Our Story
👑 Current Holders of the Regents Park CCW Strava KOM 👑
4:49 - 7 September 2023 - George // GFTL💨👑
(recently removed from Strava)
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Go Fast, Turn Left was born out of a simple ambition to find like-minded, unpretentious cyclists who wanted to do one thing, and one thing only, go fast (and we guess also turn left).
Regents Park, London has become a global hub for racers and cyclists alike. It is today the most Strava’d place on the planet. With the park closed to motor traffic in the early mornings it naturally lends itself to meet for a few fast laps before heading for a coffee and out to work. As a group of young, relatively inexperienced cyclists, the first members of GFTL, focused on just getting out and having a good time with friends. We didn’t know about The Rules, the etiquette or cycling rituals, we shunned exclusivity and embraced the simple and authentic desire to go faster each day. As members of larger London clubs,we had access to cycling networks and forums to host and join other rides. It was through the Rapha Cycing Club app that we decided to first label what we were doing simply going fast, and turning left. Our first public ride created quite a buzz, and people kept coming back. It wasn’t long until our maverick approach to cycling gained notoriety and spin off rides such as Go Slow Turn Right began to form. In 2019 we decided to formalise the culture and small community we’d begun to grow and create a kit to call our own. Our idea now felt as though it had a life of its own, carried by anyone and everyone who wore our colours.
Our founding members wrestled with the definition of what we had created and couldn’t pin down if we were a race team or a club. Following our instincts we decided GFTL Is both. Every member of GFTL is a sponsored rider, anyone can race and everyone benefits from the partnerships we form.
With existing relationships with Strype Street Cycles, HEXR Helmets and a growing affection for One Shot Coffee, we approached all 3 to discuss sponsoring our newly founded club. All 3 quickly bought into the brand and concept and we continue to develop how we partner with each of these great brands. With there new logos to our name we needed a new kit. With a fast growing membership base and a range of budgets we needed a kit provider that didnt require bulk orders, didn’t have size minimums but that matched the performance level of our riders. No Pinz was the obvious choice.
With our latest influx of junior riders, we love to hear their reasons for joining the club, the mythologies they’ve heard about our small community. The club now lives and breathes without the same level of parenting it initially required. Group rides, and socials are hosted everyday, and our racers draw huge levels of support from our members who provide both mental and physical support riding from all over London to cheer them on, make sure they really do Go Fast!
GFTL remains as open and unassuming as its early days. Anyone can join our Tuesday morning rides in Regents Park. But be warned, turn up and expect to get dropped. It’s fast, painful and unrelenting. However, also expect a warm pat on the back, a coffee afterwards and the friendliest bunch of cyclists you could hope to meet. Joining the club just takes a little more commitment to keep turning up as a regular on Tuesdays before getting an invite into our community.