Beginners’ Training Ride

Notes for riders and parents

We’ve written these notes to explain to newer riders, and parents and guardians of riders under 18, the background to the ride, its purpose, what we do and a bit about the leaders.

Riding a bike on the roads is not risk free, and therefore it also describes some of the risks and what we do to try and minimise them. Finally, we explain what you need bring with you and do.

Purpose of the ride

This ride is aimed at

  • newer riders

  • those just joining the club who are unsure of their abilities

  • those getting back into cycling

  • those with less experience at riding in groups, and

  • those who are building or regaining fitness.

Its purpose is to give you practice at riding in a group, close to other riders in the dark, and to help develop basic cycling fitness. It’s our slowest training ride, and it is set at a level that those from the Saturday Social rides can join. We encourage riders, if they wish, to progress onto the club’s other training rides and club runs.

More experienced riders are welcome to come along and support the group, but must keep to the ethos of the group and not turn it into a personal training session. In particular, we expect all riders to keep the speed slow and keep the group together up hills.

What we do

The ride is between 20 and 25 miles, mainly around a five-mile circuit on public roads in the Swettenham area. It’s five miles from where we meet in Gawsworth to the start and we typically ride there as one group.

Depending on numbers, we may then split into smaller mixed ability groups and ride round the circuit two or three times. We practice the basic techniques and skills of riding in a group, taking turns at the front, riding in single file, keeping close to the person in front.

At the end of the circuits, we ride back to Gawsworth as one group, and end with optional refreshments in the Harrington Arms.

Risks

Cycling is not without risk. Since this ride started we’ve been fortunate not to have any accidents, but all riders and parents need to understand that these can happen, and there have been serious accidents requiring hospital treatment on some of our other rides, as you might expect in any club with a 70-year history.

Typical risks include:

  • collisions with other riders

  • collisions with other vehicles

  • stray animals

  • potholes (there are many on the Cheshire lanes), and

  • ice or wet road surfaces.

How we reduce risk

We aim to reduce the risk and make each ride as safe as it can be within the overall nature of the ride. Some of the things we do include the following.

  • We use the same circuit each week, to allow riders to become familiar with hazards.

  • The circuit is on minor roads, with relatively quiet traffic, and has only left-hand turns.

  • Generally we ride single file, except when changing the rider at the front.

  • We split into smaller groups, typically three to six riders.

  • We don’t leave riders behind (called dropping them), or let any rider ride alone.

  • We cancel the ride if it is icy, although we can’t be sure to know conditions all the way round the circuit. In bad weather we may cancel it at short notice so please check our home page.

  • We have a number of more experienced riders present.

The leaders

Like all the club’s rides, the leaders are members who give their time freely to leading rides and helping others. None of the leaders on this ride are coaches, or sports trained. For this particular ride, the leader is usually assisted by one or more experienced members of the club who may also lead it from time to time.

The leaders have typically been cycling for a number of years (or decades!), enjoying a mix of club riding, road racing, time trialing, touring and mountain biking.

What you need to do

  • Tell the leader about any medical conditions you think we should know about.

  • Ensure your bike is roadworthy.

  • Use mudguards in the rain, preferably with a long flap on the rear one.

  • Use a powerful front light, with a smaller backup one or head torch.

  • Bring two red rear lights, capable of being used in constant mode (not flashing).

  • Bring one or two spare inner tubes and an optional puncture repair kit.

  • Bring a mobile phone.

  • Bring warm clothing!

  • If you are the parent or guardian of a rider under 18, please contact us first.

Any questions? Just contact brian.e@macclesfieldwheelers.org.uk