I think you should talk about brands, it's just a personal opinion so how can anyone criticise as long as said opinion is reasonable and justified? If you think a certain brand is poor quality or over priced etc then say so. If you think a certain brand is great value for money etc then again say so. If anyone objects to an opinion then maybe it says more about them? Everyone knows the premium branded cycling kit is WAY overpriced for what it is but that applies to virtually any sport etc. As for route, that was ridiculous. Dozens weaving through crowds at a Xmas market? No wonder people get pissed off at cyclists.
This actually made me a little frustrated. Getting dozens of people out for a ride in London is actually quite rare and difficult to do. To then fail to manage the different paces, give attendees a route over multiple unpaved sections (I bet there were punctures) and pointlessly through Kingston Market, _and_ with the front group not joining in at the end. It’s almost disrespectful.
@@paulmalynn3674disagree, we cyclists need to be a bit more sensitive to the frustrations we cause motorists when we ride in poorly organised large groups as showcased by this video.
I’d like to defend this video/ride. I don’t think there were actually many cases where we were disruptive to other road users, perhaps in the hills when it broke up a bit but those were back roads. I think this ride was held in quite good cycling form, perhaps it doesn’t quite look this way but it felt like it was all good road awareness. Just my thoughts
@@thewattlife nonsense seen all the time abroad and on rides up and down the UK. There is far more to cycling in UK than London and actually the riding in the Soitj is very poor compared to rest of UK
Merry Xmas may Santa give you a quiet BB. I’m an expat living down under. MAAP is common here and you’re right about the gals wearing it too. I like Pedal Mafia, Knights of Suburbia, LeCol as you get discounts from Strava 👍. I still have some DHB from wiggle back in the day.
Managed to sort the BB. Or at least I think so, had it at home in a nice warm room I think it’s dried the BB shell out so it doesn’t squeak. Will see how this develops. 👊🏻👌🏻
Please talk about brands Max, I wrote a comment on your Mallorca PAS video saying I thought the drop ride was fair as it was fairly communicated from the start etc etc buuuuuuuuut that doesn’t mean your opinions on things aren’t valid. I agree with you here, that looks like terrible route planning and organisation and it should be called out. Well done!
That video still pops its head up every now and again. I love it. Was a great ride and for sure, host spicy rides. I’ll save my Maap stories for another time 🕰️ lol
Good vid … yeah there are group rides and group rides. My fave group rides are 2-6 riders that I know as buddies where the focus is on social / stay together / cake / adventure at 25kph. These bigger less personal rides don’t appeal … nor the ones with all sorts of seriousness like chain gang and mudguard police etc. if I enter a Sportive I tend to treat it as a solo effort with brief chat to strangers here and there or do it 2-up with a mate. RideLondon was like that I just blasted it solo surfing off the back of other little blobs
How you talk into a go pro whilst riding up hill is unbelievable.. I can barely string a sentence together when I'm riding up a hill.. I guess I'm not in good shape.. Merry Christmas Max and here's to 2025 🥂
Thank you Andy, sometimes I use it an excuse to slow down and not have to push and hope people think I’m just vlogging and not just slacking and knackers. 😂😂
I mean the quality of the roads. A lot of the UK has suffered the last few years with some quite bad winters and minimal road fixtures. I’m not blaming anyone but it’s an observation. Lots more pot holes out in Surrey. Or it seems that way
@@thewattlife thanks for clarifying, and love the videos! But as you're purely independent (I think) I'm sure many of us would appreciate your thoughts on kit :)
It was shared on Strava- but I follow The Clubhouse on Instagram and they share the rides they host. Plus Maap.rides shared it a few times. I share rides I hear about on my Instagram
Clearly in London they dont sell mud guards. This must be a bunch of individual riders giving group ride a try. 30kph ave on roads like that for a group ride over only 80km is odd. Stop start the whole time. #raceblade mudguards, honestly they are worth it.
