FAQs for Club runs
11/01/2009 by Martyn.
Looking at other club sites they often have a section for frequently asked questions about club runs.
Can members have a look at this and make comments and we can then get something on our web site to inform potential riders what to expect?
Club Runs What are they?
The club run is a sociable and enjoyable bike ride with a café stop for lunch. As with most cycling clubs it forms the hub of the club’s activity that is enjoyed by all of its members.
The regular Sunday club run is however not for total cycling novices. The distance, pace and the riding style which the club run regulars take for granted can seem difficult and daunting to the newcomer. Like any sport, tuition and training is required to make sure activities can be enjoyed in a safe environment. We provide shorter rides and advice on technique and equipment to anyone wishing to take up our sport.
Don’t be afraid to ask, we were all beginners once!
If you are thinking about joining a cycling club, either for the first time or otherwise, then please email the club secretary who will be happy to discuss your requirements.
Club Runs – Do’s and Don’ts
Do Be comfortable riding 50-60 miles before coming on the club run
Do Make sure your bike is in good working order, including brakes and all gears
Do Wear cycling shoes These will make cycling a lot easier. The club run is too hard for even the regulars in a pair of trainers.
Do Carry a water bottle on your bike with an appropriate sugar/salt drink in it, but not too sweet to drink
Do Carry a spare inner tube and basic tools
Do Have full mudguards and full mudflaps on your bike in bad weather. These are not only for the benefit of the rider but for the rider behind who does not want to be sprayed.
Riders without mudguards in the winter are welcome, but expect to sit at the back all day. (Ed’s note some do anyway!)
Do Wear appropriate clothing for the weather, overshoes and full gloves in the winter, and carry a rolled up waterproof when the forecast is for rain.
Do Indicate hazards to those behind. The riders at the front are the eyes and ears of the group. When at the front alert the group to any hazards such as parked cars, potholes, lights and advance warning of any turns the group is to take.
Do Bring a few pounds for lunch ( Eds note new riders have to buy the secretary lunch?)
Don’t Brake sharply, freewheel, or swerve unnecessarily or unexpectedly. You have a responsibility to the safety of the rider behind to ride in a safe and steady manner.
Don’t Carry any bags. If it doesn’t fit in your back pocket or on your bike then leave it behind.
Don’t Ride three abreast
Don’t Half-wheel the rider next to you, especially when you are at the front.
Don’t Be late. The club run meets at 9.00 sharp! (Honest i got this from another web site and they don’t even know Brad!)
Don’t Treat the club run like a race. It is a sociable day out, keep the racing for when you have a number on your back!
the windy one!
11/01/2009 by Martyn.
Craig J and myself took ourselves on a tour of the Trent esturay, the Thorne 100k Audax. For Steve M, very few beards but plenty of carbon fibre and a few fast riders on fixed.
I wish more people would invest in full mudguards and decent mudflaps as the wet road had us all looking like we had measles by the first cafe stop.
Whilst Craig and I halted for our promised bacon and tom butty the front group we were with ( 35 kms in 1hr10) just turned round and rode off to Boothferry Bridge
It gave us chance to see some more of the approx 100 riders before we took off on a ride which i had predicted would mainly have the wind behind us, there goes my carrer fortune telling!
The roads frequently turn 90 degrees which throws up a cross headwind and hard work, but we still managed to roll into Bothferry at 12.10 for a well earned treacle sponge and custard before the last 12 miles into a full headwind to thorne.
There we learned a valuable lesson, just because someone is a cyclist doesn’t mean they can ride a bike, as a guy who came powerring past us then anchored on to check his rack pack, clear his nose and various other nasty bits proved.
Back to Thorne in the first 20 for a coffee, total time 4 hrs 25 mins, riding time 3:43, avg 26.8 kph or just over 15 in your money
Club Run - Mirfield to Hollingworth Lake 11/01/2009
11/01/2009 by Al and Sarah.
Club Run Report 11/01/09 - present were Alex Millman, Doug Tomlinson, Craig Newton, Phil Johnson, Andy Colter and Richard Creaser. All met at the usual place on a cold, blustery day. After a discussion it was decided that we would ride the valley route rather than over the Pennines to try and keep out of the strong head winds. A tough ride up to Hebden Bridge, even in the valleys the winds were heavy going, and here we had a brew. Phil, Andy and Craig headed off for home from here, and the rest continued on to Todmorden and Hollingworth Lake for dinner. After lunch, at last a tail wind that blew us up Blackstone edge and thankfully all the way home. Run stats were 50 miles, average 14.9 mph.
