England : London Sunday London ride

[ianrauk]

on another note. I am going to be at Hyde Park for 8.30am (yegods I hear some people say, that early? that's just madness) for a few laps of the park and a coffee. So if anyone else would like to join me...please feel free.

 

[StuAff]

I am sorry that you think rides that people want to do (and actually quite like) is bollocks.

I would too like to go to Ally Pally. But the thing is that we have to weigh up where we can go with those that have to be home for a certain time. After all, that is what these rides were organised for in the first place. And Ally Pally is a little too far.

So here's a suggestion for you Becs. Organise your own Sunday London ride at a meet, time and destination that suits YOU. That way YOU get to choose where YOU want to go and what time YOU want to start with those that don't have any time constraints to get back home.

+1. If I'm out on Sunday, I do a 'Sunday Portsmouth' ride. It's usually just me! Am planning to be out with Hummers and assorted other peeps next Sunday though.

On another note, Becs, I'm sure I speak for everyone who did the Lakes & Fens ride, and everyone who wanted to but couldn't make it, when I say we'd like a re-run some time

 

[Becs]

I am sorry that you think rides that people want to do (and actually quite like) is bollocks.

I would too like to go to Ally Pally. But the thing is that we have to weigh up where we can go with those that have to be home for a certain time. After all, that is what these rides were organised for in the first place. And Ally Pally is a little too far.

So here's a suggestion for you Becs. Organise your own Sunday London ride at a meet, time and destination that suits you. That way you get to choose where you want to go and what time you want to start with those that don't have any time constraints to get back home.

That way people have a choice.

Alright, keep your knickers on! Just a bit of drunken ramblings! It's not the rides that are bollocks, they are fun with nice people but we do the same thing over and over again and the roads and scenery and that cafe in east london are IMO bollocks (and incidentally won't get me back in time for my own time constraints). Which is why I said I would do my own thing and head north.

When I first joined these rides there was a different route every week, east, west, north, south-ish but I can't remember a sunday ride recently that hasn't gone on that same route.

Stu - I'll run that ride in the fens in the summer (preferably after I'd handed in my thesis!), it's bitingly cold with that wind in winter! We could maybe extend it a bit further with longer days and a bit more warmth.

 

[gbs]

on another note. I am going to be at Hyde Park for 8.30am (yegods I hear some people say, that early? that's just madness) for a few laps of the park and a coffee. So if anyone else would like to join me...please feel free.

Yes, that appeals as I need to be in Fulham by 1130 latest.

 

[Aperitif]

+1. If I'm out on Sunday, I do a 'Sunday Portsmouth' ride. It's usually just me! Am planning to be out with Hummers and assorted other peeps next Sunday though.

On another note, Becs, I'm sure I speak for everyone who did the Lakes & Fens ride, and everyone who wanted to but couldn't make it, when I say we'd like a re-run some time

Stu, you obviously missed this thread. There is no need for you to be 'on your own' for your rides. I know Dave Davenport has advertised his club - with three different ability groups I think - on here also... Maybe it doesn't appeal?

 

[StuAff]

Stu, you obviously missed this thread. There is no need for you to be 'on your own' for your rides. I know Dave Davenport has advertised his club - with three different ability groups I think - on here also... Maybe it doesn't appeal?

Nope, saw that...but you're right, neither appeals.

 

[rb58]

on another note. I am going to be at Hyde Park for 8.30am (yegods I hear some people say, that early? that's just madness) for a few laps of the park and a coffee. So if anyone else would like to join me...please feel free.

Possibly, quite possibly...... If I wake up in time...

 

[her_welshness]

It's not the rides that are bollocks, they are fun with nice people but we do the same thing over and over again and the roads and scenery and that cafe in east london are IMO bollocks (and incidentally won't get me back in time for my own time constraints). Which is why I said I would do my own thing and head north.

When I first joined these rides there was a different route every week, east, west, north, south-ish but I can't remember a sunday ride recently that hasn't gone on that same route.

I think that Becs makes some really valid points here, I think that the purpose of these rides is not just some socialising with great folk, but to inject some variety into our week which has consisted of the A-B/usual commute. If you are going to keep going to the same place then you may as well be commuting and it hardly fits in with the original intention of these rides.

A mate of mine has got a direct route which takes you through the Olympics (or the Festival of Running & Jumping) to Lee Valley, as you know its been difficult trying to get to there without any diversions - might be an option for one of the Sunday London rides and somewhere different to go to?

 

[Flying Dodo]

When I first joined these rides there was a different route every week, east, west, north, south-ish but I can't remember a sunday ride recently that hasn't gone on that same route.

