Central London CTC blog

The Ride of the Falling Leaves has a reputation for terrible weather, and last year’s edition was a scary slitherfest. This year, the contrast could not be greater. A record-breaking week of perfect sunshine and temperatures in the high 20s continued into the Sunday of the event.

Bone-dry roads and unbroken sunshine meant summer kit: our squad of five were all on their best bikes, in short sleeves, and with not so much as a rain jacket between us.

We were among a large crowd at event HQ, Herne Hill velodrome, where we spotted among the many Dulwich Paragon jerseys of the promoting club our old friend and former clubmate Richard Ireland, looking bronzed, indeed seared, from a sojourn on the bike in Spain, and doubtless in good form having completed the end-to-end earlier this year.

In ideal conditions such as these, no doubt their crack riders would be intent on setting personal bests, and perhaps indeed breaking the course record. Nothing so ambitious was on our minds, though as always with sportives, there would be no dawdling, especially as we were enjoying the company of Raph, Damian’s French pal and a fearless descender. more »

We had been unable to take our desired late summer break cycling in France, so decided to sample the delights of south Wales near to Geoffrey’s birthplace in Swansea on a short break. Our destination was the small market town of Llandilo, nestling to the west of the Brecon Beacon range. Three hours on the train to Swansea, and just over an hour on the single coach to Llandilo to settle in to our luxurious hotel for a two night stay.

I was barely recovered from yet another bout of something or other, so was doubtful about my performance. But on our first morning our spirits were lifted by a sharp descent on to the first severe climb of the day. Quiet roads and lovely upland scenery, if you like the sort of thing:

And we do! more »

“Like a snail crawling along the edge of a straight razor; that’s my dream, that’s my nightmare” – so Colonel Kurtz in Apocalypse Now. My own waking nightmare is forever descending a wet chip-and-seal road, gripless front tyre affording neither braking nor steering.

So it was for me, again, as the Circuit of Kent Sportive surged forth through the lanes east of the start at Godden Green. I thought I had recovered from the psychological damage wreaked by a previous major episode of wheel wobble. Besides, that had been a different bike; there was no reason that today’s mount, a stock Cervélo, should not behave as seen on TV. more »

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 »

Our squad was formed up and ready to go by the time I arrived, rather out of sorts, at CTC HQ in a business park on the outskirts of Guildford. It was cloudy and cool for May, with a blustery southwesterly promising opposition on the outward leg.

The route passes through the gap in the downs at Puttenham and runs west alongside the Hog’s Back, just kisses Farnham, and then turns south towards Headley Down. Into Hampshire the lanes become steeper and gnarlier, so I was nonplussed, braking into a blind bend mid-descent, to see Brenda flashing fearlessly past on the outside. (This was to have consequences.)

At the Liphook food stop, Naomi said she was feeling poorly and would not continue on the longer route, so that was Keith also counted out. The sun was breaking through and it was tempting to loaf around eating cake (alas, no coffee) in the pleasingly sheltered courtyard. But Charlie said he didn’t want to stiffen up and headed off on his tod. I followed soon afterwards with Stephen, Brenda, Mike and a couple of others. more »

The Thursday evening Regent’s Park Tune-up and Social, inaugurated by Nick Bloom a couple of years ago, has enjoyed a half-life through two winters. On the finest, mildest evening of the year so far, a mere couple of us turned out to stretch our legs, but as a change we were to be joined by a guest, Paul Waddington, of VC Beverley.

As usual, Jon and I met at the cafe on the Inner Circle and swung into the routine of clockwise circuits at medium tempo. Presently we were joined by Paul, who had been delayed en route by an impact puncture on one of central London’s gaping potholes. Paul is a proper roadie and the pace picked up. Soon Jon and I were moving well beyond our comfort zone, Paul’s legs whirling around like bees wings on his 72″ fixed. Some consider this form of circuit cycling like nothing so much as a hamster’s futile exercise on a wheel; but it has its own zen charm. more »

For the second year I entered the Blenheim Palace time trial and by now I should be getting the hang out of it. However, the air of nervous anticipation that hung over me at the start led me to make several mistakes before i was even on the road. In my nervousness I managed to leave my gloves and glasses (luckily not prescription) in the tent where I signed on. Then, walking across the dewy grass in the early morning my cleats became clogged up which meant I could barely clip in. Finally, I just could not seem to balance as I was held upright to start. So I started with one foot on the ground which, with the grass-clogged cleat, meant it took me several revolutions before I had both feet in the pedals and I was off and riding.

My ambition was to do better than my time last year (39 minutes 45 seconds) and, if possible to manage a time of 37 and a half minutes which would equal an average speed of 20mph for the 20 kilometre route. This would be my stepping stone to greater things next year when I turn 50 and aim to complete a 25 mile TT. more »

Sunday 9th August saw the first of the Richmond Park pilot Time Trials run by London Dynamo on closed roads in the Park before it opened in the morning – first rider off at 06.00  and last at 07.00. Those of you who have the odd spin round the park will know it as a desirable little circuit with a few hilly bits, and it is all the more desirable with no cars. (Quite a few people use it after dark in the winter – you can get in when the gates are shut unless there is a deer cull.) The idea is for it to be like the Blenheim Palace TT which some in Central London CTC have sampled.

I set off from home at 05.00, passing clubbers going IN to Harlesden clubs. I never knew I could get up at 04.30. more »