I honestly don’t see much Maap in the uk- and most definitely only ever see it in London. As a brand I don’t think the UK is a key market and they are by their own admission “quite exclusive” with who they work with
What's up with the gaps? Is there a rule to not sit on someone else's wheel during group rides in London or is it purely down to the fact most of these people are new to the sport? I've been watching some group ride vlogs from a couple different London youtubers and it happens during every ride. No wonders its all cat and mouse mixed with frequent stops to wait when people are essentially just riding solo and not benefiting from any form of a draft.
Like any ride groups get broken up a bit at junctions, you’ll probably often see it in videos because that’s the safest and most sensible time to film. Pulling out a camera when in a close formation group can be a bit sketchy, I know I tend to either sit off the front or the back to film to try avoid any problems
MAAP jerseys suck in my opinion. I tried two of their jerseys “training” and “evade”. Both had the same performance issue, the moisture wicking is very, very poor. This means that at the end of the ride everything is very sticky and unpleasant - never had a jersey from other brands do this, most unpleasant and not a good look. I’ve tried these jerseys in all temps from 15 degrees to 35 degrees - always the same issue. These jerseys are not at all cheap. But I’ve ridden with both maybe 5-6 times but now they’re at the bottom of the drawer rarely used. Buyer beware.
I was surprised to see some of the MAAP decals pealing off the pink Evade £190 top on the girls, seems like some of their jerseys have their graphics steamed on *not sure if that’s technically how they do it. But I’ve never had a MAAP top so I can’t really report on anything was just an observation
@thewattlife sounds about right. I haven't had that problem yet, but I basically stopped wearing my MAAP jerseys after just 4-5 rides because they were just not right - MAAP customer services weren't remotely interested in my concerns. £300 wasted. Never again.
Just my observation but you seem to complain alot about group rides. Maybe make your own group rides and see if you find it easy lol. Group rides are free and voluntary ventures you can always peel off and do your own thing.
I must say it’s the maap kit that make me look good… not the other way around! 🤣🙌 thanks for the mention mate… 😘
What a beautiful view at 17.25. 😍
The gals
I think you should talk about brands, it's just a personal opinion so how can anyone criticise as long as said opinion is reasonable and justified? If you think a certain brand is poor quality or over priced etc then say so. If you think a certain brand is great value for money etc then again say so. If anyone objects to an opinion then maybe it says more about them? Everyone knows the premium branded cycling kit is WAY overpriced for what it is but that applies to virtually any sport etc. As for route, that was ridiculous. Dozens weaving through crowds at a Xmas market? No wonder people get pissed off at cyclists.
Thanks for the support, someone it does play on my mind but I appreciate that it’s what people want to hear. Open and honest… Roger that
Love the maap kit 😂 all I wear because of the cycling tattooist you were right ! Love this page watt life and great ride
He’s a hunk
I liked the route rating: 0.5 to 0.6 out of 5. Very precise! That extra tenth determines if i want to try this route for myself!
I’ll save you the trouble… please don’t try this route 😂😂😂😂
This actually made me a little frustrated. Getting dozens of people out for a ride in London is actually quite rare and difficult to do. To then fail to manage the different paces, give attendees a route over multiple unpaved sections (I bet there were punctures) and pointlessly through Kingston Market, _and_ with the front group not joining in at the end. It’s almost disrespectful.
Yes, saw them riding 2 “bunches” of 3/4 deep across the whole of the Portsmouth rd between Esher and Cobham, frustrating loads of motorists…
Was a great ride- the route could have used a bit of work though. 👌🏻
@@Contramus Lol ... not the end of the world
@@paulmalynn3674disagree, we cyclists need to be a bit more sensitive to the frustrations we cause motorists when we ride in poorly organised large groups as showcased by this video.
I’d like to defend this video/ride. I don’t think there were actually many cases where we were disruptive to other road users, perhaps in the hills when it broke up a bit but those were back roads.
