some faces from last years...

London WNBR
 

There's a problem with this year's ride.

There are 'political' demonstrations that could turn violent en route.

Tommy Robinson, a hero of free speech to some, a far right extremist to others was jailed recently for contempt of court and his supporters are marching from Trafalgar Square to Downing Street. There is a counter demonstration from the left, they seem to be coming from Parliament and will probably try and go north towards Downing Street. Both these groups have their elements hell bent on a violent confrontation.

The organisers have said that the start places will be the same but after talking to the Police the route is amended and could be changed during the ride on Police advice. Barriers are being put up overnight and there are road closures.

The ride can avoid Trafalgar Square and Whitehall fairly easily and meet up on Westminster Bridge BUT the problem comes if the area around the bridge has potential disorder.

I for one will be avoiding The Downing Street Area.

At least 2 of those ladies rode this year.

yea, those pictures were from today.
I also remember this girl on the left

If last year's Manchester Gays Against Sharia event that Tommy spoke at (and the after march rally that I attended part of after finding myself in that part of town) or the recent Day of Freedom Rally in London are anything to go by it'll be the self proclaimed anti-fascists of the left who'll be causing trouble and spoiling for a fight. You won't have any trouble from the Free Tommy protesters as 99%+ of them are folk of all races and political beliefs simply there to express their views and have an enjoyable afternoon. If any real trouble kicks off it'll be the left wingers who start it, though to their credit at the Day for Freedom Rally the Met Police actually did a good job keeping both crowds separate.

I was (and still am) hoping this wouldn't degenerate into a political argument and we could just focus on the ride. This is why I used deliberately neutral language.

From a WNBR perspective, it's a pain in the arse. His arrest has sparked passions and it does seem that there will be a much larger crowd than the one a few days ago. The sheer weight of numbers will be a problem, furthermore Whitehall will effectively be impassable, let's hope it is peaceful and doesn't impact the WNBR too much.

But Lincoln's Inn Fields shouldn't be impacted?

Vimeo Videos
vimeo.com/274191283
vimeo.com/274192732

I’m hoping Waterloo Bridge and Lincoln’s Inn Fields, two great spots after all rides have joined, won’t be affected.
Not sure about Trafalga Sq though, that might be avoided this year because of its close proximity to Whitehall/Downing Street?

Not wanting to make this a discussion thread, but maybe we could keep each other updated on here for the sake of as many of us as possible getting some good photos.

A few old birds from Manchester have popped up. Not what everyone wants to see I'm sure but I quite enjoy the sight of mature bodies :D