An Introduction to Club Cycling - 5 November 2016

'An Introduction to Club Cycling' is a monthly ride run by ICC specifically for people who would like to try out the club cycling environment in a non-pressured and supportive group.

Next ride: 5th November 2016 at 08:30 am.

You must be signed up for this event to take part. If you are not signed up here on the forum, you will not be able to participate. Details of how to sign up below. PLEASE READ

Unfortunately we cannot offer this session to complete cycling beginners as we are not teaching cycling proficiency. See below for information.

ALL ABOUT YOU:

1.You should have already been cycling regularly in some capacity and be confident cycling on London's roads.
2.You should be familiar with your bike, its set-up and be confident riding it. If you've only just bought your bike, take it out for a couple of spins on your own to gain confidence before you join a group ride with us.
3.You should have a moderate level of fitness already. Capable of riding 25 miles with several steep hills and only brief stops. If you're not yet comfortable at that distance please build up with solo rides before coming along.
4.You should be interested in learning how to ride with a group, and open to improving your cycling skills and communication with other riders. A helpful overview on group riding can be found on the GCN website

THE SESSION:

We will cycle a 25 mile route and discuss group formation, signals, group communication.
There will be a cafe stop at the end of our ride where we can discuss things such as endurance fitness, hill climbing and any other questions about the club.
The session should last a couple of hours, dependent on pace - we usually get to the cafe stop in East Finchley between 11.30am - 12.30pm.

HOW DO I JOIN IN?

If you wish to attend this session you need to sign up to the ride here on the Islington forum.
Register as a user on the forum then click the 'Yes I'm Attending' button to confirm your attendance. If you see no places left, it is because the session is full. We do not maintain a waiting list so please keep checking back in case a place becomes available.
Places are strictly limited - this is to ensure we can safely guide you on our route. Because of this, please do not attend this session if you have not signed up on the forum - you will be turned away.

WHAT TO BRING:
You must wear a helmet to take part in this ride.
A bike that is in good and roadworthy condition. Check your wheels are true, that your gears shift reliably and your brakes work correctly.
Ensure your tyres are inflated to the correct pressure. Under-inflated tyres risk being punctured more easily.
Spare inner tubes, tools and a pump. Club members will help you if you are in trouble - but you should aim to be self-sufficient and at the very least be able to fix a puncture.
Energy/food. We're only doing a short ride, so an energy bar or a banana will do. Make sure you start the day with a decent breakfast.
Water. Make sure that you can easily carry water with you on your bike.
Waterproofs and / or warm clothing. The weather can change quickly - make sure you have checked the weather report and dress appropriately.
Money. Either for the cafe stop or in case of an emergency (you might be in a situation where you need to get a train or taxi home! So bring enough cash or your cash card!)

WHAT TO LEAVE AT HOME:
BIKE LOCKS. Please, please, please leave your heavy D lock at home! You will not need it on this ride.
RUCKSACKS. You should be able to stuff all your things into jersey pockets - or invest in a saddle bag. Please aim to travel light.

OTHER STUFF:
ALL RIDERS MUST observe the Highway Code AT ALL TIMES when riding with Islington CC. This includes: riding no more than two abreast and riding in single file to allow traffic to pass on narrow roads, obeying traffic lights and signs, not riding on pavements and not abusing other road users.
Please acknowledge any courtesy shown to you by other road users and stop at pedestrian crossings where necessary.

Riders attend club rides strictly at their own risk. Please listen to your ride leaders and follow their instructions.

I don't have to be a member to take part do I? It'd be nice to come along to this and see before joining.

Hi Alex

This ride (and now also the group skills ride) are open to people who want to try out the club and are the way we'd recommend people trying us out. If you're free on the 5 November then please sign up and come along!

Can I please sign up for this ride? My wife Bev would also like to come.
If the weather is poor I will probably stay indoors.

Sure, there are 6 places left so both you and your wife will need to create accounts and then click the 'Yes, I'm attending' button at the top of the page.

If the weather is poor we'll still be riding anyway so you have no excuses!! In all seriousness, if you decide not to come then please vacate your places so somebody else can take them.

Hi, I've just joined but cannot attend this one . Is this compulsory as an intro to the club? Unfortunately I'm in another group ride on that day with someone going for the world record for most miles ridden in a year. Can I turn up at London zoo gates for 8am for the laps session this sat (30th oct) and ride in a group there?

Hi. Welcome to the club! We do ask that all new members attend the intro ride or a group skills session (to be advertised shortly) so please keep your eyes peeled for that and get yourself signed up. You can attend the Saturday laps or Sunday C rides before you attend the intro/group skills session but you should attend them at some point

One space up for grabs folks

If the space is still available, I'd like it. Thanks.

Hi,

Awh, just missed the last slot.

If possible I would like to go on a waiting list please - my wife Sarah Halpin is riding in it.

Thanks,
Victoria

I live locally so I can easily make it at short notice. :)

Hi there,

If any free slots come up I'd love to join- perhaps to join a waiting list as I can come at short notice.

Thanks,
Katie

When will the meet point be announced?

I'll be sending it out tomorrow (Thursday) so please keep your eyes peeled for a yellow envelope appearing in the top right hand corner of this page. When it appears, click it and look for the instructions.

Actually I've just sent it as I've realised I'm busy tomorrow.

All, please let me know if you haven't received the instructions. See you on Saturday!

Received! Thank you. See you on Saturday 😄

I'm afraid I double booked myself! There's a free spot now.

Well I hope you're all ready and raring to go for tomorrow. Temperature is set to be around 6^oC but dry so wear some warmer clothing - we will be standing around at the start as we have a short introduction to the club and each other!

See you all tomorrow!

I hope you got my message that I can't make it.

Nice but chilly introduction ride today. Hope you all enjoyed it and thanks to all in our group +AlanS, Elaine, +DaveCooper, +Layla, Juliet, +SallyB and ride leader +StephendS. Don't forget to join us on one of our bi-monthly Group Skills Sessions @Regent's Park

@MikeMC thanks well lead . Enjoyed the ride and company .

Well done everyone. Sorry I had to rush off, just made it in time. As +MikeMC says, do join a group skills session or come along for 8am Regent's Park laps. If you want more hills, there's always Wednesday evenings.

Many thanks Mike and Steve for capably dragging me over hill and and dale today. Thanks to everyone for their encouragement and patience with this lanterne rouge, especially the two Mikes and Layla and thanks to Steve for the reminder to eat.

Had a lovely time on the ride this morning. Thanks to all for organising... Signing up for my membership now that I've got back the feeling in my fingers and toes!

Now that I can feel my hands to type, albeit rather oily hands, I'd like to thank everyone for making me feel welcome. p.s. Elaine I'll be your wingman any time! Oh and I'm now a member... See you next weekend everyone.

Sincerest apologies for signing up and subsequently missing this. Got my dates and days muddled - was all ready for this morning, double checked to find it was yesterday - doh!