Hi all - newbie looking for a club to join

[adi]

Hi all,

I'm a newbie to London and currently live in Southwark. I'd like to go on some decent length rides on a weekend (and possibly do some sportives) with a group, both for the pacing and the ability to go far without getting lost (terrible sense of direction).

Am I at the right place?

Adi

[Michelle]

Oh boy are you ever. They don't call us the Agreeables for nothing .

General facts:

Meet at Coulsdon South train station every Saturday morning at 9 for 9.15. Plenty of different speed groups to go with - just 4 fun on the first Saturday of every month for complete beginners, 15 mph, 17 mph and all the way up to the training group at 25 mph (yesterday apparently ).

Ride out for about one and a half hours to just by Gatwick Airport (Charlwood) stop for tea, cake and bacon butties, ride back via Merstham and get back to CSS about 1is.

If you come on Saturday, make yourself known as a newbie to anyone, they will point you towards the captain or vice captain, you are likely to be charmed off your steed ( especially if it is John). And they will look after you big stylee.

Normally something going on on a Sunday too if you have your pass out.

Lots and lots of banter on the Forum, lots of trips to local and further distance sportives ( including Alps and Pyrenees if that is your style), possibly including lifts. Road racing, time trialling to if that is your thing; mtb section, not too many tandems as yet - i am sure someone is working on it.

I feel sure that we have some links for this type of info, but I am bored, my other half is racing and I wasn't allowed to go and watch, and the TDF isn't on yet so am browsing the Forum and typing reams as usual.

Hope that clues you up. Maybe the Agreeables will see you next week.

[George]

Hi Adi you sure have stumbled across the best club since sliced bread.

We are the Addiscombe and have over 200 members and get at least 75 riders out each weekend on the clubruns.

We have a regular clubrun every Saturday that start from Coulsdon South Train staion, there are a variety of different groups, usually about 6 or 7 groups of 10 each with a vice captain to showlead and show you the route etc.

We have some members who actually live further afield and ride down through the city to get to Coulsdon every weekend.

There is actually a longer ride on today with a dozen or so agreeable club members who are off to Hastings and back for a day 200k day, looking forward to reading their write up later on this forum.

Sportives are getting very popular these day so much so that we have dedicated a whole thread on the forum

Adi look forward to seeing you out with us in the near future, remember the furtures bright the futures Yellow

Have a quick read of this before your ride and enjoy an even more agreeable time.
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=6703

Clubrun info on the Addiscombe Digest
http://agreeabledigest.typepad.com/agre ... ---th.html

Cheers George Brent
Vice Captain

[adi]

Sounds good. Nice 13 mile run to the station to warm the legs up I'm away this coming weekend but shall try and make the one after that. Is there anything I need to bring (for subs etc.)?

[Mike I]

Hi adi

The 'not getting lost' requirement might be a bit much for some of our members (who can take a wrong turning at Herne Hill velodrome given the chance ), but otherwise this is defintely the place to be. Bring enough to fix your bike in an emergency - spare tubes, mini-pump, multi-tool - and a few quid for a cuppa and a piece of cake. Sorted.

[adi]

Cool. What's the route like? I'm from the Isle of Wight originally so am used to undulating terrain. Best hill I've found in London thus far is Highgate (I like my hills )

[Snoop Doug]

Nice one Adi - hope you enjoy the ride.

Subs wise try us out first. If you like what you see then subs are £20 per year - excellent value for the loads of fun you'll have.

You'll also be asked to help out at one of the many events/races we organise/support throughout the year. It's easy stuff and usually good fun, unless you're unlucky enough to marshal the same turn I'm on in which case you may be asked to wave a pirate flag and hurl nautical threats at the Addiscombe riders when they go by.

Have fun!!

Snoop

[Ivor]

[quote="adi"]Best hill I've found in London thus far is Highgate (I like my hills )

[MJ_1993]

oi oi Mr Brent, the sliced bread thing is mine, and it applies to that bit of genius that is Marco and his online TdF!!!

[Andrew G]

Did you say hills? The Grimpeurs Challenge loop in the Routes section should be just what you're after . Also Huw's Hilly route. All of the hills on these routes get covered quite regularly on the Sunday rides people do so you can have someone show you where they are first.

Welcome aboard.

[mrP(Boonen)VT]

Hills...gulp

Not my cup of tea, but you might be interested to know that Jon L spent his life on the Isle of Wight, and we have a club weekend there planned in October (see thread on this forum)

Above all, enjoy your riding.
Guru P

(General Secretary)