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A cyclist has gone viral after spending nine hours traveling around London in order to create a giant reindeer on his Strava app.
With the aid of a GPS tracker, Anthony Hoyle from Cheltenham cycled up a festive masterpiece, and we can't help but be impressed - the logistics involved must have been extensive.
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Beginning his creation in Hammersmith, Anthony cycled 80 miles around London before finally wrapping up around Euston Road.
However, this is far from Anthony's only creation. He's also cycled up a snowman, Father Christmas, and a Yorkshire terrier in York. For obvious reasons.
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In an interview with ITV about his reindeer, he said: "I'm pretty happy with it. Until you get back and upload it, you're not quite sure whether it's going to work or not.
"I live in the countryside and it's very different to coming into London. Particularly around Neasden and Wembley, it's not the most pleasant cycling.
"That's about my maximum distance - I wouldn't want to go too much above that. It's a long day in the saddle."
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Anthony said that maps provide the inspiration for his artwork.
He said: "Normally I look at maps until I see something - 'That looks a bit like a nose' - so I think 'Where can I find eyes near that?' It's like looking at patterns in clouds and seeing pictures.
"With these ones it's a bit more tricky because I'm trying to do something festive so it's harder, but it's the same process really."
Because of the popularity of Anthony's Christmas images, they've become something of a tradition for the cyclist.
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He added: "In a sense, I've made a rod for my own back in that it's become a tradition and everyone was saying: 'So what's it going to be this year?'"
Anthony also revealed that he actually made a GPS mistake on this year's reindeer, but he didn't specify what it was. He said:
"I made a couple of mistakes but they're so small that nobody's going to notice really. I'm happy. It looks how I wanted it to look."
Well, I don't know about you, but I'm excited to see what he comes up with next year!
With London having so much to offer for both locals and visitors, it can often feel like you'll never be able to experience the city to its fullest in just one day.
However, with the summer solstice on the 21st of June, this is your chance! So, we want to show you how to get the very best out of this amazing city on the longest day of the year.
To make the most of the 16 hours and 38 minutes of daylight, what better way to get around London than by bike?
Not only is cycling around London enjoyable, with Santander Cycles it’s never been more simple and convenient.
So, sit back, relax, and discover how Santander Cycles can take you on an unforgettable trip around this city from just £2 for unlimited 30-minute journeys in a 24 hour period.
With over 12,000 Santander Cycles at over 750 docking stations across London, getting yourself on two wheels couldn’t be easier.
And what better way to start the day than to watch the sunrise over the beautiful St. Katharine’s Dock?
Before you leave home, be sure to download the Santander Cycles App. This is the fastest way of hiring your next Cycle, and to checklive cycle and docking space availability.
Pack a bottle of water and enjoy this moment of calm and tranquillity as the rising sun illuminates the greatest city on Earth.
After enjoying the sunrise, it’s time to hop on your bike and take a 16-minute ride to the South Bank.
You’ll see from the Santander Cycles App that the South Bank has plenty of docking stations to choose from.
At this time of day, the riverside is wonderfully tranquil, and boasts eateries to suit every budget. Enjoy a relaxed breakfast to set you up for the day and take a moment to listen to the Thames rippling nearby as the rest of London starts to wake up.
You can’t enjoy the capital city without a shopping spree!
London's iconic Oxford Street is just a 13-minute cycle from the South Bank, and with Santander Cycles readily available throughout the area (we recommend picking one up at Waterloo Station for convenience), it’s time to get on your bike.
Many brands have their flagship stores on Oxford Street, which means you can often pick up items that aren't available elsewhere. And getting to the stores early means you have the first pick.
This is where the convenience of Santander Cycles really comes into play - you won’t have to worry about where you’ve parked your bike.
Now you can take your time to browse the stores with that added peace of mind of knowing Santander Cycles has got you covered.
At midday, it’s time to hit pause and once again escape the hustle and bustle of the capital.
The breath-taking Hyde Park - the largest of the four Royal Parks - is just eight-minutes away.
This beautiful park boasts a stunning cycle path running from Hyde Park Corner through the park and along the Serpentine Lake. Take in the incredible sights of Kensington Palace or absorb some culture at the Serpentine Gallery.
Or you can just take a load off, put your feet up and find the perfect spot to relax and watch the world go by.
It’s time for lunch - and with all that cycling, it’s time to treat yourself to the best London has to offer.
Kensington is full of amazing places to eat, so you’ll be spoilt for choice.
