WhyWaitForever - London
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WhyWaitForever - London - Shops for Life
This page contains links to major shops and information sources for the activities, interests and passions of Londoners and visitors to London.
WhyWaitForever - London - Shops has links to clothes, fashion and department stores.
WhyWaitForever - London - Shops for the Home has links to shops for furnishing homes.
WhyWaitForever - London - Shopping Areas contains images of some of the famous shops and an introduction to the famous shopping areas.
Bicycles
When I was little I wanted a bike. In my early school years there was a spate of nasty accidents around where I lived so the bike was not a possibility and I learned the violin instead.
- Bike Park
The shops in Covent Garden and down Chelsea.
- Cycleweb
A massive directory site.
- Evans Cycles
The shop near Waterloo in SE1.
- Halfords
The nationwide chain of motoring shops with cycle departments.
- Mosquito Bikes
The shop in Islington.
Learning to ride a bike having reached the age to vote is not easy especially in the gold fish bowls of Hyde Park and Battersea Park. It seemed sensible to be able to ride a pedal bike prior to buying a motorcycle. To cut a long story short I needed a motorcycle as I was leaving London to live in the sticks for a time and transport was primitive where I was going.
The problem with adults learning is that there are no stabilisers. One learns the theory and after hours and hours of attempts it comes along with lots of bruises, temper loss and humiliation. Then after it becomes marvellous and a joy complacency sets in. Inevitably complacency results in a few near misses and the reality of what could have been makes a better and defensive rider.
Boating, Canoeing, Kayaking and Yachting
Though there are rivers, canals and lakes in the centre of London this activity does mean leaving the capital.
- Avon Craft
The shop in Welwyn Garden City.
- Marsport
In Reading Berkshire.
- Nucleus
In Frinton on Sea (near Clacton) Essex.
- Kent Canoe
In Wrotham, Kent.
- Whitewater
The Canoe Centre in Shepperton Middlesex.
- Go Sailing
Claims to be a one stop shop for sailing.
- RYA
Royal Yachting Association.
- YB World
Yachting and boating world.
- UKHO
The United Kingdom Hydrographic Office for Admiralty Notices to Mariners.
Hang gliding, kites and adventure
The place to fly kites is Hampstead Heath on Parliament Hill Fields. Many a time have I travelled to the end of the No 24 Bus route from Victoria.
- Airborn Kites
The shop in Bluewater.
- Adventure Handbook
A directory to all things hang gliding.
Dry Ski Slopes
A dry ski slope is the place to get a good introduction to this whoosh, whoosh, wiggle activity. For absolute beginners a few lessons learning to edge up a slope, controlling pace with snow plough turns, handling a drag lift and maybe even "cutting" parallel turns will mean the first week spent on actual snow will be far less traumatic and maybe even a little fun. It will ache but exercise, exercise, exercise might mean you survive the week and a few will enjoy and a few more will be hooked.
Gloves and thick ski socks are essential. For beginners long sleeves and minimal bare flesh is a must since the dry slopes can be like glass paper. It is England and not soft snow so skate boards are a good idea.
Even for skiers it is a good place to start the exhausting sitting down that is snow boarding.
- Beckton Alps
In East London E6 not quite the Alpe D'Huez.
- Gosling Ski Centre
In Hertfordshire just north of the Galleria on the A1(M).
- Hemel Ski Centre
In Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire.
- Sandown Park
In Surrey near the horse race course.
- Wycombe Summit
In Wycombe Berkshire one of the largest.
- Escape Snowdome
In Milton Keynes up the M1 but real snow I know real snow.
- Skiing Mail
An extensive ski site for when real snow becomes too compelling.