Central London CTC blog

I had led a record number of two-star riders before but that was at the upper limit. Now we made another season record, as only four of us proved to be all-weather cyclists.

The forecast was highly accurate: heavy rain began early morning and continued without break through to lunch. The advantage for us was lower traffic levels and the fun of occasional large puddles; the disadvantage was that we were cold and damp. At least we were able to test our wet weather gear and find out what worked (and more often what didn’t).

Our route was south from Tunbridge Wells across the High Weald. There were slow climbs and quick descents, mostly on quieter roads, with water flowing downhill in the roads along the way and flooded fields in the valleys. We took our roast lunch at the Blackboys Inn in the village of that name.

We continued on to Uckfield but took our northward journey back by train, honour satisfied that we had made our usual Sunday ride despite the hills and rain, even if just 36km this time.

I tried hard to find an excuse for not riding the 100km on Saturday, but none came. So 06.30 alarm, coffee and cereal, out the door at 07.30. To a flat rear tyre – slow puncture on the Landy. Divert to petrol station to inflate, then a clear run round the North Circular and up the M11 to Patmore End. Once off the main road, the verges were sodden and muddy, the ramp to the Victoria clubhouse almost liquid. Collect Brevet, slither back to the roadside waiting for the off. There’s a good entry, the local clubs in force, familiar faces, a few nervous newcomers. more »

Some pictures from Bill Bailey’s Ride on 17th January

For the tifosi:

The inaugural showing of the Hackney Bicycle Film Society will be on Monday 8th February.

The main Film will be A Sunday in Hell the 1977 100min documentary directed by Jørgen Leth.

The film is a chronology of the 1976 Paris-Roubaix bicycle race from the perspective of participants, organizers and spectators. Paris-Roubaix is the most famous and usually the most dramatic of the spring classic cycle races. Much of the latter portion is over narrow, cobbled tracks that choke with dust on dry days and become slick and muddy in rain. For the riders it’s a challenge to keep going without puncturing or crashing. more »