Dulwich Paragon - anybody on here a member?

[Horsebox]

I've just got myself a new road bike and looking to do some organised rides. Wondered if any EDF'ers are members of the club?

[Sandperson]

I am. What would you like to know?

[PinarelloFan]

So am I. Try the Dulwich Paragon website - http://www.dulwichparagon.com/ - and look at the "Club Rides/Saturday Ride" tab which gives information about the regular Saturday Ride. That ride provides a sociable introduction to group riding and meets every week at 9am, setting off at 9:15am.

[mazza7103]

i was thinking of joining paragon too but i find the whole thing a bit intimidated. i always think you have to be pretty good before you join one of these groups.

[Sandperson]

Nah. I've been out on a saturday morning ride with people of all ages, sexes and on all sorts of kit, folding bikes, hybrids, MTBs etc.

Just come along, wear a helmet and have a pump and a spare tube with you, oh and something to eat and drink. There are people out who are there to look after you. We don't drop people and there are several groups at several different speeds. If you do come out seek out Steve (a Kiwi) or David Joss Buckley, they are very friendly and help out new riders.

[mazza7103]

cheers for that, i'll definitely be there next saturday.

[Horsebox]

I was wondering more or less the same as Mazza. Do many people ride single speeds on the Saturday rides? Just got a new one after riding a MTB for X number of years. Not sure I can make this Saturday but am definitely up for some organised rides very soon.

What's a typical Saturday route (distance, location, time etc?)

[mazza7103]

horsebox,

i looked on their website. the saturday ride is recommended for beginners and its just under 50km. starts at 9am they meet outside the Cafe St Germain on crystal palace parade

[Horsebox]

Cheers Mazza. Am posting from my iPhone so will look at the Paragon site when I can get on my mac.

Out of interest, what do you ride?

[mazza7103]

i have a ridgeback hybrid. so its lightweight but i have decent tread on the wheels. road bike wheels scare me :)

[Horsebox]

Switching to road tyres after an MTB is a little weird but as the riding position is different it kind of compensates. Much faster and more responsive, but great fun so far :-)

[mazza7103]

yeah i havent adopted the lend over yet. it looks less safe somehow. id rather be safe than aerodynamic. i think its going to be a few years before i will be using aero bars

[Horsebox]

I've got bull bars on my new ride. Tried out a few drop-bar track bikes but couldn't get used to the position.

I'm too used to having my hands near the brakes!

I'll give it a few months and then might switch for drops.

Tried my bike with the fixed hub today - very strange indeed, and potentially dangerous when you can't freewheel!

[Sandperson]

I've seen the saturday route (it' the same route every sat morning) ridden on a fixed wheel. Have you got a flip flop hub? If so, just ride it as a single speed first time out and see how you go. There's a few hills but you'll be ok if you've got basic fitness.

[Horsebox]

Thanks, Sandperson. Yeah, I've got a flip flop hub and am sticking to freewheel for now - fixed will take a lot of getting used to and probably not ideal for a first-time club ride.

Hills not really a problem. I've made it up DKH & Denmark Hill/Herne Hill so far with out collapsing in a heap.

[Sandperson]

You'll be better than me then! ;-)