Many thousands of pages ago, I suggested this as an alternative. Can we try that next week?

 

[Becs]

Many thousands of pages ago, I suggested this as an alternative. Can we try that next week?

I remember that. I'd be up for that if I am around next weekend - the home situation is very much up in the air so I can't really plan too far in advance but in principle am very keen. I seem to remember the cafe at Ally Pally being fast and nice, unlike the hill required to get there!

As with my previous comment about the super speedy rides when I make these points I am usually speaking on behalf of several others that have the same opinion but don't want to rock the boat!

 

[Aperitif]

Nope, saw that...but you're right, neither appeals.

Ah - too close to home! No delayed trains, diverted arrival points...you would only have to get on your bike and ride - that wouldn't do!

 

[StuAff]

Ah - too close to home! No delayed trains, diverted arrival points...you would only have to get on your bike and ride - that wouldn't do!

LOL...

 

[Aperitif]

I remember that. I'd be up for that if I am around next weekend - the home situation is very much up in the air so I can't really plan too far in advance but in principle am very keen. I seem to remember the cafe at Ally Pally being fast and nice, unlike the hill required to get there!

As with my previous comment about the super speedy rides when I make these points I am usually speaking on behalf of several others that have the same opinion but don't want to rock the boat!

Hello Becs, I don't think you are rocking any boat. It just doesn't suit you sometimes - nothing wrong with that. Originally, we used to meet up and just tool around - as described previously, 'a commute with a bit of chat'. Commutes by their nature are repetitive and, if the timing of these rides suits everyone then it works. I ride in a few miles to do this - mostly following my weekday trail. I have enough to work on without being bored by my route!
Also, there are scenic rides which have grown from this rudimentary roll around London. There are the 'food' rides which are speed/distance based. Even with those, as their popularity has grown, the attraction has meant a divergence of expectation / ability - as last month's showed somewhat, I believe.

The Sunday rides have been reported well, and along the way there has been a bit of random humour and incident - again richly reported. Slowly but surely, such entertainment attracts and, being open to anyone, the ride has expanded - with varying degrees of experience within. For some it has been a novelty riding in traffic...one of the steepest learning curves! (I'm still useless at it )
A short meet and chat ride doesn't need a coffee stop as we can talk while rolling around the parks - or not as the case may be. I prefer before and maybe after - it keeps the short time 'fluid' yet allows riders to 'touch base' and arse around a little, then we all get on our way "leaving Sunday Work for home".
I have noticed that many clubs have, say, three accomodating levels of group rides. Those who wish to tank it all the way (and are expected to - otherwise they go to the second level), those aspiring, older and experienced maybe, and the 'novice' group, who need to 'feel the vibe' of group riding, or those who like to pace themselves differently.
All important.
I think your ethos is different and there will be many who prefer a later start, a more casual and varied menu roulant - which would be great and attract many - go for it!
When Davy has sorted himself out, we'll have a speedy W ride to Windsor. Meet 08:30. route 1 to Windsor 10:00, once around Smiths Lawn, a quick tea in the cabin perhaps and exit to Davy's lovenest, Stainz, returning to London quicksmart for lunchtime tea at Speakers Corner...afterwards. N I did invite a little XC through Parliament Hill and Hampstead Heath / Bishops Ave etc one time, but Clive had just cleaned his bike and put new new tyres on... I don't know much S - apart from Brighton etc...I think I should be guided by the experienced riders. That means I'll have to get my finger out and make the meets if I want to ride the garden of England! (As long as I can get back by 1pm )

 

[martint235]

Just to add my 2p. I think it's just coincidence that this week is heading out east. I know that when I first started on the Sunday rides about 18 months ago, it always seemed to be Greenwich park (not exactly unknown to me). I've still never been to Ally Pally but to be honest tomorrow isn't the day for that for me.

If we can get the Sunday rides back to what they were, then you just need to turn up week on week and offer to lead. With the exceptions of Topcat and Ianrauk we do have very few ride leaders.

Anyway my first hangover is kicking in now after the Liverpool game, hopefully the one in the morning won't be too bad!!!

 

[Becs]

If we can get the Sunday rides back to what they were . . . .

Exactly!

Happy to lead, and have offered to in the past but I only really know west and north which haven't been that popular. I agree with Teef about not needing a cafe stop, if we are using roads that aren't too busy for a bit of 2 abreast chatting, although an injection of caffeine is always nice! Happy to get up early for a decent ride in fact Andrij's "hilly hijinks" were great and started at 7am! I just think the Sunday rides have become a shadow of their former selves for a number of reasons and it would be really nice to get them running properly again.