Image by Freepik.
This page lists some information sources if you are new to cycling and want to learn more.
British Cycling is the governing body for the UK though they do much more than regulate the sport. They provide the platform for finding a guided or group ride; the platform is called Let's Ride.
Let's Ride provides opportunities to cycle with small groups enabling you to learn new routes, the platform being provided by British Cycling.
Under British Cycling's Let's Ride platform the structure is based around cycling groups called hubs or clubs which may have their own website or they may just use Let's Ride to advertise themselves and their rides.
Spokes is a cycle club with some great published routes though you may need a Ride with GPS subscription to download them.
If you want to join rides then this has options.
Cycling UK provides general information for the all-round cyclist and includes member benefits if you join. It is increasingly mapping out trails which make use of and supplement the Sustrans routes. Example trails are the Cantii Way and the Rebellion Way which are suitable for most bikes provided you aren't using slick tyres.
Cycling UK provide a range of resources including support on getting started.
Cyclist has very good all round information and product reviews.
Cycling Weekly provide a wealth of information including product reviews and bike maintenance.
Yes, I am a fan of a quiet bike.
Bike Radar provides forums, information and product reviews.
Road.cc has forums, news and general information.
If you are a racer or want more advanced information or just bike maintenance tutorials then the Global Cycling Network (GCN) has a wealth of information and videos.
The commercial company Park Tool provide tools and helpfully provide a library of videos to help the home mechanic use those tools.
Excellent, inspirational and quirky, this well respected site provides clear and detailed information: https://www.sheldonbrown.com/home.html
If you are interested in touring then the cycle touring festival provides information on kit and tours; great for advice and inspiration. They sometimes record talks which they put on their website and they have some well chosen links to other sites.
Having got the touring bug take a look at the UK's National Cycle Network. The UK doesn't have the cycle infrastructure of Belgium or the Netherlands but Sustrans routes at least get you on the better roads for cyclists.
For a more off-road experience Bike Packing is the latest trend.
If you want to go further afield the European network (EuroVelo) is a first step across the channel.
France is easy to get to and Free Wheeling France provides plenty of information and a service to link you up with a suitable tour operator or bike hire company.
European countries will have their own cycling provision and as an example Flanders has good support.
For Belgium, the Netherlands and parts of Germany and France there is the node based system. You plan a route based on points (or nodes) and can be assured that there is good signage and cycleways. There is also a walking version.
Komoot is a good navigation app especially when used with bone conducting headphones. If you want to plan your own route taking in elements of existing trails (or not) then the website cycle.travel is fantastic and now has a moble app equivalent. It will even plan in foot passenger ferries which Google Maps may ignore. Use cycle.travel to create your route, export the route then open it in Komoot or your favourite navigation tool.
Having got started it's worth considering what can go wrong such as bike failure (usually a puncture) or falling off your bike.
No one likes getting stuck but there is a limit to how many tools you want to carry and a limit to bicycle know-how. My basics are two spare inner tubes, puncture repair kit, pump, tyre levers, the means to get your wheel off (Quick Release, spanners, allen key), cable ties and snips, allen keys for the bike, multi tool and any other specific tools that your bike might need. I did once break a skewer and the means to replace or repair a chain would be next on a list of optional extras.
I was desperate to use these links.
A useful starting point for buying a first bike.
There are plenty of buyers guides out there but this explanation of a frame's geometry is useful background.
Group riding is fun but you need to be aware of group ride etiquette.
There are plenty of cycle forums and here is, quite literally, yet another cycling forum.
And finally, for some wide ranging thoughtful talk about the world of cycling this online magazine makes for easy reading.
To finish, here are some cycle skills sources.
Getting on and off your bike.
Top tips for longer rides.