I was reflecting today on what CycleChat has done for me. I got back into cycling in 2009 and was desperate for information and spent a lot of time reading articles on different bikes, gears, kit, repairs etc. Cyclechat was about the only forum site I could access at work, so it became my 'go to' place.
I remember reading about the Friday Night Ride to the Coast rides on here and was intrigued. I signed up and did my first one to Southend in April 2010. To be honest the ride was a bit of a disaster, with heavy rain, ambulances and the ride breaking up into different groups. However I loved the adventure and was hooked and have gone up to do countless more and I am now heavily involved in the organisation of the club. I also met a number of riders on the ride, most notably @rb58 who was also on his first ride.
In June 2010 I did Lejog and wanted a challenge to keep my fitness up. I read about the Imperial Century Challenge and thought this would be sufficiently motivating having just done my first Century ride in May. After only doing this for 6 months, I thought I would see if I could do a whole calendar year....and the rest of history. I have just completed my ninth year of this crazy challenge and have been fortunate to have done century rides in Norway, France, Spain, Iceland, Australia and USA along the way. I have also developed a great friendship with @ianrauk and @rb58 who started around the same time. I can't count the number of century rides we have done together, but it is probably over 30.
Cyclechat has been a constant part of my cycling life and I have made some great friends along the way and taken part in some magnificent rides. Highlights include organising the first Winchester to London group ride with @rb58 and taking part in the Sunday London rides. Hopefully in 2020 I will find the time to organise more group rides. I have also enjoyed meeting up socially with so many of you and I am looking forward to catching up with many of you at our London drinks on the 19th Dec.
So what has Cyclechat done for you?
And finally a few pics, featuring amongst others: @StuAff @theclaud @slowmotion @rb58 @ianrauk @Tim O
I remember reading about the Friday Night Ride to the Coast rides on here and was intrigued. I signed up and did my first one to Southend in April 2010. To be honest the ride was a bit of a disaster, with heavy rain, ambulances and the ride breaking up into different groups. However I loved the adventure and was hooked and have gone up to do countless more and I am now heavily involved in the organisation of the club. I also met a number of riders on the ride, most notably @rb58 who was also on his first ride.
In June 2010 I did Lejog and wanted a challenge to keep my fitness up. I read about the Imperial Century Challenge and thought this would be sufficiently motivating having just done my first Century ride in May. After only doing this for 6 months, I thought I would see if I could do a whole calendar year....and the rest of history. I have just completed my ninth year of this crazy challenge and have been fortunate to have done century rides in Norway, France, Spain, Iceland, Australia and USA along the way. I have also developed a great friendship with @ianrauk and @rb58 who started around the same time. I can't count the number of century rides we have done together, but it is probably over 30.
Cyclechat has been a constant part of my cycling life and I have made some great friends along the way and taken part in some magnificent rides. Highlights include organising the first Winchester to London group ride with @rb58 and taking part in the Sunday London rides. Hopefully in 2020 I will find the time to organise more group rides. I have also enjoyed meeting up socially with so many of you and I am looking forward to catching up with many of you at our London drinks on the 19th Dec.
So what has Cyclechat done for you?
And finally a few pics, featuring amongst others: @StuAff @theclaud @slowmotion @rb58 @ianrauk @Tim O
