London isn’t exactly known for its freak weather occurrences. It has to be said that Mother Nature is quite kind to this little city of ours…Okay, so, we’re never going to have the same sort of summers, as the Algarve, and we can always be sure of rain during Wimbledon, but as far as hurricanes and earthquakes, are concerned, we can be pretty safe in saying that it isn’t going to hit on a monumental scale, unless you are ridding a scooter that is.

I woke up yesterday morning hopping to get a full day in on The K and one quick look out the window told me blues skies with a few bright fluffy scattering of clouds. The trees were blowing in the wind a bit, but wind rather than dark skies and rain, I thought to myself. I started my day by doing List 2 Run 1 – Graham Rd (E8.) to Hanover Gate – Regents Park (NW1) Again my logic in doing this run is because I know the start point. I know I should really be working my way through the lists from the top, but seeing as I’m new to this, best to do runs where I kind of know where I’m going… From there I did List 2 Run 2 – Barker Street Station (NW1) to Halkin St (SW1). Got a bit confused with this run. Baker Street Station, the one I found, was on Baker Street, but on the list it goes – Baker Street Station – Lve on Left Marylebone Rd – Left Allsop Pl – Left Baker Street. This for me was confusing; the only think I assumed was that there is an entrance on Marylebone Road. I carried on with the run from Baker Street regardless. Baker Street – Forward Portman Square… Note must find out if there is an entrance to Baker Street on Marylebone road.

My final run of the day List 1 Run 8 – Ritz Hotel (W1) to Battersea Park Station (SW8.) and the first run, since being on the knowledge, that I have manage to nail first time. I’m hoping that this will happen more often, as I seem to be getting better at spotting the roads.

I hadn’t really had much of a problem with the wind; admittedly it was a bit blustery, out, but I’d felt safe all day that was until I drove back over to the other side of the river via London Bridge where I nearly had lift off. I can honestly say I thought a strong gust of wind was going to take me over the bridge and into the River Thames all I could do was hold on tight while leaning into the wind, while shouting the lords name JEEEESSSSUUSSSSS.

A definite lesson has been learned today. I was, always, fully aware of how dangerous it could be while out on the scooter in the rain, or during a frost, but I have to say that until my encounter with the gust of wind on London Bridge I wasn’t completely aware of how easily a strong wind can quite literally throw you around like a rag doll.

Previously I’d said I started by doing my first run due to the fact that it was in The City and because I vaguely knew it, but I guess the run closest to home would have to be List 1 Run 16 – West Ham Station (E15) to Dalston Kingsland Station (E8). So I decided to give this one a go and then from there make my way, finally to the beginning. List 1 Run 1 – Manor House Stn (N4) to Gibson Sq (N1)

Having been out only a few times, now, on the K it has already become very apparent, to me, that getting through The K in one piece is going to prove somewhat tricky. It’s quite shocking how awful some drivers, really, are. Indicators rarely get used, which is really annoying, especially, at roundabouts. And just so you’re aware wing mirrors are to be used when changing lanes. Just a little glance is sufficient enough in order to make sure you’re not going to ram me, or another unfortunate, off the road.

To be honest I can sometimes understand, errors on the road, because I have to put my hands up and say that there have been times when I’ve not looked in my wing mirror, or not knowingly cut someone up, completely, unaware until I’ve heard the beep of a car horn, and a waving of a fist, or sign, in my direction. But what I find most irritating is the lack of respect for us scooter users. While on the East Cross Route, heading towards Dalston, doing 40mph the correct speed limit for this road, a white Ford Escort under took me and for a moment I wobbled, nervously. It really surprises me what risks drivers take in order to advance that little bit further, that little bit quicker, well done Mr Driver you’ve got that little bit further down the road a little bit quicker, or have you? Because guess who I pull up beside at the lights. It’s Mr White Ford Driver. I have found that this happens quite a lot, cars driving erratically passed me only for me to pull up alongside them at the lights. It does make me wonder.

To sum up, on Sunday just gone, I completed List 1 Run 16 – West Ham Station (E15) to Dalston Kingsland Station (E8). Also did List 1 Run 1 – Manor House Stn (N4 to Gibson Sq (N1)

Runs completed so far:

List 1 Run 1 – Manor House Stn (N4 to Gibson Sq (N1)
List 1 Run 2 – Thornhill Sq (N10) to Queen Sq (WC1)
List 1 Run 12 – Barbican (EC2) to Mile End Station (E3)
List 1 Run 16 – West Ham Station (E15) to Dalston Kingsland Station (E8).

