commuter groups

[simonsch]

Does anyone know if there are any groups/clubs of people who meet early in the morning to commute by bike into London from the south? Sydney has a number of groups such as the Sydney Easy Riders (http://www.sydney-easy-riders.com.au). I am wondering if there is any such thing in London (have not been able to find any by google, or search on this site).

I'm only planning to do it once a week - every day might be a bit much, as for me its a 110-120km round trip (depending on whether I go via White Down...) I go into South Kensington from just south of Guildford.

Simon

 

[ianrauk]

Have never heard of such a thing in London.

 

[vickster]

Try your local clubs to see if anyone does it? Or cyclebuddy

 

[gaz]

sometimes I'll bump into others I know and I'll ride with them, but I've never heard of people actively meeting up to commute into work.

 

[ianrauk]

Actually I remember Bormley Cyclists tried to organise something a few years back.
I turned up to show my support.. apart from the ride leader.. there was only 1 other..... me!

 

[MisterStan]

sometimes I'll bump into others I know and I'll ride with them, but I've never heard of people actively meeting up to commute into work.

I meet up with two others on Mon/Weds/Fri including @martinclive of this parish. Martin and I usually ride together more than the three days. Sometimes it's a real help in motivating me to don the lycra instead of take the bus.

 

[martinclive]

I meet up with two others on Mon/Weds/Fri including @martinclive of this parish. Martin and I usually ride together more than the three days. Sometimes it's a real help in motivating me to don the lycra instead of take the bus.

+1
I added 'companionship' when I did @Andrew_Culture feedback on reasons to commute - not only have good friends with the regular 3 ball (especially @MisterStan) but also meet other regulars including @kevin_cambs_uk quite frequently
I would urge you not to give up on your quest - it is a great thing to have others out there with you
(and if they are Spurs fans - I find that helps - but that may just be me!!!)

 

[ianrauk]

over the years I have become friends with a good few cycling commuters who do the same or part of the same route and usually have chats. A few I know their names, Rafe, Kev, Lee, Steve. A few by nicknames. Gaffa Tape, Tattooed Legs, Mr Sweaty, Arms Out.

And @Nocode lives spitting distance from me, we share mostly the same route into London but at seperate times of day.

Oh my.. hope this doesn't start off a 'a cyclist didn't say hello to me' thread. I couldn't live with myself.

 

[w00hoo_kent]

I don't see that many bikes on my commute (probably because it doesn't go that far in) and very few with a regularity that I could remember them. Partly that's my memory being useless I guess, partly because I can be a bit varied on my start times cycling in. Although equally I don't see any regulars cycling out and I do that at the same time every day... I'm not aware of any specific groups that do it. I've not seen anything that looks like a group commute on the road.

 

[simonsch]

Thanks all for the replies. Its funny that this idea took off in a big way in Sydney but never in London. It can't be the drivers, they are equally crazy in both places.

For the record: if anyone in the Guildford area wants to meet up at around 6:45 am ~ once per week to ride into central London, let me know.

I've been meaning to join the local Godalming cycling club, so this could be a good reason to do so.

 

[Markymark]

Thanks all for the replies. Its funny that this idea took off in a big way in Sydney but never in London. It can't be the drivers, they are equally crazy in both places.

Nah, more that we're miserable buggers here.

 

[Shut Up Legs]

Have never heard of such a thing in London.

I'm guessing the only reason Sydney has it is because the cyclists then have (relative) safety in numbers, a tiny bit more protection from the morons driving on our roads.

 

[ianrauk]

I'm guessing the only reason Sydney has it is because the cyclists then have (relative) safety in numbers, a tiny bit more protection from the morons driving on our roads.

There are tens of thousands of daily London cycling commuters so London car drivers really are aware of cyclists around them and how o deal with them usually meaning London is very safe for cycle commuting per cycle miles traveled. All the web cam footage you see if just the smallest minority.

 

[Shut Up Legs]

There are tens of thousands of daily London cycling commuters so London car drivers really are aware of cyclists around them and how o deal with them usually meaning London is very safe for cycle commuting per cycle miles traveled. All the web cam footage you see if just the smallest minority.

That makes sense, so you do have a bit more safety in numbers, and the motorists are more used to having cyclists around than Australian motorists are.

 

[simonsch]

Hmmm, I actually felt safer cycling - on things that look like motorways - in San Diego, where they don't see that many cyclists relative to motorists. (although more than most of US I think). Aus and UK both seem bad to me. To be fair, I haven't cycled in Sydney - just on roads in country Victoria, where it is a bit of a balance - not many cars, in comparison to even minor roads here, but when you get one, they're just as likely to chuck a tinny at you. Strangely I actually felt safest in Italy where the drivers are supposedly crazy - I found they gave me more room with their high speed overtakes.