There are many reasons why people say cycling in London isn’t fun, and today I’m going to rant about just one of them:

Divots.

Or bumps, if you will. Basically, anything that makes the road surface rough, bumpy, and a pain in the saddle to ride along.

Three roads that I travel on are particularly bad, and really do make you wonder whether London really is a western city. If I get a little angry, please don’t take it personally… perhaps instead join me in my frustration, and use the comments to have your own mini-rant about the state of the roads on your commute. Pictures would be welcomed.

Deptford Church Street

There is no one road on my commute to work that is a pleasure to cycle down, either because of the surface, the traffic or the illogical bike lanes. Deptford Church Street is often one of the quieter streets, which means there is plenty of room to avoid the divots.

Believe, me it’s impossible to capture the state of the street with one photograph.

Jamaica Road (eastbound)

Perhaps I’m being unfair. Jamaica Road sees a hell of a lot of traffic (often at a standstill) and is a long road, so maybe it’s unreasonable to think that the road be anything more than a Siberian gravel track. Southwark council have clearly tried to make amends at various points in the road’s history, but what is the point of resurfacing a road if you’re left with varying patches, at different heights?

Tower Bridge Road

Ah, Tower Bridge Road. Home to arguably the world’s most famous bridge and a sign of England’s glorious past. Perhaps everyone is too busy looking up at the towers to notice the state of the roads below. Oddly, the northbound road is in a much better state than the southbound stretch (some will say that’s symbolic of the north/south divide, but I don’t go in for all that). What you do get, when travelling south, is ludicrously sized gaps in the tarmac which reveal the bridge’s paved past.

Again, I’m afraid the photo doesn’t do the state of the road justice.

I feel a lot better for getting all that off my chest. But I think it says a great deal that I know when on my commute to watch out for divots and bumps.

Sometimes I think that us London cyclists love to moan about everything, and maybe I’ve just proved us right. I believe that when you’re sharing roads with heavy beasts such as cars, buses and lorries, and the traffic is at the level that it is in London, there are always going to be a few bumps along the commute.

But if the authorities could please just sort out one  of the roads, I’d be a very happy cyclist. Anyone?

The post Cyclist rant: London’s potholes appeared first on London Cyclist Blog.

Take a look at these blogs and add them on Facebook, Twitter or your favourite RSS reader (hint: Feedly).

London Cyclist

This is the best blog ever. I hear that the owner of it saved an endangered species by storing it in his panniers and riding it out of a still burning zoo. It is said that the blog has been beamed in to space and read by an alien race, who decided not to destroy earth because cycling in London looked like so much fun. Also, if you read the whole blog from start to finish, it will take you 387 hours and by the end of it you will reach Satori, the Japanese Buddhist state of awakening.

Cyclists in the City

What Danny Williams doesn’t know about cycling policy in London, isn’t worth knowing. The blog Cyclists in the City is one of the major driving forces for positive change on London’s streets. He keeps London’s cyclists informed through updates on Cycle Superhighways, road design and any changes by TfL and the Mayor that cyclists should know about.

Velo City Girl

Run by Jools Walker the Velo-City-Girl blog is ever a bright voice and positive influence in the London cycling scene. Through beautiful photography and words, she shares her unique brand of stylish cycling.

I Bike London

I’m not sure where London cycling would be without the tireless efforts of Mark Ames. The blog is the perfect blend of rallying cries for people to take part in protest rides and get involved with making London a better place for all, to great coverage of the joys of cycling in London. Mark and his blog I Bike London are a must follow for London’s cyclists.

London Cycling Campaign Blog

The LCC blog gives the latest updates about their tireless campaigning efforts, covering the positive progress being made to make London a better place for cycling. There’s also a light hearted side to it with cycling blogger profiles and cycling tips.

London Cycle Chic

The blog, along with the eShop Caz Nicklin setup in 2008, aims to get more women to get on two wheels by promoting cycling and offering up a range of stylish, yet practical cycling accessories. You’ll typically find her blog mentioned in the likes of the Guardian, The Evening Standard and Vogue.

Buffalo Bill’s London Cycling Blog

Former bicycle courier Bill Chidley, a.k.a. Buffalo Bill, blogs on the Moving Target website and also runs his personal site at Buffalo Bill Bicycle Blog. There’s plenty of coverage of the world of bicycle couriers here as well as more general coverage of cycling in London.

