A Pootle Around London

The Cycle Chat Sunday London Ride is another perfect example of combining cycling, chatting, (who knew?!) pootling around London with a destination of some sort but nothing in particular. London, that's all.  I owe these rides or rather the people that do them an enormous debt of gratitude - if their approach had been any different I would not be doing the kind of cycling I'm doing these days.

When I first took up cycling, not that long ago, they were a great introduction to group riding that also allowed me to do gentle increases in mileages. Five miles, ten miles fifteen, my speed increased as did the distances - and I was having so much fun I never noticed!

Because of their relaxed attitude there is no speed issue. Their individual ride to the start has been at their preferred pace and the bit from Hyde Park Corner is social cycling in its truest form.  I am now in the lucky position that I know my capabilities so I can sign up to group rides providing I know what the rolling average is going to be - if it's faster or slower than my preferred speed I choose another one that I can work with.

A 9.30 am start that is at last in daylight I decided to join them but on my road bike that I have not ridden for a couple of weeks. Two weeks - no time at all for things to fall into disrepair so I bundled out the door at 9.05 (far too late) and managed to get there before they had left. The mud from yesterday's Brommie ride had clearly soaked into my shoes and was doing some kind of Dr Who mysterious despatch thing contaminating my cleats on a different bike which wouldn't let me clip in at all. I was so distracted by this I didn't really notice my tyres......

On arrival at Hyde Park Corner I met RB58 and Topcat1 - both really strong cyclists. After the initial hello and a chat the conversation moved to my tyre pressure. Squishy. Without any hesitation RB58 pumped up my tyres to how they should be. And that absolutely sums up the care and consideration for others that they show. Thank you so much for that RB58 - I can't believe I didn't check them before I left.

A few minutes later, the cavalry passed by -  they do this every Sunday.  This time tho there was talk! The mounted police escort at the back called out "that's a really good pump you've got there - the best I've found"! Hahaha! Cool!! Topcat1 went on to tell me that apparently when the cavalry go by they all give our bikes a really good look!!

The air went in my tyres, the mud came out of my cleats, RB58 headed home - he'd only stopped to say hello and Topcat1 and I decided that as it was quite windy we wouldn't head for hills at Ally Pally but we'd head east to the new(ish) Look Mum No Hands in Hackney.

Wind? Did I mention the wind? We were doing 22mph without pedalling!! Down Pall Mall, along the Strand, into the City and out the other side, past Cambridge Heath (mis-located we felt) and into the Hackney cafe.

Unlike the Old Street cafe, this one seemed to be lacking in cyclists! Uber cool peeps but not necessarily with bicycles. A pot of tea later we headed back out to do a lap or two of Regents Park so that we could say hello to the giraffes. We past a couple pushing their bicycles, it seems that the rear hub was broken so we stopped whilst Topcat1 gave them some advice and pointed them in the direction of a good bike shop.

Cycling round Regents Park, a new venue was suggested - The Rapha Cafe. Topcat1 is probably the best-dressed cyclist I know so going to the cafe with him was a disaster! Another pot of tea and a little bit of shopping.... Oooops!! Note to self "never go there again"!!

We cycled south, said our goodbyes and I popped into Hyde Park as I was having so much fun riding my bicycle! By the time I reached home my total for the day was 35.5 miles. Is that 35. Smiles I wonder....? Yes, I think it is!!

Thank you Topcat1 and RB58 - great to see you.  I took some pics

From Windsor with Love(ly) Brompton Peeps

The brightness of the street lighting confirmed yet again that the Brompton London Club rides generated too much excitement. Like a child on Christmas Day I woke at 5.30am - a whole two hours earlier than needed. 

 

Today's ride started at Cafe Rouge in Windsor.  A fast train from Paddington to Slough provided plenty of time to get lost cycling to Windsor several times which of course just becomes a bike ride. Social media was being a great identifier of potential timings - peeps were coming in from all over the place and those nearby were going to be late. Faffing, perhaps? (No names mentioned...!) Amazingly one of our number had travelled a particularly long way. New York-New York! A cab from Heathrow and there he was with his  NYCe Wheels Brommie.  Time zone issues never raised their head. Chapeau sir, chapeau!

