On Sunday 15th June, the CCC bike bus ran between Camden Square and Hampstead Heath.

The first run left Camden square at 2 pm, picking people up on the way to Hampstead Heath. The route is shown in Bike Bus card

The "bus" consisted of a group of parents and children led and escorted by experienced cyclists. The two leaders were cycle trainers Richard Riddle and Wendy Flicker. Tom Moulton, LCC's community cycling officer together with CCC volunteers made up the escort. All children were given a token for a free ice cream on arrival at the Heath, provided by the d'Auria brothers of the Parliament Hill café. Jane Boardman describes the first ride to the Heath:

"We started off with Wendy, Richard R, Tom from LCC, Richard F and me together with three parents and five children. Several more joined along the route until Kentish Town Road where we numbered quite a lot. I think some more joined after that. Richard R, Wendy and Tom were very good, it was a large number to be shepherding, the drivers were pretty tolerant too, there were some bad roads to cross. I would not want to lead the ride but I enjoyed being an extra helper. It did need the professionals."

"We got there in 30 mins. The stickers, badges, balloons etc were appreciated as were the ice cream vouchers. A number of parents were delighted to be able to take their kids on the road and wanted a regular kiddie ride. This might be something they could organise themselves with help/support from the Camden Cycling Campaign. Some parents+kids wanted to be escorted back to Camden Square straight away rather than waiting for the return ride one hourlater, they were out for the on-road ride."

The second return ride left at 5pm, but as most families had returned on the previous ride or on their own, we had just one very good seven-year old cyclist and his adults to take back. This boy was very clear that nobody should get in front of the leader Richard.

Richard Riddle added:

"The children, more than thirty in total, enjoyed it and I almost think the ride could have been a little longer. The only problem is that the roads around Parliament Hill are very crowded at weekends. I definitely think the event should be more targeted at children. But it was a success I would say."

Photos by Meade McCloughan