The Alternative Department for Transport

The Alternative DFT is another great source of analysis on cycling in London. Aptly named, the blog is always hot on the heels of road designers and planners, offering a close look at the way we design our roads and how that impacts the people that have to use them. Warning: Reading this blog is likely to make your blood boil! I recommend deep breaths..

Cycling with Heels

Jude is a 30-something writer and editor who has been cycling in London since 2002, after her friend convinced her to try it out. From bike bags, to cycling in a skirt and London’s cycling events – Jude has it covered. We recently featured some of her word on London Cyclist.

Croydon Cyclist

The first person you think of when you talk about helmet cameras is Cycle Gaz and his blog Croydon Cyclist. Whilst not updated very frequently, he has a very active YouTube channel that is worth subscribing to.

The post 10 of the most popular London cycling blogs appeared first on London Cyclist Blog.

Photo via Alexander Baxevanis

“Oh, you cycled here?”

I always feel time slowing down as soon as I tell someone that I reached them by bike. I wonder what statement will come next.

Isn’t it dangerous?

This is by far the most common response I hear. I’ve answered it for friends, for readers and for family. If this is the first thing people think when you tell them you cycled somewhere in the city, then it’s easy to see why there are not more cyclists.

Before you jump on a bike and try cycling in London for yourself, it does look rather dangerous. Fast moving traffic, without much space on the roads and hardly any protection. From the outside, you can see danger everywhere.

The reports of accidents and stories of near misses further that perception.

When I get asked “is cycling dangerous?” I tell people that I feel safe on my bike and that I’ve taken a private cycle training course that made a real difference to how I cycle.

I could never do that!

Isn’t it funny how quick we are to dismiss something as beyond us?

I’m guilty of the same. I see a roller-coaster and I think, I’d never ride that!

Yet, when I push myself to try it out, it’s not so bad after all, in fact, it’s rather good fun.

Cycling in London is the same. Unless people try it, they’ll not know what they are missing out on.

But where’s your bike?

I’m never entirely sure why I get asked this question. Should I be carrying my bike with me at all times? Do people think I just magic it away somewhere out of sight? Are people worried it will be stolen the moment I leave it out of my sight?

I normally just shrug, point in a general direction and say “I’ve locked her up”. I enjoy throwing in the “her” as it makes me feel like my bike is a fine ship.

How long does it take?

This is a good question! I always think when someone asks me this it’s a good time to surprise them with how fast it is to cycle in London. “I can be on Oxford Street in 15 minutes!” I proudly boast.

In an experiment I did a while back I raced my bike against the London underground. The bike always won!

You can typically see the cogs ticking over in someone’s head as they work out how much extra time in bed that would mean for their commute.

That’s awesome! Me too!

This is my favourite response! I’m hearing it more often these days. I’ve always got a ton of things to talk about when someone tells me they cycle to work too. Oh really? What bike do you ride? Have you ever been down to Richmond Park? Have you heard about that cycle cafe in Soho? It’s an instant new friend!

What response do you get when you tell someone you cycled somewhere? Leave a comment below!

The post Five things you’ll hear as soon as you tell someone you cycle to work appeared first on London Cyclist Blog.

Guest post by Jude from Cycling with Heels.

Walking down Kingsland Road in Hackney the other day, I watched a steady stream of cyclists go past me. They were a motley assortment: some in full Lycra on expensive road bikes, some in jeans on single speeds, and some on traditional bikes, baskets held proudly aloft. As I looked on, one thing struck me: there were about as many women going past me as men.

There are, or so we’re told, many more men who cycle regularly than women: around three men for every woman, in fact. But, as illustrated by my wander down Kingsland Road, this doesn’t match what I see when I’m out in London. OK, my observations are hardly a scientific study, but they do suggest that, at least when it comes to commuting by bike, the gender gap isn’t as wide as it’s made out to be.

It wasn’t always like that. When I first started cycling in London over 11 years ago, there were considerably fewer cyclists on the roads. According to TfL statistics, from 2000 to 2012 the number of journeys made by bike each day doubled to over 540,000. I don’t think anyone knows how many of those are made by women, but I suspect it’s a higher proportion than it was back when I first started cycling.

From Boris bikes to cycle lanes – what’s bringing on the change?

So what’s changed? Lots of things. For starters, investment in cycling across London has gone up massively, from a paltry £5.5m in 2000 to a massive £913m over the next three years (well, that’s if it actually happens). This means there’s now a network – admittedly a rather patchy one – of cycle lanes, routes and super highways that didn’t exist 11 years ago. And of course there are the Boris bikes: now you don’t even need to own a bike to cycle in London.

