Blond Boris’ Blue Barclays’ Bikes…

So… they have finally arrived, the much anticipated Boris Bikes are now joining forces with red buses and black cabs in completing the full spectrum of our colourful London Transport Network. Are you super excited? Can you simply not wait to hop on your bright blue bicycle complete with flashing front light and visit all your favourite sights across London? Or…are you a little more like me?

I, a London veteran, having lived here for almost three years and a devout cyclist am a tad skeptical. How can mere novices compete with the speed and agility of those of us who commute from south of the river every day? I’m not sure I fancy being stuck behind Maureen from Driving School’s cycling counterpart whilst they navigate their way through unchartered territory on TWO wheels.

Thankfully, I have a fellow hotel expert who IS an avid Boris Bike supporter and he was quick to shoot down my negativity with a list of all the amazing facts about BBs. Starting with the very basics, I was told not to look past how fantastic the nickname is – Boris Bike – (at this stage I wasn’t convinced), and how blue they are – a colour to be admired (umm…still not convinced). After further probing, we got down to the nitty gritty with little gems of insider knowledge such as: the BBs are very easy to use (as easy as an Oyster Card in fact) and very importantly, they provide that much needed escape from the depths of the London Underground at the same time as being cheaper than a gym membership on the exercise front. However, said fellow hotel expert’s favourite reason to love the Boris was that the BBs are soooo much better than the French ones (not that anyone has any intention of alienating our friends from o’er the channel, of course).

Armed with my new positive views on the Boris, I’m starting to see the fantastic benefits of being able to flash my little front light all the way from Westminster Cathedral, to the London Eye, over the Millennium Bridge to catch a glimpse of St Paul’s (stopping for a bite and maybe even a quick leg massage at The Grange St Paul’s), through Regent’s Park to admire Eros against the backdrop of bright lights at Piccadilly Circus before finishing the day with a spot of afternoon tea at Claridges. I can then place my blue Boris Bike back in its little docking station and get the tube back home sarff instead of negotiating the dark roads on my own Dawes Ladies’ Special. 

My positivity has now grown to such an extend that I think we should incorporate Boris Bikes into the London Hotel Experts Team as a kind of honorary member. Just imagine Dan, Alex, Nisha and Mr Duff touring around the capital saying hello to all the fabulous hotels this city has to offer.

Maybe we could even set a challenge to see who could Boris Bike it to the greatest number of hotels in a day. Who would be crowned victorious? Would it be Alex returning fresh at the end of a Marriott Marathon? Perhaps Dan would snatch victory after a scenic tour of a Hilton here and a Goring there? Maybe the sophisticated lady of the team, Ms Hirani, would be the deserving winner after countless quick hellos to her favourite classy venues?  Or would Mr Duff surprise us all with a chunky monkey charged surge across the finsh line?

I’ve laid down the gauntlet guys….who wins?….You decide!