At the weekend it was the inaugural London Paramotor Rally. Around 70 pilots had registered for this event which aimed to circumnavigate London roughly following the M25 whilst avoiding any controlled airspace. The route is just over 260km with a total flying time of around 7 hours. Sadly the weather wasn’t kind to us so the route wasn’t completed.

Four of us decided to try again and so on Wednesday we took off from a field near Guildford loaded down with full fuel tanks, sleeping bags and lots of warm clothing. It was a late start but we were in the air by 5pm. Conditions were perfect and the highlight was following the Thames at Henley as rowers enjoyed the evening sunlight. Two and a half hours later we landed at Bovingdon, a disused airfield to refuel at a nearby petrol station. Taking off again we had half an hour in the air before we had to land 20 minutes after sunset in a field inside the M25 near Potters Bar. After visiting the local pub, we spent a cold night in the field in bivy bags next to our machines.

Up at 4.30am to pack up, load up and take off at first light. Our wings were soaking wet with dew and it took me two attempts to lift off in the nil-wind conditions. There was low lying mist on the ground and we followed the M25 east then turning south to cross the Thames at Dartford. Here the wind picked up and we descended to take advantage of the wind gradient. Still following the M25 we landed at Clacket Lane services after two and a half hours to refuel and warm up. After taking off again, conditions became more thermic and windy but it was just a case of following the North Downs past Box Hill towards Guildford. We landed late morning tired but very happy. Thanks to Laura Turner and Tom for the photos.