Central London CTC blog

Down for a hilly **** in the Chilterns, we were forced to change venue at short notice after eagle eyed Richard Philpott noticed on Friday night that our train was cancelled . Other lines were closed or limited in a display of engineering works dramatic even by Bank Holiday weekend standards, so I switched to Kings Cross for Welwyn North with numerous e-mails and phone messages sent out late on Friday night.

With all that I was gratified when Mike Evans and Julia Moye joined me at Kings Cross, to be sent off by Uncle Geoff, who had arrived to do so on his town bike, attired as a gentleman should be on a Sunday morning. more »

We were a lucky 13 leaving Haywards Heath on 14 August. We began the day in West Sussex with a spin through the undulating High Weald and the less undulating Low Weald, ending the morning with a long climb to the top of the South Downs by the Devil’s Dyke. The pub on top of the hill is large and busy but the food is good and the views from the terrace are spectacular.

On the Devil's Dyke

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My son, Bradly, whom some of you first met years ago when we used to do two-star rides with a child-back tandem, has decided to mark his transition to official adulthood this year by doing a solo long distance ride.

He’s going from London to Edinburgh over six days starting on 21st August. He’s solo, unsupported and carrying his kit. He’s also paying for it (though Mum and Dad are helping with some of the accommodation costs).

He thought he’d raise some money for a worthwhile cause along the way, so if you like to make a small contribution to Cancer Research UK you can do so at his donation website.

Thank you.

After the turbulence and tension of the previous few days in London, it was back to normal at Regent’s Park on Thursday. Theatre-goers were out in numbers, so deeming the Inner Circle too hazardous, we took to the Outer Circle. It was heavily trafficked with commuters and recreational cyclists, the latter both in groups and singly.

Picking up the pace, our group, riding quickly but as an orderly squad, was infiltrated by an over-excited fixster, his loose chain thrashing up and down. He must have been on the limit at well over evens as we approached the Zoo entrance, travelling counter-clockwise. When Jon, on the front, signed to ease up for the pelican crossing, our interloper, following Charlie and Jon, abruptly sat up and he came back in a heartbeat on to Damian behind him.

I was right behind Damian who braked to the max. more »

There are many versions of the classic London to Brighton run, ranging from the annual mass charity ride to more recent overnight Friday rides. But (as far as I’m aware) until now no organised event has offered the option to ride back to the capital.

Step forward audax organiser Paul Stewart, of the Willesden club, to fill this gap in the market. The ‘Ditchling Devil’, his 203 km (127 mile) event, was staged for the first time on Sunday 24 July. About 65 riders rolled up for the start on Wimbledon Common, a good turnout considering this had been a late addition to the Audax UK calendar.

After a surprisingly speedy run down to the start from north London – enjoying a deserted West End and empty Mall – I was ready to leave for the coast at 07.50, towards the end of the rolling one-hour start period. I set off in a group of six – or to be more precise, a tandem leading out and five wheelsucking solos. more »