As a group of 15 (I'm making that up I didn't count) we wheeled out of Windsor down to the river and out to Windsor Great Park. As ever we caused a bit of a stir and much pointing from passerbys.  As well as Our Man From New York, we also had a guest (for one ride only) on an oversized wheeled bike. I was stunned to hear that it wasn't single speed - it was fixed! Not a route I'd even consider single speed, never mind fixed!

Cycling and chatting, general catching up and discussing a whole spectrum of things whilst our feet and our ride leaders led us through Windsor Great Park past several lakes.  There were many people out enjoying the weather - cyclists, pedestrians and quite a few dogs weaving their way through, but all relaxed.  It was very special - the standard of these rides never falters nor ceases to amaze me.  There were some puddles - some of which were up up to the pedals! 

There was also quite a lot of mud. My cleats were so full of mud that I couldn't actually clip in. "Have you got any water" I was asked. "Yes" I replied, ready to offer it to him. "Excellent - if you pour it over your cleats you can wash away the mud". D'oh - how silly of me, why didn't I think of that? It worked a treat!

As we were nearing our lunchtime stop my Brommie started bouncing about and made a funny noise. Completely in denial I carried on another ten metres. Oh rats!  A visitation. The back tyre was pancake flat. However, even before I could dig out my tyre levers A Man Called Michael had removed the back wheel and was replacing the tube. I just stood in awe at the speed in which this happened. 

Everyone else chatted, helping when they could and there was not a hint of irritation - it was just fantastic the way everyone stood around in such a fabulously relaxed fashion. Within a ridiculously short space of time I was back on my bike and we were on our way to lunch. The speed was increased, a hill appeared but soon we were at the top of it. Into Egham and up a hill to a pub that serves the most fantastic food.

An hour or so later we left and headed along a not-so-lovely glass covered and shared pedestrian-cycle pavement. Not a great deal of fun but luckily we were soon back in the Park. Photo opportunities abound, we carried on all the way to a path that I'm not sure The Rambler's Association would approve of. 

A couple of small trees were across it - the first we could walk around, the second was where our galant leader individually helped us lean our Brommies at a more horizontal angle to allow us to crawl through. Onwards, upwards and downwards - at some point I went through a puddle that was actually a bog. It was like cycling through sand, gripping my wheels, sucking them lower and lower making me slower and slower- thankfully I escaped just in time.

 

Back through Windsor, coffee in Cafe Nero then a ride back to Slough. The cycle infrastructure is a curious thing - the only way to activate the traffic lights is by being a bus so after 10 minutes (I suspect less) we transferred ourselves to pedestrian mode instead. Sensor issues me thinks. 

 

A bit further on there was a classic call of "the station is next right" immediately followed by "not that right, this right" and we reached the station for a train home. 36 miles for the day with a top speed of 24.7 miles. Our Man from New York stayed awake and ahead of most if not all of us - with half the amount of gears I have - and no cleats. Pretty impressive I say.

Thank you peeps - that was one lovely day!  I took some pics here

Popping Back to The London Bike Show

 With all the excitement of the Total Womens Cycling Awards sponsored by Velovixen (attended by Laura Trott's parents woohooo!) at the London Bike Show -  I ran out of time to explore the rest of the show. 

A glorious sunny Sunday provided the perfect 10 mile cycle ride to see what I had missed although nothing could make up for missing Sir Chris Hoy who had been there 24 hours earlier! 

Knowing that Cycle-Works were providing manned bicycle storage (as opposed to their units in action above)  I picked up my Brommie (ok I admit it, I also took three locks) and headed out into the sunshine.

Cycling in empty London streets with a clear blue backdrop surrounding sunlit buildings is an absolute joy. The Thames was putting on a show of its own - buses on distant bridges, sightseers sightseeing, the London Eye silently and gently going round and round - it was all so bright and exciting to see.

Into the City and out the other side, all was well until I realised that the CS3 was disappearing north without a hint as to where I should head. For a cycling event, the route to Excel really is beyond the pale.  I couldn't believe I was having to cycle up and over the Lea Valley Flyover again - and on the Brommie.  

