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Official CL weekend Lycra warriors thread (cycling)

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  • Clem_Snide
    Clem_Snide Posts: 11,737
    ColinTat said:

    Clem_Snide said:

    jamescafc said:

    Any chance I can pinch your route?

    Sort of made it up as I went along.

    Sidcup to Greenhithe via Crayford and the Dartford Bridge.
    Greenhithe to Gravesend via Ebbsfleet FC and the Station Car Parks
    Gravesend to Chatham
    At Chatham pick up the A2 and pass through Rainham, Sittingbourne and Faversham
    Left onto I think the A299 (bit hairy) turn off for Seasalter and then signs to Whitstable.
    Whitstable to Herne Bay
    Herne bay to Reculver
    Reculver to Margate via Innis Bay and Westgate (Viking Coastal Path)
    I occasionaly cycle to Canterbury for work... Next time if you take the last left before the Brenley Corner roundabout - just after Faversham - you can ride all the way to Seasalter without taking the A299. If you miss the left just take the first left on Brenley Corner roundabout; a little lane called Homestall Lane directly before the on ramp for the A299. You'll also then go past a pub called the Freewheel near Graveney, catering specifically for cyclists.
    Cheers. The road to Seasalter was actually what I was aiming for, but missed it and couldn't be bothered to turn back.

    Am going again in Saturday and extending the route round via Broadstairs, Ramsgate and ending up in Sandwich.
  • ColinTat
    ColinTat Posts: 2,794
    Sounds fun, enjoy! Sandwich has a great Deli/Wine bar at the farthest end of town called Rosa's Vinarium. The food is simple but good, but the Italian red wine list is cool and prices are at least a third of London prices for the bottle: He doesn't charge a traditional mark up once you get past his house wines, or at least he didn't. Sandwich is lovely looking town but the rest of it's establishments are nice enough but a bit boring in my previous experiences. Great place to visit when you've cycled your way there though.

    I need to be more adventurous and cycle down to Dover. It's fun cycling near your route and then avoiding Canterbury by cutting down through Chilham, then I always get lost, but around Lydden to Dover the countryside's stunning. It's just a route on small roads that you can miss your turnings easily.
  • Leroy Ambrose
    Leroy Ambrose Posts: 14,436
    SESEVEN said:

    Leroy, good luck in the world's, when is it?

    Cheers. They're on the August Bank Holiday weekend - so travelling is going to be 'fun'... :grimace:
  • randy andy
    randy andy Posts: 5,454
    Doing the BHF London to Brighton next Sunday (18th), so hoping for good weather! Worse part sounds like the 7am start at Clapham.
    https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Andrew-Oakey

  • Dazzler21
    Dazzler21 Posts: 51,344
    I thought the London to Brighton was in September?
  • Leroy Ambrose
    Leroy Ambrose Posts: 14,436
    Dazzler21 said:

    I thought the London to Brighton was in September?

    There's two of them. The September event is the better ride, because it isn't as packed as the June one. I won it last year. Because I'm sad enough to race even at charity events :trollface:
  • Dazzler21
    Dazzler21 Posts: 51,344
    Leroy Ambrose said:

    Dazzler21 said:

    I thought the London to Brighton was in September?

    There's two of them. The September event is the better ride, because it isn't as packed as the June one. I won it last year. Because I'm sad enough to race even at charity events :trollface:
    Nothing wrong with trying your best at anything.

    What are the logistics for getting into London as it's a no bikes on trains day isn't it?
    -
    I'd have to do London -> Brighton -> Horsham so nearer 80-90 miles! (September one I will try and do I think.)
  • Leroy Ambrose
    Leroy Ambrose Posts: 14,436
    I did there and back. It's only about 130 miles both ways, so went hard on the way out, pootled back. It leaves from Clapham COmmon, first riders off about 6:30 I think
  • randy andy
    randy andy Posts: 5,454
    Convinced my brother-in-law to that the few of us cycling up there in his car as he has a 3 bike, bike rack. If you haven't got a car available it is a crazy situation that you can't take bikes on the trains or the buses (we're talking a 7am start, not as if bikes on the trains will cause a major problem)
  • olster
    olster Posts: 1,397
    Whoop whoop. Going to collect my new bike on Tuesday.
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  • Leroy Ambrose
    Leroy Ambrose Posts: 14,436
    @Dazzler21

    Here's the ride out:

    Check out my ride on Strava:

    https://www.strava.com/activities/708986154/shareable_images/map_based?hl=en-US&v=1473624959

    And here's the (much, much nicer) ride back:
    Check out my ride on Strava:

    https://www.strava.com/activities/708986247/shareable_images/map_based?hl=en-US&v=1473624916

  • DaveMehmet
    DaveMehmet Posts: 21,597
    Just picked up my first bike since my Raleigh Chopper back in the 70's. Went for a hybrid but really don't want to ride it on the road too much, felt so vulnerable on the way back from the shop.

