Esteemed Velopedists of Greater Londinium,

The festive season approacheth, and the Southeast London Commissariat for Social Cycle Rides Planning (aka the Dog & Bell Crew) invites you to join many, various and adventurous local cyclists for a Mithrasmas meander from maritime Greenwich to Putney. Much of the ride will be along the Thames Path, away from motor vehicles full of squabbling adults and exasperated children.

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The Mithrasmas Mass is a Christmas Day tradition begun in 2001 by the late great Barry Mason.

Starting at 10:00 from Cutty Sark Gardens by Greenwich Pier, we shall follow the Thames Path toward central London, call at Southwark Needle by London Bridge to collect more riders, and head west as far as a riverside watering hole in Putney.

Following the refreshment break at the Duke’s Head pub, riders who do not have family Christmas dinner commitments will cross the river, and head northeast through Hyde Park toward Edgware Road. There they will feast at a Lebanese restaurant, before dispersing in the late afternoon.

Previous years have seen upwards of 100 cyclists of all ages, genders, ethnicities and body-mass indices take part in the Mithrasmas Mass, and we usually get a few skiving Santas thrown in. Last year it rained hard in the morning, such that some of those starting in Greenwich found themselves aquaplaning across Cutty Sark Gardens. Despite the deluge, we had a respectable turnout by Southwark Needle, the rain eased off as we headed west, and much fun was had by all.

Those wishing to come on the ride are asked to bring warm clothing, water, snacks, lights, basic tools and puncture repair materials, and preferably a spare inner tube or two. Active parents are most welcome on the ride, provided that they are accompanied by at least one responsible child, and behave themselves. All should have at least basic road cycling experience.

Experienced riders able and willing to marshal the Mithrasmas Mass 2013 are asked to ride leader Francis Sedgemore at their earliest convenience.

http://sedgemore.com/contact

The Mithrasmas Mass is organised under the auspices of the London Cycling Campaign.

http://lcc.org.uk