By now, you’ve not only fallen in love with cycling, but with Santander Cycles too. Seeing how convenient and wallet-friendly they are, they’re sure to become your go-to when it comes to getting around London.
Why not consider a Santander Cycles membership? Members get access to Santander Cycles quicker, and they can also track their activity and trip history.
London is renowned the world over for its museums, and there truly is something for everyone.
Whether you're an animal lover who wants to check out the Natural History Museum, a history buff who fancies a stroll around the Churchill War Rooms, or an art fanatic who wants to take in the amazing sights of the Victoria and Albert Museum, you’ll be spoilt for choice.
A top tip for your museum visits - take a sketchbook. Even if you don't see yourself as much of an artist, I guarantee that you'll see something worth sketching - no matter how badly - and it will serve as a great memento of your day!
Once you've spent a few hours taking in the many museums of London - the majority of which are located within Zones 1 and 2 - you'll have probably worked up an appetite.
While Kensington is home to some of London’s best in high-end dining, a day trip in the capital wouldn’t be complete without a visit to one of the East End's many incredible markets.
Make use of the CS3 cycle superhighway to head back past the Royal Parks and along the river to East London. Take a stroll through Spitalfields Market, where you’ll find food from all corners of the globe. And in the highly unlikely event nothing there takes your fancy, you can walk five minutes down the street to Brick Lane, which is renowned for its South Asian cuisine.
After dinner, the next stop on your London day trip is one of the most spectacular spots to view the sunset over the city, make sure you've got plenty of charge left on your phone for pictures.
The Emirates Air Line is located between North Greenwich and the Royal Docks. The only urban cable car in the UK will carry you 90 metres into the air over the River Thames and provides breath-taking views right across London.
A single journey on the Cable Car costs just £4 for adults and £2 for children, and I can guarantee the spectacular views of O2 Arena, Olympic Park, Greenwich and Canary Wharf will have you smiling.
You can even take your Santander Cycle on the cable car with you at no additional charge!
A spectacular day needs a spectacular ending.
Once you've travelled on the cable car, there's only one place to celebrate the end of the longest day of the year - Greenwich Park.
It takes around 27 minutes to cycle from Emirates Airline to Greenwich Park, which boasts amazing views of the entire city. You’re guaranteed to be treated to a sunset to remember after you've conquered the best of what London has to offer.
London is a city that should be celebrated, especially in the sunshine, and when it comes to efficiency, convenience and fun, Santander Cycles does it all!
You can find out more about Santander Cycles here.
This is a sponsored article in partnership with Santander Cycles.
This month, many new students will move to London to start the next chapter of their lives. And if you’re one of the lucky people who’ll be making the capital your new home, then there’s no doubt you’ll be seeking fun and adventure.
London is home to some of the greatest experiences and sights in the world and now is the time to soak up everything this amazing city has to offer.
London’s a big place, and getting around may seem daunting at first, but with Santander Cycles travelling across the city has never been easier.
With over 12,000 Santander Cycles at around 800 docking stations across London, getting from your student digs to your next lecture is so simple. All you have to do is go to any docking station terminal with your bank card and touch the screen to get started.
For the quickest way to hire, download the Santander Cycles app. You can also check live docking space availability and plan your journey to help you navigate your new surroundings.
For just £2 for unlimited 30-minute journeys in a 24-hour period, Santander Cycles really is a great way to get around. The Santander Cycles app also allows you to easily monitor all your hires and charges - so there are no surprises.
Or it may be best to plan for the year ahead. Students get 25% off a Santander Cycles annual membership, which equates to just £67.50 over a year - or less than 20p a day!
Cycling from A to B is also a great way to keep fit. Choosing to cycle to uni means you can get a workout in before 9am, so you can save money on expensive gym memberships and have more time for studying… or socialising!
There are many cycling routes that are perfect for beginners and fitness fanatics alike, so now is the perfect time to brush up on your cycling skills with TfL’s free online Cycle Skills course.
While you’re still adapting to the city life, we recommend starting out with the quieter routes.
For example, you could start off by cycling around the Outer Circle surrounding Regent’s Park. This short route is just 4km per lap and some lucky riders may get to spot the giraffes from ZSL London Zoo poking their heads up.
Next, why not visit London’s most cycle-friendly park - the absolutely breath-taking Hyde Park? Boasting several Santander Cycles docking stations, it’s easy to hop on two-wheels and admire this huge 350-acre park from its blissful cycle routes.