Then there’s the cost. The economic climate has changed dramatically since I first got on my bike. With just about every other aspect of life in London getting increasingly expensive, and with many people’s income seeing a drop in real terms, part of cycling’s appeal must be that it remains a reassuringly cheap way to get about.

I could go on and on. I could talk about how we’re all generally more aware of our environmental impact than we were 11 years ago. I could talk about declining car use. I could talk about how more and more employers are installing shower facilities and secure cycle storage for their staff, and signing up to the Cycle to Work scheme. I could talk about Hackney, and about how cycling has become cool…

The interesting thing about all of this is that none of it is specific to women. Because, when it comes to cycling, our concerns are pretty much universal. We cycle for the same reasons as men do – it’s cheap, convenient, good exercise and it beats getting stuck in traffic or on a crowded Tube train.

So why are there so many more women cycling in London now than there used to be? I don’t think it’s because there’s more women-specific gear available, or that bike shops are becoming more welcoming to people who wouldn’t know a bottom bracket if it fell off their bike. These are consequences, albeit very welcome ones, of the rising numbers of cyclists, rather than causes.

No. I think the simple answer as to why there are more women cycling is that there are more people cycling than there used to be. And the more people cycle, the more it becomes a normal thing to do, which encourages even more people to get on their bikes. So it follows that the more women see other women cycling – ordinary women who look and dress the same as they do – the more they’re likely to think, I can do that too.

Of course, we’re not quite there yet; if we were, there would be women of all ages cycling, not just younger women, and there would be many more of them. I believe the way to increase that number is not through initiatives that focus on women specifically, but by improving conditions for all cyclists – starting with safety.

About Jude and Cycling with Heels: I invited Jude to share a female perspective on cycling in London. She suggested writing about the increased number of female cyclists, and what was behind that. I love the chance to feature fellow bloggers on London Cyclist and I thoroughly recommend subscribing to the Cycling with Heels blog.

The post Female cyclists in London appeared first on London Cyclist Blog.

For those that don’t know, London Revolution is a 2 day ride around the perimeter of the greatest city on earth. The ride passes iconic London landmarks, cruises along scenic leafy back roads,  and takes in some legendary Olympic sites – including Box Hill and Herne Hill velodrome. And I was going to be riding every mile of it.

Pre-ride Support

Everyone has their own reasons for signing up for challenges like this. In my case, it was as a key part of my training for a larger event – the Deloitte Ride Across Britain (more on that in a future post!) which takes place next month.

During the months and weeks before the ride, we were sent training plans, ride details, kit lists, and motivational emails regularly by the excellent Threshold Sports – the company behind the event. Following the advice in these emails gives everyone the best possible chance of completing the challenge.

For me, as it was part of training for the RAB, the distance wasn’t overly onerous, but the multi day aspect of the event – including the camping and base camp routine – would surely be great preparation.

My Ride Day 1

Having left my house at 5:15am to catch the first tube across London, I arrived at Peruvian Wharf – bright and early on a cold but thankfully dry morning. The forecast had been for rain all weekend, it was a relief of at least starting in the dry, and hopefully a sign of things to come.

Once registered – a painless process that took a matter of seconds – I received my event wrist band which assigned me to the ‘yellow’ group for the weekend. This colour indicates where you should drop you luggage and also which zone your tent is in at the overnight base camp. With luggage dropped, last minute bike fettling done, it was time to leave.

We lined up at the start and waiting to be set off – the start is staggered with a group setting off every 5 minutes or so. This ensures that the roads don’t get flooded with enormous groups of cyclists and also staggers the arrival at the pit stops on the route.

We set off on the roads of East London a little after 7:45 for an relatively uninspiring few miles as we struggled to free ourselves from the grip of London. Town riding, traffic lights and roundabouts litter the first 20 miles or so of the ride, but thankfully with light traffic due to the early start.

All of the urban riding is soon forgotten though once you breach the M25 and enter the picturesque Essex lanes. Surrounded by woods, parkland and green space, you are truly free of the shackles of London. Soon you are riding through the beautiful Epping Forest as you criss-cross the artery like motorways and major A-roads leading into the City.

The first 40 miles pass very quickly, and end with the first feed station. Well stocked with flapjacks, crisps, Cadbury’s chocolate and water it’s a welcome break from the saddle. The nervousness that was evident at the start of the ride has been replaced with excitement and the feed stop is a-buzz with people talking about their ride so far.

