Social Rides

 

Sunday runs really are the life blood of the Club, enabling the Audax, Leisure and racing cyclists to meet up on purely social ride.

Latest runs list - 2008

	Date	Day	Time	Leader	Brunch	Lunch Destination
27th jan		Sun	9.30 /10.00	Barbara Holden	Lydiard park 11.00am	Country Park Cafe
29th jan		Tues	10.30	-	Malmesbury Garden Centre	-
3rd feb		Sun	9.30 /10.00	Andrew Tolman	Chedworth	Denfurlong Farm Shop
5th feb		Tues	10.30		Malmesbury Garden Centre
10th feb		Sun	9.30 /10.00	Derek Mitchell	Harescombe	Blooms garden centre
12th feb		Tues	10.30		Malmesbury Garden Centre
17th feb		Sun	9.30 /10.00	Fred Gardiner	Lechlade	Garden Centre
19th feb		Tues	10.30		Malmesbury Garden Centre
24th feb		Sun	9.30 /10.00	Tetbury	Allan Norwood	Presidents winter warmer
26th feb		Tues	10.30		Malmesbury Garden Centre

Ride Details

For normal Tuesday Club Runs cycle direct to Brunch spot

For normal Sunday Club Runs there will be two starts from the Parish Church. The slower "A" group leaving at 9:30 and the faster "B" group at 10:00. Would the leaders please plan their route to arrive at the brunch stop by around 10:45/11:15 respectively.

After elevenses a leader has the option of going on to lunch, the expectation being that the other leader will take a group back to Cirencester. However this is entirely flexible and down to demand or enthusiasm on the day. Anyone not able to join us at the start is welcome at the brunch or lunch stop.

"B" group: a ride for faster tourists. Approximate average speed on the flat: 17mph

"A" group: a ride for tourists. Approximate average speed on the flat: 14mph

Obviously wind and hills may reduce these speeds significantly.

Please ensure your machine is roadworthy. Mudguards and a rear mud-flap will be much appreciated by the group on wet or dirty days.

Please bring adequate clothing and wet weather gear, food and drink, a toolkit, spare innertubes and some money. Children under 14 must be accompanied by a Parent or Guardian

How far?

This is a little bit like 'how long is a piece of string?'

In the winter, runs tend to be in the 40-50mile range but this is governed by the weather to a great extent.

In the summer the runs tend to be longer but we aim to be back in Cirencester by about 6:00pm.

 

Elevenses.

All runs aim to incorporate a mid to late morning break, usually at a café (or with a roadside packed lunch if previously arranged)

These mid morning breaks are an ideal turning point for those riders who need an earlier finish or just fancy a shorter run.

There is no need to feel that you have to ride for the whole day if you don't want to.

 

Group Riding

Riding with a pack of riders can be a daunting prospect for the new cyclist but with a little practice it will become second nature.

Most experienced cyclists will ride within inches of the rider in front to take advantage of the draughting effect that he or she creates. This is only possible safely if certain 'rules' are adhered to.

Mostly these are just common sense.

You must learn to ride smoothly without sudden changes of either direction or pace (Constantly in and out of the saddle will make you one of the worst offenders).

If you are riding at the head of the pack you will become the eyes and ears of the group.

Hazards such as parked cars, holes in the road, horses and pedestrians etc should be signalled to the rest of the group both visually and audibly.

The severity of the hazard can be communicated by either just pointing to a minor one (hazard on the left) or by signalling with the hand open for a major one (hazard on the right). In damp weather, even man-hole covers can become a possible danger.

 

Equipment.

Please make sure that your bike is in roadworthy condition, major repairs are not an option on the side of the road.

Mudguards will make you much more popular in wet or dirty conditions.

Make sure that you have adequate clothing, wet weather gear, food and drink, tool kit, spare inner tubes and some money.

Make sure that no one is left to deal with problems like punctures alone. It may be you next time!

 

 

 

 

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