FAQ

Absolutely, If you are completely new to cycling in a group, try one of our green rides then progress each week until you find a pace that suits you.

Alternatively, if you have moved from another club and are an experienced club rider you could join one of our orange rides and progress from there.

After 2-3 rides you would need to become a member of the club.

Ride two-abreast when it is safe to do so – this way the group is a compact unit which can ride efficiently but easily move to single-file when needed to (for example to get past an oncoming car when the road is narrow). On the roads, NEVER go three or more abreast, irrespective of how good the conversation is!

To be safe it is important to ride smooth, don’t overreact, avoid hard braking, be alert as to what is going on up the road in the front of the pack, and anticipate what traffic will do.

Inexperienced rides who panic and touch a wheel may crash or cause a crash. You can avoid problems by practicing these simple rules:

Stay alert at all times. Hold your line. Don’t overlap wheels. Don’t look back. Relax!

Focus on the rider(s) ahead. Beware of pot holes in the road. Don’t brake unless absolutely necessary.

All of this may sound complicated at first but you will soon get into it. It actually gives a whole new dimension to cycling as it makes it a team event – you have to communicate, support and trust each other, and everyone’s safety is in each other’s hands. But you will find it one of the most enjoyable elements to riding in a club.

Ride safe and have fun!

Communication whilst riding is key to a safe group ride. Roads are full of traffic, rocks, signs, pot holes, parked cars, animals, pedestrians, etc. and visibility is limited for the cyclist in a pack. It is important to communicate to the riders in the group of potential hazards by shouting and pointing out hazards

Hand-Signals: It is not imperative that all the cyclists in the group point out the same hazards or signals. As long as a few are then this is normally sufficient (and the leading two always should). If you are a beginner or unsteady, then it is far safer for the group to keep both hands on the handle-bars, then it is to point things out.

The purpose of these signals is that the riders can continue to ride at a steady pace and can ride round the smaller obstacles without constantly having to brake (and sudden braking causes most incidents).

The thing you are most likely to see is where riders point down in the direction of an oncoming rock/hole. If the two riders both point to the ground between them, this signifies there is small obstacle (such as a pothole) that they are going to ride one either side of.

If the rider on the left points to their left, it means there is something to their left that they might have to ride slightly to the right of to pass – and if you are behind them then you will have to take the same line if you also want to avoid it! Similarly, the rider on the right might indicate a similar obstacle to their right.

These signals allow the group to ride at a constant pace.

You will also see a rider pointing or waving behind their lower back. If they are pointing right (the most common) then it indicates that the whole group will have to move to the right to overtake a large obstacle such as a parked car.

Shouts – Warnings you’re likely to hear include:

“Car Back” or “Up” (up your bum) : there’s a car approaching from the rear of the group ride

“Car Front” or “Car Down” (down your throat) : there’s a car approaching from the front of the group ride

“Car right” or “Car left”: car is approaching on the left of right of the group ride

“Hole”: there is a hazard in the road

“Walker/Runner up”: there’s a pedestrian on the road ahead

“Biker up”: there is a slower cyclist ahead that we are likely to overtake

“Clear”: perhaps at a junction this is called when there is nothing coming and you know you can pedal through

“Slow” – potential hazard ahead, control speed (but don’t brake sharply to a standstill)

“Stop” – we are going to have to stop – there is a hazard we can’t ride round

“Line-out” or “single-file” – asking that we move (whilst still keeping same speed) to single-file to for example let a vehicle past.

All rides start and end at Springfield Leisure Centre Corsham

The rides are split Into the following categories, please bear in mind that the hilly rides with lots of elevation will be slower and flat rides with little elevation maybe be quicker.

Green = 12 – 14 mph (19 – 22 kph)
Green+= 12 – 14 mph (19 – 22 kph)
Orange = 14 – 16 mph (22 – 26 kph) Blue = 15 – 17 mph (24 – 27 kph)
Red = 17 – 19 mph (27 – 30 kph)
Black = 19+ mph (30+ kph)

Many of our green rides feature a mixture of Road, Hybrid and Mountain Bikes.

Road bike being somewhat lighter and with reduced rolling resistance are much easier to ride on our current choice of routes.

Non green rides tend to be mainly for road bikes.

If you wish to join a club ride you must wear a helmet (non negotiable).

In the summer clothing is less of an issue, remember that it might be hot whilst climbing but it’s usually worth having an extra layer for descending such as a Gillet. In the summer bring 2 bottles of fluids for longer rides.

In the winter we would recommend a water proof in winter, gloves, and a buff/snood.

For all rides, come already fuelled, eat a good breakfast with some carbohydrates. Carry some food with you just in case, This can be an energy gel, hiker bar or simply a banana. You might not need it but it’s best to be prepared. No one wants the dreaded ’Bonk’

NB: when wearing cycling shorts with a chamois pad for the first time remember not to wear regular underwear underneath (trust me, it gets pretty uncomfortable pretty quickly).

A mobile phone and cash for the cafe is recommended, A credit card may also cover any other emergencies.

A Saddlebag/Tool pouch containing.

2x inner tubes (no patches, you can fix inner tubes at home, quicker to replace a tube then mend a patch).

1x Air pump or C02 inflator (if inflator then 2x gas cartridges recommended).

2-3x Tyre levers/ or 1x Tyre removal tool.

Multitool with allen keys and ideally a chain repair tool with quick link.

Other tools not essential but good to have.

1.Inner Tube Valve core Key
2. Spoke Key
3. Spare chain ring bolt
4. Spare shoe cleat bolt
5. Inner tube patches (if desperate)
6. A cable tie or 2
7. Latex Gloves to stop oily hands

We would encourage all club members to have a well maintained bike and to carry spares. Ultimately you are responsible for replacing your inner tube but we are a helpful bunch. You will never be left alone in the wilderness.

There are 2 types of cyclists, those that have fallen off and those that have yet to fall off.

In all seriousness, if you are injured your fellow club members will help. If you fell well enough to continue then ride ahead as planned. If you are not well enough to continue then a member of the club will wait or ride home with you. Any kind of head injury then we will assist you in being transported to a medical specialist.

It’s good advice to have the phone number of a friend who in an emergency could come and pick you up.

Some members of the club are first aid trained, The club occasionally puts on first aid courses for is members.

Its always a good idea to carry the odd plaster and maybe paracetamol in your saddlebag.

The last ride of each month will be the longest therefore if wanting to increase your pace, you could ride a faster group over a shorter distance and the beginning of the month and ride your regular group over a longer distance at the end of the month. Pay close attention to the amount of elevation in a ride.

We regularly require experienced cyclists to lead our rides. The role or a ride lead is to

1. Have the route loaded and lead the way.
2. Ensure everyone keeps to the same pace and the group waits at the top of climbs and busy junctions for others to catch up.
3. Ensure everyone enjoys the ride and no one feels excluded.

Anyone interested should contact a committee member on a whist on a ride or email the club.

Ride leads can book themselves onto a slot for the morning of their chosen ride here…

Ride leads form