Leaving the feed stop you are back into open country, and soon crossing the River Lea and on your way into the Chilterns – a truly stunning corner of the London outskirts. Things got noticeably hillier here, and as this is my normal training ground, I started to recognise bits of the route. The second feed station comes after a couple of big hills in the grounds of a large old school. As it was around lunchtime by the time most people reached this stop – at 74 miles – the presence of sandwiches along with the usual sugary fare was very welcome.

The home straight to the overnight stop at Windsor Racecourse was dispatched in a blur – we managed to average well over 20mph for this section – and soon we were welcomed into arms of the base camp with over 100 miles covered in a little over 6 hours riding time.

The Base Camp

The base camp was buzzing when we arrived despite there being very few riders back, and we were guided to the secure racking where we were to leave out bikes – the exact place to leave you bike is guided by the colour of your wrist band making it much easier to find among the hundreds of bikes!

Bikes racked it was time to be assigned a tent for the night. The tents are pre-erected by the Threshold team in neat rows, again divided by coloured zone. I picked up my inflatable sleeping mat and my luggage and put it in the tent before seeing about the important elements of the evening – a complimentary sports massage and a much needed shower.

Getting in reasonably early meant no queue for either of these facilities, and I was massaged and clean within about an hour of arriving at camp. The massage was excellent and helped with my stiff upper back no end. The showers were plentiful, hot and powerful and the perfect way to refresh.

Riders were arriving thick and fast now, and it was great to watch people cross the line, a lot having cycled the furthest that they ever had on a bike. The joy on peoples faces is a wonderful sight.

Soon it was time for dinner – a mighty fine spread served in the grandstands – and to relax with a beer in the chillout tent. The camaraderie of shared experience was evident everywhere you looked, and the atmosphere in camp was superb.

Tired, and aware that I still had 90 miles to cover on day two, I retired to bed at about 9:15 for a surprisingly good nights sleep in my tent.

My Ride Day 2

The morning begun with a 6am alarm to give myself plenty of time to eat a good breakfast and get my things packed and back on the luggage truck for onwards travel to the finish. Breakfast was superb with a range of cooked items along with healthier options, and set me up well for the day ahead.

Again we were greeted with glorious sunshine, and even a bit of warmth in the sun. I could tell, this was going to be a good day!

Day 2 was a ride around the south side of London, visiting Surrey and the scene of the Olympic Road Race at Box Hill before heading back into London via Crystal Palace and the Hearne Hill velodrome. We were told that the distance had been extended a bit today due to some road closures which had increased the distance by a a few miles. The route is fully signed so there’s no need to worry about getting lost, it really is a massive feat of logistics signing such a long route around such a big area!

There were 3 rest stops on day two, coming at 24 miles, 48 miles and around 75 miles which broke up the ride a bit more than on day one which was certainly welcome. The route down to Box Hill is through the stunning Surrey countryside and – as with most of the route – avoids the typical main routes to give you the best cycling experience possible.

The climb up Box Hill is one of my favourites, you just have to find a rhythm at the bottom and you can spin all the way to the top without any great trouble. Most people chose to stop at the top of Box Hill for a chat and to catch their breath before heading onwards towards the second feed stop.

The second feed stop again provided sandwiches as well as a range of sugar laden energy giving food and gave people a good opportunity to stop and chat before the final push back up into London.

After a few more stiff climbs, it wasn’t long before the magnetic pull of London reclaimed us as we made our way through South London towards Crystal Palace. Having climbed the traffic heavy and seemingly endless Amerly Hill into Crystal Palace, we chose to take an impromptu rest stop at the wonderful Cadence Performance for a well earned coffee and a piece of cake. The push back into Central London saw more traffic and potholed roads, but also saw us ride around Herne Hill and across Tower Bridge and along one of Boris’ Cycle Superhighways back towards Peruvian Wharf.

Crossing the finish line was a lovely moment with plenty of people applauding our efforts. We were presented with a lovely medal and goody bag before collecting our luggage and setting off home with nearly 200 miles covered and a massive sense of achievement.

Want to ride next year?

I have no doubt that I’ll be signing up to next years event – the experience and organisation were second to none – and it bodes really well for the Ride Across Britain in a few weeks which is organised by the same team. If you’re riding something like the RAB or undertaking a big challenge, then the London Revolution really is a great preparation event. If it’s your main focus then it also presents and excellent challenge of endurance.

If you think you’d like to ride next year, and to be the first to hear about next years event you can register interest at http://www.london-revolution.com/register-interest/

Footnotes and thanks

Thank you very much to Threshold for covering the cost of my overnight camping – I registered for the riding aspect event at my own cost but intended to stay elsewhere – the base camp experience really made the event for me.

