Combining as it does the London Outdoors, Triathlon and Diving shows one ticket gives access to all four and a confusing array of exhibitors for those that may be pure bike lovers. However a big plus side of this is it allows more diverse retailers such as AlpKit to show more of their wares. AlpKit are launching a new range of bikes under the name of Sonder and they are prettttttttttyyyyyyy. Oh very very pretty. I'm very much looking forward to riding one to see if the ride matches the looks. Even if it doesn't stand by for loads of photos.

 Of course a show in London is going to have a lot of pretty bikes and the efforts from Dassi, Cube and Cannondale had me salivating even more than usual. I seriously need to start selling body parts to satisfy my lust for pretty bikes.

There was however one bike that surprised me. I'd been invited along to have a look at an electric bike the Mando Footloose. I'll be honest I'm not convinced by electric bikes in any way. A huge part of me just thinks that the rider really wants a motor bike but they're still afraid of what their mum would say. I'm nothing if not open minded so I popped along for a gander. On first impressions I was pleasantly surprised. The Footloose is striking and on the test track was very nice to ride. The speed is surprising and it feels like a quality piece of kit. I'll be testing the machine for a week in the spring so I'll see how it contends with a more undulating commute than a typical London one.

 London is course a commuter town so many of the exhibitors reflected this. Plenty of luggage options, including Henty Designs launching their female specific Compact bag, numerous insurance and accident solicitors and a plethora of folding steeds. The amount of Steel Framed single speeds was enough to keep the most bearded of Hipsters happy and celebrity spotters were kept occupied with the likes of Anna Glowinski, Rachel Atherton, Grant "Chopper" Fielder, Chris Boardman, Chris Hoy and many others. Seeing Rachel Atherton giving a talk whilst wearing Rainbow Stripes was a personal highlight of mine. Got to admit to getting a bit starstruck. Once a fanboy always a fanboy.

 Of course I had a wander around the rest of the show. I did honestly. Just don't remeber that much. Diving is a strange hobby (I can't swim). Triathlon would be great if they took out the running and swimming bits and called it cycling. The outdoorsy part felt too much like the day job although there was some nice looking kit and the canoe section looked okay but how could I concentrate when they were pretty and shiny and lovely bikes calling for my attention?

Something did distract me from the shiny things though, the Air to The Throne freestyle competition. I've never been a big fan of showing off, stop laughing, it just seems so unnecessary. I'm also thing that BMX and Freestyle are for kids, well they are but kids with amazing skill, dedication and at risk of sounding like a baggy shorts wearing dude, bigger balls than I've ever had. The following photograph includes the awesome Nicholi Rogatkin. It does honestly, see if you can spot him.