    Got a couple of places lined up to go to ride, anyone got any recommendations?
  • Bow_Addick
    Bow_Addick Posts: 528
    DaveMehmet said:

    Just picked up my first bike since my Raleigh Chopper back in the 70's. Went for a hybrid but really don't want to ride it on the road too much, felt so vulnerable on the way back from the shop.

    Got a couple of places lined up to go to ride, anyone got any recommendations?

    Felt uncomfortable on the roads when I first started out so I used to get out really early on a Saturday or Sunday as there isn't too much in the way of traffic gradually got more used to it and more confident.

    Route wise I'd suggest doing Thames path down to Greenwich or beyond as a good starter. Its not a mammoth ride by any means, but great to get used to gears, handling etc.

  • DaveMehmet
    DaveMehmet Posts: 21,597
    Bow_Addick said:

    DaveMehmet said:

    Just picked up my first bike since my Raleigh Chopper back in the 70's. Went for a hybrid but really don't want to ride it on the road too much, felt so vulnerable on the way back from the shop.

    Got a couple of places lined up to go to ride, anyone got any recommendations?

    Felt uncomfortable on the roads when I first started out so I used to get out really early on a Saturday or Sunday as there isn't too much in the way of traffic gradually got more used to it and more confident.

    Route wise I'd suggest doing Thames path down to Greenwich or beyond as a good starter. Its not a mammoth ride by any means, but great to get used to gears, handling etc.

    Cheers, will give that a try.
  • Leroy Ambrose
    Leroy Ambrose Posts: 14,436
    DaveMehmet said:

    Bow_Addick said:

    DaveMehmet said:

    Just picked up my first bike since my Raleigh Chopper back in the 70's. Went for a hybrid but really don't want to ride it on the road too much, felt so vulnerable on the way back from the shop.

    Got a couple of places lined up to go to ride, anyone got any recommendations?

    Felt uncomfortable on the roads when I first started out so I used to get out really early on a Saturday or Sunday as there isn't too much in the way of traffic gradually got more used to it and more confident.

    Route wise I'd suggest doing Thames path down to Greenwich or beyond as a good starter. Its not a mammoth ride by any means, but great to get used to gears, handling etc.

    Cheers, will give that a try.
    Yeah - shared use paths are really good for getting uses to the bike. Be careful of dogshit alley though (the bit near wood wharf) as unless it's changed dramatically in the last ten years, there uses to be loads of glass down there (as well as dogshit)

    Also agree with getting out earlier on Saturdays and Sundays. Our club does a wide awake club ride at 6am on a Saturday - sometimes don't encounter a single car on the lanes until about 8 o'clock (it is up north, but the same applies out in Kent and Surrey)

    Also try Greenwich Park? That would be nice to ride in and traffic obviously confined to just a couple of roads
  • DaveMehmet
    DaveMehmet Posts: 21,597
    Leroy Ambrose said:

    DaveMehmet said:

    Bow_Addick said:

    DaveMehmet said:

    Just picked up my first bike since my Raleigh Chopper back in the 70's. Went for a hybrid but really don't want to ride it on the road too much, felt so vulnerable on the way back from the shop.

    Got a couple of places lined up to go to ride, anyone got any recommendations?

    Felt uncomfortable on the roads when I first started out so I used to get out really early on a Saturday or Sunday as there isn't too much in the way of traffic gradually got more used to it and more confident.

    Route wise I'd suggest doing Thames path down to Greenwich or beyond as a good starter. Its not a mammoth ride by any means, but great to get used to gears, handling etc.

    Cheers, will give that a try.
    Yeah - shared use paths are really good for getting uses to the bike. Be careful of dogshit alley though (the bit near wood wharf) as unless it's changed dramatically in the last ten years, there uses to be loads of glass down there (as well as dogshit)

    Also agree with getting out earlier on Saturdays and Sundays. Our club does a wide awake club ride at 6am on a Saturday - sometimes don't encounter a single car on the lanes until about 8 o'clock (it is up north, but the same applies out in Kent and Surrey)

    Also try Greenwich Park? That would be nice to ride in and traffic obviously confined to just a couple of roads
    Cheers, will try doing early morning runs at the weekend.
  • Baldybonce
    Baldybonce Posts: 9,640
    edited June 2017
    DaveMehmet said:

    Leroy Ambrose said:

    DaveMehmet said:

    Bow_Addick said:

    DaveMehmet said:

    Just picked up my first bike since my Raleigh Chopper back in the 70's. Went for a hybrid but really don't want to ride it on the road too much, felt so vulnerable on the way back from the shop.

    Got a couple of places lined up to go to ride, anyone got any recommendations?

    Felt uncomfortable on the roads when I first started out so I used to get out really early on a Saturday or Sunday as there isn't too much in the way of traffic gradually got more used to it and more confident.

    Route wise I'd suggest doing Thames path down to Greenwich or beyond as a good starter. Its not a mammoth ride by any means, but great to get used to gears, handling etc.

