Keep Moving Lazy Bones

Getting started with accessories Ah! I didn't think of that.... Let us take the scenario of someone joining their first ten-mile bike ride. They gradually extend that to longer social rides and then to a three-day bike tour staying overnight in hotels or B&Bs. We can slowly build our list of accessories from this scenario.  In addition to the required items some specific suggestions are provided though do look at current product reviews and talk to your cycle buddies.  The advice below suggests a rear rack and panniers as that covers all bases but there are other approaches. The product and brand suggestions here do tend to be more expensive; if you plan shorter rides in dry conditions then less expensive options will suffice. Principle One Try and consider how your cycling might develop and buy accessories that will meet future needs such as longer day rides or multi-day trips. Principle Two If keeping your bike light is important then build in lightwe...

Cycling is increasingly niche with destination, distance, speed, the social aspect, terrain and even time of day all playing a part. Here are some links to get you started. Don't forget that you don't need to join just one! Club Finder British Cycling has a Cycling Club Finder page which provides the full details in one listing.  https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/ Group Finder The Let's Ride platform supported by British Cycling has a group finder and allows you to join many groups so join Let's Ride and search for groups in your area. https://www.letsride.co.uk Sample Options   The Harrow Cycle Hub (group) is on the Let's Ride platform and the rides tend to be shorter and 11-18km/h. https://www.letsride.co.uk/ groups/harrow-cycle-hub The Harrow Cycle Club (group) is on the Let's Ride platform and the rides tend to be longer and 16-20km/h https://www.letsride.co.uk/ groups/lets-go-ride-a-road- bike West London Cycling will offer rides with different...

   Ride type: Guided Ride Ride suitability: Challenging Ride title: Harrow to The Case Has Altered  Start Postcode: HA1 4QW Elevation: GPX reference: Komoot Route GPX File Introduce your route: This ride is suitable for experienced riders who can maintain an overall average speed of 10 mph over undulating terrain. We have a policy of leaving no rider behind so if anyone is struggling we will adjust the speed and take rest stops if necessary. If you have questions or concerns speak to the Ride Leader or contact them before the ride. We ask that you read the full details of the ride including the distance and terrain to ensure the ride will be enjoyable for you. The route does 15 miles to the pub then 5 miles to the finish. Kind of roads you'll be riding: We will use roads with hills and short sections of main road with fast moving traffic. Stops on the way: We stop for drinks and snacks at The Case Has Altered public house near Eastcote House Gardens.  Wha...

It is understandable that some bike riders dislike hills, though they define a landscape. So why not discover how to ride hills and discover the landscape on your doorstep? 1. Use your gears Making appropriate use of your gears will make hills easier and stop your legs from fatiguing on longer rides. So chat to your cycling buddies and learn how to use them. 2. Seriously, use your gears Your bike may have 3 cogs at the front and 9 at the back and that means you will be changing gear alot over changing gradients  3. Cornering  Get into the habit of having the inside pedal up when turning a corner as this will stop the inside pedal catching the ground on uneven surfaces and causing a fall 4. Cornering downhill If descending with some speed, look ahead and brake before any corner so you can navigate the corner without braking especially critical where gravel, ice or rain create a slippery surface. 5. Centre of gravity  When cornering, your outside pedal will be d...

The following twelve tips reflect common questions and experience. These guidance notes don't replace British Cycling advice and training: https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/zuvvi/media/bc_files/mtbleadership/LEADING_RIDES_GUIDELINES.pdf A key question to ask yourself is, if an issue arose could you justify your actions? 1. You are leading not guaranteeing safety Your role is to plan, lead and manage the ride reasonably to provide a safe riding experience; riders also have responsibility for their own cycling and decisions. Consider including this in the pre-ride briefing.  2. Choose a route appropriate for your riders Consider distance, terrain, traffic, surfaces, navigation, facilities, weather and the ability of the target group. You will publish this ride information on Let's Ride to help ensure riders know what to expect.  3. Assess the risks by doing a pre-ride British Cycling provides a risk-assessment form for leaders when you create a ride on Let's Ride ...

More people • More bikes • A stronger team Here is an example of a simple improvement plan. The focus here is on listing areas that the team can vote on to arrive at a concensus on the relative priorities, then work on an achievable action plan with the mandate implied by the poll. A simple RAG status will allow people to easily see what to do. 🟢 Done 🟠 In progress 🔴 Not started Please vote on your priorities. It is suggested that you vote for your top 3-5 areas. Some areas are already being worked on, some have partial dependencies and overlap, and all require volunteers. Recruitment of new riders Pathway for riders e.g. 5 -> 50 miles Training new ride leaders Pathway for RLs Mentoring system for RLs Ride Leader socials Introduction of LCC-style family rides More mass events, kites 'n' bikes, picnic Recruitment of new riders (LOW): Seek new opportunities to publicise HCH to recruit and retain riders while promoting the health and wellbeing benefits. Communic...

Here is a 3-day cycle tour from Hackney to Ipswich (or Norwich) staying overnight in Sudbury and Dunwich. Just add a start date and book your hotels. Specific timings assume a Monday to Wednesday tour in 2027 so your own train times may be different. If the first two days look like a Dunwich Dynamo route then that is deliberate so even though this ride to Dunwich is spread over 2 days it is still 112 miles and over 1,000m of ascent with an additional third day of nearly 50 miles to navigate. The third day is either north to Norwich on NCN 1 or southwest to Ipswich.  Days 1 & 2 Day 3 Ipswich Option Start Point: London Fields, Hackney  Finish Point: Ipswich Station (Greater Anglia) Meetup Time: 08:00 Start Time: 08:15 Route: Dunwich Utility Route Route (Days 1 & 2): Dunwich Dynamo 2026 Route (Day 3):   Dunwich to Ipswich   Route (Day 3): Dunwich to Norwich   GPX File (Utility Route) GPX File (Days 1 & 2) GPX File Ipswich (D...