22 September 2009

Bike Monopoly 11: Pall Mall


Famous for its gentleman's clubs, Pall Mall is a third of a mile of grand buildings running from near Trafalgar Square in the east to St James's Palace in the west (bottom right).


It's one way westwards - meaning an irritating walk along the pavement if you're heading eastwards (right) - and when you are heading the right way, it can be an unpleasant joust with pulses of fast-moving big traffic switching lanes around you, especially in the split right off up Regent St.


Parking's a bit rubbish too, and all those gents evidently visiting their clubs by bicycle must end up chaining them to the railings. I once worked briefly at the Institute of Directors, in a building that used to be a gent's club, and if that's anything to go by they can be pokier inside than their imposing exteriors suggest.


Pall Mall is also a brand of cigarette, which does suggest a kind of Smoking Tour of London by Bike. This could be my next series; perhaps a smoker could help me. We could go to (an) Embassy, then Kent, Marlboro (-ugh St), Mayfair, Pall Mall, Parliament, Strand, and finally via King's (College Hospital) to Richmond (Cemetery).

Monopoly's Pall Mall costs £140. What could this buy you there? The only club I could find membership fee details for online was the Oxford and Cambridge club, and that sum would buy you ten weeks' membership. Or about one round of drinks while you're there.

3 comments:

  1. Maybe a little too far east for your taste, but there's a Woodbine Place in leafy Wanstead.

    BillG

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Rob,

    Really great blog and interesting post too...

    I’m Michelle from Jam and I’m working with the Guardian on their ‘Enjoy England’ feature, which is being produced in partnership with enjoyEngland.com.

    I would like to get in contact with you about an opportunity to share the great things we can do in England, but I could not find a contact email for you.

    Is there a way I can contact you with this information? My email address is guardian@i-level.com.

    Kind regards,

    Michelle

    ReplyDelete
  3. Try rob at bike99 dot com (it's there if you look hard enough)

    ReplyDelete