    Cheers, will give that a try.
    Yeah - shared use paths are really good for getting uses to the bike. Be careful of dogshit alley though (the bit near wood wharf) as unless it's changed dramatically in the last ten years, there uses to be loads of glass down there (as well as dogshit)

    Also agree with getting out earlier on Saturdays and Sundays. Our club does a wide awake club ride at 6am on a Saturday - sometimes don't encounter a single car on the lanes until about 8 o'clock (it is up north, but the same applies out in Kent and Surrey)

    Also try Greenwich Park? That would be nice to ride in and traffic obviously confined to just a couple of roads
    Cheers, will try doing early morning runs at the weekend.
    Don't forget the tight lycra. White is very fashionable at the moment.
  • Baldybonce
    Baldybonce Posts: 9,640
    We all started somewhere..
  • DaveMehmet
    DaveMehmet Posts: 21,597
    Green's not my colour.
  • Baldybonce
    Baldybonce Posts: 9,640
    DaveMehmet said:

    Green's not my colour.

    you'll appreciate it when the snots flowing.
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  • olster
    olster Posts: 1,397
    DaveMehmet said:

    Just picked up my first bike since my Raleigh Chopper back in the 70's. Went for a hybrid but really don't want to ride it on the road too much, felt so vulnerable on the way back from the shop.

    Got a couple of places lined up to go to ride, anyone got any recommendations?

    Dave, what Local Authority Area do you live in? Many offer free on road training which can be really good building your confidence and highlighting good road position etc. I used to be an instructor myself.
  • iainment
    iainment Posts: 8,039
    It's bike week 2017.

    www.bikeweek.org.uk
  • DaveMehmet
    DaveMehmet Posts: 21,597
    olster said:

    DaveMehmet said:

    Just picked up my first bike since my Raleigh Chopper back in the 70's. Went for a hybrid but really don't want to ride it on the road too much, felt so vulnerable on the way back from the shop.

    Got a couple of places lined up to go to ride, anyone got any recommendations?

    Dave, what Local Authority Area do you live in? Many offer free on road training which can be really good building your confidence and highlighting good road position etc. I used to be an instructor myself.
    Bexley. My wife took my daughter to a session at one recently in Brampton Rd and said they were really good. Wasn't road training but they taught her how to ride. We'd been trying for ages but she just wasn't confident. Had her riding around in 10 minutes.

    Might try and see if they do it, cheers.
  • Leroy Ambrose
    Leroy Ambrose Posts: 14,436
    Is that Bikeability @DaveMehmet ?

    Bloke at my club does that for kids and adults alike - apparently really useful, even if you can ride a bike but are lacking a bit of experience/skill on the road. Having a hybrid will put you at an advantage to people on a racer anyway because they're far more stable and easier to handle
  • DaveMehmet
    DaveMehmet Posts: 21,597
    Leroy Ambrose said:

    Is that Bikeability @DaveMehmet ?

    Bloke at my club does that for kids and adults alike - apparently really useful, even if you can ride a bike but are lacking a bit of experience/skill on the road. Having a hybrid will put you at an advantage to people on a racer anyway because they're far more stable and easier to handle

    I think it is mate. My wife said they were really good. I'm sure I'll get more confident the more I use it, it just felt strange on the road which I suppose is not surprising considering it was over 35 years ago since the last time!
  • Leroy Ambrose
    Leroy Ambrose Posts: 14,436
    You'll be surprised at the difference between 'regular' cycling - i.e. out on quiet lanes and in parks and commuting or riding on roads in cities. I'm more on edge commuting than I am in a race with 80 other riders tearing round at 30mph. Definitely get used to it again first before doing anything stressful on busy roads - you might never get back on the bike again otherwise :smiley:
  • iainment
    iainment Posts: 8,039
    edited June 2017
    TFL do useful guides and maps that show signed cycle routes, quieter routes, greenways etc. And they're free.
    Well worth getting to plot routes until your confidence increases. Which it will.

    tfl.gov.uk/forms/12419.aspx
  • DaveMehmet
    DaveMehmet Posts: 21,597
    iainment said:

    TFL do useful guides and maps that show signed cycle routes, quieter routes, greenways etc. And they're free.
    Well worth getting to plot routes until your confidence increases. Which it will.

    tfl.gov.uk/forms/12419.aspx

    Cheers
  • JohnBoyUK
    JohnBoyUK Posts: 9,017
    edited June 2017
    @DaveMehmet, there's a cycling club based at Eltham Park called Limited Edition Cycling and they run a great 'fit camp' a few times a year which works at getting beginner cyclists on the road and then builds up their confidence.

    I used to ride with them about 6-7 years ago now and they were a decent bunch and would recommend them for beginners. However, once you get up to speed, you'll find they dont cater as much for the advanced cyclist but they'll do you ok up to that point.
  • JohnBoyUK
    JohnBoyUK Posts: 9,017
    My daughter passed her bikeability last week at school. She's been regularly riding with her Mum and her Grandparents over the last year and is now confident enough on the roads and in the lanes. I said I'd try and get out with her a bit more too.

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