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Tweed Run 2017 is my three-peat. Attending for the third year in a row, I was going solo this time around. But there were plenty of familiar faces that only added to this nostalgic event. 

Starting at Clerkenwell

Hundreds of people clad in tweed swarmed to a familiar honey pot at Clerkenwell. This years event seemed bigger and more grand in every sense. Sublime vintage style and sweet rides made this a treasure cove for the dozens of photographers who mingled with the crowd.

We set off with the traditional mass percussion of ringing bells. The group sloshed through the streets of London on a route that seemed quite similar to the one last year. With my bladder saturated with several cups of coffee, I was looking forward to our next stop. We migrated to Saint Pancras Gardens for our tea break. After a short trek back on the road, we settled outside the stunning Imperial War Museum for lunch.

Please don’t rain

The thick grey clouds parted in the afternoon, revealing the sun on this perfect temperate day. I attribute this to the celestial karma spun by tweed run. How could I dismiss this? Especially when droves of tourists and locals alike are brought to a stand still, beaming with smiles and snapping pictures.

The Marshals were the heroes of the day

The stop-and-go ride appeared moderately taxing for some near the end. But the relentless enthusiasm of the Marshals guiding us through the streets of London made it all worthwhile. It wasn’t until the closing ceremonies at Spa Fields did I then realize their numbers and the preparation required for the event. Besides being among the best dressed, the Marshals were the heroes of the day.

With a drink in hand, I reminisced about the moment I stopped on Westminster bridge to take some shots. Someone had asked me, “what the point of all this?” I jested that we are protesting high cider prices. I did have to pause for a moment to give a more formal answer. “It’s Tweed Run! We dress up, bike around and have fun.”

Twin Tweed

Twin Tweed

Hello pint size

Hello pint size

Tweed thru London

Tweed thru London

Pose at St Pancras Garden

Pose at St Pancras Garden

Setting off from Clerkenwell

Lunch at the Imperial War Museum

Lunch at the Imperial War Museum

Crossing Westminster

Crossing Westminster

How far back

How far back

Pedal with bling

Pedal with bling

Roll with it

Roll with it

Marshal's Bust A Move

Marshal’s Bust A Move

Let's play tea

Let’s play tea

Tweed pup

Tweed pup

Miss Penny & Mr.Farthing

Miss Penny & Mr.Farthing

Arriving at Spa Fields

Arriving at Spa Fields

Yellow ledbetter

Yellow ledbetter

On standby

On standby

Wait here, we're getting drinks

Wait here, we’re getting drinks

Scarlet Madam

Scarlet Madam

Gus

Gus

Good evening Sir

Good evening Sir

After-party

After-party

All smiles today

All smiles today

Days End

Days End

Congratulations to the top Marshal

Congratulations to the top Marshal

Best Dressed Gent breaks into song

Sean Connery (look-alike) wins the Best Dressed Gent

Best Dressed Dame, "I've got this one honey"

Best Dressed Dame, “I’ve got this one honey”

Best moustache

Can’t argue about the “Best moustache” winner

Best vintage bike

“Best vintage bike”

Best headgear

Winner of  “Best headgear”

The heroes of Tweed Run London 2017, The Marshals

The heroes of Tweed Run London 2017, The Marshals

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Join the discussion 3 Comments

  • Bruce Richardson says:

    Thank you for the kind words about the marshals. There were 53 of us on the day and well over 800 riders. Despite that being 300 more than we had in 2014, I think we managed to recapture the relaxed, sociable atmosphere of the earlier years, this time.

    1.7 of the 10.2 miles was the same as last year’s route ;-)

    • Well I think you did an admirable job and you certainly did manage to make it a relaxed and sociable atmosphere. Thanks again for all your efforts.

      I’m stunned to learn that only 1.7 of the 10.2 miles were the same! Either I was too distracted or London is becoming quite familiar to me ^_^

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