"This day is called the feast of Crispin: He that outlives this day and comes safe home will stand a-tiptoe when this day is named," Henry V.

Commemorating the 600th anniversary of the Battle of Agincourt, the St Crispin’s Day Night Ride set off from Chiswick in the early hours of Sunday morning, 24th October. This is the third year that this event has been run, and is a jolly 100 mile jaunt out of West London to one of England’s leading vineyards, Stanlake Park, whereupon every rider is presented with an exclusive bottle of St Crispin’s Day wine.

A bottle of English wine for every rider

This year a hot meal of Chicken Cacciatore was served at the wine stop, giving everyone a chance to refuel before heading back into London. There were cake stops on the way there, the way back, and a bacon roll at the finish, meaning that the riders were well nourished throughout the night.

"I thought upon one pair of English legs did march three Frenchmen." Henry V

Organiser Rob Howes explains how the idea behind the ride started when, ‘We’d been enjoying the autumn evening and taking great pleasure in the English wine we were drinking. Then someone said, "why not ride to the vineyard and collect more wine for the next dinner party?" The idea gripped us all and the following weekend we rode off into the night.’

From that day on, the St Crispin’s Day Night Ride has become a bit of a tradition and the band of brothers and sisters grows every year. It’s now a properly organised and signposted event with food stops on the way and showers and changing facilities at the finish, as well as that all important bottle of wine, of course.

While most riders come prepared in modern attire, some take the opportunity to dress up in plus fours and tweed caps like Kelvin, pictured here.

Customised Bromptons from the London Brompton Club

Meanwhile some riders celebrated Agincourt by dressing up as English knights and the London Brompton Club were out in force showing off their beautifully customised steeds.