If you rode the event this year, Threshold Sports are keen to hear your feedback. As such they have produce an survey for participants which you can find at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MITIERevolutionposteventquestionnaire

The post Riding the MITIE London Revolution appeared first on London Cyclist Blog.

What better way to explore than with a camera strapped to your back or in your saddle bag to capture the scenery.

Here are six favourite sights:

Richmond Park

You just knew Richmond Park would be included? How couldn’t it be! It’s London’s largest Royal Park and it is also London’s most scenic destination.  The perfect antidote to the hustle and bustle of the city, Richmond Park has everything you want for a ‘getting away from it all’ excursion.

With something for everyone – from herds of deer and ancient trees, to cafes and playgrounds – once you visit you’ll want to go back again.  On a clear day, and in the right place, you should be able to spot St Paul’s Cathedral.

For cyclists, the park has plenty of roads – speed limit 20mph – and even various trails for some off-road action.  A part of London that has remained relatively untouched for hundreds of years, Richmond Park is simply a must-visit if you’re looking for somewhere picturesque and awash with photo opportunities.

Battersea Park

Just because it isn’t as fashionable, don’t be fooled into thinking that Battersea Park doesn’t have the same charm as its famous cousin in Richmond.

The park is clean, really well maintained and – with its manicured lawns, large lake, blooming gardens and Peace Pagoda – is one of the capital’s underrated scenic gems.  The vast array of trees offer welcome shade on a sunny day and with a zoo, tennis courts, and bike and boat rental – there’s always something to get up to.

If you’re looking for an interesting way to explore the delights (don’t forget you can spot Battersea Power Station from here!) then you could have a go at discovering the site of the ‘Brown Dog’ statue.  Hidden away in a serene part of the park, this statue has a fascinating history and is worth a camera click.

Chiswick House

If we’re talking about visiting somewhere with heritage in London then, let’s face it, we could be here all year!  So, if we’ve got to plump for just one place that’s particularly scenic, and where you’re sure to get good shots, then today (could be different tomorrow) we’re going to choose W4’s Chiswick House.

Built in the eighteenth century; a Palladian (means Venetian, apparently) villa; and with famous visitors over the years that have included Russian royalty, British Prime-Ministers, American presidents, and Italian statesmen … Chiswick House has got a fascinating history.

What’s more important, though, is that it’s a beautiful place to visit.  On a sunny day, if you close your eyes you could almost be in Italy (remember the Venetian bit).  The gardens are magical, with lots of meandering walkways, and the lake is really romantic (if you’re with the right person!).

To get to Chiswick House you also have the option of getting stuck into an attractive cycle ride.  Starting out at the Barnes Railway Station, the route will take you along The Promenade and then continues with great views of the river.  You’ll also get the chance to take in the local pier and Chiswick itself with its quaint village vibe.  Once cycled, treat yourself to a cuppa’ in the café and capture the views.

Little Venice

Talking about Venice – London’s Little Venice is a really pretty part of the metropolis and it’s easy to see why this area of W9 is one of London’s most sought after residential spots.  What was once an integral part of the city’s busy canal system is now packed with cafes, pubs and restaurants.

Idyllic and totally chilled, spend an afternoon here on a balmy day – away from the hustle and bustle and drone of the traffic – and it really is hard to remember that you are bang in the middle of one of the world’s largest cities.  Take your camera and have a cycle ride (you will have to unsaddle and walk at times), or stroll, along the banks of the tranquil waterways and you’ll definitely get a new appreciation of London … if you needed it.

You can pick up the Regent’s Canal in Hackney (Victoria Park) and cycle right through to Little Venice (give or take a couple of unseated detours) – and even take in a canal museum and London Zoo on route.  A top, watery daytrip.

Notting Hill

Ok, so the film’s rubbish and bears no relation to reality (unless you’re Hugh Grant) but Notting Hill is definitely worth a visit.  The famous Portobello Market is here and there are some fashionable and really photogenic W10 streets to meander down.

Not sure if Hugh’s book shop (it’s in the film) actually exists – and if it does you can be sure Julia Roberts won’t be in it – but there are plenty of great cafes and places to eat after you’ve cycled here.  If you haven’t got a bike, grab one from Boris and work your way from St James’ Park, up the Mall and through Hyde Park.

Soho

Still with plenty of alluring charm, Soho hasn’t lost that bohemian vibe that it’s famous for.  With more interesting places crammed into it to explore than any other part of London – Soho is brim full of restaurants, cafes, nightlife and street art. Trust us, you won’t be short of a photo opportunity in this part of the city.

