Keen cycle nuts in Sydenham ?

[cyclesteve]

Just wondering if good old Sydders has any keen cyclist, whether its for leisure or commutering ?
I often see a few regular cycles going up Westwood Hill at around 6.30 am most week days, I often give a knowing nod ( most ignore me ... must be a country thing )
If you spot a white Specialized Allez Sport road bike at around this time of morn , say hello .... its me !!

[Chazza]

...and if you see someone riding a fetching matte black Felt road bike down Sydenham Road while wearing a drivers'-attention-grabbing Marmite jersey at about 8am, that'll be me. Although I've just fitted some tri bars, so I might stick to the Roadrat in future.

[bag lady]

and i'm the small woman you'll pass going up Kirkdale, silver bike, no engine unfortunately

[cyclesteve]

Ahhhhh Nice to see you Chazza, hope your injury on Weds didnt put your training back too much ...... Ive been tempted by that Marmite top many times in Evans, snazzy innit ?

That kirkdale hill is a bit of a mare in the mornings I agree Bag Lady, going down the other side of it by the park is good fun thou

[Tim Lund]

And in the Evans cycling shorts from with a scruffy green ruck sack going through Mayow Park on on down to Greenwich - that's me!

[stuart]

No longer do the Westwood Hill - Euston commute but can be spotted pushing a Brommie around Somerfields or Lidl and with an old green Galaxy at Sydenham Station Sunday mornings en route to join the Anerley ride into Surrey & Kent. 129 years of finding the finest Tea Rooms and Country Pubs at a leisurely pace.

Feel free to join me when the sun shines!

Stuart

[cyclesteve]

That a club ride Stuart or a personal run ?..... Liking the sound of country pubs and cake.

[Chazza]

I'm going up to Crystal Palace to check out the Dulwich Paragon Saturday ride tomorrow morning if anyone wants to join. 9am outside Cafe St Germain. I fancy doing a few TTs and found out that you've got to be part of a club to race competitively.

[cyclesteve]

Its very good Chazza, I was around Edenbridge on a ride out recently and I got chatting to a member from the club on the very ride your talking about . They seem a decent bunch and the route looked a goodie.

Ive been very tempted to do the short 30 mile saturday jolt myself but its just getting the right week. Let me know how it was, if you do it.

[stuart]

That a club ride Stuart or a personal run ?..... Liking the sound of country pubs and cake.

http://anerleybc.terapad.com/index.cfm? ... eId=604097

The Anerley Club has drifted south to a Purley Oak start. I catch the 08:25 to PUO for a 9am start 'cos I like to save my energy for the Surrey & Kent Hills rather than the delights of Norwood & Croydon.

We normally amble along at a steady 12 mph for a full 50 mile run in summer or 40 in winter. Some people turn at the Tea stop for a shorter run. Dulwich Paragons zoom past us but do they have time to enjoy the countryside?

I should mention the Catford and Sydenham Clubs who have also moved out to outer Bromley and are, like Dulwich, for the more sportier rider.

Stuart

[cyclesteve]

Is there really only 5 ppl cycling in Sydenham ?? Come on, fellow two wheeled fans ........... LET YOURSELVES BE KNOWN !!

[Sydenham]

I'm about to start my daily commute (3 - 4 times per week at most) - Upper Sydenham to Waterloo, and back. So that's one more of us if you are counting. Also weekend cycling - just doing what needs to be done.

[stuart]

Anybody want to join me on a jaunt to Paris starting midnight Thursday July 15th? An overnight troll down to Newhaven (about 60 miles), ferry to Dieppe and if the weather is good a dash to Paris on the Saturday (about 100 miles). Join in the TdF celebrations! Otherwise watch the TdF finish in a cosy Dieppe cafe.

More here: http://www.cyclechat.net/forums/showthread.php?t=65308

Its all free except the ferry and accommodation in Dieppe (F1 charge about 36 euro for a twin bed room). Oh and the plonk! It can be very enjoyable - I did Beauvais last year.

If you commute 10-20 miles a day it is very do-able. I'm pretty slow!

Stuart

[Chazza]

Sounds good, unfortunately though I don't think I can get the time off work then. I'm riding to Devon this weekend, 100-odd miles per day. These will be my first centuries, having previously ridden 60 miles max. Have you got any tips on what/how much to eat during the ride? Every website I read says something different.

[stuart]

Have you got any tips on what/how much to eat during the ride? Every website I read says something different.

Problem is everybody's needs are different. I swear in a banana filled saddlebag and cake at every stop with Mars bars from petrol stations as a top-up. Simpler, cheaper and more enjoyable than the 'specialist nutrition' products IMHO. Also it is more important to the latter part of the ride. The first 30/50 miles should be fuelled by the previous night's pasta feast.

Similarly fluids. Some people need a drink every 30 mins. I prefer every couple of hours unless it is very hot (keeps down the weight and those extra stops:-).

Have fun. A century is a great achievement. Two in two days much, much more. I guess the advice is when to watch out for when you get low on sugar the and brain fails to analyse and instead of stopping and re-fuelling the tendency is to push on regardless.

Stuart

[cyclesteve]

I'm about to start my daily commute (3 - 4 times per week at most) - Upper Sydenham to Waterloo, and back. So that's one more of us if you are counting. Also weekend cycling - just doing what needs to be done.

Nice of you to join us Sydenham, weekend cycling is so much better than having to bolt it to get in on time for work eh ?

Wherebouts you pedal to at the weekends ?

[jasonwebber]

I cycle into the city 2-3 times a week and have occasionally had a jaunt out to Downe.

I'm also doing the London to Cambridge cycle on the 25th July.

I have an orange and grey sunn MTB.

[sherpa925]

I'm a regular too. From Jews Walk, up Westwood Hill to Camberwell every morning at about 0830am.

Here's my next ride: http://southwarkcyclists.org.uk/content/dunwich-dynamo

PS The lollipop man outside of Sydenham Girls School is very friendly and always good for a wave whatever the weather.

[cyclesteve]

Pedalling past the Blue Mountain coffee shop this morning and lo and behold what should I see ....... another white Allez Sports locked up to the lamp post outside the shop. Anyone on here own this beautiful beast ?

[umbrella]

I'll hold my hand up to being another Sydenham cyclist, mainly only for commuting though, tend to run on the weekends rather than get the bike out.

My commute is Lower Sydenham to Euston 4-5 times a week, or thanks to the East London Line on my lazier days a quick cycle to the station, fold the Brompton and catch the train up to Shoreditch High St, then it's a 3-4 miles.