Central London CTC blog

In contrast to the previous weekend’s balmy temperatures, it was on with the overshoes and long gloves for the first time since spring ahead of a chilly departure from Finsbury Park station. However the sun was already out, and the Little Green Riders were in for a delightful autumnal day in the Hertfordshire lanes under bright blues skies.

Nine of us set off from Knebworth, climbing first to Datchworth and then taking the valley road north from Watton to Walkern. more »

A brief note of thanks to Jon for leading another 3-star Essex lanes wander out of Highbury Corner on Sunday.

The forecast was promising, progress brisk through the outer reaches of east London, and the vista of the the green, green grass of home (for some) never more verdant as we shook free of Chigwell.

Our route took us past the Moletrap PH at Tawney Common (too early for that) and well before midday we were seated at the caff in Hatfield Heath. En route we had crossed several clubs out and about profiting by the wonderful conditions and noticed almost all were in uniform club jersey. Ours, by contrast, was a motley crew, with several snob brands on show (Assos, Campagnolo, Castelli, Gore, Rapha) but the club colours nowhere to be seen. Could do better, perhaps? more »

Quite a few us signed up for this well-known sportive, so it seems a pity not to have a ride report up here. So, better late than never, here it is.

The Ride of the Falling Leaves is a traditional Dulwich Paragon CC promotion and covers much of their patch on the Kent/Surrey border. It starts at Herne Hill velodrome, so I met the usual suspects at Bank and we proceeded thence together. Like many others, I had severe misgivings about starting (despite the non-trivial advance cost, £20) because the weather map was pretty apocalyptic, showing a great turquoise blot, shading off into dark blue, obliterating north-west Kent.

But the day dawned with milky sunshine and we were spared the downpour for the outward leg: past Dulwich College, New Addington, over the North Downs at Warlingham, on to Lingfield, turn east to Edenbridge and Hever. By Chiddingstone Hoath, the furthest point, our posse was down to 4: with Stephen keeping the still-recovering Keith company and Mike having punctured, Charlie, Jon and I wallowed along in Kirsten’s narrow wake. more »