Starting Line

When I started cycling a few years ago everything was new. Should I buy a road bike or a hybrid? Should I use clipped pedals or flats? What was that odd burning sensation in my chest and legs?

As time went by I learnt a great deal, most of this from other cyclists. These were mainly friends, bike shops, and a particular hero who helped me fix a puncture at the side of the road in deepest Surrey!

I've done many miles since, many solo and many enjoyable, but by far the best have been those ridden with others. Someone to keep you going when your legs are gone. Someone to have a chat with while coasting on a quiet country road or at a drinks break. Someone to check the route with or laugh at you when you've taken the group into a farmers field!

There has also felt a certain camaraderie and safety heading out on a ride with more than just my Garmin and a spare inner tube for company.

And its in this area that things sometimes get tricky. I have a good group of friends I cycle with, but we aren't always available at the same time, or want to do the same type of rides. I looked into local cycling clubs which seem fantastically well run, but ride times are often fixed (and for me at the weekends often start too late) and I was worried I wouldn't be able to give enough commitment.

I often see other solo riders or small groups when I am out, and whilst I know many use cycling as a bit of "me time" I also wonder how many would love some company, but just didn't have a mate mad enough to get up at 6am on a Saturday so they could do Box Hill and be back home in time to take the kids to hockey!

With the recent uptake in cycling interest during lock down I'm also hearing similar questions and concerns from new riders. "Where are good routes in the area?". "I'd like to go further but I'm worried about breaking down on my own". "I like a good ride, but I'd like to share a pint afterwards and have a chat". "I'm just doing the same old routes and want to try something new".

So with this in mind the Gruppetto Café Club was born. Not a cycling club as such, with fixed ride times each week and membership fees, but a hub where cyclists in a certain area can connect, find like minded riders and enjoy some time on their bike.

By using ability level categories you can find a suitable group for what you want to achieve on your ride, from a total beginner who wants to stay local and would feel more confident with company, to hardened roadies wanting to find new riding buddies or routes.

Hopefully you will find the site useful and can widen your cycling options. If you feel anything would help improve the site, or like what we are doing, please drop me a line. I'll be adding rides myself into the calendar, so if you want to come along, say "Hi", and wait for me at the top of any steep hills then I'd love to see you!

Happy riding!

Nick.