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Pollards Hill Cyclists is an independent, fully constituted, community cycling club. We are affiliated to the Cyclists Touring Club which gives us 3rd party insurance cover for our rides. The club was launched during July 2005 at a Dr Bike event on the Pollards Hill estate and our first ride was on 26th July. Just 5 weeks later, we entered London Cycling Campaign's annual awards and were shortlisted in the top three! The following year we actually won the Best Community Cycling Initiative award. Pollards Hill Cyclists founder and current chairperson, Mark Dawson, explains how one of South London's most successful cycling clubs was born:

"You can't beat cycling with friends for a great day out. You've got freedom, fresh air and exhilaration, all rolled into one. My original quest for social rides took me out of London on train-assisted rides with the Central London CTC or up to Greenwich or London Bridge for the regular urban excursions with the LCC borough groups. There were no rides originating from Mitcham yet I was finding the most amazing routes on my doorstep; the Wandle Trail, Mitcham Common, the Thames Water path down to Beddington Park, Honeywood at Carshalton, South Norwood Country Park and many more. I just had to share them.

In 2004, I toyed with the idea of setting up an email list for local cyclists to seek riding buddies but did nothing about it. A year later I read in the local paper that the Commonside Trust were including a cycle ride as part of their excellent annual Environmental Day. I contacted their office and spoke to Suzanne to find out who had pipped me to the post. It turned out to be no one - she had been let down. I offered to step in and lead their ride myself.

I went back to see her the following day. One ride wasn't enough. I laid out my plans for a club providing easy paced rides originating on the Pollards Hill estate to all these wonderful places I had discovered over the past few years. I wanted people to get on their bikes and see the beauty on their doorstep. I wanted to show how easy it is to reach the countryside in a matter of minutes. I wanted to show how you could ride for 35 miles up to the Thames and back through Richmond Park almost exclusively using traffic-free paths. These discoveries had brought me great joy and I knew others would enjoy them too. Suzanne was sold and jumped on board.

Within 48 hours, we had a website, a vision and a full rides programme for the summer months. Take a look back through our Ride Reports and you'll start to get a flavour of what the fuss is all about. Then dust your bike down, pump up your tyres and join us for a ride!"

Mark Dawson