From tree-lined boulevards to huge open green spaces, these parks will show you a picturesque side to London you might not have thought existed. Free cycle training is available for all abilities, and the TfL website is full of information on how to enjoy London by bike. Search 'TfL Cycling' to find out more.
Once you feel more confident on two-wheels, you can try more adventurous routes - like the 10km journey from King’s Cross to Notting Hill, which will allow you to check out both Platform 9¾ and London’s Little Venice in under 30 minutes.
Why not join up with others to discover more of London? There are plenty of online Facebook groups and student forums dedicated to cycling around London. These are a great way to make new friends and explore new areas of the city in a group. And with Santander Cycles, everybody will have two wheels to hop on to.
Of course you’re here to study, but don’t miss out on the opportunity to visit art and music festivals, museums, food markets, sporting events, historical sights, and some of the most beautiful parks in the country. And thanks to Santander Cycles, it’s never been easier to experience them all.
You can find out more about Santander Cycles and how to benefit from a membership here.
This is a sponsored article in partnership with Santander Cycles.
With long and warmer Summer days, there has never been a better time to get outdoors and get active.
Do you remember being a kid and receiving your very first bike? Can you remember the overwhelming feeling of joy and freedom that came with having those two wheels at your disposal? Well, it’s time to feel that once again.
For over 200 years, cycling has been one of the best ways to get around. It’s healthy, convenient and, most importantly, it’s fun! So if you’re in London and want to experience life in the capital to the fullest, there’s no better way than on a Santander Cycle.
Londoners have seen Santander Cycles around the city, but now we’re going to show you why these bikes will become your go-to method of travel, and how they’re going to make you fall in love with cycling all over again.
You don’t need to own a bike to enjoy cycling in London - with over 12,000 Santander Cycles at over 750 docking stations throughout the capital, you’re never far from a pair of wheels.
And at just £2 for unlimited journeys up to 30 minutes over 24 hours, Santander Cycles are great value for money.
It’s a gentle and low-impact form of exercise, which can easily be introduced to your daily routine.
Most importantly, let’s discuss how beneficial cycling is to both our physical and mental health.
It is also perfect for any fitness level and any age. Whether you’re a beginner who just wants a leisurely few miles or perhaps you fancy the challenge of a ‘Tour de London’, your workout can be as intense as you like.
Getting fit has never been more fun! Being locked in one place on an exercise bike at your local gym will never compare to the thrill of being outdoors, feeling the wind in on your face, and taking in the sights. And you never have to worry about booking another spin class.
You’ll be boosting your stamina, strength, and aerobic fitness - and because you’ll be enjoying it, you’ll most likely continue to do it.
Research has also shown that aerobic exercises like cycling can have a great impact on our mental wellbeing, it being proven to reduce anxiety and depression.
All you need is the Santander Cycles App to check the live cycle and docking space availability, and your next workout awaits.
With a Santander Cycles membership, you can get access to Santander Cycles faster, and you’ll be able to track your activity and journey history. An annual membership is only £90, which works out to just 25p a day.
Cycling is not only physically and mentally stimulating, but it also allows you to be in full control of your journey.
If you’re en route to meet your friends or you’ve left a little earlier for work, why not take a detour and enjoy that more scenic route along the river?
Available 24 hours a day and 365 days a year, if you’re ever stuck for inspiration, just hop on a Santander Cycle and enjoy one of the many cycleways across London.
Get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy a tranquil ride along Regent’s Canal. Or perhaps you’re visiting London and want to take in some of the city’s most iconic sights? In that case, enjoy the 5km ride along the river from the Tower of London to Big Ben.
Cycling around London truly is the best way to see everything the city has to offer.
Santander Cycles is convenient, fun, good for you, and friendly on the wallet!
Free cycle training is available for all abilities. So, whether you're a new or regular cyclist, you can always improve your skills.
With your passion for cycling reignited, it’s time to once again get on the road (or cycle lane), and enjoy the freedom that you first felt as a kid.
You can find out more about Santander Cycles and how to benefit from membership HERE.
Tesla owners driving home for Christmas faced hefty queues in the UK, after being forced to wait hours to charge their cars.
While electric vehicles are considered better for the environment as they have zero tailpipe emissions, the infrastructure for charging them on the go still appears to need some work.
Electric vehicle charging points have been popping up at an ever-increasing frequency over recent years, however, fast chargers can still be few and far between.
