The 2009 Smithfield Nocturne Folding Bike Race was won, as was the 2008 event, by RCUK reader Keith Henderson, who is better known to the editor as ‘Cadence Man’, the fast pedaller who so enlivened the 2008 Dragon Ride Wales. Here is his account of the race:

“I have to say, it was a very different race to last year – the man in black on the pink Rapha-labelled Brompton had just come from winning the Edinburgh Nocturne 2 weeks before. He’s Graeme from Rapha, and his Brompton was signed by Bradley Wiggins! I’d been warned by a mate of mine who knows him that I had a race on my hands.

However, it wasn’t just him I had to worry about, the standard this year was so much higher and the final was raced at a very high pace. Evidence of this is that last years 2nd place man came home in 12th having stayed in the leading pack during the race.

The organisers did a great job this year with very clear rules on which bikes were permitted and strict rules on folding – all bikes had to be completely folded as per the manufacturers instructions prior to the Le Mans style start. The final was increased this year from 30 riders to 40, which made the dash to the bikes pretty treacherous with elbows flying everywhere. Not that anyone was taking it seriously of course!

I had a fairly good start, but had to chase down a rider who’d opened up a clear lead after being first to assemble his bike, but in doing so, I was quickly followed by the chasing pack. ‘Rapha Man’ soon came through to take the lead, and before I knew it having had the door firmly shut in my face on a corner, I was back in 6th or 7th place on lap two.

It was obvious that either no-one was willing to, or able to take the lead from ‘Rapha Man’ as he seemed to be doing a great job of providing everyone else with a decent wind break on the back straight on each lap. After fighting my way back up to second on the last lap, I decided my best option was to sprint from an earlier position than might have been expected – so half way down the back straight I made a beak for it which thankfully paid off! Hat’s off to Graeme and the others for a seriously hard fought race though – cheers! Not sure if I’ll be back next year yet – I may enter the team event with a few colleagues instead. Although, I could be persuaded to try for the hat trick.

I’d just like to say, I raced on the same Dahon Mu Sl which I raced on last year. It’s a 2007 model – the first year the Mu Sl was produced I think? It’s still going very well (my mates at Condor have been keeping it race tuned for me). Not sure if you know, but apparently out of 80 riders entered in the heats this year, 55 of them were riding Bromptons. There were only 4 Dahons in the final, so I’m pretty pleased that a Dahon came out on top again.

The new prize has just gone to a colleague at work who is extremely pleased with her new mode of transport! She’s also very pleased that it’s been touched by Sir Paul Smith. I’m sticking with my old faithful Mu Sl for now”.