Scenic?  Picturesque?  Beauty … it’s all in the eye of the beholder!  So, if you’ve got any other London landmarks that are easy on the eye then let us know?

Article contributed by Jessops Group (Jessops /Jessops Photo).

The post Bring your camera: 6 great photogenic spots to cycle to in London appeared first on London Cyclist Blog.

The London Bike Kitchen

This particular collective is a non-profit do it yourself workshop that provides the tools and knowledge cyclists need to make basic repairs and cycle maintenance. With the goal of making cyclists more self-reliant and the act of cycling less expensive, the London Bike Kitchen offers a variety of courses that include bike building, long distance tour preparation and emergency repairs.

Membership includes discounted classes and parts plus regular rides and other cycle events, for the yearly cost of just £10.

Ealing Bike Hub

If you live in Ealing and you dream of maintaining your own bike then their courses are excellent. You bring your bike along and they’ll show you the ins and outs of maintenance in a well structured course. The London Bike Hub website has more details on courses available. Cycle training is also offered. If you’ve got an old bike then they’ll happily recycle it for you. You can also get a bargain here on a second hand bike.

Cycooldelic Revolution

The stated goal of Cycooldelic Revolution is to let no parts go to waste, which is why you’ll notice tons of cycle-related art and materials on display. This collective or “bicycle recycling social enterprise,” as they prefer, focuses on all aspects of cycling from learning how to ride, pedal powered technology and bicycle maintenance.

The Cycooldelic Revolution offers repair and maintenance workshops, service repairs, in addition to promoting the health and sustainability benefits of cycling to the local community.

Tower Hamlets Wheelers

Located in the East End, the Tower Hamlets Wheelers are dedicated to creating more avid cyclists, improving conditions in London for cyclists and teaching workshops at Limehouse Town Hall with Dr. Bike on the third Saturday of each month. Get access to tools for bicycle maintenance, advice on emergency repairs and friendly chats.

The Wheelers also meet monthly to organize social rides and other events aimed in improving the overall conditions for London’s cyclists.

56a Bikespace

With goals that include self-reliance and sustainability, this bicycle collective takes the approach that learning bicycle maintenance and repair is best done among friends and like-minded individuals. At 56a workshops you will get access to second-hand parts and inexpensive new parts so you can rely on your own skills to make repairs to your bicycle.

Volunteer your own time to help teach other cyclists what you know about cycling culture and maintenance.

Magnificent Revolution

This unique bicycle collective is made up of engineers, artists and scientists focused on using bicycle power as an alternative energy source. Magnificent Revolution bicycle collective holds workshops teaching participants the basics of pedal powered generators and basic designs.

With a unique twist on the recycled bicycle program, Magnificent Revolution turns old cycle parts into modern art and alternative uses. This is collective is quite different from the rest, however if your goal is renewable energy and sustainability, this organization will interest you.

Hackney Cyclists Workshop

This is a non-profit organization that is run solely by volunteers dedicated to promoting bicycling as an alternative form of transportation in London. By offering maintenance and repair workshops, the group in Hackney seeks to make bicycling more appealing and affordable for all. Learn how to build, repair and replace bicycle parts at self-help workshops held on the first, second and third Tuesdays of the month.

Become an accomplished amateur bicycle mechanic at any of these bicycle collectives in London.

Any more I’ve missed? Leave a comment below!

The post London’s Bicycle Collectives – From bike repairs to second hand bikes appeared first on London Cyclist Blog.

We all ride for a variety of reasons; for exercise, for fun or for the glory of besting another cyclist in a hard fought race. But a few times a year, cyclists get together for a totally selfless reason. Charity.

At London Cyclist we are big proponents of strapping on your gear for a good cause and in the past readers have raised thousands of pounds for charity. Today, we are promoting WaterAid.

If you’re looking to ride for a cause, then consider WaterAid, a charity that focuses on providing clean water in 27 countries throughout Africa, South America, India and Oceania. WaterAid’s aim is to bring safe water and sanitation to everyone, everywhere. By working with local entities, you can be sure WaterAid is about more than handing over cash for a good cause.

In fact, you may already be planning to participate in a ride that supports WaterAid and all you’ll have to do is see how you can ride for them!

London To Paris Cycle

The London to Paris cycle is a 300 mile journey that takes place in mid-September (11^th to 15^th). This scenic route to charity will take cyclists through the beautiful English and French countrysides, over the Channel and ultimately ending at the beautiful city of lights!