I think this ride was held in quite good cycling form, perhaps it doesn’t quite look this way but it felt like it was all good road awareness. Just my thoughts
Love these videos from the clubhouse Max 👏 Fab winter turnout to be Honest although slight route issues 😁
Great turn out and a lot of fun… next Winter ride with Maap I’ll bring a map
Maap definitely has cooler designs than say brands like Le col
Definitely
Yeah their kit does look great, never see it outside of a London ride though.
@@thewattlife nonsense seen all the time abroad and on rides up and down the UK. There is far more to cycling in UK than London and actually the riding in the Soitj is very poor compared to rest of UK
@@matthewparry It might be poor down here- but that doesnt change the fact that MAAP isnt as common outside of london.
Change of subject Max, which model is your Hjc helmet and do you rate it?
Merry Xmas may Santa give you a quiet BB.
I’m an expat living down under. MAAP is common here and you’re right about the gals wearing it too.
I like Pedal Mafia, Knights of Suburbia, LeCol as you get discounts from Strava 👍. I still have some DHB from wiggle back in the day.
Managed to sort the BB. Or at least I think so, had it at home in a nice warm room I think it’s dried the BB shell out so it doesn’t squeak.
Will see how this develops. 👊🏻👌🏻
Please talk about brands Max, I wrote a comment on your Mallorca PAS video saying I thought the drop ride was fair as it was fairly communicated from the start etc etc buuuuuuuuut that doesn’t mean your opinions on things aren’t valid. I agree with you here, that looks like terrible route planning and organisation and it should be called out. Well done!
That video still pops its head up every now and again. I love it. Was a great ride and for sure, host spicy rides.
I’ll save my Maap stories for another time 🕰️ lol
Does anyone know what model of Sun-god's he's wearing?
They are the Airas- with silver blue lenses 👌🏻
@thewattlife Thank you!
Dave rides again is more bad ass. I suggest a boxing match! The battle of the Middle Aged cycling Brits!!! 😅😊
Hahah we need more cycling based boxing matches. I’ll start with Hambini first though
@@thewattlifeI’d like to see Federico as the referee and avocado cyclist as the ring girl! 😅😅😅😅
I think only max can complain while not complaining
It’s a unique talent
lol but also… gravel on a road smash… 💥
@@thewattlifesorry I wrote the comment before seeing the Christmas markets 😂😂😂😂
Route from Temu
@@thewattlife bit harsh on temu 🥶
Good vid … yeah there are group rides and group rides. My fave group rides are 2-6 riders that I know as buddies where the focus is on social / stay together / cake / adventure at 25kph. These bigger less personal rides don’t appeal … nor the ones with all sorts of seriousness like chain gang and mudguard police etc. if I enter a Sportive I tend to treat it as a solo effort with brief chat to strangers here and there or do it 2-up with a mate. RideLondon was like that I just blasted it solo surfing off the back of other little blobs
I do like to mix it up, this was a fun one. Each ride has their own vibe, could have done without the gravel and Christmas market though
How you talk into a go pro whilst riding up hill is unbelievable.. I can barely string a sentence together when I'm riding up a hill.. I guess I'm not in good shape.. Merry Christmas Max and here's to 2025 🥂
Thank you Andy, sometimes I use it an excuse to slow down and not have to push and hope people think I’m just vlogging and not just slacking and knackers. 😂😂
Today I was wearing all black, white helmet and shoes, withe socks over as inspired by your video 😂
😮😮 ah we call this London Regal.
You are one of us 👊🏻
I haven't riden in Kingston for a decade so on for the locals - isn't that area always pedestrianised for the market stalls on the weekend?
I don’t know, I live in Windsor, very rarely ever go through that square
First, only time I’ll ever be first 😂
When you say the roads are bad in Surrey do you mean quality or drivers in general etc?
I mean the quality of the roads. A lot of the UK has suffered the last few years with some quite bad winters and minimal road fixtures.
