Bristol CCs

So I've just made the move down to Bristol from London. Anyone down here have any cycle clubs they recommend? After some decent but not racey weekend riding.

Also any heads up on the best bike shops?

Bristol South (traditional) or Das Rad Klub (moustaches) in Bristol.
There are loads more

For bike shops, I just get repairs done by Chaos Cycles in st Nicks market

Bristol Dropouts = bike shop I would strongly advise against.

Bike Workshop I'd recommend!

73 degrees in Keynesham is a decent bike shop worth riding out to

Harsh! There isn't a moustache in das rad klub!

Anyway, is its serious roadie, then Bris South, or Bristol Road club, both have weekly weekend rides.

DAS RAD is more social than serious , rides on tues am and sat.

Shop wise, Bike, bike workshop, mud dock for bits, Forever Pedalling for everything else.

Repairs, chaos are good, roll for the soul As well. Mud dock if you have more cash to spend.

Cafes, my gaff is small but has a pretty strong cycling crowd coming to it, full Court press on Broad st, but also hit up small st and little Victories

Moustaches in the most positive light.

I'll check out your coffee. Make a change from small st

Cheers for all the info and cafe heads up a welcome bonus! Will definitely check out your place @Matisse and das rad klub sounds more like what I'm after for cc duties.

Spent yesterday checking out hot air balloons ...

Next ride is tomorrow am, 7am start in queens square, finish at FCP at 8.30

It's easily done at this time of year. Worth coming down to the GP tomorrow as well if you can make it - plenty of local riders participating across the categories (I'll be the one in BSCC kit struggling in the Cat 4). Its a really good course for spectating.

Got DASd on quay street on way home today, obliged with a little one which got a cheer. I've been caught up in the new job and family stuff. Will give you a shout @Matisse when I've got some clear time as would be good to get out for a club ride

What is your beef with dropouts?

Sold me a bike that had been over tightened in a workstand that resulted in 4 uniform vertical dents about 4 inches tall on the seat tube. Which then caused an inch wide crack.
Not gonna bitch too much but they didn't do much to help me out.
I'd spent over a hundred quid on events, race license and races that I then couldn't do until I replaced the frame, so missed them all and wasted the money. Not to mention the money I'd originally spent on the bike.

Damn sorry to hear that. Always found their service to be great, but again sorry you had that issue.. definitely sucks.

Are there any evening rides?

Might want to look into the full moon ride that DRK put together

As has been said the South are a little more traditional, lots of old boys and people on tandems and the like, their winter club runs are fantastic and there is a lot of local road knowledge amongst them. They also put on a time trial series every summer with races round chew valley lake every Wednesday night.

DRK is fun, we have a good Saturday group ride going at the moment which is social pace, Despite being described as the more fun club we do have a race team with a fair bit of experience and often give the 'serious' clubs a run for their money.

There are a ton of cyclists in the city and whatever your thing is I'm sure you won't have any trouble finding a group of like minded people!

@Borek is there a drk ride tomorrow?

There is every Saturday, But it's probably best to keep an eye out on their Facebook page for any more information.

Moving back to the Wess Cunnry (Bath) in the next couple of weeks - any recommendations for good CC’s / shops / cafes in the area? More familiar with Bristol so I’m looking forward to exploring.

Walcot Vc in Bath is pretty friendly Bath Cc is good but a little traditional

Cheers - will check them out

Not particularly cycling related but Colonna & Smalls on queen square is a must-visit if you like coffee. Society on kingsmead square is a bit more of a cycley cafe with decent coffee.

always Full Court Press and say hi to @Matisse

Cheers both - already done C&S, and I swung by FCP a while ago but @Matisse was off judging somewhere. Banging coffee at both though, so will surely be back soon