The 2013 London to Paris Cycle offers a couple of fundraising options, both of which include the £150 registration fee that is not refundable. Choose how you want to raise money for WaterAid, go along for the journey and help a good cause.

Nightrider London

Enjoy a beautiful nighttime ride for WaterAid that takes you past 100 kilometres of London’s most famous landmarks. On your charitable journey you’ll pass the Tower Bridge, Canary Wharf, Hampstead Heath, Royal Albert Hill and Piccadilly Circus in addition to many others. The feeling of riding around London and night is completely different. The beautiful lit up buildings and quiet roads create a feeling of romance and tranquillity.

The unique Nightrider takes place on June 8^th so make sure you sign up and pay your registration fee right away. Pay just £39 to ride and shoot for a sponsorship goal of at least £175 to do your part for WaterAid.

Ride London-Surrey 100

If you’ve been eager to prove you’re as good a cyclist as the Olympians who battled in London, the Ride London-Surrey 100 is your chance to prove it to yourself while doing a good deed. The ride which includes the famous Box Hill section will be attended by 20,000 cyclists and there are currently a limited number of spaces left through WaterAid.

Sign up now to take part in this August 4^th ride and line up your sponsors today!

Don’t forget to remind them it’s for a good cause

We may take for granted having clean water and sanitation, but these charitable rides give you a chance to make sure others around the world can eventually take this comfort for granted!

Get more information on WaterAid by clicking here.

The post Three must try rides for WaterAid appeared first on London Cyclist Blog.

Why would you want to? There’s about a million reasons. From acting on the opportunity to cycle naked to past Big Ben to meeting fellow cyclists. Take a look and pick a London cycling event that appeals!

See also: 7 Sportives you should try in 2013

RideLondon-Surrey 100

This 100-mile route is great for recreational riders looking to do a good bit for charity and for hardcore riders looking to challenge themselves against other competitive cyclists. It doesn’t matter if you’re racing or are just intent to finish, make sure your gear is ride-ready on 4 August 2013 and rise to the challenge.

While the events are now mostly sold out, you can still get places through organisations such as Water Aid, Cancer Research UK and Action for Hearing Loss.

The Tweed Run

Photo via I Bike London

If you’re looking for a good old fashioned bicycle ride, don your favourite old school cycling attire—tweed, of course—and bring your vintage cycle and get ready to roll. The Tweed Run isn’t for everyone. Quite literally actually, as the number of participants is limited so if you fancy getting into traditional English bicycling spirit for a ride through London, better sign up soon!

London Naked Bike Ride

You may think your biggest concern will be not sliding off your seat a few miles into the ride, but first-timers (as I was not so long ago) will find the act of simply dressing down to be a huge amount of fun.

A naked ride through London in June with at least 1,000 other enthusiastic cyclists may not seem like the best idea you’ve ever had, but it’s for a good cause. Ride to increase tolerance of cyclists, burn off calories or simply to show the world there are other ways to work up a sweat naked.

Ride naked or partially clothed, the choice is yours as long as you ride for increased cyclist awareness.

London Bicycle Film Festival

Whether you’re keen to catch up on popular bicycle culture or are eager to catch up with the latest cycle-related films and documentaries, the London Bicycle Film Festival is back for a tenth go of it.

Taking place at the Barbican Centre in early October, this celebration of urban cycling is sure to please…if you secure your tickets before they sell out.

Critical Mass

Arguably the most laid-back cycling event in London, Critical Mass is just a bunch of cyclists having a good time and cycling around the city. Although there are no organizers, no set routes and no clear-cut purpose, one thing is clear: if you meet up on the last Friday of the month near the Waterloo Bridge, you’re guaranteed a good time and a killer ride.

Hackney Bicycle Film Society

The Hackney Bicycle Film Society is a monthly gathering of cycling and film enthusiasts at Gray’s Inn Road. The only catch is that you must become a member to attend the events, but the good news is membership is free.

Go to the diary page to find the when and where.

Smithfield Nocturne

If it’s June and it’s night time that means it must be time to head over to Smithfield Market for round of nocturnal racing. Races begin at 16:30, but if you’re not up for the wind whipping through your hair in the dark you can take part in the drinks and snack stalls throughout the market.

It’s free and its fun and you’ll get to mix with tens of thousands of London’s most enthusiastic cyclists!

