LCC Members

How many people here are a member of the London Cycling Campaign?

And more to the point, why? Is it just for the 10% shop discount?

I'm thinking, if londonfgss.com gets large, that perhaps we have the spending power to request discounts for us without having to join the LCC. I can't imagine Brixton Cycles, Condor and others would say no to the idea of attracting sales from a decent sized group of people, who perhaps might make the 10% discount re-coupable over the unit savings of larger orders (because we'd all be buying specifically fixed and single-speed stuff which is a pretty narrow product range).

It's just an idea... if there aren't many LCC members, or we're just a member for the discount, then let's see if we can get the benefits from working together without the overhead of politics (which we may not necessarily agree with)... not that it stops you from being a member of the LCC too.

I pay to have the lobby group working in London on my behalf. I don't think TFL would be so active in pushing cycling and creating more cycling access in greenways like Highbury Fields and the canal paths if LCC had not been an active vocal thorn in their backsides. The discount is a bonus as is the magazine.

I was a LCC member. I joined because I used to be a San Francisco Bike Coalition member who did an excellent job lobbying for bike lanes, traffic calming, free cycle training, free valet bike parking at all major city events, safer bike parking, access for cyclists to public transportation etc.

So when I moved to London I joined the LCC, as making bikes a practical form of transport is something I care about. I have to say that I found LCC a disappointment. They come across as really dis-organised, not very active and I've found myself at odds with them over some of the few campaigns they did seem to run. The magazine is decent though. I did find the 10% discount handy, but at best shops gave it to you begrudgingly or with some caveat attached.

I know London is a terrible disjointed mess, but I my experience with LCC left me feeling that they're not delivering on the service that London cyclists need. That said, due to work commitments, I did jack (aside from a few letters to my local authority) to help improve cycling in London.

Oh and someone really needs to open a Bike Kitchen in London. I know they're are a few spaces where you can work on your bike but they're not open daily. Someone must know a bike mad trustafarian :)

fixedpip:Oh and someone really needs to open a bike kitchen in London. [http://bikekitchen.org/](http://bikekitchen.org/)

God yeah, that would be awesome.

A load of guys at the cycle club I'm a member of wanted to group together to do maintenance courses. It was a grand idea, but when it came down to it very few people actually wanted to pay to do it. And you need to pay to get the space, tools and skilled trainers (just because you know how to service a bottom bracket doesn't mean you'll be very good at teaching someone else).

I'm up for some solution to bike maintenance problems, collaborative training, a bike kitchen type space, etc.

I wonder if it's possible to fund-raise to gain the space and tools. I very much doubt it, the tools perhaps but the space would be very very hard to secure.

But yes, it would be great if London had such a thing.

I'm not against the LCC, I just haven't seen evidence of their success yet. I like that they exist, just haven't felt that they are as pro-active as I would like them to be. And having experienced Condor and other shops ignore the 10% discount at their whim, I wonder whether a smaller and more closely knit chunk of spending power could help overcome that (we'd actually tell each other when a shop screwed us over - a major disincentive to denying a discount if the shop has agreed to give one).

There was a 'bike corner' at 56a Infoshop in Elephant and Castle... but it never really took off despite a few attempts. The inside space is pretty small but outside is decent. http://www.56a.org.uk/ (might be down atm though)

Was at 56a on Saturday and there where some people using the DIY tool loan service while I was in the distro. Its a good place to donate your unwanted spares and everyone is friendly.

http://www.56a.org.uk/bikeshop.html - looks pretty interesting and Elephant & Castle is pretty central.

Yeah i'm pretty sure they will let you use tools as long as there is someone in the bookshop even if there is no one around running the bike bit specifically.

see also http://sopobikes.org/. It is a great co-op. Gotta plug my buddies, even though they are far.

I think the LCC sucks. But you can also get discounts if you are a member of the CTC. Brixton Cycles will give you discount if you are a member of their club.

I guess getting a discount for posting on a cycling forum could be nice...

Buffalo Bill:I guess getting a discount for posting on a cycling forum could be nice...

"A load of cyclists have got together and realised that their combined spending power is considerable. We are all multi-bike households and cycling being our core passion means that a large chunk of our disposable income is spent on what we love. Taking into account these things, we think that we should be rewarded for our patronage of a select number of London cycle shops, and would request a discount on par with the one offered to LCC members. In the future, we may also wish to use the select cycle shops to facilitate group buys and would like further discount considered for bulk purchases of such a nature.".

Some bollocks like that ;)

Spin. Is that what I do when I'm on the rollers?

Unlike me then, I fall sideways.

LCC News, they're going to have an elevated viewing area for the TdF prologue.

It'll be situated next to Hyde Park at Achilles Way.

I've signed up as a group, so can get 10 riders into this viewing area. All we have to do is join a group ride to the spot beforehand.

Now yes, you don't have to do this to view the prologue, and there will be lots of other places you can squeeze down the side of fences to get a viewing. But the idea of a decent view, not too crowded, elevated and at a key junction that you can see the racers go in both directions, with refreshments at hand... it's a winner in my eyes.

The 10 spots I've asked for are not just open to londonfgss.com members, bring anyone you want, but they have to ride there so clearly we're talking cyclists only.

The full details are on the LCC site.

If we decide not to use the LCC area, then cool I'll let go of the places by letting them know. But if we are using them, just whisper me how many people you can definitely bring... I'll probably take 3 spots, so that leaves 7 from the outset.

OK, spots taken so far:

[*]velocity boy
[*]slamm
[*]damnham
[*]TheBrick
[*]TheBrick's +1
[*]MrSmith
[*]RPM
[*]Alex

I'll update this post as the slots go.

