Central London CTC blog

Dunwich Dynamo, the midsummer overnight jaunt from Hackney to the Suffolk coast, has been extensively blogged, including in these pages. So it is at Jon ‘Routemaster’ McColl’s request that I write this, a posting of record rather than the customary extravagant whimsy.

Jon’s circular to the usual suspects prompted a mere 5 to show at London Fields, 2 of whom, Keith (injury) and our secretary Stephen (‘otherwise engaged’) were the send-off committee, leaving only Naomi, Jon and me to ride the course. We set out at 8 sharp and Jon’s familiar escape from East London route got us clear of the enormous crowd of riders, on a warm but overcast evening.

The long drag through Epping Forest saw Suffolk-bound riders lined out as far as the eye could see. For the most part car drivers left us alone, though the we did note a Lamborghini driver nailing it. But that’s Saturday night out in Epping for you. more »

I had tried to lead this ride before, in the winter, but torrential downpour had deterred all but three riders and forced an early finish.  A summer Sunday (18 July) finally brought compensation.

Eighteen riders were ready at Tunbridge Wells to head out through the High Weald for a morning of climbs and descents though wooded hills.  By lunchtime I had only lost two of the group (we arranged to meet them again at tea) and we took a break at the Blackboys Inn in the village of that name.

Then a cycle through the town of Uckfield and a long but gentle climb on a quieter route to the top of the Ashdown Forest. As ever there, we found spectacular views of heathland and the surrounding countryside, today in bright sunshine, slightly marred by the many drivers who see the 40mph  limit clearly marked as there only for decoration. more »

With the combined prospect of the hottest day of the year and watching dreadful England football, I headed to Chelmsford on Sunday for the ‘Windmill Ride’ audax. It turned out to be a good decision, and not just in view of the eventual match result. Chelmer Cycling Club put on a well-organised event from their own club house which is conveniently located just 2 km from the station (itself under 40 minutes from Liverpool Street).

Even hours before kick-off, the roads were practically empty of traffic, more »

The weather held up but the tyres let us down. Seven turned up last Sunday for the easy two star ride run as an alternative to the tougher two/three star event in Kent. The weather forecast had been dire and I was half expecting the ride to be rained off but in the event we had some light drizzle but nothing worse. Our problems came from another source. more »

Seventeen cyclists set out from Haywards Heath on 16 May, to see what lay to the west.

The morning ride took us through the High Weald. After a first busy section we took in a succession of small hills though villages, past ponds, farms and woods. The group maintained a strong pace and we arrived at the Black Horse at Nuthurst before opening time.

Entering the village at Slaugham

more »

Well, it didn’t get off to a good start. I’ve been down with intestinal problems which have clobbered my fitness level, so I wasn’t up to 4-star riding in the first place. So only a 3-star type ride was to be offered to my companions.

I turned up at Marylebone to meet Roger, Kay and Doug. Kay was obviously ill so decided to go back home. The three of us remaining trained to Princes Risborough, got out into spitting rain and cold winds, and Doug thought of going home.

Nope, not a good start.

But we are CTC and perseverance is our middle name. more »

Puncture repairs near Pleshey

I’ve put a few photos from yesterday’s  two-star ride in Essex into the photo gallery.

There’s also a map of the route here.

What are the ingredients of a perfect cycling trip? A week of sunny days when your rain jacket lies unused in your panniers, congenial mates, trees bursting with pink and white as far as the eye can see, chateaux of course, and hearty regional cooking you’ll never forget. We had them all on our Loire Valley trip April 10-17.

Our group of 11, ranging in age from 11 to 70, started out with memorable coq au vin in the medieval town centre of Orleans, an auspicious start for a believer in the motto “Ride to eat; eat to ride.”

Chateau de Chambord

Our first full day of cycling took us to the magnificent Chateau of Chambord, the largest castle in the Loire, which we approached, as bicycles are wont to do, from a quiet back entrance like conquering heroes. There at a café in the sun I had my first tarte tatin of the trip, apples caramelised just perfectly. (Tarte tatin, was born in the Loire region after a lady inn-keeper left apples, butter and sugar cooking in a pan too long, then rescued the dish by covering it with a layer of pastry dough and sticking it in the oven.) more »