AUTHOR_ARCHIVES
Dr David’s pre-ride checklist
Pre-ride – a quick safety check. Brakes – pads – check wear and central on rim/rotor, adjust cable if required Wheels – check for trueness, bearings not worn or loose, quick release is tight Tyres – check for damage, objects in tyre and pump to correct pressure Chain – check wear, damage and clean it […]
Pedal off – Pedal on!
Pedals take a lot of abuse (weather and crud from the road) and are designed to last for many miles. They are rarely removed before they wear out unless removing for transportation. When it comes to removal many get confused as the left pedal has a “left handed” thread i.e. it tightens anti-clockwise. Alway use […]
Sportives by Clash City Womble
A cyclosportive, or often simply sportive, is a short to long distance, organised, mass-participation cycling event, typically held annually. Many DV riders have taken part in a variety of sportives, both individually and as part of a DV group. A sportive is a great opportunity to ride somewhere new with a large group of other […]
Tanhouse Farm Shop – Newdigate
A ride to Newdigate is typically a 50 mile round trip from Esher. Good job there is a great refueling stop! It is popular with many cycling clubs from all over the south east. A good range of cakes, pies and meals along with hot and cold beverages and even jelly babies! Plenty of space […]
The Speckledy Hen – Shamley Green
The Speckledy Hen is a sister cafe to the Dabbling Duck and The Plucky Pheasant. The cakes are great and you can witness them being made in the open kitchen. There is no real place for bikes outside especially as there are now tables and chair out front since Clashcity took this photo. Google map […]
Peaslake Village Store
Peaslake Village Store is perfectly located in the Surrey Hills for a much needed coffee stop. Popular with mountain bikers at the weekend. Great value hot drinks and cakes. Freshly cooked pies and pastries. The sausage and pickle slice is a big hit with some DV members! Google map link
The Dabbling Duck – Shere
The Dabbling Duck is a popular cafe stop just beyond Staple Lane/Coombe Bottom. Originally more of a coffee and cake stop but in recent times has become a waitress service cafe offering a fancy menu. Ample outside seating and a cosy yurt in the winter. A 30 mile there and back ride. Google maps link
Maison du Velo, Reigate. Anticlockwise with hills
This 57 mile ride takes you to coffee in Reigate. Climb up Crocknorth and along Ranmore Common. Descend to Dorking and a punchy climb up Punchbowl Lane! Flat to Coffee (a flat white maybe!) at Maison du Velo (see cafe review) then once re-fueled some more ups and downs to Merstham and Walton on the […]
Maison du Velo coffee and bike shop Reigate
Maison du Velo is a recent discovery of Andy “Womble”. He has made repeat visits not only due to the cake but, no doubt, to the “bike porn” on display! Situated in Reigate, Surrey it is a fairly flat ride that can include some hills to taste! Google map link
How to install detailed maps on an older Garmin – for (almost) free!
Maximise the functionality of your Garmin for navigation This applies to the Garmin Edge 520/705/800/810 GPS devices I recently helped out one Dittons Velo rider to install a map on her Garmin 810 before a trip to Mallorca. Whilst there, she intended to explore unknown countryside and hills. On her return she loaded a UK […]