Keep Moving Lazy Bones

Sofa to Saddle Rides; Harrow Cycle Hub  Introduction  For those following the Sofa to Saddle programme a potential challenge is being able to link up with Cycle clubs organisations 

  Ride type: Guided Ride Ride suitability: Local Rides Steady  Ride title: Kenton to Pinner Memorial Park Start Postcode: HA3 8AX Elevation: GPX reference: Komoot route GPX File Introduce your route: New riders are especially welcome. 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.  Kind of roads you'll be riding: We will use a mix of roads and cycle paths on this relatively flat route which does involve a main road with fast moving traffic. Stops on the way: We stop for drinks and snacks at the excellent Daisy's café.  What to bring: Please check your bike at home before the ride leaving yourself time to remedy any issues such as brake adjustments and rep...

Course outline: Bike Maintenance Basics Outline The course is limited to 2 hours and will be mostly talk and demonstration. We will look at different bikes and different setups allowing you to better understand bike components and the care they need.  Tubeless tyres, suspension systems, hydraulic brakes and electronic shifters are not covered.  The core programme Bike check and safety — 20 minutes Drivetrain and chain care — 25 minutes Tyres and tyre pressure — 15 minutes Brakes, brake blocks and cables — 25 minutes Gears and basic adjustment — 20 minutes Tools and questions — 15 minutes Total: 2 hours. 1. Introduction and bike check 15 minutes Get to know the main parts of a bike. Pre-ride check, including tyres, wheels, brakes, chain and quick-release or thru-axle security. Check for loose parts, damage and anything that looks or sounds unusual including the 'drop' check Understand why a regular check helps prevent problems. 2. Drivetrain and chain care 20 minutes Id...

Your Coaching Journey. The Introduction to Coaching course focuses on coaching skills giving you the Activity Coach. - Introduction to Coaching Course -  Coaching Guidelines - Resources for coaches

Route planning and navigation  These are some really good skills to learn even if you mostly participate in group rides. 1. Who is the audience? A good first step is understanding who will come on your ride. Have they just learnt to ride? Are they nervous about traffic? Do they prefer open countryside? Do they love hill climbs? If you don't know the individuals then decide for yourself what riders you are planning a route for.  2. The coffee stop Part of a ride is the all essential coffee stop so make it a good one. The destination is often a good place to start the planning process. Can they cater for your group size? Is there enough seating inside on a cold day? Enough seating outdoors on a hot day? Cycle cafés are a sure win. Is there a point of interest such as volunteer run charity café or National Trust? The coffee stop can be picnic benches if there are loos nearby.  3. The start point  This is actually a good place to start your route planning. Yo...

Rider Awareness Group riding is great fun, though you need to maintain awareness for the safety of yourself and your fellow riders. 1. Listen to the briefing Depending on the route, group size and number of ride leaders, briefings will vary. They are there to help keep everyone safe, so listen carefully. 2. Follow instructions Sounds obvious, I know! If any instructions are unclear, ask for clarification. Your fellow riders may have the same question. 3. Stay alert Be aware of your surroundings, fellow riders, traffic and pedestrians. Any of these can present a hazard, sometimes with little warning. 4. Take care when stopping Extra care is needed when a group slows down or stops. Help pass on calls from the ride leader, such as “Slowing” and “Stopping”, so riders further back have time to react. 5. Choose where to stop With enough notice, you can choose a sensible place to stop rather than simply stopping behind the rider in front. Leave enough space for others a...

This is my understanding though please refer to British Cycling's document Guidelines for Leading Rides. The following graphic is an extract summarising risk management and including the pre-ride route requirement. In response to a query British Cycling gave the following response.  " A Ride Leader - Level 1 needs to pre-ride/recce the route prior to leading a ride. This does not need to be within 7 days of the ride. However, the leader would be expected to consider any factors that may have changed since their last pre-ride, such as roadworks, diversions, or the impact of recent weather on the route, and take these into account before the planned ride. You're also correct for the Ride Leader - Level 2 course. As this incorporates more navigational challenge and risk management scenarios, leaders are able to ride on routes that have not been pre-ridden. However, it is always recommended to ride the route where possible and to consider those factors that may hav...

Your Cycling Journey in Harrow Whether you are learning to ride for the first time or looking to build up to longer rides, Harrow Cycle Hub (HCH) offers activities and support to help you develop your cycling. This pathway suggests seven stages, from learning to ride through to completing a 20-mile ride. Each stage describes what you might aim to achieve and the activities that can help you get there. You don't have to follow the stages rigidly. If you can already ride, simply start at the stage that suits you. You can also return to earlier stages whenever you need extra support.  If you are following British Cycling's Sofa to Saddle programme, you can use HCH activities alongside it to practise your skills and gain experience riding with others. HCH led rides and links to information will supplement the Sofa to Saddle programme.  Don't forget to subscribe to the Harrow Cycle Hub newsletter to be kept informed of future courses, rides and other activities. You can find a...

Tips for Winter Riding Here I provide links to resources as there is no simple answer. What works for a professional cyclist who can keep warm through power output won't work for a casual cyclist. Generally try and buy quality once rather than buying - for example- the shower-resistant cheaper version.  The advice below will be generic so think about your own situation.  - If on a budget many of your existing clothes will suffice such as your walkers waterproof or mid-layer.  - If you have good circulation keeping your core warm will let warming blood heat your hands and feet - If you have very poor circulation then extra warm gloves and socks will help. You might find it helps to wear long warm socks and even cycling boots to protect cold feet - As rides often include a coffee break think how you might use that. Takes spare socks and gloves so you can start the return feeling more comfortable  The Walk, Wheel, Cycle Trust is the new name for Sustrans....

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 a lightweight bike is important to you then build in light...

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. Communi...

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...

  Ride type: Guided Ride Ride suitability: Challenging Ride title: Croxley Green to Bea's Cafe  Start Postcode: WD3 3DY 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. With a 10:15 start you could be back for 15:15 if stops are limited and you maintain a 10 mph average.  Kind of roads you'll be riding: We will use roads on this route with hills and short sections of main road with fast moving traffic. Stops on the way: We stop for drinks and snacks at Bea's Cafe on...

If you are looking to improve your cycling skills here are Twelve Tips. As improving will mean different things to different people this is an eclectic list of resources to explore.  1. Explore different resources  One explanation of puncture repair may not be 100% clear to you so look at a few to get the full picture 2. Search engines If you have problems such as the rear wheel popping up when you stop suddenly do a web search and explore braking 3. Ask your cycle group buddies If you have questions or problems ask at the group ride coffee stop as people will be happy to help though bare in mind you will get many answers to the same question  4. Transport for London (TfL)  The TfL website is suitable for those wanting to get out on the road with online learning and videos plus links to other guides such as puncture repair https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/cycling/cycle-skills 5. Cycling UK Cycling UK have a great website you can use to build your cycling knowledg...