Busses get gridlocked. Tube lines get closed. Boris Bikes are just bad. If you wanna beat the traffic, grab a backpack and hit the dirt track.
Click images to enlarge.
Cycling, skating and strolling is the swiftest way to avoid congestion and keep good time. Four London experts apply some pressure to their break pads and fill i-D online in on their preferred toe paths and backpacks.
From left:
Nehjat Ramoth, 35, Shoreditch, 1948 Store manager
What’s in your backpack? My laptop, a bottle of water, a notepad and hand cream (note: I hate dry hands). What was the last track you listened to?‘Don’t scandalize mine’, Sugar Bear (Dave Pearce, Best of Dance 1988 – 1992). What’s your favourite cycle route? I would say the canal path from Shoreditch to Camden.
Nehjat wears backpack Nike Cheyenne (RED) Edition.
Zainab Jama, 26 (Damn), London, Music promotion via writing, eventing and press
What’s your preferred mode of transport? Bike or Bus. Tube can jog on. I love the madness of the night bus especially with a good soundtrack. What’s in your backpack? Laptop, 8-hour cream (standard), bottle of water, pen, diary, Flaming Hot Monster Munch and a Pret Love Bar. Where’s good to go out around your ends? The charity shops around Pimlico are untapped gold, more for me. No nightlife here, its lovely. What was the last track you listened to? ‘Sink’, ZVA (Blacklabel).
Zainab wears Nicomede Talavera for Eastpak.
Nick Bam, 23, London, Consultant, writer and musician
What’s in your backpack? A change of clothes for tonight’s gig and my Macbook. Where’s good to go out around your ends? Yum Cha in Chalk Farm Rd for Dim Sum, Jazz Cafe for good music. What was the last track you listened to? ‘Oxy Music’ By Schoolboy Q. What did the last text message you receive say? It was from my Dad, asking me if I want to go the Baftas with him! Where are you off to now? I’m meeting my boys Nate & Motive to plan an event.
Nick wears backpack Nike.
Alice (Moxie), 25, Kentish Town, DJ, Events promoter and graphic designer
What’s in your backpack? Standard stuff really, laptop, purse, notepad, bottle of water and my book ‘Howling At The Moon’ by Walter Yetnikoff. Where’s good to go out around your ends? I love this place called the Map Studio Cafe which is around the corner from me in Kentish Town. They serve really great food and put on loads of live music events. They also have a shop where you can buy records and have a recording studio at the back which the local kids use.
Alice wears backpack Eastpak.
Text: Milly McMahon
Photography: Masha Mel