David. Do we tall you we want to join, or do we go there and register.

Consider yourself told, if that is the case.

so do we leave from your manor? it says on the LCC site that you have to ride there from pre arranged places. i don't have a problem with joining a mini-peleton just wondered where it will be from?

I have a friend at the LCC, and basically they don't know the details of this stuff until Monday. But when the starting points are determined then I will be able to select which one we want. We'd have to go to that starting point and ride in. It won't be a fast ride as there will be commuters and new cyclists amongst the group as well as enthusiasts and racers. We ride in together and we have our spot.

When I know the start points I'll ask the question here as to where to choose.

cool. if it's within greater london it's not going to be that far away

Spots taken so far:
velocity boy
slamm
damnham
TheBrick
TheBrick's +1
MrSmith
RPM
Alex
ms. ulty

I need to confirm theses spots today or tomorrow... Quick roll call of those able to make it.

For the starting point, we need to pick a borough. The choices are:

Ride A: Barking and Dagenham. Leaving from Barking Station at 8.45
Ride B: Barnet. Location and time to be confirmed.
Ride C: Brent. Leaving from Roundwood Park. Tme to be confirmed.
Ride D: Camden. Leaving from Hampstead Theatre, Eton Avenue, Swiss Cottage. Time to be confirmed.
Ride E: Croydon. Leaving from Pollards Hill Library. Time to be confirmed.
Ride F: Ealing. Leaving from Ealing Town Hall at 10am.
Ride G: Enfield. Leaving from Edmonton Centre. Time to be confirmed.
Ride H: Greenwich. Leaving from Cutty Sark Gardens. Time to be confirmed.
Ride I: Hackney. Leaving from Town Hall, Mare Street. Time to be confirmed.
Ride J: Hammersmith and Fulham. Leaving from Ravenscourt Park, Main Entrance, South Side. Time to be confirmed.
Ride K: Haringey. Location and time to be confirmed.
Ride L: Havering. Leaving from Gidea Park Station at 9am.
Ride M: Hillingdon. Location and time to be confirmed.
Ride N: Hounslow. Location and time to be confirmed.
Ride O: Islington. Leaving from Highbury Fields, time to be confirmed.
Ride P: Kingston. Leaving from Kingston Market Place at 9am.
Ride Q: Lambeth. Leaving from Brixton Ritzy, time to be confirmed.
Ride R: Lewisham. Location and time to be confirmed.
Ride S1: Merton. Leaving from Wimbledon Station Forecourt at 10.00
Ride S2: Merton. Leaving from Wimbledon Racquets Club at 10.00.
Ride S3: Merton. Leaving from Merton Civic Centre at 10.00.
Ride T: Pollards Hill. Leaving from Pollards Hill Library at 9.30.
Ride U: Newham. Leaving from Stratford Clock at 10.00.
Ride V: Redbridge. Leaving from Ilford Town Hall at 9.20.
Ride W: Richmond. Leaving from The Little Green at 9.45.
Ride X: Southwark. Location and time to be confirmed.
Ride Y: Sutton. Leaving from Pollards Hill Library. Time to be confirmed.
Ride Z: Tower Hamlets. Leaving from Green Bridge, Mile End at 11.00.
Ride AB: Walthamstow. Leaving from Walthamstow Central Library, High St at 9.15.
Ride AC: Wandsworth. Location and time to be confirmed.

I think we should pick a central-ish one, or one slightly North or East. Why? Because obviously we're coming together from all over, and central is as equidistant as possible. Slightly North or East because I'm sure more of you come from those directions. It would also mean that I could ride past ms. ulty and pick her up too so that she doesn't get lost.

Camden seems a good idea to me, location confirmed too which makes it easier... what do you guys reckon?

Anyhow, roll call of those attending:
velocity boy

Sorry David don't quite get you. So we have to all meet up and ride in with people from a random borough? Or we are mascorading as a club and have to choose a borough?

Oh shit, I posted in the wrong thread.

Give me a moment, I'll move it.

velocity boy LCC News, they're going to have an elevated viewing area for the TdF prologue.

It'll be situated next to Hyde Park at Achilles Way.

I've signed up as a group, so can get 10 riders into this viewing area. All we have to do is join a group ride to the spot beforehand.

Now yes, you don't have to do this to view the prologue, and there will be lots of other places you can squeeze down the side of fences to get a viewing. But the idea of a decent view, not too crowded, elevated and at a key junction that you can see the racers go in both directions, with refreshments at hand... it's a winner in my eyes.

The 10 spots I've asked for are not just open to londonfgss.com members, bring anyone you want, but they have to ride there so clearly we're talking cyclists only.

The full details are on the LCC site.

If we decide not to use the LCC area, then cool I'll let go of the places by letting them know. But if we are using them, just whisper me how many people you can definitely bring... I'll probably take 3 spots, so that leaves 7 from the outset.

Nope, right thread... you're just confusing me Brick.

I group registered 10 spots, and need to confirm them. As mentioned in the quoted bit, we need to be as a group and join one of the rides in. That's the only way to get to the viewing platform as it's inside the TdF route and is part of the cordoned off viewing areas set aside for sponsors, and other organisations.

So, we all took places earlier, now I have been emailed to confirm the details... so I need to provide them with a list of 10 names as well as the ride we'll be joining.

Doh sorry.
I can say yes to me and I will check with my plus one later. She was still keen last time.
I assume these group rides are gental as my plus one is keen to come watch but not a racer.

Very gentle, they're aimed at those new to cycling all the way through to "avid cyclists" which I think is what we are. We'll probably find it to be not quite slow as Critical Mass but not exactly our usual blasting around speed.