I heard stories about more club fun on the Isle of Man during Cycling Week there only a couple of weeks before. That club has fun, on the bike and off. Hard training alone or in groups is done after work during the week. As I understand, the stop will come perhaps two-thirds of the way through the ride, and the last third will be ridden at a civilized pace. Even many racing clubs stop for tea on training rides.
Most English cyclists have several bikes.
Serviceable bikes, not glamorous bikes. What they ride is not as remarkable as where they ride. During the week, there is very little traffic in the lanes, and not much more on the weekends. Riding in the lanes may be the finest cycling it has been my pleasure to experience. Perhaps it ties with riding in the mountains in northern Italy.