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LINKS AND RESOURCES
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Other leisure rides in the South London area...
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Beddington Park Cycle Rides
Formerly a collaboration between PHC and CTC and now solely run by CTC, providing easy-going Saturday afternoon rides, ideal for families or those new to cycling. Beddington Park is between Hackbridge, Carshalton and Wallington.
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Westcroft Wheelers
Started by Mark from PHC, this is a series of 50 mile summer rides starting in Carshalton and averaging 14mph. A great way of getting some miles in for your sportive or charity ride
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Central London CTC
This busy section of the national cycling organisation offers up to 3 rides a week of varying distances, often train assisted to get into the countryside.
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Bromley Cycling Campaign
Our very good friends and regular ride companions offer a comparable service for those in the East
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Local Sky Rides
Several London boroughs have local Sky Rides.
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Lambeth Cyclists
Check out their monthly architecture ride. They "cycle steadily, don't leave anyone behind and like their lunch and tea stops".
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Lewisham Cyclists
A regular and varied rides programme including many longer day rides.
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Greenwich Cyclists
Often tied in with Lewisham and Southwark's rides. You can cycle from Croydon to Greenwich along the Waterlink Way to meet up with them.
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Wandsworth Cyclists
Our neighbouring borough group offers occasional rides, normally starting from the ticket office at Clapham Junction station.
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Kingston Cycling Campaign
An active rides programme including the famed 'Bread Pudding' rides!
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Midweek Wayfarers
Probably the busiest social rides in South London with three to choose from most Wednesdays. They're no use if you're working!
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Anerley Bicycle Club
Regular Sunday rides from South Croydon to the Kent and Surrey countryside from one of the UK's oldest cycling clubs.
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Clarencourt Cycling Club
Based in Cheam, rides of around 50 miles at 12 - 14 mph plus MTB excursions.
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South West London CTC
Many different rides from the indivual 'sections' of the local branch of CTC, including Saturday afternoon beginners rides from Nonsuch Park in Cheam.
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Southwark Cyclists
South London's leading campaign group offer interesting and varied rides. Reach the start by taking a train to London Bridge if you don't fancy the extra miles!
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Cycling For All / Wheels For Wellbeing
Over 30 bikes available to ride around Croydon Arena including many adapted ones for people with disabilities.
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Motspur Park Beginner's Rides
A monthly event organised by Merton Cycling Campaign offering monthly 2hr cycle rides from the Joseph Hood recreation ground. Check first to see if it is on.
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Racing clubs in the South London area...
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Addiscombe CC
Regular rides leaving from central Croydon both on and off road. They'll often get over 100 riders out. Fairly quick pace.
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Cadence
Crystal Palace's cycling centre do 'beginner' rides on Saturday mornings but you'll need to be able to average 15mph to keep up. An excellent way to progress to faster riding.
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De Laune CC
One of the country's oldest cycling clubs, based in Dulwich.
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Dulwich Paragon
A very active club with up to 60 riders taking part in the popular Saturday club run from Crystal Palace. Their annual Ride Of The Falling Leaves is popular.
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GS Avanti
A new Bromley-based club with a wide range of rides, including a Saturday ride suitable for all.
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Herne Hill Youth CC
Heavy emphasis on mountain biking with a monthly series of family rides too.
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Norwood Paragon
This historic club is over 100 years old and offers all forms of competitive cycling as well as social mountain bike rides.
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Kingston Phoenix
A small club based in Kingston, Epsom and Sutton, specialising in Time Trialling.
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Sydenham Wheelers
Time Trials and mountain biking in the North Kent countryside.
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34 Nomads
West Wickham's racing club.
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London and South East rides books...
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Time Out's Cycle London
You can't fault a book that mentions PHC! Some great linear routes in here with Time Out's usual high standards.
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Lost Lanes
Jack Thurston from The Bike Show (see below for link) has written the ultimate rides book. Concentrating on the south east of England, many of the rides are around the 30 mile mark which, as we know, is the optimum distance for an easy day ride. Beautifully written with evocative photography.
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Where To Ride London
50 routes that all link to each other, allowing you to make up a ride of any length. The linear rides start and end at train stations. Probably the best book for London riders.
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The London Cycling Guide: 30 Great Routes for Exploring the Capital
Written by Tom Bogdanowicz from LCC, this book includes some good information on cycling in general, including key points from Cyclecraft on road positioning. Inexplicably fails to mention us in the list of clubs!
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Rural Rides: West Surrey No. 1
Ron Strutt's first book includes a wealth of information on the places you are cycling to. This is not lazily pinched from Wikipedia, this is proper research and is an invaluable guide to the local area.
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Rural Rides: East Surrey No. 2
As above
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Cycle Tours: 24 One-day Routes Around London
Nick Cotton is the most prolific author of cycle route books. His routes are generally excellent.
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25 Cycle Rides London & South Coast Boxed Set
The AA's book in laminated card format so that you can take them out on the bike.
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North and South Downs (Great Cycle Routes)
The South Downs offer some of the longest continous offroad riding in the country.
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On Your Bike in Surrey
We often ride chunks of the routes in this great book. It's spiral bound so it's easy to refer to when you're out.
