A Pootle Around London

The Cycle Chat Sunday London Ride is another perfect example of combining cycling, chatting, (who knew?!) pootling around London with a destination of some sort but nothing in particular. London, that's all.  I owe these rides or rather the people that do them an enormous debt of gratitude - if their approach had been any different I would not be doing the kind of cycling I'm doing these days.

When I first took up cycling, not that long ago, they were a great introduction to group riding that also allowed me to do gentle increases in mileages. Five miles, ten miles fifteen, my speed increased as did the distances - and I was having so much fun I never noticed!

Because of their relaxed attitude there is no speed issue. Their individual ride to the start has been at their preferred pace and the bit from Hyde Park Corner is social cycling in its truest form.  I am now in the lucky position that I know my capabilities so I can sign up to group rides providing I know what the rolling average is going to be - if it's faster or slower than my preferred speed I choose another one that I can work with.

A 9.30 am start that is at last in daylight I decided to join them but on my road bike that I have not ridden for a couple of weeks. Two weeks - no time at all for things to fall into disrepair so I bundled out the door at 9.05 (far too late) and managed to get there before they had left. The mud from yesterday's Brommie ride had clearly soaked into my shoes and was doing some kind of Dr Who mysterious despatch thing contaminating my cleats on a different bike which wouldn't let me clip in at all. I was so distracted by this I didn't really notice my tyres......

On arrival at Hyde Park Corner I met RB58 and Topcat1 - both really strong cyclists. After the initial hello and a chat the conversation moved to my tyre pressure. Squishy. Without any hesitation RB58 pumped up my tyres to how they should be. And that absolutely sums up the care and consideration for others that they show. Thank you so much for that RB58 - I can't believe I didn't check them before I left.

A few minutes later, the cavalry passed by -  they do this every Sunday.  This time tho there was talk! The mounted police escort at the back called out "that's a really good pump you've got there - the best I've found"! Hahaha! Cool!! Topcat1 went on to tell me that apparently when the cavalry go by they all give our bikes a really good look!!

The air went in my tyres, the mud came out of my cleats, RB58 headed home - he'd only stopped to say hello and Topcat1 and I decided that as it was quite windy we wouldn't head for hills at Ally Pally but we'd head east to the new(ish) Look Mum No Hands in Hackney.

Wind? Did I mention the wind? We were doing 22mph without pedalling!! Down Pall Mall, along the Strand, into the City and out the other side, past Cambridge Heath (mis-located we felt) and into the Hackney cafe.

Unlike the Old Street cafe, this one seemed to be lacking in cyclists! Uber cool peeps but not necessarily with bicycles. A pot of tea later we headed back out to do a lap or two of Regents Park so that we could say hello to the giraffes. We past a couple pushing their bicycles, it seems that the rear hub was broken so we stopped whilst Topcat1 gave them some advice and pointed them in the direction of a good bike shop.

Cycling round Regents Park, a new venue was suggested - The Rapha Cafe. Topcat1 is probably the best-dressed cyclist I know so going to the cafe with him was a disaster! Another pot of tea and a little bit of shopping.... Oooops!! Note to self "never go there again"!!

We cycled south, said our goodbyes and I popped into Hyde Park as I was having so much fun riding my bicycle! By the time I reached home my total for the day was 35.5 miles. Is that 35. Smiles I wonder....? Yes, I think it is!!

Thank you Topcat1 and RB58 - great to see you.  I took some pics