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Cool, we love an update. Yes an area full of young professionals and familes so always something going on. If you have a car lookup some of the Surrey Hills groups and shop rides we mentioned. If no car look at trains from Clapham Junction out to Dorking (best) or slow Guildford Line and get off at Horsley and ride in over North Downs Way (plenty of xc plus around the ridge inc Ranmore)
Have fun
Well done and deffo get a Brompton as you will save loads of time and money. I ve been looking on gumtree and a nearly new one is c 600. Some good tips above - I would only add if you do get a Brompton never leave it anywhere as it will be nicked.
I like cycling along the river and canals when staying there. With a Brompton you only have to cycle one way just get a bus back.
There's also loads of fab Indy cafes dotted around but they seem to be rapidly diminishing. In fact housing aside you can really enjoy London on the cheap.
Good luck
Next step is to join a local club/ ride group
If you can get to Coulsdon South train station for 9am on Saturdays you could do the Addiscombe CC club runs. After about half an hour riding you're in the Surrey country lanes with the option of returning via Box Hill, expect 45 plus miles.
It's a big club so plenty of different speed groups to choose including, 15, 17, 19, 20mph and the training group.
Check the ACC forum for the Saturdays when the Brighton and back rides are on - they leave earlier.
http://www.addiscombe.org/members/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=19
If you don't fancy doing the approx 12 mile road ride to Coulsdon South train station it's 20 minutes on the train from Clapham Junction.
Organised off road rides is more of a problem, although Thursday evening off road rides from Matthew's Yard in Croydon are becoming more regular. They involve 2 or 3 hours riding on the nearby North Downs.
You are well placed for road rides from both Richmond park into Surrey and from crystal palace down into Kent.
Brixton cc would be your nearest club.
Mtb is a half hour journey to Dorking from Clapham junction (or other stops/linking stations)
1) don't make eye contact (don't even look at anyone on the tube)
2) trust no-one
3) negotiate cab price before you get in
4) forget everything you know about the rules of the road
5) every black cab is about 5m from a u-turn
6) every addison lee is 5 m from a severe swerve or emergency stop
7) you are not allowed to walk around London unless you are staring at a smart-phone
8) don't trust anyone who smiles at you
9) don't think about driving in Richmond Park unless you are in an X5 or a mini
10) don't read the property adverts
11) yes the tube always smells like that (and yes everyone's bogey's go black)
12) never look at a map in public
13) enjoy the food, cocktails and roof top bars
14) and definitely, do not move to Croydon!
Shame you picked the wrong side of the river 😀
You're going to love it, you're close enough to central London to be able to enjoy cycling as your main form of transport
I did over 20 miles pottering around London on my Brompton with my 4 year old son, it's a fantastic place to be on a bike