Those who were making long journeys across the UK to visit family over the Christmas period found that many Tesla charging spots had queues of drivers waiting to recharge their vehicles for up to six hours at a time.
Drivers took to social media to share videos and photos of the queues, with some reporting being stuck for several hours waiting to charge.
One user wrote: "Bedlam @WestmorlandServ Tebay today. 2hr 30m wait for a charge. Worst journey as @Tesla driver. Q now 40 deep!"
Another added: "In the UK today there were 6 hour queues for people to use a charger. The UK is just not ready for electric vehicles."
Tesla batteries can last at least 267 miles on a single charge - with the most extended range currently offered being 375 miles per full charge in the Model S, according to Way.com - however, this varies depending on certain factors including how the car is driven.
Regardless, many drivers making longer journeys will need to fill up - or recharge - at some point during their trip, and the Tesla Superchargers at service stations on the motorways in the UK proved to be hugely oversubscribed over the Christmas period.
One driver joked: "UK services this week have been insanely busy for Tesla charging, currently car 15 in a queue of over 20 ... but you can always rely on the British public to make an orderly queue."
Another Facebook user filmed a small army of Teslas queueing for the Tebay Southbound supercharger, telling others: "All our electric Tesla friends queueing up to charge up at Tebay Services on the post Xmas trip south," before adding it was a "struggle to park as very busy".
Tesla currently operates over 40,000 Superchargers, which allow drivers to recharge their batteries with 172 miles worth of power in just 15 minutes.
Most are located on major routes and motorways to allow drivers making longer journeys to keep going with minimal delay - providing they aren't all in use with a line of others also waiting, of course.
The Tesla app can also show drivers where Superchargers are available, as well as helping them monitor their own charge status.
Superchargers are also advertised to cost a "fraction" of what petrol or diesel would set you back - though both energy and fuel costs have increased in recent months - which has meant an ever-increasing amount of motorists are considering switching to electric vehicles.
This is a sponsored article in association with Santander Cycles.
During these strange times, Santander Cycles have been on hand for those who wish to get out and about, opening up the vast opportunities of London.
We spoke to staff at Haematology Cancer Care - the charitable arm of the Blood Diseases service at University College London Hospitals (UCLH) - about how they have made use of Santander Cycles to continue their fundraising efforts.
"With the cancellation and postponement of events this year, the charity has had to be nimble in order to raise funds," said Simon Tolhurst of Haematology Cancer Care. The wonderful clinical staff at UCLH are very much involved in the fundraising, Simon told VT.
This year, the charity has had to be more inventive than ever before to realise their fundraising ambitions, while adhering to strict social distancing protocols to keep both staff and patients safe.
And so, the idea of the Race Across London was born - a treasure hunt of sorts, where teams would bike across London with at least one member of each group using a Santander Cycle. They would solve clues in order to complete the route, taking selfies at each location. The route was 16 miles in total and included destinations such as "Abbey Road, Buckingham Palace and the Mary Poppins statue," Simon told VT.
"One person on each team [used] a Santander bike" Simon explained to VT. This was a wonderful addition to the fundraising efforts, as it enabled staff who might not have a bike of their own to take part in the fundraising effort.
And for those of you who are competitively minded, you'll be interested to learn that the quickest teams completed the course in just over two hours.
Simon told VT that social distancing has become "a very real and present consideration for all the fundraising events." The Santander Cycles were a valuable asset to the team in their fundraising efforts this time around, allowing more staff members to get involved in the event. In fact, they became a key theme of the day. The event itself was definitely a success to be celebrated - it raised around £4,500 for the charity, something Simon described as "really valuable fundraising for us at this time."
The money raised during such fundraising efforts goes back into the Haematology unit, and is put towards research and patient-facing work. Funds are also used to buy extra equipment that's not provided by the NHS, Simon explained. In addition to all this, fundraising efforts allow for the charity to support further education for nurses. "We fund courses in haemataology treatments so that nurses can develop their training," Simon told VT.
You can find out more about Haematology Cancer Care's work on their website, here. Meanwhile, to learn more about Santander Cycles, you can visit their website at https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/cycling/santander-cycles.
If you are new to cycling or just want to brush up on your skills for cycling in London, you can take the free TfL online course or find tailored cycle skills training to suit you. When you complete the online course you’ll be sent a free 24 hour access code for Santander Cycles, with all 30 minute journeys included. Find out more here: https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/cycling/cycle-skills
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