to accompany this wacky race. The Fixed Gear Longest Skid was a popular event where city fixed gear riders attempted to perform the longest ‘back-wheel lock’.
The Leigh Day Kermesse at the London Nocturne
But it wasn’t all about the quirky, there was also plenty of serious racing with some of the UK’s best amateur cyclists competing in the Leigh Day Kermesse, as well as pro cyclists in the Men’s and Women’s Criterium. The London Nocturne is a great showcase for the sport, and an ideal taster for those just getting into watching cycling.
The 2012 event was well organised with food and drink available from stalls and from the local pubs and cafes, there were also a few exhibition stalls to browse in-between races. The atmosphere was relaxed throughout the day with plenty of noise from cowbells and cheering at the start/finish line as the crowd got into the races. The more free events like this in London the better.
More info: londonnocturne.com