High bicycle race at the 2011 Smithfield Nocturne

[Charlotte]

I've just had an email from Phil Saunders, one of the racers at Knutsford, who works in the Comptroller & City Solicitors Department at the City of London Corporation:

Hello Everybody,

The date for the 2011Smithfield Nocturne event has been confirmed. It will be on Saturday 11 June 2011. Ordinarys are on the Race Programme.

There will be a serious High Bicycle Race and a support Race for Boneshakers.

For those who are not familiar with the Smithfield Nocturne I will mention some brief details.

The semi professional and professional races take place on a closed circuit with barriers along the whole of the circuit, in the heart of London at Smithfield about 200 yards from St Pauls Cathedral and The Old Bailey. A prime location.

The event runs into the late evening, hence Nocturne.

This years event attracted spectator numbers in the region of 10,000 (I think this estimate is a bit on the high side).

The event is sponsored by the City of London Corporation along with Rapha, Condor Cycles, Dahon (they have a fantastic folding bicycle race) and other big sponsors.

A good level of hospitality is usually available for participants.

The event attracts TV coverage.

This link for the 2010 Event will give some idea of the nature of the event.      The Smithfield Nocturne

Some very affordable accommodation is available in the City. We should have available 6 or 7 rooms at £25 or thereabouts per night which are 100 yards from the start / finish line!

There are some great value rooms at the Youth Hostel (an historic location) by St Pauls Cathedral also very low price.

This is not a Veteran Cycle Club event. I have discussed the possible use of the Nocturne to Run the Grand Old Ordinary Championship with a number of High Bicycle Riders including Steve George who is in favour of running the race there.

I do hope the VCC will put on a display. I am talking with the organisers about having some type of historic cycle display.

Make a note in your diary for the 11th June 2011 for the racing. Make a note for Sunday 12 June when we will have an Interesting Ride in and around London largely using the new Cycle Super Highways, tow paths, the Thames Path etc

Please tell your cycling friends to put this in their diaries for next year.

Do remember that the week before this we have another big event and that is the Herne Hill Cycle Track ( Velodrome) veteran cycle racing.

Please can you announce the Smithfield Nocturne in your club news letters?

More information will follow.

Bye for now

Phil

[clarion]

One more to aim for for the trophy cabinet, eh?

Baby, you're insatiable!

How long is the course?

[Hilldodger]

Looks like there'll be at least two penny races next year, then.

[Charlotte]

One more to aim for for the trophy cabinet, eh?

Baby, you're insatiable!

How long is the course?

Presumably, the same as the one everyone else will race on.  You know what I currently know.

And yes.  RAAAWWWWWRRRRR!

[clarion]

d'Oh!  from the link

Another short course, with four right angles (one LH) and two tighter bends.  Short straights.

[darkpoint]

something to aim for then,  but it is a very tight course,  one i wouldn't like to race even on a safety bicycle.

[JT]

d'Oh!  from the link

Another short course, with four right angles (one LH) and two tighter bends.  Short straights.

Aren't there some cobbled sections or is my memory laying tricks on me?

[andygates]

I think there are, yes.  It's tight, but the Knutsford course looked ridiculous before it was ridden, too.

Darkpoint, you've got eight months to prepare... 

[Charlotte]

[thing1]

Just spotted this on the brooks FB feed
The Brooks England Blog  » Blog Archive   » Brooks Brings Penny Farthing Racing to London

"Knutsford women’s champ Kat Jungnickel will no doubt team with partner Charlotte at this year’s Brooks Penny Farthing Races"

They love you! The anticipation builds!

(I'm confused by their 11 June date vs the 17 Sept in your poster?)

[Manotea]

Awsum pic of Charlotte leaning her penny into a turn at Knutsford!

[Charlotte]

Yeah, I love that pic.  I take no prisoners when I'm racing!

I don't know how the date thing happened.  It's definitely the 11th...

The IG Markets London Nocturne

[Manotea]

Alas I'm away that weekend otherwise I would be there!

[darkpoint]

I am signed up to race you Charlotte.

But given that your race pedigree I suspect that I would be a fool to think i could beat you.

[Charlotte]

But given that your race pedigree I suspect that I would be a fool to think i could beat you.

MWAHAHAHAHA!

*sharpens Boudica hubs and orders moar woad*

[darkpoint]

please be gentle..  it will be my first time

Actually I am already fearing an humiliation as I have to give blood the day before.  Well that is my excuse and I am sticking to it..

[thing1]

Actually I am already fearing an humiliation as I have to give blood the day before.  Well that is my excuse and I am sticking to it..

Have to? Using the drop in centres, you can always defer it to the day after   http://www.blood.co.uk/giving-blood/where-can-i-go/blood-centres/ (um that site seems to be down just at this moment...)

[darkpoint]

Actually I am already fearing an humiliation as I have to give blood the day before.  Well that is my excuse and I am sticking to it..

Have to? Using the drop in centres, you can always defer it to the day after   The National Blood Service - Giving Blood (um that site seems to be down just at this moment...)

True,  I am booked up via work, so it is easier to just stick with the program and keep my slot whenever they turn up in the office.
it is 30 or so hours before so i will be fit to race, but I will use it as my excuse if i don;t win.

[Andyf]

Which race have you entered ? I would do the Team event (don't have a team ) or the folding bike (don't have a brompton just a Montgue  )
(just read page 1 of the thread, Penny farthing race maybe the answer  )

[Hilldodger]

I would of course love to be there and lead you all across the finish line with ease - but sadly I'm washing my hair that day.

Ah well, maybe next time....................
 
 

[Redlight]

As I was riding home last night, sporting my shiny new YACF jersey, a gentleman on an old-looking road bike pulled alongside me and said: I hope you've got something about the Smithfield Nocturne on your forum.

And so we have    If I see him tonight I will tell him.

[andygates]

We shall demand glory and photos of the massive spills.   

[rt]

just finished building my penny in time for this race.
Going to give it a thrash in the park tomorrow to see if it's up to the job

[Mercury Jim]

i got the last place on the start grid- number 35. Riding 1878 Timberlake, now with repaired spokes.
Travelling down on the sat am, then staying the sat pm at st pancras youth hostel. Travelling with RT- as the derbyshire massive.
Are there any plans 4a meet up- pre event social of ycf types? Other wise we ll head 4 covent garden and soak up some sun.

Also can any locals offer advice on where 2park. Was going 2get the train as its so handy, but if there is no guards van then its going 2b tricky get 2 pennys in the bike slot. Happy 2park up at say hendon and get the tube in- if they ll let us take the hi bikes on the tube?? Or r there options 2park more centrally at weekends- sat am to sun am?

[JT]

Also can any locals offer advice on where 2park. Was going 2get the train as its so handy, but if there is no guards van then its going 2b tricky get 2 pennys in the bike slot. Happy 2park up at say hendon and get the tube in- if they ll let us take the hi bikes on the tube?? Or r there options 2park more centrally at weekends- sat am to sun am?

The Barbican underground car park is pretty good at weekends. That's where I'll be parking.