Today was a pretty mellow day. I’m not sure how jetlag translates for most people, but I just feel very tired in waves off and on. I walked around here a bit, checking out Brick Lane – a cute street with lots of cafés and the like. I found a small bike shop nearby and had a chat with a couple of the guys that work there. When I asked if there were any “group rides” around here, he told me about Critical Mass… not really what I had in mind, but no need to clarify that at this point… He also told me he rides out to a Tuesday evening criterium series that is about 20 miles from here. While I don’t intend on racing, I said I’d love to join the ride out there and back and check out the scene. More on that later...

I took my first ride on a double decker bus and headed downtown. The “8 line” looks to be the easiest way from here to school. And the view is much better than the tube. I got off at Victoria Station and wandered by Buckingham Palace, which was pretty much mobbed with tourists. I felt pretty tired, so my touring was not so ambitious – mostly some walking around leisurely, taking a few pictures, and absorbing the London vibe. So many people on the streets, it is amazing.

--- minding the castle ---

--- the common folk throng outside the gates ---

London is making a big push to get more people commuting on bikes around the city. I saw quite a few people doing this – mostly on mountain bikes and fixed gears – in their street clothes and no helmets. The streets are narrow. The traffic is somewhat insane. From the vantage point of the top of a double decker bus, I could swear we ran over a few! However, I have been told the streets in the City are mostly empty on the weekends, so that is a good time to ride.

--- life imitates monument... ---