Folding bicycles are fast becoming a frequent sight on the roads of the capital, yet for one Dorking cyclist, his trusty Brompton steered him to victory at a cycling festival in London.

TV producer Nick Mugridge blew away the rest of the field in the Folding Bike Race at Rapha Nocturne London on Saturday – a day-to-night festival of cycling that welcomes both elite and amateur cyclists to the city’s streets.

The 29-year-old later went on to win the City Critt – on a normal bike - alongside his Chubb Global Markets teammates, finishing fifth in the individual standings.

And after only coming along to the event for a bit of fun, Mugridge ruled the day a job well done.

“I really wasn’t expecting that result, I was just expecting to have a bit of fun,” he said. “I just showed up, but I managed to pull away and hold my power, opening up the gap.

“It kept on opening up more and more and I just thought ‘I can do this’, and I made it in the end, so that was a bonus.

“I’m so happy to have won – it couldn’t have gone better. I raced exactly how I wanted to, so it’s worked out well for me.

“I’ve been doing it for seven, eight or nine years, so it was a natural decision for me to come here and have a bit of fun.

“I think the Rapha Nocturne is a really well organised event. For me, it’s exactly how they should do it and there has been a great turnout.

“It’s amazing to cycle around the streets of London. I work in the city centre so it’s quite unusual to be cycling around with no traffic. It’s a bizarre experience.”

Established in 2007, the Rapha Nocturne London offers a diverse programme of cycling, which culminates in elite criteriums at the end of the night, featuring Olympic medallists and World champions.

Thousands of people lined the streets of the City of London to watch the action unfold on Saturday, enjoying live music, food stalls and exhibitons, as well as the cycling.

“We have had thousands of people down here and the racing has been fantastic,” said James Pope, CEO of Face Partnerships – co-founders of Rapha Nocturne.

“We combine all the different races in cycling into one big event, and create a massive festival around it.

“The rider village has had its own DJ and a party atmosphere, and at the finish line, there’s a big expo area and little pop-up bars around the circuit.

“We’re right in the heart of the square mile, and there aren’t many events that can shut the streets around the City of London like this.

“We’ve seen kids on little bikes riding alongside people on penny farthings, people in the concours d’elegance all dressed up, as well as all the elite athletes.

“It’s that mix of different people that makes the Rapha Nocturne so special.”

The Rapha Nocturne London is part of a World Criterium Series with the next leg in Copenhagen, on August 19. For more information go to www.raphanocturne.com