Central London CTC blog

Derek and David examine wheel

On a pre-ride of the route I realised that I had chosen one of the most wind swept places in south-east England. Awoken by a storm the night before, I imagined that this would be a ride for the hard-core only, but as ride leader duty called.  I need have had no concerns as the day (15 November) was clear, sunny and virtually windless and sixteen riders were ready for the experience.

Early Breakdown

We managed 2km from Longfield station when I provided the first amusement of the day with a puncture. It was an unusual one and much savoured by the puncture connoisseurs in the group (“I’ve never seen one like that before”); the metal in the beading had split and broken through the tyre wall . Fortunately our new club secretary was able to demonstrate the roadside repair skills that his office requires and I was soon back on the road on a slightly bulging wheel.

Morning in the Downs

The storm had left much in the way of leaves and a few branches on the road, but no serious problems other than some sizable puddles, which as leader I had to try first, and we were able to thread our way though the North Kent lanes with some sunshine and little traffic to disturb us. more »

John Comerford chose the perfect day for an autumn ride through Burnham Beeches and the lanes of the Chilterns before crossing the river at Hambledon and taking the train home from Twyford.  It was an excellent, if rather hilly, ride.

The only misfortune was shortly after lunch, the bolt that clamps the saddle to the saddle pin sheared on a bike.  An expert team of mechanics, lead by Selwyn, was assembled to bodge it back in place.  It was more ‘Scrapyard Challenge’ than ‘Apollo 13′! Several nylon ties, bits of wire and nuts and bolts later the saddle was in place if not particularly stable.  However, Nina could sit on it and free wheel (if not pedal) to the train home from High Wycombe.

A few statistics: 76km (48miles), 845m climbing.  Map of the route here.

The day started well. Six of us left Sevenoaks (Paul K, Tom J, Stephen, Sue D, Michael B, led by Roy) He took us up hill and down dale, along the Pilgrim’s Way, past picture-postcard cottages with witches-hat conical roofs (converted from oast houses), to the Swan on the Green microbrewery at West Peckham, where we lunched handsomely, as always on Roy’s rides. It wasn’t until we were back at the station that things started to go pear-shaped. As we stood on the platform, Roy having left to return home via Staplehurst, several mobiles beeped simultaneously. more »

A forecast of sunshine on 2 August brought a record number of riders out for the season.  Even though I had taken the leader’s prerogative and made the rendezvous London Bridge for a change, this not deterred and thirty-one keen cyclists, both regulars and newcomers, awaited our day out in Sussex.

We left Haywards Heath to the north east and, after a few practice hills, took a larger climb across the Ashdown Forest and then down to the Medway Valley.
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Arriving in Brighton at the end of John Snuggs' Sussex ride on Sunday (photo by Thomas James).

Map of the ride here.

Sue and Simon warned of a sting in the tail, and so there was.  In just 34 miles we did 850m of climbing, so just for amusement, I have included the altitude profile of the ride.  Quality miles!

These pictures were taken on the last climb of the day up Hassers Hill between Biggin Hill and Warlingham.

Map of the ride

Some pictures from Peter Turner’s 2* Ride in the Chilterns on 5th July

Map of the ride

Wednesday 8th April- Ypres

Ten cyclists met at St Pancras to load cycles for 11.00 departure. Too many bikes to get off at Lille, so extra train journey via Brussels to Ypres.

Five were nearly mislaid when train split. They alighted early and took evening ride past war cemeteries. The only rain of the week soon cleared.  The group reformed for the Last Post ceremony at the Menin Gate and supper. 30km or 2km

First dame blanche of the trip (to avoid any doubt, this is a Belgian ice cream).

A dame blanche

Thursday 9th – Ypres to Bruges

Full day’s canalside cycling. We lunched in the far west of Belgium, in town square at Veurne. Optional diversion (“wegomlegging”) via Diksmuide for picnickers. 80km

Evening arrival in Bruges – canal side hotel at end of cobbles. Beers and orange squash in main square and Portuguese–Roman (or possibly Romanian) dinner.

Landscape with cycle