I went out yesterday with all good intentions to start from the beginning, List 1 Run 1 – Manor House Stn (N4) to Gibson Sq (N1), but as I drove to my destination I found myself on Gray’s Inn Road that made up List 1 Run 2 – Thornhill Sq (N10) to Queen Sq (WC1), so I decided as I was there, I thought, I may as well. It’s nice doing runs in the evening the roads are quite empty and I found I could crawl along searching for the required roads, with out to much trouble, and it was no time before I’d found Thornhill Square… so off I go, down Matilda Street, right into Copenhagen Street, left Carnegie Street, all well, until I completely miss Muriel Street and end up in a residential car park. No real problem. I head back to Thornhill Square, and off I go again… this time I do a right into Muriel Street, forward Rodney Street… all was going well on my second attempt, until I nearly missed Guilford Street, only just spotting it in time to turn right and then on from there the run was pretty straight forward onto Queens square.

Having completed the run I decided to drive back up it, only Acton Street is one way, so I continue up Gray’s Inn Road, onto Euston Road and before I know it I’m on Marylebone Road. Knowing I’m heading in completely the wrong direction I turn off and find a safe spot to stop on Duke Street St James’s and get out my map. Being new at this game my map reading skills aren’t great – I’m hoping it’ll get better – still unsure after a read of the map I’m back on the road hoping I’ll stumble on somewhere familiar, and where do I stumble… The Mail heading towards Buckingham Palace. Being this is only my second night out I’m confused and make the mistake of turning off into Constitution Hill. I carry on driving and when I see Knightsbridge station I realise how far off track I am. I need to get back to The City, and from there home. It’s well past ten and trying to read my map in the dark is a pain in rear side. I continue to ride with blind faith that I’m heading in the right direction, towards The City.

So where am I now?

I look up to find I’m on Kings Road. I stop and give my cousin a call – my cousin has already completed The K – after him laughing and me feeling embarrassed he tells me to head up Kings Road towards Sloan Street and then up to Piccadilly, so I could get myself back into Central London, and back to The City.

As I head down the Kings Road I’m praying that I’m heading up it the right way, towards Sloane Street and then before my very eyes I see a sign, no, not from god, but a road sign giving me directions to central London, and then a bit further down the road I see a sign to The City. I reach Embankment and hey presto before I know it i’m back in The City on St Botolph Street and on the run that I had done the previously night up to Mile End Station.

Luckily, as I sat at home drinking a well-earned brew, I wasn’t to put out at getting lost. I mean, it was only my second proper night out and I’m not meant to know London like the back of my hand already, now, am I.

I’m not really sure of my logic to start The Knowledge, while Euro 2008 is being contested. I guess with no England in this year’s tournament it’s hard to build up any kind of enthusiasm for it and to be honest I’m still amazed how we didn’t get there. Anyone who watched the Champions league final back in May will have noticed that 10 English players were in the starting line ups. Two, Rio Ferdinand and John Terry were leading their respected teams, as captains out onto the pitch. I don’t know what happens to these English players when they pull on the three lions shirt, but they seem to grow two left feet, or right if they’re left footed. Although, in the long run us not being there is a good thing in my opinion. You have to ask yourself this… would you rather us have qualified only to go out at the quarterfinal stage on penalties and still have Steve McClaren at the helm, or would you prefer the changes that have been made due to our failure to qualify. I know which I prefer. I’m hoping that from now on when the England players meet up for England duty Fabio Capello will run it in a boot camp style and not like a Butlins Holiday camp like his predecessor.

So, yesterday was the start. The day I completed my first run, List 1 Run 12 – Barbican (EC2) to Mile End Station (E3). There are probably some people that might say I should have started at the beginning List 1 Run 1 – Manor House Stn (N4) to Gibson Sq (N1), but I chose Barbican to Mile End station because I knew some of the route, as I walk part of it on my way into work, Eldon Street, South Place, so, familiar with these streets I decide to start this mammoth journey, called The K, there. I have to admit I feel like I’m standing at the bottom of Everest on a blizzard struck day, but as I drove my first route I passed plenty of black cabs and thought to myself If they can do it then so can I.

And finally back to the Euros. I’m doing the K part time at the moment and after a bit of research I’ve estimated that it should take me between 3-4 years to complete, so, seeing as I started this journey during Euro 2008 I’ve set myself a target of completing The K by Euro 2012, and in an ideal world by the time the whistle blows for the first match in Poland/Ukraine, I’ll have my green badge and England will be at the very least participants.

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Studying the Knowledge.