Just thought I would be nosey and ask who around here cycles, and more to the point, for what purpose.
I have loved cycling for years, but abandoned doing it properly many years ago. But some changes in my life style at the start of the year got me riding again. Now I can’t stop. However the thought of doing it to commute blows my mind, and I could not do that at all.
So who likes a casual ride, who commutes, and who out there dons lycra and really takes it seriously?
I would ask what people ride too, but that is a bit personal and for some its borderline a security risk.
I cycled to work for 5 or 6 years and absolutely loved it, great way to start the day. I have to confess that since moving here I’ve stopped though. A mixture of the cycle being a bit more complicated than my previous journey (a long straight road from Balham to London Bridge), there being a lot more hills and the commute by train from FH being about 100 times more pleasant than the Northern Line!
I cycle to work most days on my commuter bike, occasionally take the kids out in the weekend (trailer bike/bike seat) and very rarely take my #1 bike out for a ride for fun. Most of the time the serious bit is the middle part of a triathlon these days which is a shame because I did used to like getting out for long rides in the countryside. Sadly time and family no longer permits but instead we go to Mayow park and I can run while the little one gets up to speed.
So, to answer the question in a very round about way - I like it all and do it all. Except mountain biking, as aside from not having the right equipment any more there is a distinct lact of trails nearby.
Good to know I am not the only one who likes to ride then. Commuting is one thing I just can’t bring myself to do. Partly because of the mad rush of it all, and partly because it’s almost not worth riding the quick 6 miles to work. (bit too easy haha)
I don’t blame you choosing the train but don’t give up on the bike. Great exercise, and great fun at times.
Thanks for the reply @comoed Sounds like an all to familiar story for many.
Dare I ask what the #1 bike is?
Just been for a fitting on my #1 bike, that got expensive fast haha. Can’t wait to get the weather for another long ride. Today’s forecast is a bit too threatening for me.
I need to start cycling to work again, but we’ve just moved offices so now it’s more like 10.5 miles than 9.5 miles, and the first bit is over Forest Hill/Honor Oak, or it’s an extra half mile to go up to the footbridge at Honor Oak, or I could cycle an extra mile on top of that to go via the Poole River Walk down to Greenwhich foot tunnel, then along the canal, but I’ve not done that yet, so don’t know the way.
Hopefully in a few weeks I’ll be part of a guinness record attempt for the biggest ‘bike bus’ - Bike Around The Borough in Hackney where school children all cycle nine miles around the borough - last year was about 900 people, we were just 8 short of the world record, this year looks like it’ll be nearer 1500 people!
Hey @Jon_Robinson Have you tried mapping a cycling route on Google Maps? Usually do throws up some good ideas ans as a bonus gives you the elevation of the ride too, so you know what to expect.
Fair play on that commute, it’s a fair old distance to go back and forth and work in between
The world record attempt sounds amazing, keep us informed on that one.
I have the London to Brighton in a few weeks, the the London Surrey 100 in July, looking forward to those.
Eventually went for a ride yesterday to get in some times on my favourite routes. Very happy that the rain that threatened never appeared.
Bought them from Edwardes (Camberwell), which was a great recommendation from @anon64893700. Both are last year’s full-carbon Mekk Poggio 1.6, with entry level parts. Got them for £600 each with a few discounted extras. Can’t wait to take them for a spin.
SE23.life casual cycle club, anyone? Would be nice to get some regular evening rides in now the sun’s out till late.
Fantastic, really made up for you guys @anon5422159@Liz_Hall . You have come away with great spec bikes for the money for sure. Sora isn’t the end of the world, missing a couple of speeds on my 105 but a fantastic solid start.
As for the frames for the money, Wowza you did really well there. I look forward to seeing them out and about, and some possible rides too.
If you ever fancy an afternoon or evening in Richmond Park let me know, one of my favourite safe places to ride. Local is fine with me though.
When you are ready for that spin, let me know
I usually drive over there. Not a great fan of the traffic out that way, up to Clapham is fine, past there gets a bit ropey for me. Plus means more energy for the riding once there. Scenery is stunning this time of year.
Low in the hierarchy of Shimano, but nothing to be sneezed at mate. But the base you have, being the frame, is ready for anything from Claris (entry) to Dura Ace (stupidly expensive)
Depending on how much use you get out of the bikes will determine what upgrades, if any, are worth it over time.
Now of course you both need to be on Strava if you are not already. From there we can create an SE23.life club
This all sounds great. I’ve joined the Strava group. Anyone that knows any good routes that end up with some tasty treats (cake!) at the end, let me know! @anon64893700 Richmond sounds great. Can’t wait to get out on my new bike. Thanks for all of your help!
My pleasure @Liz_Hall so happy it worked out well for you. And based on RRP you got a BOGOF . Love a bargain!
As for routes with treats, it is what you make it. Let me know how many miles you think you and Chris have in your legs and I can suggest something.
As for Richmond, there are a couple of lovely eateries to stop in on the way around, makes for a nice morning / afternoon of it.
And plenty of opportunity to go along the river too for more sweet treats.
Back in the day I used to enjoy riding down to Westerham (for cake) via Bromley and Knockholt, and a small part of the Pilgrims Way then back via Croydon. A couple of nice climbs and descents and about 65km so not so much as to kill you for the day. These days is more like a trip to Greenwich via waterlink way and Deptford along the cycle route 21. A little more sedate but fun for different reasons.
oh, and @anon64893700 : #1 bike is a specialized allez
Sounds like a nice little ride @comoed . I like heading out to Biggin Hill, Westerham etc at times. Nothing like a few hills to get the heart going and the legs working.
Aaah I have an Allez too (Allen to his friends lol)
I live in Honor Oak and am the coordinator of Lewisham Cyclists…the Lewisham section of the London Cycling Campaign. We are a pretty active group. Some of you may know us. Personally, I have always ridden a bike, never owned a car, never saw the point living in London. Always commuted to work, since the 70’s in fact, when I might pass maybe two or three other folk riding bikes on my journey. Then that was a journey from Clapham to Walthamstow, through the city and Hackney. Do that now and you are one of thousands! Also always ridden for fun and leisure (our ride this weekend was a 70 miler out to the Surrey Hills, one of our regular routes) and even as a job on occasion, and every holiday I pack up the bikes with camping kit and off I go. Love the freedom and the economy (a cheap holiday when you are hard up with kids, as I was once and helps ensure they grow up fit and healthy). Anyway, now I work on my bike as well, having trained as a cycle instructor. So, bikes are very much part of my life. If you don’t know Lewisham Cyclists, it’s worth checking the group out…we run rides, a drop in maintenance workshop, regular Dr Bikes. If you have a question about any kind of cycling, if we don’t know the answer ourselves, we will know someone who does.
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