The traffic at 40mph is not expecting people to cycle up it and to the driver that swerved towards me it's all very well thinking that a cyclist shouldn't be there but scaring them witless by cycling within an inch of their life isn't really very helpful. There has to be a better route option somehow.

The show itself was packed with people which was encouraging. In between catching up with friends I was very happy to find that  Chapeau, according to the technical designer, are extending their current and somewhat limited ladies range. 

 As I made my way around the exhibition I came across some cycling initiatives that I had never heard of but was very excited to find.  The first was  London Cycle Exchange who sell pre-owned, ex-demo and ex-tour bikes all of which are traced, serviced and warrantied.  I am sure that gumtree and ebay are always available but this organisation appealed as it removes the worry of buying dilapidated or stolen bicycles. 

At the Velovixen stand I met two more Velovixens who loved the idea of The Fridays.  We discussed rolling averages over distance and these two speedy Velovixens said that as they headed towards Paris last year their rolling average was 17mph!  

Once I had picked myself up from the floor,  I explained that the The Fridays rides weren't necessarily the fastest as the whole ethos of the ride is to encourage people to ride further than they thought possible and it was more of a 10mph-12mph but they were the most fun you would ever have on a bicycle.

The slower-than-their-ususal-pace I described didn't deter these two who seemed rather in awe of the whole thing! So I directed them to the website and reiterated that it is not a turn up and ride event, as you need to register in advance.  Little do they know how much fun they are about to sign up for! 

Whilst we were chatting, these pumps caught my eye - really neat!  
 

My next discovery was Jura Cycle Clothing, a company so new that I am not sure their website is up and running yet.  Australian merino jerseys, designed in Italy and made in Turkey - really, really good quality and design.

Just past the next stand I found Help for Heroes who are raising funds through a whole range of activities.  In June they are organising a ride from Blackheath to Central London.  www.heroride.org.uk to find out more.

The Open Wheel produce rides in Yorkshire and London.  I have no idea what they are like but the fee includes food, the rides are waymarked and because of The Tour 2014 they caught my eye.  Not to mention they were also offering flapjack ..............!!  I should add  that as a very happy member of the Fridays, I know that the standard set for group rides is so high that I as far as I am concerned no-one will ever come near it, let alone match it - free flapjack or no free flapjack. 

At the next corner I found Bickerton. Yes, really, Bickerton!  They have launched a brand new range, Bickerton Portables and although the fold is not nearly (by a long way) as neat as the Brompton, they do three 20" wheel versions and two 26" wheel ones.  

Apparently Mark Bickerton, the son of the original Bickerton designer, Harry Bickerton, was at the show on Saturday with his 1970s Bickerton bicycle.  Quoting from their brochure Mark says "Bickerton Portables are back"  I don't know how they compare with the Tern or the Dahon but are definitely worthy of a look.

 Two other products caught my eye - the first was Henty   who have a genius way of carrying a suit

 and then there was Zaini whose headwear I have seen on several friends.

A little later on I found myself speaking to the Brooks Brand Specialist.  It seems that Brooks are looking at a different model of their Cambium saddle which will have cut outs which I think will make it much more comfortable.

The lovely people at Velorution and Shutt were on fine form despite a very hectic few days and I found the most fantastic display of high-end Boardman bikes which were causing a hive of interest. The other bike manufacturers exhibiting were numerous (I had to avoid them purely for the fear of n+1) and I hope all the exhibitors were creating a new cyclist at least every three seconds. 

My continuing enthusiasm for all things cycling doesn't seem to be diminishing and I really enjoyed the London Bike Show. My main concern for its future is the cost of the entrance fees which may deter people from popping by. Thanks to the fantastic support from Velovixen and Total Womens Cycling along with British Cycling I hope that next year's event is bigger and bigger.   

As for the appalling cycle (non)route this really needs to be addressed - sooner rather than later. 

Planning ahead, from 28th March Spin London will be back at the Truman Brewery, Brick Lane.  Last years inaugural event was full of independent bicycle businesses and I am already looking forward to it.  

Cycling is such a brilliant thing to do and I count my lucky stars that I ride a bike, every single day!

  

                                                  The End!