I’m not blaming anyone but it’s an observation. Lots more pot holes out in Surrey. Or it seems that way
@@thewattlife thanks for clarifying, and love the videos! But as you're purely independent (I think) I'm sure many of us would appreciate your thoughts on kit :)
The route 😂
How did you sign up for the group ride?
It was shared on Strava- but I follow The Clubhouse on Instagram and they share the rides they host.
Plus Maap.rides shared it a few times.
I share rides I hear about on my Instagram
Clearly in London they dont sell mud guards. This must be a bunch of individual riders giving group ride a try. 30kph ave on roads like that for a group ride over only 80km is odd. Stop start the whole time. #raceblade mudguards, honestly they are worth it.
Spoils the look of £5/10 k race bikes on deep carbon wheels...until they're splattered in dirt,see it all over London, chopper squad 😂
I think if someone came down for the weekend and sold some clip on’s out of the Clubhouee on the weekend they would make a killing
The disrespect from everyone not wearing Maap kit. Terrible.
I honestly don’t see much Maap in the uk- and most definitely only ever see it in London.
As a brand I don’t think the UK is a key market and they are by their own admission “quite exclusive” with who they work with
@@thewattlifetbh there cold weather gear for the uk isn’t really all that great.
What's up with the gaps? Is there a rule to not sit on someone else's wheel during group rides in London or is it purely down to the fact most of these people are new to the sport? I've been watching some group ride vlogs from a couple different London youtubers and it happens during every ride. No wonders its all cat and mouse mixed with frequent stops to wait when people are essentially just riding solo and not benefiting from any form of a draft.
Like any ride groups get broken up a bit at junctions, you’ll probably often see it in videos because that’s the safest and most sensible time to film. Pulling out a camera when in a close formation group can be a bit sketchy, I know I tend to either sit off the front or the back to film to try avoid any problems
MAAP jerseys suck in my opinion. I tried two of their jerseys “training” and “evade”. Both had the same performance issue, the moisture wicking is very, very poor. This means that at the end of the ride everything is very sticky and unpleasant - never had a jersey from other brands do this, most unpleasant and not a good look. I’ve tried these jerseys in all temps from 15 degrees to 35 degrees - always the same issue. These jerseys are not at all cheap. But I’ve ridden with both maybe 5-6 times but now they’re at the bottom of the drawer rarely used. Buyer beware.
I was surprised to see some of the MAAP decals pealing off the pink Evade £190 top on the girls, seems like some of their jerseys have their graphics steamed on *not sure if that’s technically how they do it. But I’ve never had a MAAP top so I can’t really report on anything was just an observation
@thewattlife sounds about right. I haven't had that problem yet, but I basically stopped wearing my MAAP jerseys after just 4-5 rides because they were just not right - MAAP customer services weren't remotely interested in my concerns. £300 wasted. Never again.
What ever happened to mudguards for winter group rides?
Not trendy. The best you can hope for are ass savers
@thewattlife must be a London thing, up here you won't be allowed to join a club group ride without them!
get route from Temu😂😂😂
Ha 😜
Nightmare route. Had to cycle through Shrewsbury town centre as part of LEJOG not fun. Didn't complete it anyway.
How far did you get? Thats a hell of a ride
Mate is £4 actually expensive for cake....
Not in Putney
Both verified comments. #CakeIsForTheWeekend
Not a mudguard in sight…very poor
Just my observation but you seem to complain alot about group rides. Maybe make your own group rides and see if you find it easy lol. Group rides are free and voluntary ventures you can always peel off and do your own thing.
Just this one- not often people organise a 30+km group ride then throw in two gravel sections and a Christmas market
“Socks over bib tights” . Trolling the trolls . I dont see the issue with it
I think white socks over look good, but that’s perhaps from my field sport days
Does anyone wear maap?
Very popular with the London influencer girls, see a lot wearing the plain white or black jerseys and I have to say I like them.