Cycling clubs in Walton-on-Thames area

clarkey cat

Hi there. I'm thinking of going on a few weekend rides - does anyone know of any friendly clubs in the WOT area - with different ability groups. Thanks in advance!

2Phat4Rapha

Hi Clarkey

Kingston Wheelers, Twickenham Cycling Club are the nearest I think. I've tried getting a local group together (Shepperton) (http://www.wheelingwrinklies.co.uk) but not for 'proper' (chain gang) sort of groups. Regularly do Richmond park or Windsor if you just want to rec. the routes.

clarkey cat

cheers for this! I'm going to get my fitness up on the commute and then maybe try and tag along.

furrag

I'm in Molesey, and I'm with the Kingston Wheelers. I have been for nearly a year, and there are numerous members from Walton within the club. The club is very friendly with some lovely people, and fantastic for banter too!

The club meets at Laithwaites car park at 9am on Sunday mornings. The 'newbie' route is out through Effingham and Ranmore and onto Box Hill, and back to Kingston through Epsom. It's about 38 miles, and the group waits at the top of hills to regroup. There are usually about 5-8 different rides for varying abilities. Flat routes to Windsor and beyond, a few hills at medium pace, or hilly 80 miles at a training pace.

There are always unofficial rides going out midweek. Recently there have been weekly threshold and sprint intervals in Richmond Park on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and also chaingang riding. There are a number of weekday rides posted on the forum similar to those on weekends; 40-70 miles, including nice cafe stops, so it's also a very good social event.

8 of us did about 50 flat miles on Tuesday, and 1 rider had a mechanical issue where his rear drop out snapped and chain twisted! The group stopped, and repaired his bike to the best they could so he could get to a local station. I went back with him to the cafe stop where he was picked up and cycled on home myself. Yesterday 3 of us did 64 very hilly miles, taking in some of the North Down's nastiest, and tonight is an hours 24 mile training ride which will then return for the clubs social night at the pub!

Friendly, sociable and great for cycling - joining them has changed my life a lot. The club is promoting a road race this Sunday, which means a lot will be volunteering and riding in that. There's also the Surrey Rumble sportive, so it may be a good chance to come along while the numbers are low.

clarkey cat

Thanks for this Furrag. I am definitely keen but I'll need to get a geared bike with all those hills. I stupidly sold my Spesh a few weeks ago and I only have my SS commuter at the moment. I'm out hunting for something at the moment, once I've got it (and lost a bit more of my belly) I'll PM you if thats okay?

bondurant

Ah, Furrag - you make a very compelling case. I really need to get myself along one Sunday. I see KW riders all the time, often thought about tagging along. The midweek options sound good too.

furrag

Forget about the belly, CC - we have our fair share! We have a guy who comes out regularly on a single speed - he does the short route often, and did Box Hill in 7 minutes on a 48x18. I thought that was quite impressive, though a bike with gears is obviously much more desirable and opens up many more routes! Feel free to PM me.

There's an FAQ here which addresses most questions! http://www.kingstonwheelers.co.uk/clubrun.shtml

clarkey cat

I've done it. I've just gone and bought a geared bike.

Hopefully see you Sunday!!!

Bondurant - we can be newbies together...?

bondurant

Not this Sunday CC, sorry, though Sunday is my usual free day. I'll be there soon though. Enjoy!

keefsloan

Hey Furrag, I'm also in Molesey. Where about are you? Would be nice to say "hello" sometime.

dabber

Furrag wrote:

There's also the Surrey Rumble sportive, so it may be a good chance to come along while the numbers are low.

I came across the Surrey Rumble on one of my regular routes around the Puttenham/Seale area. It looked like a good turnout

furrag

It was - the Surrey Rumble riders came through in dribs and drabs the same route as the road race, so a few sportive riders had to be temporarily stopped for a minute or so. The KW had as many racing as in the Surrey Rumble by the looks of things.

Did any of you guys turn up to the club run today? There'll be plenty more of us next week!

clarkey cat

Ah no, I was on family duties but I had some lunch in Hampton Court and saw bags and bags of cyclists all having a natter and a coffee by the bridge and it looked like a very convivial atmosphere. I have pleaded with the missus that I go next week (said we could do alternate weeks... with the other baby sitting) so fingers crossed...

Chriscommuter

Furrag,

I am outing you as a hairy, layabout work dodging member of the great unwashed!

Chris