Last weekend I rode The Tweed Run in London, which is an event of true English eccentricity with 1000 cyclists dressed in tweed riding old or interesting bikes through Central London on a Saturday midday! Great spectacle and I added to it on my original balance bike and was probably photographed more than Big Ben!

Thanks to some emergency repairs by JW(UK) Ltd of Millbrook, my steering tiller and resting post were made secure and ready for training.
I was been busy last week with improvements to my machine, notably replacing all the leather with a cow hide I purchased. It is much stronger than the previous leather and will cope with the inevitable rain!

On Thursday I took my Draisine back to London for the Pickwick Bicycle Club Presidents luncheon, and rode into the dining hall of 390 members and guests, to much applause.
Today was a serious training ride of 20kms in 1hr 54 mins so averaging just over 10kmph. Both bike and body survived, helped by my favourite undercarriage cream ‘Brave Soldier’! I took Glen’s advice and kept maximum speed to 20kmph, but wore out another pair of shoes! I grow in confidence that we will conquer the challenge ahead!

My tango teacher is also a professional photographer, so thanks to Joe Hudson I can share my new outfits for the important demonstration rides for the press and Mayors in France and Germany. I have spent more time getting costumes sorted to ensure that I look the part! Thanks to Pro Vision Clothing for the outfit and Tina and Martine at  Atelier Millinery for the hat!

One outfit will never be enough, so Nancy at 19th Century Tailoring in Bournemouth have made this wonderful tunic and trousers!

So almost ready to roll to France where we meet together on Friday for a demonstration ride in Nancy around the famous Place Stanislas, where the Baron von Drais showed off his new machine in 1817 – 200 years ago!

Thank you to all those who have sponsored my efforts to raise funds for Cancer Research UK. If you would like to join them in making my efforts worthwhile please go to www.justgiving.com/Stuart-Mason-Elliott7

Tally HO!