Cycle Clubs

Is anyone here a member of a road club in London? Which ones are best? I'm looking to join one based in South London next year and would like to hear peoples opinions of them

Hippy is, isn't he?

there are quite a few. i'm not a member but i think VCL, Addiscombe and dulwich paragon all seem to have a nice attitude. unless you are super competitive and a bit of a cock then london dynamo probably isn't for you.(my opinion not a fact)
there is rollapaluza.cc nice people but there seem to be very few club runs and they seem to go from the east

Yeah I'm in Willesden CC and Rollapaluza CC.
Willesden is kinda NW London so you might wanna lookat at Dulwich Paragon, VCL, Rollapaluza um and othe south London clubs of which I cannot think of any since I never cross the river for fear of trolls.

Cheers, had looked at Rollapalluza but really wanted to join the club for the runs and had noticed they didn't seem to do much. Also had similar feeling to some of the Dynamo guys I've seen out as you Mr Smith! Think I'll try Dulwich Paragon, need to get out on loads of rides if I'm to make all the sportives I've entered for next year.

Let us know what you've entered on the sportive thread (search for it).

I'm a member of Cycling Club Hackney:

http://www.cyclingclubhackney.co.uk/

We started last year. As we're supported by Hackney Council and the Learning Trust, we do a lot of youth development work. Club run (almost) every Sunday (waits for everyone). Winter turbo training on Wednesdays. Hoping to start entering road races this coming season. It's not in daccordi's area but if anyone else is interested, join us!

how far south is south? theres a kingston club
http://www.kingstonwheelers.com/

Cheers, had looked at Rollapalluza but really wanted to join the club for the runs and had noticed they didn't seem to do much.

well there were club runs, but the bloke who led them gave up cycling for some croquet thing and they were from the east anyway.

the rest of us like going round in circles, or are (like hippy) roadies who belong to another club.

well there were club runs, but the bloke who led them gave up cycling for some croquet thing and they were from the east anyway.

the rest of us like going round in circles, or are (like hippy) roadies who belong to another club.

I'd like to give the going round in circles a try but need to do more club runs for this year. I've seen you all a few times in Richmond Park on Saturday mornings.

Look at British cycling for a full list.

London Phoenix, San Fairy Anne, numerous others.

London Dynamo is the largest and is thought to be less friendly than the smaller clubs but it will depend on your own perception.

Rollapaluza is by far and away the jolliest, has the nicest kit and is the most relaxed. Although formal club runs are a rareity, join and organise one.

I've seen you all a few times in Richmond Park on Saturday mornings.

Not all of us, no more than half a dozen each week so far. Do say hello next time.

I've had a year with London Dynamo, my first foray into cycling with a club. I enjoyed it at first mainly because it was a new experience, but haven't found it to be as friendly as I had hoped. That said I have met some decent people through it and the club is very well organised and has a lot of runs mid week Saturdays and Sundays.

Notwithstanding that I won't be renewing my membership next year. At races and through forums the guys at both Dulwich Paragon and Kingston Wheelers seem like a good bunch.

Not all of us, no more than half a dozen each week so far. Do say hello next time.

will do, was going in the oposite direction than you last time so couldn't really stop for a chat

Littigator, you know that Rollapaluza is actually the club for you. Do the decent thing and join.

daccordi, I was the fat slow one. Ride anti clockwise and you will catch me. I am normally too out of breath for a chat but you can do the talking ;o)

London Dynamo is the largest and is thought to be less friendly than the smaller clubs but it will depend on your own perception.

I thought Addiscombe CC was the largest?

...Only if you're basing that on cumulative age.

VCLs good and very social - mainly focused on kids and track though.

Dulwich are more into road stuff - all seem pretty friendly too and do loads of different club-runs on different days and time.

well there were club runs, but the bloke who led them gave up cycling for some croquet thing

Not another one! Will this croquet madness never end?

There has been talk of South and East Rollapaluza runs...I'd be happy to lead some if I were fitter and had time!! so we're hoping the members get organised even if it means tagging on to the Brixton / VCL / Dulwich runs which go from the Cafe St Germain on Sunday mornings.....having said that these three clubs don't mind newcomers joining their runs as long as you are honest about your abilities.

Rollapaluza is certainly the most relaxed about racing, but oddly we've had a lot of success too with Jos, Andrew, Daave and Rhys all doing well this season, with plenty of racing from others.

We do have the nicest kit (thanks Wayne) and friendliest members.

It's looking likely that our East club runs may even start from Tour de Ville, London Fields....as they have a cafe there as well.

I joined Dynamo same time as liitigator, though I haven't met him. I live near Richmond Park which was the reason I joined. I've enjoyed a few things, I met pigfarmer and introduced him to fixed, and the club rides are good, especially in summer. I got a lift to the Dragon ride and members are supportive. Not nearly as social as lfgss, and have a bad reputation on the outside. Despite the cons I will renew my membership next year, as Dulwich is a bit too far..
Forgot to add I got my Nagasawa through Dynamo too.

http://www.hounslowanddistrictwheelers.co.uk/

As I'm sure you know, this is my club.

We are not exactly a South London club, but we have become much more 'District' than Hounslow so far as our address list is concerned, with members coming from the West of England on one side, to France on the other. Ideally you need to be able to get to Staines Bridge on Sunday mornings - the use of cars or trains is not unusual.

We are a traditional cycling club with a programme of club and open events. We have a club run every Sunday, Winter and Summer, when we are not promoting races. These are well supported and it is usually necessary to split the run into two groups. There are currently one or two fixed wheel riders on these outings and others have expressed interest, so there is an embryo fixed wheel group within the club.
We are planning a series of Sunday training runs from mid January onwards.
There is also a range of social events.

Our website (see link above) will give a fuller picture of our activities.

The club would welcome interest from lfgss members.

I joined Dynamo same time as liitigator, though I haven't met him.

No one has met Littigator. I doubt that he is real. I suspect that he is a syndicate of individuals who share a user name and password on here, the BikeRadar commuting forum and the Dynamo forum.

50/14, you are clearly ideal for Rollapaluza CC (as is Littigator).

I ride with the Dynamos. Would say that they are more suited to the "racing" roadie than the "leisure" roadie. Kingston Wheelers are imo a much better bet if you are doing it to go on a decent Sunday club run in the Surrey Hills. Both meet near Hampton Court Bridge, so litte difference.

Many join the Dynamos for the Saturday RP lap-fest - essentially going round in groups of 8 learning to ride a quasi "team time trial formation". Gets a little boring after a bit in my opinion, but far more people turn up for this than the Sunday run.

I exist, last time I could be bothered to look.

"racing" roadie / "leisure" roadie.

Ah, thank you. I was always wondering how I should describe my roadieness, and it's not the former kind ...