Stage 2: Welcome to London!

Erin Powell | 22. September 2025

Already it’s day 2 of the UK Tour where we start the day bright early in the heart of London. With the city’s rich tapestry of history, architecture, and engineering as our backdrop, we pedalled through some of its most iconic landmarks, showcasing the bike in one of the world’s most iconic locations.

Harrods

We began todays journey at the historic department store Harrods. Nestled in the heart of Knightsbridge, Harrods is more than just a department store—it’s a London icon. With its opulent interiors, world-class service, and over 300 departments ranging from luxury fashion and fine jewellery to gourmet food halls, Harrods offers an unforgettable shopping experience. This landmark attracts visitors from around the globe and why no the igus bike!

Hyde Park and the serpentine river

From Harrods, we cycled through Hyde park, passing numerous other keen cyclists busy on their way to work. Passing over the Serpentine river, we stopped to appreciate the September weather before heading towards Westminster.

Westminster

Continuing our journey, we cycled to one of London’s most historic and politically significant districts, Westminster. Home to iconic landmarks like the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey, the bike silently crept past the striking gothic architecture and continued onto possibly THE most iconic landmark in the UK, Buckingham Palace.

Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace, the official London residence of the British monarch since 1837. Behind its regal exterior lies a complex infrastructure of over 775 rooms, including a cinema, swimming pool, and even an internal post office! We stopped for a quick pit stop ( and to see if we could spot the odd Royal or two) and continued our journey through the capital.

Big Ben

Next, we rolled past possibly the world’s most famous clock… Big Ben! Officially named the Elizabeth Tower, ‘Big Ben’ actually refers to the large bell inside it, believed to be named after Sir Benjamin Hall, the First Commissioner who oversaw the installation of the bell. The clock mechanism, designed by Edmund Beckett Denison and George Airy, uses a double three-legged gravity escapement to ensure precision and its pendulum is regulated by old pennies, a clever example of analogue engineering still in use today.

Today, we met one of our publication editors Rachael Morling at the foot of Big Ben to get her impressions of the igus bike. Rachael is the Editor of Design Solutions, a magazine that holds a long lasting relationship with igus.

The London Eye & Southbank

Crossing the Thames over Westminster Bridge, we arrived at the London Eye, a 135-metre cantilevered observation wheel. Built to celebrate the millennium, it was the world’s tallest Ferris wheel when it opened in 2000. Each of its 32 sealed capsules is mounted externally to allow for a full panoramic view, and the entire structure is supported by an A-frame, certainly a marvel of modern structural engineering and balance.

Shakespeare’s Globe

On the South Bank, we visited Shakespeare’s Globe, a reconstruction of the 1599 playhouse. The modern Globe was built using traditional techniques like oak timber framing and lime plaster but also incorporates hidden steel reinforcements to meet modern safety standards. The open-air theatre is a blend of historical craftsmanship and contemporary engineering, with acoustics designed to replicate the original experience of Elizabethan drama.

Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge is one of London’s most iconic landmarks, blending Victorian engineering with timeless elegance. Completed in 1894, this striking bascule and suspension bridge spans the River Thames, connecting the boroughs of Tower Hamlets and Southwark. Visitors can walk across its high-level glass walkways for panoramic views of the city or explore the Tower Bridge Exhibition to learn about its fascinating history and mechanics. Whether admired from the riverbank or experienced up close, Tower Bridge remains a symbol of London’s rich heritage and architectural brilliance.

St Paul’s Cathedral

Our final stop was the majestic St Paul’s Cathedral, designed by Sir Christopher Wren and completed in 1710. Its dome remains one of the largest in the world, supported by a triple-shell structure, a significant feat of engineering for its time. Wren’s design includes whispering galleries and hidden structural supports, making it an architectural masterpiece. The cathedral has withstood centuries of change, including the Blitz, thanks to its resilient design.

And then it was time to head home back through Hyde park where we spotted the Prince and Princess of Wales ( sadly we were not quick enough with a camera!)

Our rider

Dean Aylott

Dean has been with igus for nearly 15 years. He started in regional sales, progressing to a Product Manager and last year became one of the Sale managers. Dean took up cycling along with swimming during covid. 2023 he qualified to represent team GB in the triathlon so it was hardly surprising that he jumped at the chance to be part of the bike tour.