Stephen Shrubsall chats to Cyclists’ Touring Club CEO Paul Tuohy about cycling in winter
Do you have a favourite ride or climb in Surrey?
All my club riding as a teen was in Surrey, riding out from our council flat in Battersea. We’d meet at Fairfields Halls in Croydon on a Sunday — 9am summer, 10am winter.
Then off to Mrs Moran’s tea room (long gone) in Headley for elevenses and out to all parts of the county. Whilst Box Hill is the famous climb in Surrey, my favourite is the previous turn-off known in the cycling world as ‘Little Switzerland’. It’s a gentle two-miler at 3-5% from Mickleham up to Headley and it’s very quiet.
Its actual name is Headley Lane and Lodgebottom Road, but Little Switzerland sounds better!
It’s cold! How often do you manage to get out on the bike during winter?
Most Saturday afternoons and at least once during the week. Crisp winter days are the best. You just need to be appropriately dressed.
Do you have a favourite winter bike?
Any bike with mudguards! I’m amazed at the newbie sporting riders who don’t use mudguards in winter. They protect your bike from stones, grit and dirt, your clothes from being wet and the poor sod on your wheel from getting sprayed! I still use my Dave Russell steel for winter with lower gears, thicker tyres for grip and Crud mudguards.
Any winter clothing you might recommend?
Head, hands and feet need protecting in winter. Overshoes nowadays are great to keep the toes warm and dry. And use a cycle hat that covers the ears and a well-tested pair of gloves.
Does the CTC have any campaigns aimed at Surrey for the new year?
Not specifically, but with 70,000 members we are a powerful voice for all who want to enjoy cycling on our roads. When we ask supporters and members to help, they do so in droves. Having invented the Cycling Proficiency Test and campaigned for women in the 1800s to wear trousers, we’re still striving to make the world a nicer place to cycle.
Our campaign against requiring cyclists to dismantle their bikes on Eurostar has seen over 10,000 people join the protest. So, if you ride, join CTC!
Find out more about the CTC on their website