Open Garden Weekend Bike Rides

If you’re one of the more tame cyclists in London then the Open Garden Weekend rides is probably more your speed. Grab your bicycle and tour some of the most fantastic gardens, squares and courtyards London has to offer. The most appealing aspect of these open garden rides is that you get access to many lush private gardens and squares.

Get your tickets for a full weekend of cycling and garden viewing.

Bike Week

Bike Week is one of the biggest cycling events around, taking full advantage of beautiful June weather for a full week. With a variety of events and competitions including training skills, timed trials, school-based rides and fundraising rides, the entire family can enjoy an entire week of cycle-related fun.

Street Talks

If you’re a conscientious cyclist looking to get together with like-minded individuals then Street Talks is probably the perfect event for you. Attend to hear speakers and have friendly debates about liveability over a pint (or two), or simply learn more about making London more liveable.

Update! Extra addition from London Cyclist reader

This is the third year for the London Ditchling Devil, a 125mile/200km Audax which runs from Wimbledon Common down towards the coast taking in Ditchling Beacon and the Devils Dyke, routing back to London for a finish in Richmond Patk.

We’ve got a great rolling route, landmark climbs and regular controls offering real food, all supported by local cyclists. It’s an Audax not a sportive, so the focus is on enjoying the day rather than haring round chasing a time, though if riders want to get a move on, then that’s fine too. Most riders will take about 10-12 hours to complete the event, similar to the Dunwich Dynamo.

Audax events have a great friendly ‘club atmosphere as they are organised by local enthusiasts. There are events running most weekends throughout the country, mostly starting from local village halls. Few start in London though, so this is a rare opportunity for London cyclists to ride up to the start from home.

One thing’s for sure, it’s always a bit special when you can ride up to an event from home, and a ride down to the coast and back is always a blast!

This year’s event is on Sunday, 9th June 2013. Full details at ditchlingdevil.paudax.com.

The post London’s best cycling events appeared first on London Cyclist Blog.

Leaving the house in the morning, I throw on my coat and scarf and slurp the last of my coffee. Out on the road, my bike computer tells me I’ve allowed myself an hour to cycle the six mile trip to the office. This is more than enough time – but my overestimate is deliberate. Because it’s 2026, and London has been transformed.

Casually riding in jeans and shoes

Riding along at a leisurely pace, I’m wearing jeans and casual shoes – and so is everyone around me. There’s a girl wearing a beautiful long blue coat in front of me on an old Dutch bike and behind me there’s a mom cycling alongside her child heading to school.

I’m riding past Canary Wharf on what used to be the worst part of my journey, but it’s improved no-end: whereas I used to have to swerve to avoid clattering into an opening car door, or a bus pulling into a stop, I’m cycling along a segregated path with an island between bikes and cars. It actually goes all the way to Victoria (they call it Crossrail for bikes) and it’s helped make cycling in London an absolute pleasure. Other cyclists, also riding casually, join from adjoining cycling paths.

I used to dread the next part of my journey – a junction notorious as being a hotspot for accidents involving cyclists. I used to have to get prepared to cycle as fast as possible and “keep my wits about me” as our Mayor used to say. He’s the Prime Minister now.

Phased traffic lights, and clear cyclist-only stopping areas, as well as mirrors for lorry drivers have helped make the junction as safe as possible. I’m quickly on my way again.

More people on two wheels

Approaching the office and I’m overtaken by a man on an electric bike. It seems lazy to me, but I’ve noticed they’ve become increasingly popular and it’s just nice to see more people on two wheels.

At work there’s an incredible amount of bikes in the office. I remember when there used to be just a handful of us. Dare I say it, people used to see us as almost “weird” for cycling to work. Now the number of bikes has tripled. The office certainly feels a lot more energetic in the mornings.

After a day at work again I cycle home again – cycling through a busy, but safe and friendly local neighbourhood before reaching my home. There are plenty of bikes about – adults and kids alike, all since my borough was designated a ‘mini-Holland’.

I used to cycle in lycra, with protective eyewear, cycling shoes and a commuter rucksack – but now I only wear that for long rides. Cycling has become more and more popular, but also more and more accessible: when I moved to London I dreaded getting on my bike. Now? I relish it.

***

I’m sure some will say the above is optimistic, idealistic and unrealistic. Perhaps it is. But there have been many articles discussing the realities of Boris Johnson’s Vision for Cycling, but he should be applauded, somewhat at least, for at least having the vision. Let’s just imagine his plan comes off in its entirety: Cycling will be so much fun. I love spending time on my bike now, and that’s with the risks and the politics. I can’t wait to see how cycling in London improves in ten years’ time.

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