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Cycling in London (Sustrans)
The National Cycle Network has some great routes in London, from the Wandle Trail and the Waterlink Way to the magnificent journey along the Thames or up the Lea Valley. Find them all with this book.
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Cyclecraft
DO NOT leave home without having read this book. The definitive word on staying alive on a bike. This was the basis for Bikeability, the government approved cycle training scheme. Everything within these covers is essential for anyone riding on a road.
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Stylish lycra-free riding...
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Water Off A Duck's Back
Guess what? These are waterproof! Really stylish ladies macs cut for cycling so that nothing dangles in your spokes or chain and nobody is going to know you arrived by bike once you're parked up. Think Rapha for ladies.
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Ana Nichoola
A very nice range of female cycle clothing.
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Bobbins Bicycles
The most beautiful bicycle shop in Great Britain claims their website. Could be true! Upright functional bikes for lycra-free riding.
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Popiel Cycles
Lovely shop in Crystal Palace specialising in the Gazelle Dutch bikes and an assortment of chic accessories.
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Cyclodelic
Amy Fleuriot's stylish range of female cycle clothing has been sold in Topshop on Oxford Street but you can also get it at Bobbins (see above)
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Velorution
Stylish shop with a great website for those who aren't in a hurry. They sell Christiania cargo bikes from Copenhagen.
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PHC recommends the following mobile mechanics...
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Pedal Medic
Tony has done many rides with PHC and offers full servicing at a value for money rate. Call 07951 048 556 or email tony [at] pedalmedic.com
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Steve Watkin
Another well known face from our rides. Steve is based in Bromley but can travel. Call 07748 655201 or email stevewatkin506 [at] hotmail.com
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Local bike shops...
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De Ver Cycles - Norbury
Independent cycle shop in Norbury run by a former racing cyclist. Sponsors of Sutton Cyclists.
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The Village Bike Shop - Carshalton
Don't be put off by the terrible website, this is a great little bike shop that does repairs and sells reconditioned bikes.
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Cadence
Crystal Palace's cycling centre offers a host of services including mechanics, bike fitting, coaching and a Watt bike studio for spinning on cold winter evenings.
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Blue Door Bicycles - Crystal Palace
A friendly community shop in the same premises as the former Central Cycles. They've got a very informative website.
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Brixton Cycles
A workers co-op. Their site has plenty of info on clothing and security etc.
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Corridori - Epsom
Owned and staffed by former racing and club cyclists. Stock includes the beautiful Van Nicholas titanium bikes as well as a good selection of affordable ATB style bikes.
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Pearsons - Sutton
They've been trading from the same shop in Sutton High St since 1860. A good range of bikes including their own framesets.
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Bike Plus - Croydon
A well stocked shop about a mile from Croydon town centre, run by enthusiastic and knowledgable cyclists.
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Moose Cycles - Colliers Wood
Mountain bike specialists.
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Cycling organisations...
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London Cycling Campaign
LCC campaigns for better cycling facilities and promotes cycling to all Londoners. The members magazine is worth reading.
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CTC
As the UK's National Cyclists' Organisation, CTC has been protecting and promoting the rights of cyclists since 1878. Incorporates the Cyclists' Touring Club and also produces an excellent members' magazine.
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CTUK
Independent provider of on-road cycle training and cycle maintenance training in London.
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Cycling Instructor
London's main provider of cycle training.
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Sustrans
Responsible for creating over 12,000 miles of the National Cycle Network, some of which are on our doorstep.
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General resources...
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Commonside Trust
Helping to create a better future for people who live in the communities of Pollards Hill, Longthornton and Figges Marsh. Without the help of the Commonside Trust, there would be no Pollards Hill Cyclists.
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Herne Hill Velodrome
One of the last remaining venues from the 1948 Olympic Games that is still in active use. You can try a track bike (no brakes!) on the value-for-money Saturday morning sessions.
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Croydon Cycle Quest
PHC designed this 50 mile route for Croydon Council's Bike Week in 2006. The web address has now expired but you can still access the site through this link. Please leave a message on the Guest Book page if you complete the ride.
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Merton Cycle Quest
Another PHC Bike Week initiative, this time a shorter day ride around Merton's attractions.
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Bicycles on the tube (pdf)
A downloadable map to check which lines you can take your bike on.
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The Bike Show on Resonance FM
A weekly radio show about cycling from the author of Lost Lanes. Subscribe to the Podcasts on iTunes.
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Bicycle Manufacturers
Not just two wheelers, this is a comprehensive list of all kinds of cycles, including recumbents and arm powered machines.
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Cycle Guard Insurance
Get your bike insured. Locking it properly in the first place helps you to keep it safe. Watch this video
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Register your bike at Immobilise
Increase the odds of getting your bike back if it is stolen by recording it on the UK's National Property Register and Recovery Service. But better still, lock it properly!
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Park Tool's Repair Guides
Best resource on the web for bike servicing guidance.
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Surrey County Council
Make sure you order their excellent cycling maps. They are also responsible for the Surrey Cycleway, 94 miles of signposted scenic roads divided into shorter loops.
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TfL's Cycle Portal
Order the free maps by clicking on the 'Routes and Maps' link.
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The Wandle Trail
A beautiful cycling route on your doorstep. Download the map from this site.
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