Cycling Clubs in London

[SimonJOsborne]

No, before anyone accuses me I am not about to jump ship and join an inferior cycling club. But a mate has asked me if I know of any decent cycling clubs in London (she lives near the Barbican).

Now I have already played ACC ambassador. And I am also going to point out the fact that you can get a train direct from London Bridge to Coulsdon South every half hour on a Saturday. However, if she doesn't buy it are there any clubs in London that have a good rep, especially for beginners?

[Andrew G]

Not sure of any in that area, and being up in town there may not be too many beginner friendly ones with all those roads, much nicer in the countryside.

That said, does she only get one day free a weekend and that's fixed? Most clubs have their weekly CR on a Sunday, we are one of the few who do Saturday. If she's not free on Sundays she'll find her choice very limited anyway.

[Elliot M]

i think cycling clubs tend to operate at a similar radius to london, even if their name indicates they are based more centrally... did some research before I joined ACC (which I joined when I lived in highgate!)

there is an islington cc, don't know anything about them.

a mate has recently tried to track down finsbury park cc without success....

dynamo are a virtual [racing] club - i.e.no base as such I think?

[Jon H]

Living by the Barbican, I would have thought she would fall into the catchment area for the various East London / Essex based clubs such as Hainault RC, Chelmer CC, Essex Roads CC etc. Don't really know much about their activities regarding beginners, just know the names from racing in that area.

[Toks]

[quote="Jon Hemming"]Living by the Barbican, I would have thought she would fall into the catchment area for the various East London / Essex based clubs such as Hainault RC, Chelmer CC, Essex Roads CC etc. Don't really know much about their activities regarding beginners, just know the names from racing in that area.

[SimonJOsborne]

Thanks for all the info guys. I have been using my persuasive powers and it looks like I have convinced her to try the club run on Saturday. So with any luck she will be hooked and come back for more.

I don't think she has cycled any reasonable distances and will be on a hybrid. So I hope she copes ok, but then we all have to start somewhere. I remember suffering on my mountain bike