Thursday 26 May 2011, London:

This evening I got on my bike to ride the usual 5.7 mile journey home. It was raining heavily when I started and a few minutes later I was attacked… by ice! Hailstones, some call ‘em. Others call them solidified water pebbles or frost balls. I call them painful and blinding. Here’s the story in tweets, blogged for prosperity.

1

That cycle was the best! I was riding over Battersea Bridge. Every gust made it feel like buckets of water were being thrown over me. Then…

2

it turned to hail. Pebbles of ice dashing my headpiece. All the riders took shelter. There was none. We pressed against buildings…

3

One guy shouted above the rain “I’ve got a brainfreeze! I haven’t been eating ice cream!” A girl told me she had to get to Forest Hill…

4

and rode off while we all silently wondered if she was crazy or we were cowards. The hail turned back into heavy water. The shivering…

5

compelled me to move. Soon I hit 1ft deep lakes and even a taxi driver gave me space. I made it to top of Latchmere Hill and seen…

6

Forest Hill girl toottling along with determination on her heavy Beast. By Balham the rain had eased…

7

Every traffic light on the CS7 cycle highway was a 2min social club for cyclists where stories were swapped and excitement shared…

8

and so, riders left the pack, numbers dwindled and then it was my turn. I rolled down my street alone, remembering, and did a fart. #end

Follow me, @truphtooph